Eighty years ago today Neville Chamberlain informed the nation that "This country is now at war with Germany." Listen here.
Many inform us that Chamberlain was quite successful as a chancellor of the exchequer during the 1930's. While they attack his appeasement policy towards Adolf Hitler they accept that he also introduced money to pay for both a Fighter Defence and a Bomber Command. Money was also found to strengthen the Royal Navy and yet he failed to provide monies for the army, possibly that was sensible as the British Army in 1939 still appeared willing to fight the last war and had not developed modern strategy or tactics.
Chamberlain's great failure however was less his appeasement rather than his failure to understand Hitler. Adolf just wanted to win the last war, his whole policy was to take over the land mass to the east and enslave any who opposed him, Neville never understood this. Neville also had been successful and this many say led to his belief that he alone could bring the world situation to a peaceful conclusion. His arrogance would have been worthwhile had he understood his enemy, he did not.
By 1938 Chamberlain was beginning to understand his failure. The merging of Germany and Austria, the invasion of Czechoslovakia and the threat to Poland brought home his failure. He did however have the courage to stand up to Adolf in the end and threaten war if the Germans did not leave Poland, a coward would not have done this!
So early on a Sunday morning, some churches rigging up wireless sets so the congregation could listen, the British state heard Chamberlains words. Nobody rejoiced, no flags waved, all understood the situation and were aware of the cost.
In Germany few rejoiced, indeed the Nazi leaders gathered together to listen to this news and afterwards silence reigned. Goebbels turned to von Ribbentrop and snarled "Now what!" Teamwork and shared responsibility was not a Nazi virtue.
Such a major event in a life, and participating in a war that is won is about as major as is possible, leaves an affect on an individual and a nation. The UK still carries the success as well as the aftermath of the second world war. The aftermath saw an improving society, better housing, the NHS, schools, education for all and improved laws in the work place. The memory of the war was ever with those who fought or came afterwards. As the empire died the boast of a great past increased! Today, as a small nation stronger in the EU than alone, many wish to return to that past. However the past has gone and the UK cannot survive alone. The war has influenced many to vote for leaving the EU as they reach for an imaginary past, most who do so were not born in the war and never saw the suffering caused. Interestingly those who now lead the Leave campaign care little for the war and never mention it, they care for position, fame and vast fortune as they line their pockets while subjecting the nation to austerity.
The soon coming election, based on Boris's promises of money for education, NHS and everyone else, all too soon to be false, will fool many who wish to be fooled. The opposition, is there one? will offer similar lies also unfounded.
Looking at all this maybe it would be good if the EU did go to war with the UK, well England at least, and send their bombers over here once again. England deserves that!
So I woke this morning and stumbled through to sit at my desk staring into space until I woke enough to have breakfast. I looked for Radio 3 to find some noise and discovered that 'the page is missing' and was redirected to BBC Sounds the new, expensive and absurd replacement for the popular and efficient iPlayer.
Why?
What sort of con is this that my link is sabotaged for the sake of the shockingly poor 'Sounds' mistake? They say £10 million was spent adjusting the iPlayer to create 'Sounds' I wish I had been consulted as I could have saved them several million. If they continue to replace my links to justify this I may be tempted to scribble a note to someone in the BBC, they will ignore it but they will notice it...
After a search I have replaced the links and hope this time it will remain untouched by BBC executives failing at their job.
As I am on I might as well mention 'The Political Butterfly Effect' which was broadcast yesterday. This featured the phenomenon of noise in the wrong place. It appears that talk on Radio 4 must always be accompanied by needless noise drowning out the words and hindering hearing what is said and enjoyment of decent programmes. I realise these producers come from the 'Punk generation' but they do not have to prove it! Yesterday we were supposed to be in the House of Commons bar so they supplied appropriate sounds thus rendering talk useless. These drink loving producers spend an enormous time in such places so must realise that nothing can be heard in them unless your ear is up against the speaker! Radio 3 talks do not require needless noise why so on Radio 4?
