Asquith wrote to Venetia on 26th July 1914

 Asquith wrote to Venetia on 26th July 1914

Asquith informs Venetia  about developments with Home Rule and then his worries about the build up of tensions in Europe…..
After this he writes ..
"What a screed about politics!  Poor darling - but you are very patient, and, what is even more to the point, really interested - aren't you? "

In my view this shows that he knows Venetia is not really that interested in politics (even though he sends her state secrets in the normal post) ….He is trying to delude himself that she is .. I still find his delusions quite amazing.

Started to reread letters about start of WW1

I have started to re read Asquith's letters to Venetia in the build up to the war… one thing I hadn't noticed before was that he appeared to include in his letters the actual telegrams that he had received and send them to Venetia .. quite extraordinary!

Tim Piggott Smith is going to play Asquith on Thursday BBC 2 at 9.00! And for three nights too…..

Tim was interviewed on the Andrew Marr show and the presenter insightfully asked Tim whether there was  anything about his letter writing to Venetia in the play .. he said there wasn't but they both agreed that Asquith was a serial gropper.. how much dropping does he do in the play?
I can't wait to see the play as it is billed as a proper historical documentary but why has Mark Hayward (the author) missed out the vital fact that Asquith was writing letters to his young lover in cabinet meetings?

That union of prime minister HH Asquith and Venetia Stanley produced my stepfather Louis Stanley!