21 feb 1939 anni - Winston Churchill Resigns as War Minister Anthony Eden Resigns as Foreign Secretary Internal Crisis in the British Government

Descrizione:

Winston Churchill was faced with a dilemma, either stay and face the collective responsibility of remaining in Halifax's cabinet; or leave and fight his agenda with other means possible.

He chose to leave. On February 21st 1939, Churchill resigned as War Minister to Prime Minister Halifax. He would step out to the steps of the war ministry and decry his argument for going on with the struggle with the passion and emotion of a true statesman. Then he set forth for Westminster.

Churchill was greeted by cheering supporters from both aisles of the chamber as he addressed the House of Commons on the reasons for his resignation and called upon the nation to take up arms against the threat he had called out from the beginning.

Churchill would join with Anthony Eden (now rather known for his warlike views) would resign from the cabinet as Foreign Secretary triggering an internal crisis in Government.
Seeking to restore order in Government, Halifax appointed Sir John Anderson as his new Secretary of State for War. A promotion from Air minister would be selected by Harold Macmillan, shortly after, Kingsley Wood would become Foreign Secretary, which was a promotion from First Lord of the Admiralty.

It was only now that Halifax became unsure of his position as Prime Minister in the war. Public support started to fall behind Churchill in the days following his resignation. With calls for Halifax to be challenged or have him form his own party, just like what he had done after the last war under the "constitutionalist" banner.
He could not stand down as Prime Minister however, the King refused to permit it, so he remained to lead a war he could not win backed up by a party who didn't like him.

Halifax did have one advantage; a majority in Parliament and broad enough support to lead without being questioned too much.

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