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Churchill: When Britain Said No

Duration: 59 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Two EnglandLatest broadcast: on BBC Four HD

Just weeks after VE day, Britain's great war leader Winston Churchill found himself in another battle - to be elected prime minister. He was confident of victory - a just reward for his leadership of the country through the dark days of World War II - but what happened next many still can't understand.

In one of the greatest election defeats of all time, Churchill was humiliated at the polls, his Conservative party almost annihilated. Why did his countrymen turn so vehemently on their great British bulldog? Was the rejection of Churchill a disgraceful mark of ingratitude or the most mature electoral decision ever made by a democracy?

With surprising revelations from first-hand witnesses, as well as historians including Sir Max Hastings, Juliet Gardiner, Anthony Beevor and writer Dave Douglass, this programme looks at his controversial legacy, and debates the weaknesses as well as the strengths of the man. Show less

Contributors

Winston Churchill:
Christian Rodska
Alanbrooke:
Valentine Pelka
Clement Attlee:
Roy Weskin
Executive Producer:
Susan Jones
Executive Producer:
Nicolas Kent
Production Company:
Oxford Film and TV

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