Winston Churchill Speeches

About Winston Churchill Speeches

his speeches through the course of the war galvanised and heartened those fighting and enduring the dangers and privations of World War II.

"Winston Churchill's words inspired a nation," says the victorious prime minister's great grandson.

A glance at some of Churchill's most memorable appearances at the dispatch box provide that extra inspiration.

Here are some examples of the wartime PM's speeches to Parliament, shared by the Commons' Hansard team:
'Strong horses'

When Churchill gave this speech in the Commons, he was yet to become prime minister.

But during a debate on Britain's disastrous campaign in Norway - leading to Neville Chamberlain's ousting from No 10 - Churchill spoke optimistically of the Navy being strengthened by Norway's merchant fleet.

Two days later, he would become PM and form his coalition government.

"Let me say that I am not advocating controversy... On the contrary, I say, let pre-war feuds die; let personal quarrels be forgotten, and let us keep our hatreds for the common enemy.

"Let party interest be ignored, let all our energies be harnessed, let the whole ability and forces of the nation be hurled into the struggle, and let all the strong horses be pulling on the collar."

House of Commons - 8 May 1940
Blood, toil, tears and sweat

After becoming prime minister, Churchill was facing calls from some to make peace with Hitler, as the loss of so many men in World War I was still a recent memory.

But in his first speech in the Commons as the country's new leader, he made it clear the only option for his government was to "wage war".

"I hope that any of my friends and colleagues, or former colleagues, who are affected by the political reconstruction, will make allowance, all allowance, for any lack of ceremony with which it has been necessary to act.

"I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: 'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat'."

House of Commons - 13 May 1940
'Finest hour'

As the war raged on, Churchill used speeches to try and lift the spirits of the public, even when having to detail horrific scenarios in the war.

"Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war.

"If we can stand up to him all Europe may be free, and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands; but if we fail then the whole world, including the United States, and all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new dark age made more sinister, and perhaps more prolonged, by the lights of a perverted science.

"Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that if the British Commonwealth and Empire lasts for a thousand years men will still say, 'this was their finest hour'."

House of Commons - 18 June 1940
'We shall fight on the beaches'

This is perhaps Churchill's most famous speech, used in television and film programmes reflecting on the PM's life for decades to come.

It was not an address given live to the nation, but to the Commons, with only MPs and staff able to hear its debut.

However, there is no doubt it will be remembered as one of the most powerful political oratories of all time.

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