What was the Norway Debate and when did it take place?
The Norway Debate was a debate in the British House of Commons held from the 7th to the 9th of May 1940, during the Second World War. Its official title in the Hansard parliamentary archive is Conduct of the War. It was initiated by an adjournment motion to discuss the progress of the Norwegian Campaign and led directly to Neville Chamberlain's resignation as prime minister.
What was the result of the vote at the end of the Norway Debate?
The government won the division by 281 votes to 200, but its majority fell to 81 against a notional majority of 213. Some 41 members who normally supported the government voted with the Opposition, and an estimated 60 other Conservatives deliberately abstained despite a three-line whip.
Who delivered the most famous speech in the Norway Debate?
Leo Amery delivered what is widely regarded as the most famous speech, ending with Cromwell's words to the Long Parliament spoken in a near whisper while pointing at Chamberlain: "In the name of God, go." Former Speaker Betty Boothroyd chose Amery's speech as the most historic and memorable in a volume marking the centenary of Hansard.
Why did Chamberlain resign as prime minister after the Norway Debate?
Chamberlain resigned on the 10th of May 1940 after Labour confirmed they would not serve under him in any coalition government. The severely reduced majority in the Norway Debate vote had made it clear that he had lost the confidence of a significant portion of his own Conservative Party, and the Labour and Liberal parties refused to join a national coalition with him as prime minister.
What role did Winston Churchill play in the Norway Debate?
Churchill wound up the debate for the government at 22:11 on the second day, the first time in eleven years he had wound up a debate on behalf of any government. Although he bore responsibility as First Lord of the Admiralty for naval operations in Norway, multiple speakers throughout the debate distinguished him from Chamberlain's failures, and Roy Jenkins noted that Churchill was clean of the stain of appeasement.
What did David Lloyd George say during the Norway Debate?
Lloyd George, then 77 years old and making his last major parliamentary contribution after 50 years in the House, called Britain's strategic position the worst the country had ever been placed in and directly demanded that Chamberlain resign. He told Chamberlain that he had met this formidable enemy in peace and in war and had always been worsted, and called on him to sacrifice the seals of office.