Chapter 37 blood, toil, tears and sweat

Last Friday evening I accepted His Majesty's commission to form a new government. The formation of the cabinet this time should include all political parties, both those that supported the previous government and those that were in opposition to the previous government. Obviously, this is the hope and will of the parliament and the country. I have completed the most important part of this task.A war cabinet had been formed, consisting of five members, including Liberals from the opposition party, representing national unity. Leaders of all three parties have agreed to join the war cabinet, or to hold senior national executive positions.

The command structure of the three services has been enriched. Due to the extreme urgency and seriousness of the developments, it was absolutely necessary to complete this task in just one day.Many other key positions were appointed yesterday.I will present the supplementary list to His Majesty this evening and hope to complete the appointments of the key ministers to the government by tomorrow. The appointment of the other ministers usually takes a little more time, but I trust that when the session reconvenes my task will be completed and the government will be complete in every respect.

I think it is in the public interest to recommend to the House that it sit today.Mr. Speaker agreed with this proposal and took the necessary steps in accordance with the powers vested in him by the resolution of the House of Commons. At the end of today's agenda, it is recommended that the House of Commons experience until Tuesday 21 May.Of course, there are additional regulations, if necessary, the meeting can be resumed in advance.All members will be notified as soon as possible of the issues to be considered at next week's meeting. I now ask the House of Commons, by a resolution introduced in my name, to approve the steps taken, put them on record, and declare confidence in the new government.

Forming a government of this size and complexity is a serious undertaking in itself. But everyone must remember that we are in the early stages of one of the greatest wars in history. We are fighting in many places in Norway and Holland. We must prepare in the Mediterranean area. The air battle is still going on. Readiness must be done at home.I hope you will forgive me if I do not address the House today at this critical moment. I also hope that any friends and colleagues, or former colleagues, who have been affected by this change of government will fully understand the lack of decorum which has hitherto been inevitable .

As I have said to members of this Government, I say to the House: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat." Before us is a painful ordeal. Before us are many, many long years of struggle and suffering. You ask: what is our policy?I would say that it is our policy to wage war, by sea, by land, and in the air, with all our power, with all the strength God has given us, against a tyranny of such diabolism and violence that there has never been in the dark and tragic history of crimes of mankind.That's our policy. You ask: what is our goal?I can answer it in one word: Victory—whatever it takes, to win; to win, however dire it may be, to win however far and hard the road.

Because without victory, there is no survival. We must all realize this: without victory there would be no Empire, there would be no Empire, there would be no Empire for all it stood for, and there would be no generational drive and drive to move humanity forward towards its goals.But when I took on the burden, I was cheerful and hopeful. I am convinced that people will not allow our cause to fail.At this moment, I feel that I have the right to ask for your support, and I want to say: "Come on, let's move forward together!"