"We do not resent the well-meant criticism of any man who wishes to win the war. We do not shrink from any fair criticism, and that is the most dangerous of all. On the contrary, we take it earnestly to heart and seek to profit by it. Criticism in the body politic is like pain in the human body. It is not pleasant, but where would the body be without it? No health or sensibility would be possible without continued correctives and warnings of pain." (House of Commons, 27 January 1940.)And in tribute to the department he was leaving:
"I am going to do something that has never been done before, and I hope the House will not be shocked at the breach of precedent. I am going to make public a word of praise for the War Office. In all the forty years I have served in this House I have heard that Department steadily abused before, during, and after our various wars. And if my memory serves me aright I have frequently taken part in the well-merited criticism which was their lot." (House of Commons, 2 August 1944.)We wish that Mr. Rumsfeld had come to us. We offer politicians of all persuasions a Churchillism for every occasion.
WHEREAS by the law and ancient usage of this Realm, the Kings and Queens thereof have taken a solemn oath upon the Evangelists at their respective coronations,
to maintain the statutes, laws, and customs of the said Realm, and all the people and inhabitants thereof, in their spiritual and civil rights and properties:
but forasmuch as the oath itself on such occasion administered, hath heretofore been framed in doubtful words and expressions, with relation to ancient laws
and constitutions at this time unknown: to the end therefore that one uniform oath may be in all times to come taken by the Kings and Queens of this Realm,
and to them respectively administered at the times of their and every of their coronation: may it please your Majesties that it may be enacted:
II. And be it enacted by the King's and Queen's most excellent majesties, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal,
and the Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the oath herein mentioned, and hereafter expressed,
shall and may be administered to their most excellent majesties King William and Queen Mary (whom God long preserve) at the time of their coronation,
in the presence of all persons that shall be then and there present at the solemnizing thereof, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Archbishop of York,
or either of them, or any other bishop of this Realm, whom the King's majesty shall thereunto appoint, and who shall be hereby thereunto respectively authorized;
which oath followeth, and shall be administered in this manner; that is to say,
III. [Inserting for Section III of the Act the 1689 oath taken by Her Majesty The Queen on Tuesday, 2 June 1953 amid great public rejoicing]
Archbishop: Madam, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?
The Queen: I am willing.
Archbishop: Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
the Union of South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon, and of your Possessions and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective
laws and customs?
The Queen: I solemnly promise so to do.
Archbishop: Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed
in all your judgements?
The Queen: I will.
Archbishop: Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession
of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve
inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England? And will you preserve
unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them
or any of them?
The Queen: All this I promise to do.
Then the Queen arising out of her Chair, supported as before, the Sword of State being
carried before her, shall go to the Altar, and make her solemn Oath in the sight of all the people to observe the premisses: laying her right hand upon the Holy Gospel
in the great Bible (which was before carried in the procession and is now brought from the Altar by the Arch-bishop, and tendered to her as she kneels upon the steps),
and saying these words:
The Queen: The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God.
IV. And be it enacted, That the said oath shall be in like manner administered to every King and Queen, who shall succeed to the imperial crown of this Realm,
at their respective coronations, by one of the archbishops or bishops of this Realm of England, for the time being, to be thereunto appointed by such King or Queen
respectively, and in the presence of all persons that shall be attending, assisting, or otherwise present at such their respective coronations; any law, statute,
or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.
Supreme Order of Christ (Pontifical)
Order of the Golden Spur (Pontifical)
Order of Pius IX (Pontifical)
Order of St. Gregory the Great (Pontifical)
Order of St. Sylvester Pope (Pontifical)
Sovereign Order of Malta (Protected)
Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Protected)
Sacred Order of St. George (Papal Bull)
Order of Santiago (Papal Bull)
Order of Calatrava (Papal Bull)
Order of Alcantara (Papal Bull)
Order of Montesa (Papal Bull)
Order of St. Stephen (Papal Bull)
Bavarian Order of St. George (Papal Bull)
Order of the Holy Annunciation (Collar Order)
Order of the Golden Fleece (Collar Order)
Order of the Holy Spirit (Collar Order)
Order of St. Michael (Collar Order)
Order of St. Januarius (Collar Order)
Order of the Holy Virgin Mary (Teutonic Order)
Order of the Garter (1348)
Order of the Thistle (1687)
Order of the Bath (1725)
Order of St. Patrick (1783-1934)
Royal Guelphic Order (1815-1837)
Order of St. Michael & St. George (1818)
Order of British India (1837-1947)
Indian Order of Merit (1837-1947)
Order of the Star of India (1861-1947)
Royal Order of Victoria & Albert (1862-1901)
Order of the Indian Empire (1877-1947)
Order of the Crown of India (1878-1947)
Distinguished Service Order (1886)
Royal Victorian Order (1896)
Order of Merit (1902)
Imperial Service Order (1902-1993)
Order of the British Empire (1917)
Order of the Companions of Honour (1917)
Order of Burma (1940-1948)
2. The Independence of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to coincide with a new stronger Act of Union of the truly Independent Nation States of the United Kingdoms of Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica and the other Realms of the Crown Commonwealth.
3. To restore the Supreme Sovereignty of the English Parliament at Westminster and thus the repeal of all legislation which gives rights to foreign powers and institutions over parliament.
4. The acceptance of our House of Commons of a "Declaration of Right" on behalf of the English for the implementation of a new Magna Carta to protect the Sovereignty and other Rights of the English.
5. To foster Free Trade and strengthen our political links with the English speaking Nations of the World. At home, to amend the Patent Act and other legislation that discourages or can destroy the Inventive Ideas and the future livelihood of our citizens.
6. Increase the strength and efficiency of our Armed Forces, particularly our Front-line troops, Ships-of-the-Line and the Fighter Squadrons of the Royal Air Force.
7. The establishment by Parliament of a Supreme Court known as the "Conservators of the Privileges of the Realm" as guardians of the Constitution and Sovereignty of England, and arbitrator of complaints of corruption in the House of Commons.
8. To provide more resources for Law and Order. To return the Police Constable to the community, particularly the Parish where until recent times he had been in existence for well over a thousand years. A County Prison, for low category prisoners and more secure accommodation for the persistent juvenile offender.
9. The creation of a Supreme Representative Assembly which will consist of an Islands Peoples Council (Round Table) of twelve members from each of the Nation States to maintain the security and the economic stability of the British Isles.
10. Owe allegiance to our gracious Queen - Elizabeth II and with the consent of the Nation States of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica⦠the overall Monarch of the Independent Nation States of the United Kingdoms of the Commonwealth.