Chapter 5, The Foreign Office, 13 May 1940
Halifax, Attlee, Chamberlain, Churchill and Sinclair had enjoyed an enjoyable if swift lunch. It had been Churchill’s idea for the “Big Five” to lunch together before assigning the key positions of Halifax’s Cabinet. Halifax, keen to avoid conflict wherever possible, had agreed and as Foreign Secretary as well as Prime Minister had invited the other four to the Foreign Office.
Nicknamed “The Palazzo” by those who work there it had a grander feel than Churchill’s realm in the Admiralty or the Georgian restraint of Downing Street. Halifax seemed confident. The resolution to allow Halifax to sit in debates in the House of Commons had been approved, and the Conventions of Whitehall as they had become known had received moderate praise by the nation. Though as a Peer Halifax was constitutionally prevented from voting in the Commons, the lawyers had approved the move to permit him to sit there and to make statements. Both the Lords and Commons had accepted this and Halifax had responded, in a move seen by
The Times as “graceful” to state that he would limit himself to making statements; he intended to remove himself from debates to allow the Commons to act free from influence from the Lords. The position of Leader of the Commons would therefore be crucial: he would have to act as Halifax’s envoy and defend (as well as promote) the Government’s decisions. Churchill, confirmed as First Lord of the Admiralty as well as Minister for War was pushing for Anthony Eden.
“He is a most compelling candidate. Talented, able, and loyal.”
“Eden,” Halifax mouthed the words as though they were poisonous. “He is not loyal to me. I wemain unconvinced that he would be an asset to Cabinet! He can go to the War Office as your second if you are so certain of his merit. Are you saying that he would be an effective mouthpiece for me in the Lower House?”
“Exactly that! What better way to demonstrate to our opponents our unity!”
“Prime Minister”, that was Chamberlain, who had indicated a reluctance for ‘demanding ministry’ in Halifax’s government, though he remained Leader of the Conservative Party. “Clearly the role of Deputy Prime Minister indicates an expectation that the incumbent will deputise for you in the Lower House.”
“Erm, yes, but he should be a member of your party!” That was Attlee, newly confirmed as Deputy Prime Minister in the National Government. “You’re very quiet,” he gestured to Halifax. “Do you have someone in mind?”
Halifax nodded. “I want Rab Butler put in as Leader of the Commons. He knows my mind and was a most capable lieutenant for me here in the Foreign Office.” Attlee raised an eyebrow. Churchill raised two.
“But My Lord, Edward. He’s untested. He’s too linked with your work at Munich.” Halifax seemed unmoved.
Chamberlain interjected. “But he does know the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minster knows him.”
Churchill glowered at this unwelcome interruption. “But what about his work in the Foreign Office?”
“Well,” Halifax said with assurance, “I do intend to keep working as Foreign Secretary as well as Prime Minister. Butler will continue to help me here, but I want him marked as my man in the Commons. With the First Lord in the Commons supporting us with his, ah, eloquence,” here Halifax smiled at Churchill, “we are sure to convey our message to the Nation. So, to summarise. I will act as Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, Mr Attlee is Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Churchill will fight the war for us…” Halifax continued, summing up the assignments. Churchill, though disappointed that he had failed to get Brendan and Max into the key positions, felt relieved that they had confirmed him as First Lord whilst adding other roles. This war would be Churchill’s to fight, assuming that Halifax wanted to fight at all.
[Game Effect] – Halifax’s government is set us as detailed below. This is actually a makeshift administration, and causes problems.
Kurt_Steiner: Don't joke! Halifax isn't keen on this war, as we'll see in the next chapter.
Enewald: Britannia has an army, though as we've seen they're bogged down (historically) in the chaos of 1940.
Nathan Madien/Trekaddict: Blast! You've read the same alt histories as me!
The whole point of this AAR was to see how the game plays if 1) Halifax became PM and 2) well, wait and see but Churchill ain't happy. By 1942 the game goes slightly weird...
El Pip: The game is currently at 1945. Halifax's fate is amusing. And yes, an update on the DLI's campaign will be coming up.
British Imperial: Agreed, terrifying