Expert: Mark Smith - 3/13/2009

Question
Mark,

What is the background of Winston Churchill as far as his reputation in politics?
I was reading his writings from WW11 and was quite impressed with the leadership stance he took for the worlds victory over Hitler and his crew.
Some have said he was a "war monger", and that the war was unnecessary?  I don't agree with that.
Was he an honest man?  
Thanks for any information!  

Answer
Hello Leah.
Winston Churchill was out of office from 1929 so he had no direct influence on Britain's entry into WW II in 1939. However he was a backbench critic of NAZI Germany throughout the mid/late 1930s and repeatedly warned against the rise of Germany and GB's unpreparedness for war. He returned to the Cabinet only after war was declared in 1939 as First Lord of the Admiralty.
After Chamberlain's resignation he was appointed PM and was undoubtedly the best man for the job that lay ahead.
Mark