In Parliament - Churchill's Speech (Contributed by Jay Stone)

On Friday evening last I received from His Majesty the mission to form a new administration.

It was the evident will of parliament and the nation that this should be conceived in the broadest possible basis and that it should include all parties.

I have already completed the most important part of this task. A war cabinet has been formed of five members, representing with the Labour Opposition, and Liberals, the unity of the nation.

It was necessary that this should be done in one single day on account of the extreme urgency and rigor of events. Other key positions were filed yesterday. I am submitting a further list to the king tonight. I hope to complete the appointment of principal ministers during tomorrow.

The appointment of other ministers usually takes a little longer. I trust when Parliament meets again this part of my task will be completed and the administration will be complete in all respects. I considered it in the public interest to suggest to the Speaker that the Parliament should be summoned today. At the end of today's proceedings, the adjournment of the House will be postponed until May 21 with the provision for earlier meeting if need be. Business for that will be notified to MP's at the earliest opportunity.

I now invite the House by a resolution to record it approval of the steps taken and declare its confidence in the new government. The resolution:

"That this House welcomes the formation of a government representing the united and inflexible resolve of the nation to prosecute the war with Germany to a victorious conclusion."
To form an administration of this scale and complexity is a serious undertaking in itself. But we are in the preliminary phase of one of the greatest battles in history. We are in action at many other points - in Norway and in Holland - and we have to be prepared in the Mediterranean.

The air battle is continuing, and many preparations have to be made here at home.

In this crisis I think that I may be pardoned if I do not address the House at any great length today, and I hope that any of my friends and colleagues or former colleagues who are affected by the political reconstruction will make all allowances for any lack of ceremony with which it has been necessary to act.

I say to the House, as I have said to those who have joined this Government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before many, many months of struggle and suffering.

You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.

You ask, what is our aim? I can answer with one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory