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Doremus Jessup @doremusjessup.bsky.social

In 1938 large majorities gave the Tory Party complete control of British government and Neville Chamberlain through party Whips would not allow any dissent.

Hypersensitive to any criticism, Chamberlain deeply resented questions from journalists that he regarded as implying criticism of himself or his policies. Sometimes, after being asked such a question at a briefing, he would pause and, in an icy tone, ask the offending journalist which newspaper he represented. Everyone present recognized the query for the intimidation it was meant to be. The prime minister was implying that a complaint from Downing Street over such effrontery would get the reporter in trouble with his paper’s editor and owner. On other occasions, when confronted with a question he didn’t like, Chamberlain would stare contemptuously at the responsible journalist for what seemed an eternity, then look away and bark, “Next question, please!” Inquiries about Hitler’s persecution of the Jews or other examples of Nazi tyranny would be met with an acid expression of surprise that such an experienced reporter could be so naive as to believe “Jewish-Communist propaganda.”
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Doremus Jessup @doremusjessup.bsky.social

"Are we to surrender to ruthless brutality a free people whose cause we have espoused but are now to throw to the wolves?" ~Leo Amery - September 1938

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