January 1, 1970

Introduced by Richard M. Langworth

After his party lost the 1945 General Election, Churchill was urged to retire and tour Britain for a populace that had voted him out but still admired his wartime leadership. ‘I refuse to be exhibited like a prize bull whose chief attraction is its past prowess’, Churchill stated. He became a scintillating Leader of the Opposition, returned as Prime Minister in 1951, and engaged in a long sunset in which he frequently proposed to retire, then changed his mind.

Why did he stay so long? He told friends he wished to restore Britain’s position in the world, and re-establish the intimate relationship with the United States. Still a dominant figure abroad, he spoke on the Cold War and a united Europe. He fought off arterial spasms and a major stroke, finally handing over to Anthony Eden in April 1955. Three days before he resigned, his private secretary found him on the edge of his bed at Downing Street: ‘…suddenly he stared at me and said with vehemence: “I don’t believe that Anthony can do it”.’

Read the full article by Terry Reardon here: ‘The Reluctant Retiree: Did Churchill Stay Too Long?’, Finest Hour 150, Spring 2011, scroll to p.20.