Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Speech on 50th Anniversary of Churchill’s appointment as PM

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: No.10 Downing Street
Source: Thatcher Archive: COI transcript
Editorial comments: 1930 onwards.
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 1531
Themes: Monarchy, Conservative Party (history), Defence (general), Foreign policy (Central & Eastern Europe), Leadership

No. 10 is a house of history. In the two and a half centuries that it has been the residence of Prime Ministers, it has witnessed many historical events. Tomorrow is one of them—the fiftieth anniversary of the day Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and formed the National Government—and I am very pleased that it has been possible to bring together tonight so many of those who worked with him in that Government, on the staff of Downing Street and in the Cabinet Office. As well as members of the Churchill family, we have also the families of Clement Attlee and Sir Archibald Sinclair.

But there is one whose uniquely great contribution we shall forever honour and hold in the most affectionate regard—Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Who can ever forget the support she gave to the George VIKing and people all through those dark days? [end p1]

May I read to you the message which I have sent to Her Majesty the Queen Mother on behalf of all of us present here tonight:

Madam,

With humble duty I write to convey to Your Majesty my loyal greetings and those of the members of the wartime Governments, the Secretariat of No. 10 and of the Cabinet Offices during the wartime years, of the members of the Churchill family and all who will be dining at 10 Downing Street on the evening of 9 May to mark the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill 's premiership and the formation of the Grand Coalition.

Recalling those stern but great days, and conscious of His Majesty the King's and Your Majesty's inspiring leadership of your people during those years of sacrifice which led to victory, we send you this message of loyalty and affection.” (applause)

May I read also the message which Her Majesty has sent in return? [end p2]

I am most touched by your kind message and send my warmest thanks to you and to all who joined with you in your expression of gratitude and affection to the King and myself—sentiments which I so greatly appreciate.

For us, in those long days of the War, it was an inspiration to know that the destinies of our country were being guided by a leader of such vision and courage and by a Government whose wisdom and determination would withstand every hazard of those anxious times.
And let us not forget the people,” Her Majesty continues. “I remember one occasion when there had been a particularly heavy air raid on the East End of London and the King and I went down to see what-we could do to help. In one devastated street, there was a lady leaning on the remains of her front gate and when I offered words of sympathy, she replied with grim determination: “We're not going to be done in by that there ‘'itler’!” The right spirit!” Her Majesty continues.
“I am truly sad that I cannot be with you this evening and may I send you all my warmest good wishes for an enjoyable and memorable occasion.”
(applause)

Over the next five years, we shall celebrate a succession of fiftieth anniversaries: Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbour and the American arrival as our allies, Alamein, the D-Day landings, VE-Day and finally, we must never forget, victory in the Far East. [end p3]

Historians will debate the significance of each of these and where the true turning point in the War can be said to lie, but there is no doubting the significance of the event we are gathered here to celebrate—the fiftieth anniversary of Winston Churchill 's appointment as Prime Minister and the formation of the National Government or, as he preferred to call it, the Grand Coalition.

We can see now quite clearly that it was an event of over-whelming importance in the history of Britain. Without it, none of the trials of the early years of the War could have been endured, none of the final triumphs achieved, for it brought to the leadership of our nation, of the empire and of all peoples then fighting against Hitler 's oppression, a man of vision, a man of indomitable spirit and above all a man capable of inspiring others to feats of great heroism and courage.

The tenth of May also saw the British people coming together under a National Government, setting aside their political differences so they could fight shoulder to shoulder for their common heritage. But like so many important events, Winston 's arrival as Prime Minister was not fully appreciated at the time. Although his popularity in the country was undoubted, there were many in positions of influence who doubted whether he was the right man for the job. On this very evening, fifty years ago, he was dining at the Admiralty House with Sir Archibald Sinclair, Anthony Eden, Brendan Bracken and Professor Lindemann. Although he told them he was sure the George VIKing would call for him the following day, many still had reservations. [end p4]

Why did some doubt that he was the man for the hour? Winston 's offence was that he had told the truth, the truth about the nature of the threat facing us and of the need to keep our defences sure. He held to his conviction that only strength deters aggression. His ten years in the political wilderness had illustrated that it is better to be right and alone than part of the crowd but wrong. He had adhered to Sidney Smith 's famous dictum:

“There is only one principle of public policy: do what you think is right and take place and power as an accident.”

So it was with Winston. So he came to be vindicated and so he came to office.

Historians will argue about the mainsprings of history. Some accord a pre-eminent role to a nation's geographical location or to its possession of national resources and natural resources; others attach importance to advances in technology, whether in the military field—the machine gun, the tank or the atom bomb—or the civil field—the steamship, the railway or the aeroplane. [end p5]

But Winston Churchill illustrates dramatically that whatever theory one espouses, a place has to be found for personality, for leadership, for individual drive and determination for history has shown many times that the fortunes of nations can be transformed, for good or ill, by the character and deeds of individuals—and never more so than on this occasion.

So it was that a man who embodied the finest qualities of the nation was called to lead it when its very existence was imperilled. Speaking in Westminster Hall on his eightieth birthday, he commented modestly:

“It was a nation and a race dwelling all around the globe that had the lion's heart. I had the luck to be called upon to give the roar!”

But he did add characteristically:

“I also hope that I sometimes suggested to the lion the right place to use its claws!”

Armed with his faith in ultimate victory, he inspired in the people a determination to resist, a willingness to give their all in pursuit of a just cause. None of us who heard his speeches could fail to be moved by them or will ever forget them. Never has oratory been such a powerful weapon in a statesman's armoury. It was John Kennedy who said of him that “he mobilised the English language and sent it into battle” . [end p6]

But within the magnificent exterior was a humanity and a kindness. I have always been touched by Lord Ismay 's recollection of 13 May 1940. He wrote:

“I walked with him from Downing Street to the Admiralty. A number of people outside the private entrance greeted him with cries of “Good Luck, Winnie, God Bless You!” He was visibly moved and as soon as we were inside the building, he dissolved into tears. “Poor people!” he said, “Poor people. They trust me and I can give them nothing but disaster for quite a long time.”

In that private moment, he revealed how heavy was the burden upon him, for despite the tremendous support which Pug Ismay and others around this table gave him, it was a burden that he as leader, and he alone could bear.

When finally the War was over, Winston could take pride that the nation and the empire had indeed been saved, though the cost was high. Britain was bankrupted—indeed, it has taken many years to nurse the economy back to health—but on the Continent, half of Europe had merely exchanged one tyranny for another. In 1940, broadcasting to the nation, he had said: [end p7]

Let the great cities of Warsaw, of Prague and of Vienna banish the despair even in the midst of their agony; their liberation is sure. The day will come when the joybells ring again throughout Europe and when victorious nations, masters not only of their foes but of themselves, will plan and build in justice, in tradition and in freedom, a house of many mansions where there will be room for all” .

For some of those cities it took a very long time. How fitting, therefore, that tonight we are able to celebrate not only the fiftieth anniversary of Winston 's coming to power, but finally the realisation of his vision of a greater Europe, free and at peace, in democracy under the rule of law. (applause)

Prime Ministers, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the toast:

“To Winston Churchill and the Grand Coalition!”