| Description | The majority of these letters were written to Cynthia to congratulate her on her maiden speech in the House of Commons after her election as MP for Stoke-on-Trent in 1929, or concerning a radio broadcast she made in February 1930 on the subject of social convention. The file also includes a letter, dated 1927, relating to a speech made by Cynthia in Hyde Park. Most of this correspondence is written by friends or political figures, but some is clearly written by members of the public, including constituents of both Oswald and Cynthia Mosley. Letters comprise:
/1 from William Riley, Norwood near Fewston, Harrogate, Yorkshire, 28 June 1927, expressing his admiration for a speech made by Cynthia in Hyde Park, likening Cynthia to a prophetess and explaining that he sees Cynthia and Oswald Mosley as doing God's work. The letter contains substantial biblical imagery and Riley includes several bible references to encourage Cynthia in her political career
/2 from Ernest ?Brown, House of Commons Library, 31 Oct 1929, with congratulations on her speech, 'a delightful first effort, we are so glad that we are all your 'friends''. This correspondent was probably Ernest Brown, Liberal MP for Leith
/3 from 'Christopher', Staff College, Camberley, 1 Nov 1929, with congratulations on her speech, 'a most important and significant utterance full of the very best spirit that there is about now in England'
/4 from 'MAC', House of Commons Library, 1 Nov 1929, congratulating her on her speech which he has read in Hansard, having been absent from the Chamber when she made it. Internal evidence suggests that 'MAC' was a Labour party colleague of Cynthia, possibly Andrew MacLaren, Labour MP for Burslem.
/5 from Florence Wedgwood, 12 Beaufort House, Chelsea, 1 Nov 1929, with congratulations on her speech; 'you may have had 'something for nothing', but you are re-paying now'. For other letters from Florence Wedgwood to Cynthia, see OMN/A/2/22/80
/6 from Irene Curzon, 3, Deanery Street, London, signed 'Nina', with her congratulations, expressing her feelings of pride in Cynthia, writing 'the occasion was so alarming for you with Daddy's record behind you - & tho' his views would have differed he could but not be proud of his daughter's debut'
/7 from Victor Cazalet, Conservative MP, House of Commons, 14 Nov 1929, with congratulations on Cynthia's maiden speech, 'to how few it is given to 'speak' as well as they 'look''
/8 from 'E. F. C', London E.12, 3 Dec 1929, expressing her admiration for Cynthia which dates from her attendance at a meeting addressed by her in support of 'Our Susan' and informing her that he has named her baby daughter after her
/9 from The Central Council for Broadcast Adult Education, Savoy Hill, London, 19 Feb 1930, thanking Cynthia for her broadcast and referring to a favourable report in the 'Evening Standard'
/10 from J. J. Stonier, 57 Vicarage Road, Smethwick, 19 Feb 1930, expressing his feelings on hearing Cynthia's radio broadcast: 'the message you sent over the wireless was one of real hope to many, who, like myself., are just sick and tired of convention...last night..revealed you as one quite distinct and apart from the crowd of those who battened and fattened on our sufferings as kids in the mines of this country...never again I hope will I feel embarrassed in your presence but realise that we are Comrades in Arms for the betterment of the race'.
/11 from William Rob[er]t Bant, 49 Ather Road, Redditch, Worcestershire, 19 Feb, with congratulations on Cynthia's radio broadcast. He hopes to meet her, having been unable to do so when she visited Redditch to assist Frank Lloyd at the Temperance Hall
/12 from Agatha Beasley, 2 Belvedere Drive, Newbury, Berkshire, 20 Feb, with congratulations on Cynthia's radio broadcast, commenting that she would like to have heard more about Cynthia's views on education and housing. The letter contains a detailed account of Agatha Beasley's experiences running a working girls club, her views about slum clearance, and her belief that girls should be educated to the age of fifteen
/13 from Laura West, 'Riverside', The Rhydd, Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, 21 Feb, giving an account of her desire to become a speedway rider, and the impact that Cynthia's radio broadcast has had on her. She writes that she has been inspired by Cynthia's encouragement to break social conventions and asking whether she might lend her the money to enable her to buy a bike and other equipment
/14 from Susan K. Maclagan, 7 Coverdale Road, Brondesbury, London, 9 Mar 1930, asking for advice about whether to educate her children at home rather than send them to public schools. She writes that she has been inspired to ask after listening to Cynthia express her ideas about education in her recent radio broadcast
/15 undated letter from Maud Mosley, 105 Cadogan Gardens, London, signed 'Ma', congratulating Cynthia on her performance that night, and thanking her for 'making it possible for me to witness your triumph'
/16 undated letter from 'Elsie', Nottlers House, Bricket Wood, St Albans, congratulating Cynthia on an unidentified speech |