This to me is the most
memorable public occasion of my life. No one has ever received a
similar mark of honour before. There has not been anything like it in
British history, and indeed I doubt whether any of the modern
democracies has shown such a degree of kindness and generosity to a
party politician who has not yet retired and may at any time be
involved in controversy. It is indeed the most striking example I
have ever known of that characteristic British Parliamentary
principle cherished in both Lords and Commons 'Don't bring politics
into private life'. It is certainly a mark of the underlying unity of
our national life which survives and even grows in spite of vehement
party warfare and many grave differences of conviction and sentiment.
This unity is, I believe, the child of freedom and fair play fostered
in the cradle of our ancient island institutions, and nursed by
tradition and custom. I am most grateful to Mr Attlee for the
agreeable words he has used about me this morning, and for the
magnanimous appraisal he has given of my variegated career. I must
confess, however, that this ceremony and all its charm and splendour
may well be found to have seriously affected my controversial value
as a party politician. However, perhaps with suitable assistance I
shall get over this reaction and come round after a bit.
The Leader of the Opposition and I have been
the only two Prime Ministers of this country in the last fourteen
years. There are no other Prime Ministers alive. Mr Attlee was also
Deputy Prime Minister with me in those decisive years of war. During
our alternating tenure, tremendous events have happened abroad, and
far-reaching changes have taken place at home. There have been three
general elections on universal suffrage and the activity of our
Parliamentary and party machinery has been absolutely free. Mr
Attlee's and my monopoly of the most powerful and disputatious office
under the Crown all this time is surely the fact which the world
outside may recognize as a symbol of the inherent stability of our
British way of life. It is not, however, intended to make it a
permanent feature of the Constitution.
I am sure this is the finest greeting any
Member of the House of Commons has yet received and I express my
heartfelt thanks to the representatives of both Houses for the gifts
which you have bestowed in their name. The portrait is a remarkable
example of modern art. It certainly combines force and candour. These
are qualities which no active Member of either House can do without
or should fear to meet. The book with which the Father of the House
of Commons Mr David Grenfell* has presented me is a
token of the goodwill and chivalrous regard of members of all
parties. I have lived my life in the House of Commons, having served
there for fifty-two of the fifty-four years of this tumultuous and
convulsive century. I have indeed seen all the ups and downs of fate
and fortune, but I have never ceased to love and honour the Mother of
Parliaments, the model to the legislative assemblies of so many
lands.
The care and thought which has been devoted to
this beautiful volume and the fact that it bears the signatures of
nearly all my fellow-Members deeply touches my heart. And may I say
that I thoroughly understand the position of those who have felt it
their duty to abstain. The value of such a tribute is that it should
be free and spontaneous. I shall treasure it as long as I live and my
family and descendants will regard it as a most precious possession.
When I read the eulogy so gracefully and artistically inscribed on
the title page, with its famous quotation from John Bunyan, I must
confess to you that I was overpowered by two emotions - pride and
humility. I have always hitherto regarded them as opposed and also
corrective of one another; but on this occasion I am not able to tell
you which is dominant in my mind. Indeed both seem to dwell together
hand in hand. Who would not feel proud to have this happen to him and
yet at the same time I never was more sure of how far it goes beyond
what I deserve.
I was very glad that Mr Attlee described my
speeches in the war as expressing the will not only of Parliament but
of the whole nation. Their wiil was resolute and remorseless and, as
it proved, unconquerable. It fell to me to express it, and if I found
the right words you rnust remember that I have always earned my
living by my pen and by my tongue. It was a nation and race dwelling
all round the globe that had the lion heart. I had the luck to be
called upon to give the roar. I also hope that I sometimes suggested
to the lion the right places to use his claws. I am now nearing the
end of my journey. I hope I still have some services to render.
However that may be and whatever may befall I am sure I shall never
forget the emotions of this day or be able to express my gratitude to
those colleagues and companions with whom I have lived my life for
this superb honour they have done me.
* (the
longest serving MP is known as the father of the House of
Commons)
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