January 1, 1970

Churchill found out that he’d lost the election on 26 July (polling day had been 5 July but unusually there was an interlude to allow for the return of the overseas service votes). Attlee, the new Prime Minister, who had accompanied Churchill, took his place. Churchill had returned to Britain, after a brief holiday, and the results were announced while he was home. He went immediately to Buckingham Palace – where, only a few months before, he’d waved to cheering crowds from the balcony – and resigned.

copyright: IWM (BU 9197)