Churchill vs Attlee: The Election That Changed Britain

Dan Snow's History Hit

History Hit

History

4.7 • 12.9K Ratings

🗓️ 27 July 2025

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It was one of the most dramatic political upsets in British history. Just weeks after leading Britain to victory in Europe, wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill was defeated in a landslide by Clement Attlee and the Labour Party in the 1945 general election. How did the Conservatives lose so decisively? What did Labour offer that resonated so strongly with a war-weary public? And how did this election shape the foundations of Britain’s modern welfare state?

For this, we're joined by David Runciman, host of 'Past Present Future' and 'Postwar', a 20-part series for Radio 4 that explores the seismic 1945 election. Dan and David discuss the personalities, policies, and pivotal moments that brought about the dawn of a new age.

Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore.

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Transcript

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0:13.0	Take a deep breath in and out.
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0:30.5	for 10% off your first month of therapy.
0:33.8	No pressure.
0:34.9	Just help.
0:35.8	But for now, just relax.
0:39.2	Fancy a fever tree. In a glass with ice and rum? You thought I was going to say gin, didn't you?
0:48.4	But I'm talking about fever tree ginger beer, made from three gingers for that perfect blend of freshness, sweetness and spiciness,
0:57.8	delicious with rum, or on its own. Fever Tree ginger beer, mix with the best.
1:06.2	Mmm, that spices things up.
1:12.3	Welcome everyone, welcome to Dan Snow's history hit.
1:16.2	On the 8th of May, 1945, Winston Churchill stood on a balcony in Whitehall and addressed a street crowded with people.
1:27.8	He told them, he told Britain and the world, that the war in Europe was over.
1:34.7	This is your victory, he bellowed.
1:37.9	And the crowd roared back.
1:39.8	No, it's yours.
1:42.6	And the crowd had a point. Well, they both did. Winston Churchill had certainly
	...

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