He then replies . . . .
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
recognise 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 will was resolute and remorseless and, as it proved,
unconquerable. It fell to me to express it, and if I found the right
words you must 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)
Text of Speech.