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The long goodbye	The long goodbye
2006-09-18 11:50:05 UTC	2006-09-18 15:40:27 UTC (about 4 hours later)
A POINT OF VIEW By David Cannadine	A POINT OF VIEW By David Cannadine
Tony Blair isn't the first prime minister to find it difficult to make a successful exit from 10, Downing Street.	Tony Blair isn't the first prime minister to find it difficult to make a successful exit from 10, Downing Street.
"Going," Tony Blair once observed, "is the most difficult thing in politics," and he's certainly been discovering that for himself in recent weeks. It may be hard to get into 10 Downing Street, but getting out of it can sometimes be even more difficult.	"Going," Tony Blair once observed, "is the most difficult thing in politics," and he's certainly been discovering that for himself in recent weeks. It may be hard to get into 10 Downing Street, but getting out of it can sometimes be even more difficult.
Prime ministers struggle to control their departure from office	Prime ministers struggle to control their departure from office
Popes and monarchs generally reign until they die, and since Franklin Roosevelt, American presidents can serve only two four year terms. But there's no such specified tenure for a British prime minister, and there are a variety of different routes by which they can make their exit.	Popes and monarchs generally reign until they die, and since Franklin Roosevelt, American presidents can serve only two four year terms. But there's no such specified tenure for a British prime minister, and there are a variety of different routes by which they can make their exit.
Just occasionally, they choose their own time, as in the case of Stanley Baldwin or Harold Wilson. And just occasionally, they have had no choice whatsoever. Spencer Percival was assassinated and Lord Palmerston also expired in office.	Just occasionally, they choose their own time, as in the case of Stanley Baldwin or Harold Wilson. And just occasionally, they have had no choice whatsoever. Spencer Percival was assassinated and Lord Palmerston also expired in office.
But while the grim reaper has visited 10 Downing Street only occasionally, its occupants have often resigned on health grounds, among them Anthony Eden and Harold Macmillan, and there are several others who probably should have done so too.	But while the grim reaper has visited 10 Downing Street only occasionally, its occupants have often resigned on health grounds, among them Anthony Eden and Harold Macmillan, and there are several others who probably should have done so too.
Departure lounge	Departure lounge
Yet even a strong constitution is no guarantee of survival if a prime minister loses the support of his erstwhile political allies. Asquith was ousted by a cabinet coup during the First World War, and six years later Lloyd George was brought down when the Conservative back benchers refused to sustain him in power any longer.	Yet even a strong constitution is no guarantee of survival if a prime minister loses the support of his erstwhile political allies. Asquith was ousted by a cabinet coup during the First World War, and six years later Lloyd George was brought down when the Conservative back benchers refused to sustain him in power any longer.
BBC NEWS: AUDIO Hear A Point of View in the BBC Radio Player	BBC NEWS: AUDIO Hear A Point of View in the BBC Radio Player
In May 1940, Neville Chamberlain resigned after a bruising Commons debate in which his war leadership was repeatedly censured. He wasn't actually defeated in the division lobbies, but he was mortally wounded, especially by the speech of a former colleague, Leopold Amery, which he ended by quoting Oliver Cromwell's scornful dismissal of the Long Parliament: "You have sat here too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"	In May 1940, Neville Chamberlain resigned after a bruising Commons debate in which his war leadership was repeatedly censured. He wasn't actually defeated in the division lobbies, but he was mortally wounded, especially by the speech of a former colleague, Leopold Amery, which he ended by quoting Oliver Cromwell's scornful dismissal of the Long Parliament: "You have sat here too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"
So far as we know, no one has yet said that to Tony Blair.	So far as we know, no one has yet said that to Tony Blair.
Of course, prime ministers have also been voted out of office by the British electorate, but although we consider ourselves a democracy, it doesn't happen all that often. To be sure, John Major's landslide rejection was so decisive that he promptly resigned, both as prime minister and as Conservative leader.	Of course, prime ministers have also been voted out of office by the British electorate, but although we consider ourselves a democracy, it doesn't happen all that often. To be sure, John Major's landslide rejection was so decisive that he promptly resigned, both as prime minister and as Conservative leader.
