Attlee and Churchill: Allies in War, Adversaries in Peace

by Leo McKinstry

Throughout history there has never been a connection like that between Clement Attlee and Winston Churchill, leaders of their respective parties for a total of 35 years. Brought together in the epoch-making circumstances of World War II, they forged a partnership that transcended party lines, before going on to face each other in two of Britain's most important and influential general elections. Based on extensive research and archival material, this book provides a host of new insights. From the bizarre coincidence that they shared a governess, to their explosive wartime clashes over domestic policy and reconstruction; and from Britain's post-war nuclear weapons program, which Attlee kept hidden from Churchill and his own Labor Party, to the private correspondence between the two men in later life, which demonstrates their friendliness despite all the political antagonism, Leo McKinstry tells the intertwined story of these two political titans. This gripping narrative provides a fresh perspective on two of the most compelling leaders of the mid-20th century while also bringing to life this vibrant, traumatic and inspiring era of modern British history.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, 20th Century

752 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2019

About the author

Leo McKinstry writes regularly for the Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph and Spectator. He has also written nine books including a life of Geoff Boycott, which was recently named one of the finest cricket books written in a Wisden poll. His best-selling biography of the footballing Charlton brothers was a top-ten bestseller and won the Sports Book of the Year award, while his study of Lord Rosebery won Channel Four Political Book of the year. Most recently he has written a trilogy about the RAF in the Second World War, including Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane.

Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University.

Reviews

[Richard Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book. The mix of biography, history and anecdotes makes it readable, enjoyable and interesting. I learnt a great deal about the political conduct of the Government during World War Two and particularly how the contrasting styles of Churchill and Attlee successfully managed the war effort. The difference between the aristocratic Churchill and the middle class Attlee is striking - one vivid, extravagant and outgoing; the other modest, frugal and introverted - and Leo McKinstry draws it out. It’s a book that I would find it difficult to believe that no-one could fail to find something new in it.

[Koit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Attlee and Churchill were the giants of their time, there is no doubt about that. One might doubt which one of them was the greater: for many, I guess, the wartime heroics of Churchill make him rise higher than the solid statesmanship of Attlee. For me, my respect for what Clement Attlee achieved both as Deputy Prime Minister as well as Prime Minister is boundless—and he certainly ranks higher than Winston Churchill.

Mr McKinstry’s view at the two men really starts in the 1920’s though he offers an overview of their previous life, including the Great War, in fair detail. However, it’s only after the fall of Lloyd George’s national government that Churchill’s sentiments appear clearer. The interwar governments of Baldwin and MacDonald are therefore quite an interesting period, with Attlee learning the ropes while Churchill gets thrust into the political hinterlands.

It is also clear from how Mr McKinstry approaches the subject how much more detail oriented at every stage Attlee was—in great contrast to Churchill. While this is apparent in the early considerations over India, it only becomes clearer when the war-time contributions of both men are compared. The notes by the generals as well as other ministers are a joy to behold where the Attlee is described in glowing terms because of how he administered.

Meanwhile, the difficulties in keeping the Labour movement together that have plagued every historic leader of the party were just as troublesome for Attlee. Nye Bevan comes through very poorly, especially given the chances he would have had had he stuck to Attlee’s party line. Churchill’s troubles with his party were far more his own creation, especially the unwillingness to succeed—Eden’s long period as heir apparent can only done him ill as was later the case with the Suez Affair. Yet, when the Conservatives were arguing which old man should replace the other—even if Macmillan had a solid victory—a far more dynamic young Labour leader in Wilson is seen on the sidelines.

In this one can deduce that Attlee left his party far stronger—though he also resigned in very old age—than Churchill did. The Conservatives’ apparent early electoral success in the post-Churchill period did not really translate from their own glories rather than the weakness of Labour, and in the post-Attlee period one can understand that.

One of the weaknesses of this book was the author’s rambling style. Every paragraph was about three times longer than it should be, and I like to read a paragraph at a time if I’m doing something. This was nearly impossible for this book as the author left barely any logical pauses into the text.

From a more substantive side, relations with other Dominions were not touched at all. Knowing that Churchill stepped on some Dominion’s Prime Ministers’ toes during the war, directing their troops directly, this would have been an interesting interlude. Similarly, the not-a-Dominion-at-this-time of Newfoundland is not mentioned though Churchill, Attlee, and Beaverbrook were instrumental in pawning off the independence of that once-proud country. It seems that these choices were made due to the author’s topic preferences which makes it even more shameful that such themes were disregarded.

