What a pleasant change to read an article about
Clement Attlee, albeit a review of the recent biography by John Bew, which
mentioned the Labour PM`s modesty and lack of charisma, without including the
ubiquitous, and completely unfunny, "joke" from Churchill, that he had "plenty
to be modest about" (Citizen Clem: A Biography of Attlee, reviewed by Chris
Mullins, 03/09/16).
Mullins does mention the fact that he faced
"almost incessant criticism from his own party", including "four attempts to
force him out of the leadership". What he does omit, however, is that seven
weeks prior to Attlee`s famous 1945 landslide election victory, which heralded a
government providing the welfare state, nationalisation of key industries, and
the NHS, the Labour party chairman, Laski, sent the leader a letter stating that
he should consider resigning, as his leadership was a "grave handicap to the
hopes of victory"!
Mullins did not bother to read Bew's book before reviewing it. The idea that Churchill is the source of 'modest man' is utter nonsense. Attlee did not face "almost incessant criticism from his own party", nor were there "four attempts to force him out of the leadership". Attlee did not treat Laski's barmy letter seriously, sending a very short reply that the contents were noted.
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