Churchill's Ability to Connect Directly to The Public

Which political leader would spontaneously disappear from the sight of their security in order to appear in random public places speaking directly with the people of the issues facing the country?

Poll of Answers from Social Media Story

• Winston Churchill

• Teddy Roosevelt

• Ronald Reagan

• John F. Kennedy

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Answer: Winston Churchill

It was not uncommon for Winston Churchill to go AWOL from every security measure imaginable in order for him to speak directly with the people of London, England with no filter. Imagine a public figure who would be willing to do that today?

This was Churchill’s populism at work. He was a man who had one of the most challenging times leading England because of how close they became from total annihilation by Hitler’s war machine in World War II. He was placed as England’s Prime Minister as the previous one, Neville Chamberlain, resigned due to lack of confidence in the House of Commons on May 10th, 1940. Chamberlain had appeased Hitler by signing agreements that would later become costly to Europe’s ability to wage war. Churchill was seen at the time as even handed. Popular with the Labor Party and the Conservative Party, and had the confidence of the English people due to his strength that contrasted Hitler.

At this time in history Hitler had already invaded Poland successfully and was actively engaging in battle with France. Within days of Churchill becoming Prime Minister as an act of desperation by England France surrendered to the Nazis. Over 300,000 of the British Armed Forces were stationed in France in order to protect them from the invasion, but immediately became sitting ducks for Hitler’s war machine to easily destroy. This is where the battle of Dunkirk began to unfold. All of England knew the catastrophe that was upon them. Their entire military force, besides their naval forces, were about to be captured or killed by the German military within 3 days. England had not even declared war officially, but they were about to lose before it could even start. Churchill was put in the hardest position a leader could be in. His options were to either sue for peace under horrible conditions, or attempt to rescue the British Armed Forces from the city of Dunkirk just across the English Channel.

As many of you know the events that took place afterwards, allow me to share for those who are learning about this for the first time. Churchill is considered a true populist and strategist when he sought out council from the English people to help clarify his decision on what to do. This was when he gave his famous “We will never surrender” speech in the House of Commons in London, essentially declaring war on Germany. Soon afterwards he called on every English citizen with a boat to sail across the English Channel to rescue the English soldiers who were desperately awaiting their fate.

Miraculously all of the British army was saved from complete annihilation with the exception of some casualties, especially the 51st Highland Division. Near Dunkirk, where over 300,000 British soldiers awaited rescue, a battle raged between a small British division, French allies, and General Rommel’s Panzer forces. Recently declassified documents show that Churchill had made the most difficult decision by ordering the division to fight on to the last man in order to save the rest of the British army. These heroes at Calais, France should never be forgotten for their sacrifice. It was in the immediate after math of the battle of Dunkirk and the rescue of the British Armed Forces that Churchill stepped into the role of an iconic leader for the British people.

As that iconic leader, Winston Churchill connected personally with the citizens of England to the extent that he trusted them with his life when he would disappear into London’s city streets to seek council from them. If only we could have such a leader during the crises we currently face.