Nevertheless, this is quite possibly the best political British overview of the war, and well ahead of a mindless glorification of either leader as one might find in many other biographies.

This review was originally posted on my blog.

[Jason Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Churchill the extravagant aristocrat and Attlee the frugal uncharasmatic middle class man were an unlikely partnership but ultimately a strong one . Both made early errors- Churchill tried too hard to defend a fading status quo and Attlee underestimated the Nazi threat . Nevertheless , their wartime coalition worked , though as Rory and labour leaders they remained to an extent opponents , often disagreeing bitterly on plans for postwar reconstruction. Churchill was not as reactionary as is sometimes thought ( he supported female suffrage and prison reform for instance ) but his attachment to empire and to rigid class structures now lacked realism, and his previous brutal suppression of strike action was not forgotten. His attempts to portray Labour as Stalinist was puerile nonsense that followed nobody .

Churchill was seen by many as fighting for out moded worldview and its this which helps to explain his otherwise shocking postwar ejection defeat. He never took to broadcasting despite his iconic speeches and was often sen as drunk. The achievements in terms of social empowerment and fairness and welfare by the first Attlee government are legendary despite unsuccessful nationalisation and a breach with America in now critical nuclear relations .

Churchill would return to power as Attlee’s star faded , and his government lost direction and cooed badly with a financial crisis , despite a solid string of achievements. But Churchill was over the hill and showing it and Attlee too perhaps held on for too long. The nature of party politics made them opponents, but their regard for each other remained.

This is a solid chronicle .

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me a long time to read because it was a long book and heavy to hold. The writing though is not at all heavy and I very much enjoyed reading it. I was of course familiar with the life of Winston Churchill but not so much with Clement Attlee, although he was Prime Minister for the first few years of my life in England. It was so interesting to read British History from this point of view. Winston was of course a vibrant personality while Attlee was a quiet but determined man who stood fast to his Socialist principles and kept the British government going at home while Churchill fought the war. Much of the basic parts of the British Welfare State were put in place by Attlee. While a staunch Tory, Churchill actually supported these measures and felt himself to be more of a Liberal than a Conservative. While the 2 men fought each other every day in the British Parliament, outside they were surprisingly good friends. The two men and their families often got together socially. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in British Political History.

[Alan Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly written and beautifully paced throughout so that the stories of these two remarkable men and the momentum of the narrative never flag. Churchill, of course, is a gargantuan figure known to everyone to some degree or other. Attlee, on the other hand, much less known to most. The author protrays these two characters, who in many ways could not be more different, with great vividness, great knowledge and huge - at times, rightly tempered - admiration.
Their early careers, wartime partnership (also explored brilliantly in Roger Hermiston's All Behind You, Winston) and post-war antagonisms are told with just the right amount of detail to stave off any dryness. This is a long book, but it covers 90 years of world-changing history, and never flags.

(The proof-reading is however appalling)

Highly recommended.

[ANTHONY CUTLER · Rating 3 out of 5]

The problem with all dual biographies is that one subject is more interesting than the other. Attlee is dull and plodding compared to the protean Churchill. That is, really, the author's point. That said, some of the coincidental parallels are astonishing.

Well written and lots of aspects of early 20th century British history explained well. Churchill's faults, the drinking to start with, are not glossed over. Churchill hated socialism but did not let that stop him being warm to socialists.

One sub-theme that caught my eye was Lord Beaverbrook's attempt in 1941 to suborn Ernest Bevin into a move against Churchill in order to remove him from power and place the two of them in his stead. Bevin was having none of it.

Possibly a mean 3-stars but the problem is that Atlee was awfully dull.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent dual biography.

[Jack Flaherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars.

There are some great parts in this book and I did enjoy the read. The Churchill bits were enlightening and presented in a very fair manner. Attlee was done a disservice. Attlee was repeatedly mentioned as being a bad speaker, but when he wasn't, he's given short due.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history. I was fairly familiar with Churchill--especially his role in WWII and saving Britain. I had very little awareness of Atlee and his role in supporting Churchill in war but in leading what was to become the welfare state in England. They disagreed on domestic politics in leading their respective parties but they deeply respected each other on a personal level (something that seems to be missing in contemporary American politics). The were very different in style and personality--something McKinstry illustrates very well.