Mr. Churchill Speaks in Commons

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1940, Page 8

Mr. Churchill Speaks in Commons

GRIM TASK AHEAD

Overwhelming Vote of Confidence

(Official Wireless and " D.P.A.)

(Received May 14, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 13

Addressing the House of Commons this afternoon for the first time as Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill asked the members to declare their confidence in the new Government.

Mr. Churchill said he had considered it in the public interest that the House should meet at once to approve the new Government.

By 381 votes to 0, the House of Commons expressed confidence in Mr. Churchill's Government in a division forced by Mr. James Maxton. He received the support of only one other Independent Labour Party member, and since they had to act as tellers, no votes were recorded against the resolution.

Tremendous cheers rang through the chamber as Mr. Churchill entered, and Mr. Chamberlain also received a great ovation. "A War Cabinet has been formed of five members, representing the unity of the nation," said Mr. Churchill. "We are in the preliminary phase of one of the greatest battles in history. I trust that when Parliament again meets the Administration will be complete in all respects.

"I say to the House, as I have said to the Ministers who have joined this Government, that I have nothing to offer but blood and toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many long months of struggle and suffering.

"What is our policy? I say it is to wage war—war by land, sea, and air, war with all our might and with all the strength God has given us—to wage war against a monstrous tyranny which has never been surpassed in the lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. "What is our aim? I can give the answer in one word—it is victory—victory at all costs, victory in spite of all perils, 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, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages. But mankind shall move forward towards its goal. "I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be' suffered to fail among men. I feel entitled at this stage to claim the aid of all, and I say, 'Come, then, let us go forward together with our united strength.' " Mr. Churchill's declaration was repeatedly broken into by long and loud cheers. The mood of the crowded House scarcely needed his preliminary reminder that the British nation was at the opening stage of "one of the greatest battles in history, that we are in action at many other points in Europe, 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."

Mr. Churchill sat down amid loud cheering.