British National Policy in May 1940, by Prime Minister: Winston Churchill [5 min]

Mr. Speaker,

On Friday, evening last,

I received His Majesty's commission to form a new administration.

It was the evident wish and will of parliament and the nation.

That this should be conceived on the broadest possible basis. And

That it should include all parties:

• Both those who supported the late government.
• And also the parties of the opposition.

I have completed the most important part of this task.

A war cabinet has been formed, of 5 members,

Representing with the liberal opposition

The unity of the nation.

The 3 party leaders

Have agreed to serve either

• in the war cabinet or
• in high executive office

The 3 fighting services have been filled.

It was necessary that this should be done in one single day,

On account of the extreme urgency and rigour of events.

A number of other key positions were filled yesterday,

And I am submitting a further list to his majesty tonight

I hope to complete the appointment of the principal ministers during tomorrow

The appointment of the other ministers, usually takes a little longer

But I trust that when parliament meets again, this part of my task will be completed.

And that the administration will be complete in all respects

Sir,

I considered it in the public interest

To suggest that the house should be summoned

To meet today

Mr. Speaker agreed,

And took the necessary steps

In accordance with the powers conferred upon him

By the resolution of the house.

At the end of the proceedings today

The adjournment of the house

Will be proposed until Tuesday, the 21st of May.

With of course provision for earlier meeting if need be.

The business to be considered during that week,

Will be notified to members at the earliest opportunity.

I now invite the house,

By the resolution which stands in my name.

To record its approval of the steps taken. And

To declare its confidence in the new government.

Sir,

To form an administration of this scale and complexity

Is a serious undertaking in itself.

But it must be remembered

That we are in the preliminary stage

Of one of the greatest battles

In history

That we are in action at many points

• in Norway, and
• in Holland

That we have to be prepared in the Mediterranean.

That the air battle is continuous. And

That many preparations have to be made

Here at home.

In this crisis,

I hope I may be pardoned

If I do not address the house

At any lengths today

I hope that any of

• my friends and colleagues,
• or former colleagues

Who are affected by the political reconstruction

Will make all allowances for any lack of ceremony

With which it has been necessary to act.

I would say to the house

As I've said to those who've joined the government.

I have nothing to offer,

But:

• blood,
• toil,
• tears, and
• sweat.

We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind

We have before us many, many long months:

• of struggle and
• of suffering

You ask, what is our policy?

I will say it is to wage war by:

• sea (build),
• land (capture), and
• air (analyse)

With all our might and

With all the strength that God can give us.

To wage war against a monstrous tyranny

Never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue

Of human crime

That is our policy.

You ask, what is our aim?

I can answer in one word:

• Victory
• Victory at all costs
• Victory in spite of all terror
• Victory, however long and hard the road may be

For without victory, there is no survival.

Let that be realised:

• No survival for the British Empire Glow
• No survival for all that The British Empire Glow stood for
• No survival for the urge and impulse of the ages

That mankind will move forward towards its goal

But:

I take up my task, with buoyancy and hope

I feel sure that our cause, will not be suffered

To fail among men

This time I feel entitled to claim

The aid of all

And I say,

Come,

Then,

Let us go forward together

With our united strength.

[687 words, 112 lines, ~6 words p/line, 5 min 20 sec, ~130 words p/min]