Editing Neville Chamberlain (section)

==== Downfall ====
In early 1940 the Allies approved [[Plan R 4|a naval campaign]] designed to seize the northern part of Norway, a neutral country, including the key port of [[Narvik]], and possibly also to seize the iron mines at [[Gällivare]] in northern Sweden, from which Germany obtained much of its iron ore.{{sfn|Smart|2010|p=273}} As the Baltic froze in winter, the iron ore was then sent south by ship from Narvik. The Allies planned to begin by [[Operation Wilfred|mining Norwegian waters]], thus provoking a German reaction in Norway, and then would occupy much of the country. Unforeseen by the Allies, Germany had also planned to occupy Norway, and on 9 April German troops occupied Denmark and began an [[Operation Weserübung|invasion of Norway]]. German forces quickly overran much of the country.{{sfn|Self|2006|pp=415–16}} The Allies sent troops to Norway, but they met with little success, and on 26 April the War Cabinet ordered a withdrawal.{{sfn|Self|2006|pp=415–16}} The Prime Minister's opponents decided to turn the [[adjournment debate]] for the [[Whitsun]] recess into a challenge to Chamberlain, who soon heard about the plan. After initial anger, Chamberlain determined to fight.{{sfn|Self|2006|pp=420–21}}<ref>Erin Redihan,  "Neville Chamberlain and Norway: The Trouble with 'A Man of Peace' in a Time of War." ''New England Journal of History'' (2013) 69#1/2 pp. 1–18.</ref>

What became known as the "[[Norway Debate]]" opened on 7 May, and lasted for two days. The initial speeches, including Chamberlain's, were nondescript, but Admiral of the Fleet [[Roger Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes|Roger Keyes]], member for [[Portsmouth North]], in full uniform, delivered a withering attack on the conduct of the Norway campaign, though he excluded Churchill from criticism. Leo Amery then delivered a speech which he concluded by echoing [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s words on dissolving the [[Long Parliament]]: "You have sat here too long for any good you are doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. [[In the name of God, go]]!"{{sfn|Self|2006|p=423}} When Labour announced that they would call for a division of the House of Commons, Chamberlain called upon his "friends—and I still have some friends in this House—to support the Government tonight."{{sfn|Self|2006|pp=424–25}} Because the use of the word "friends" was a conventional term to refer to party colleagues, and, according to biographer Robert Self, many MPs took it that way, it was an "error of judgment" for Chamberlain to refer to party loyalty "when the gravity of the war situation required national unity."{{sfn|Self|2006|p=425}} Lloyd George joined the attackers, and Churchill concluded the debate with a vigorous speech in support of the government.{{sfn|Self|2006|p=425}} When the division took place, the government, which had a normal majority of over 200, prevailed by only 81, with 38&nbsp;MPs in receipt of the government whip voting against it, with between 20 and 25 abstaining.{{sfn|Self|2006|p=426}}

Chamberlain spent much of 9 May in meetings with his Cabinet colleagues. Many Conservative MPs, even those who had voted against the government, indicated on 9 May and in the days following that they did not wish Chamberlain to depart but rather would seek to reconstruct his government.{{sfn|Dutton|2001|pp=63–64}} Chamberlain decided that he would resign unless the Labour Party was willing to join his government, and so he met with Attlee later that day. Attlee was unwilling, but agreed to consult his National Executive then meeting in [[Bournemouth]]. Chamberlain favoured Halifax as the next prime minister, but Halifax proved reluctant to press his own claims thinking that his position in the House of Lords would limit his effectiveness in the House of Commons, and Churchill emerged as the choice. The following day, Germany [[Battle of France|invaded]] the [[Low Countries]] and Chamberlain considered remaining in office. Attlee confirmed that Labour would not serve under Chamberlain, though they were willing to serve under someone else. Accordingly, Chamberlain went to Buckingham Palace to resign and advise the King to send for Churchill.{{sfn|Self|2006|pp=428–30}} Churchill later expressed gratitude to Chamberlain for not advising the King to send for Halifax, who would have commanded the support of most government MPs.{{sfn|Dutton|2001|p=118}} In a resignation broadcast that evening, Chamberlain told the nation,

{{listen
| filename = Chamberlain resignation.ogg
| title = Neville Chamberlain resigns
| description = Neville Chamberlain speaks to the nation following his resignation as prime minister, 10 May 1940.
}}

{{blockquote| For the hour has now come when we are to be put to the test, as the innocent people of Holland, Belgium, and France are being tested already. And you and I must rally behind our new leader, and with our united strength, and with unshakable courage fight, and work until this wild beast, which has sprung out of his lair upon us, has been finally disarmed and overthrown.{{sfn|Feiling|1970|p=441}}}}

[[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth]] told Chamberlain that her daughter, [[Elizabeth II|Princess Elizabeth]], wept as she heard the broadcast.{{sfn|Self|2006|pp=428–30}} Churchill wrote to express his gratitude for Chamberlain's willingness to stand by him in the nation's hour of need, and Baldwin, the only living former prime minister besides Chamberlain and Lloyd George, wrote, "You have passed through fire since we were talking together only a fortnight ago, and you have come out pure gold."{{sfn|Feiling|1970|p=442}}