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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 1 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:
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 EmpireGlow - No survival for all that
The British EmpireGlow 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]