The Labour Landslide - 1945 | Movietone Moment | 26 July 2024

On this day in 1945, Churchill's Conservative Party lost the general election to the Labour Party. Here is a British Movietone report showing highlights from the general elections.
Three weeks ago votes were recorded in the General Election and at that time nobody would have predicted a working majority for the Labour Party. The vote of the Services still overseas seems to have favoured them, giving the result of a Labour Landslide making Mr Attlee Prime Minister. Mr Churchill, who took a holiday in France whilst waiting for the results, was returned at Woodford with a 17,000 majority.
Cut story - KS. Houses of Parliament. Angle shots of radio sets, very good. People outside polling stations, leaving, small crowds outside. CU Ballot paper, also placing X on same. In SEAC war zone, British soldiers cast their votes, inside voting booth, one has monkey on shoulder. Mr Churchill painting (exterior) at Hendaye, France. Shots of Churchill with Mrs & Mary on beach. Mr Churchill stands on beach with trousers rolled up above knees. Elevated shot of bay at Hendaye, scenic. CU cigar end of Churchills on sand. In conference room, Churchill arrives, greeted by Stalin, former is accompanied by Mr Eden, & Mr Attlee, also present in the room is Mr Byrnes, Mr Truman, etc. Various shots of greetings. Churchill in half-track car drives along paraded troops & armour, in car is Monty, & Eden. Another shot shows Attlee in car. Cut-ins of Cromwell tanks, British troops lining road. Churchill in uniform on dais, taking salute as armour, tanks, Bren carriers, roll past, also troops marching past. Group shot of Truman, Churchill & Stalin, crossing arms and shaking hands. Skymaster taxies across aerodrome at Northolt, Churchill followed by Mary Churchill alight from plane, greeted by mother, who kisses them both. Mr Attlee alights from another plane, kissed by daughter ... CU of both. Interior shot of Chelsea Town Hall, shows votes being "Mixed". At Paddington Town Hall, votes being counted. Elevated shot of counting table, Brendan Bracken passes along in background. On balcony of Town Hall result announced, Mason McFarlane amid crowd on balcony the winner. Outside Stepney Town Hall, Attlee with his wife walk out to mike & speaks "if the country (rest of) does as well as Stepney, it will have done well for itself". Pan of crowd listening to him. Newspaper men rush out with bundles of papers, various shots of newspaper vendors selling same, people looking at result taken from various angles. CU radio sets announcing the position of Government & Labour. At Woodford, Mrs Churchill addresses crowds, after result had been read. CU Mr Churchill (cut-in), he was not at Woodford, several shots. At Lewisham Town Hall, exterior, Mr Morrison thanks people for their support, also says "the middle class people should not by antagonistic towards the Labour Party; there is a swing towards the left throughout London & the country". Outside Transport House, Attlee waits to address people, SCU of him speaking into mike, "The Labour Party has scored a great Victory, & I feel sure we have the men who can carry out ... satisfactorily". SEE CUTS DATABASE FOR CUTS
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[@andyf750]

Can't help but think of that Harry Enfield sketch.
L is for Labour.
L is for Lice!

[@Terry.W]

And in 1951 the Conservatives came back for the next !3 years ..

[@simonf8902]

Beginning of the end