The Churchill row is part of the glib approach to history that gave us Brexit | Simon Jenkins

John McDonnell is entitled to dislike Britain’s wartime leader. But simplistic views of the past are at the root of many woes

Churchill, hero or villain? Prince Charles, goodie or baddie? Jesus Christ, yes or no? John McDonnell, modern Herodotus or fool? Tick the boxes and pass the GCSE. Welcome to the new history. McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, is entitled to dislike Winston Churchill, but why for Tonypandy? Churchill happened to be Liberal home secretary in 1910 and was asked to authorise...