But in 1951, Clement Attlee won a majority of the votes, although only a minority of seats, and he continued as leader of the Labour Party in opposition. Thirteen years later, Sir Alec Douglas Home was defeated by what was again a very small margin, and he, too, continued as party leader. And in 1974, Edward Heath resigned, not because he lost the first general election held that year, but because he'd failed to form a coalition with the Liberals.	But in 1951, Clement Attlee won a majority of the votes, although only a minority of seats, and he continued as leader of the Labour Party in opposition. Thirteen years later, Sir Alec Douglas Home was defeated by what was again a very small margin, and he, too, continued as party leader. And in 1974, Edward Heath resigned, not because he lost the first general election held that year, but because he'd failed to form a coalition with the Liberals.
Once again, political manoeuvring had at least as much to do with a prime ministerial demise as the direct effect of the people's will exerted via the ballot box.	Once again, political manoeuvring had at least as much to do with a prime ministerial demise as the direct effect of the people's will exerted via the ballot box.
Staying on	Staying on
As these examples suggest, and as Tony Blair should not by now need reminding, British prime ministers have rarely left office at a time of their own choosing, or under the circumstances they would ideally have liked.	As these examples suggest, and as Tony Blair should not by now need reminding, British prime ministers have rarely left office at a time of their own choosing, or under the circumstances they would ideally have liked.
Like Frank Sinatra or Martina Navratilova, Gladstone just kept coming back, returning as Prime Minister three more times, the last occasion being almost 20 years since he'd first announced his intention to retire David Cannadine	Like Frank Sinatra or Martina Navratilova, Gladstone just kept coming back, returning as Prime Minister three more times, the last occasion being almost 20 years since he'd first announced his intention to retire David Cannadine
The best that can be said is that most of them go relatively quickly. But not all of them. Across the last 100-odd years, there have been three Prime Ministers whose delayed and belated exits from 10 Downing Street provide the most obvious precedents for the protracted saga that's at present still unfolding.	The best that can be said is that most of them go relatively quickly. But not all of them. Across the last 100-odd years, there have been three Prime Ministers whose delayed and belated exits from 10 Downing Street provide the most obvious precedents for the protracted saga that's at present still unfolding.
It may encourage the prime minister to know that they're among the most titanic figures in recent British political history. It may be less encouraging to point out that in each case, they stayed too long, and that the manner of their going did nothing to enhance their reputation.	It may encourage the prime minister to know that they're among the most titanic figures in recent British political history. It may be less encouraging to point out that in each case, they stayed too long, and that the manner of their going did nothing to enhance their reputation.
The first of them was Mr Gladstone, whose long goodbye was the longest ever. In 1874, after being defeated at the polls, he resigned both the prime ministership and the Liberal Party leadership, intending to devote his retirement to studying the classics and theology.	The first of them was Mr Gladstone, whose long goodbye was the longest ever. In 1874, after being defeated at the polls, he resigned both the prime ministership and the Liberal Party leadership, intending to devote his retirement to studying the classics and theology.
But like Frank Sinatra or Martina Navratilova, he just kept coming back, returning as Prime Minister three more times, the last occasion being in 1892, almost 20 years since he'd first announced his intention to retire.	But like Frank Sinatra or Martina Navratilova, he just kept coming back, returning as Prime Minister three more times, the last occasion being in 1892, almost 20 years since he'd first announced his intention to retire.
By then, Gladstone was in his mid eighties, he was half-blind and, if Queen Victoria was to be believed, he was also half-mad. But he had one final mission: he was determined to carry Irish Home Rule, even though every one knew the House of Lords would throw it out, which it duly did in September 1893.	By then, Gladstone was in his mid eighties, he was half-blind and, if Queen Victoria was to be believed, he was also half-mad. But he had one final mission: he was determined to carry Irish Home Rule, even though every one knew the House of Lords would throw it out, which it duly did in September 1893.
Reluctant Gladstone	Reluctant Gladstone
With that defeat, Gladstone's last administration was effectively over, but he stayed on for another seven months, to the increasing fury of his cabinet colleagues.	With that defeat, Gladstone's last administration was effectively over, but he stayed on for another seven months, to the increasing fury of his cabinet colleagues.
Churchill remained in Downing Street into his eighties	Churchill remained in Downing Street into his eighties
He even considered asking the queen for a dissolution of parliament, so he could fight another general election, and wage a national campaign against the obstructionism of the upper house.	He even considered asking the queen for a dissolution of parliament, so he could fight another general election, and wage a national campaign against the obstructionism of the upper house.
But one minister described the proposal as "the act of a selfish lunatic", and it was quietly dropped. Then Gladstone got into another row with his colleagues over the naval estimates, where he opposed the substantial increase in expenditure that was being put forward. By now, just about the only thing that his ministers could agree on was that the prime minister must go.	But one minister described the proposal as "the act of a selfish lunatic", and it was quietly dropped. Then Gladstone got into another row with his colleagues over the naval estimates, where he opposed the substantial increase in expenditure that was being put forward. By now, just about the only thing that his ministers could agree on was that the prime minister must go.
But Gladstone was determined to keep his colleagues guessing and fretting, and he didn't resign until March 1894. There was an embarrassing last cabinet meeting, and Victoria couldn't conceal her delight that she'd finally seen the back of a premier she had come to detest.	But Gladstone was determined to keep his colleagues guessing and fretting, and he didn't resign until March 1894. There was an embarrassing last cabinet meeting, and Victoria couldn't conceal her delight that she'd finally seen the back of a premier she had come to detest.
"The Queen," she wrote, in a letter of staggering ungraciousness, "would gladly have offered a peerage to Mr Gladstone, but she knows that he would not accept it."	"The Queen," she wrote, in a letter of staggering ungraciousness, "would gladly have offered a peerage to Mr Gladstone, but she knows that he would not accept it."
The second great prime ministerial procrastinator was Winston Churchill. On his defeat at the general election of 1945, there were those who urged him to retire to work on his memoirs. Churchill duly wrote his history of the Second World War, but he was also determined to get back to 10 Downing Street, and this he finally did at the election held in 1951.	The second great prime ministerial procrastinator was Winston Churchill. On his defeat at the general election of 1945, there were those who urged him to retire to work on his memoirs. Churchill duly wrote his history of the Second World War, but he was also determined to get back to 10 Downing Street, and this he finally did at the election held in 1951.
Running on empty	Running on empty
By now he was in failing health, and he suffered a major stroke two years later, soon after the Queen's coronation. But he staged a remarkable recovery, and refused to contemplate retirement. He hated the prospect of giving up power for what he knew must be the last time.	By now he was in failing health, and he suffered a major stroke two years later, soon after the Queen's coronation. But he staged a remarkable recovery, and refused to contemplate retirement. He hated the prospect of giving up power for what he knew must be the last time.
His heir apparent, Anthony Eden, was himself seriously ill, and in no position to take over. And like Gladstone, Churchill wanted to end his public life with one last great triumph: the brokering of a summit meeting between the Americans and the Russians.	His heir apparent, Anthony Eden, was himself seriously ill, and in no position to take over. And like Gladstone, Churchill wanted to end his public life with one last great triumph: the brokering of a summit meeting between the Americans and the Russians.
The meeting never materialised, but Churchill still hung on. "I feel," he told one of his colleagues, Rab Butler, "like an aeroplane at the end of its flight, in the dusk, with the petrol running out, in search of a safe landing".	The meeting never materialised, but Churchill still hung on. "I feel," he told one of his colleagues, Rab Butler, "like an aeroplane at the end of its flight, in the dusk, with the petrol running out, in search of a safe landing".
He celebrated his 80th birthday in office in November 1954, the first prime minister to do so since Palmerston 90 years earlier. But the cabinet was growing increasingly restive and, again like Gladstone, Churchill took delight in keeping them waiting and worrying.	He celebrated his 80th birthday in office in November 1954, the first prime minister to do so since Palmerston 90 years earlier. But the cabinet was growing increasingly restive and, again like Gladstone, Churchill took delight in keeping them waiting and worrying.
He also turned against Anthony Eden, claiming that his "hungry eyes" were growing "ever more beseeching and more impatient" - not altogether surprisingly, since Eden had been waiting to succeed to the top job for longer than Gordon Brown has.	He also turned against Anthony Eden, claiming that his "hungry eyes" were growing "ever more beseeching and more impatient" - not altogether surprisingly, since Eden had been waiting to succeed to the top job for longer than Gordon Brown has.
Eventually, Churchill went in early April 1955. At his final audience, Queen Elizabeth II behaved with much greater graciousness to him than Victoria had to Gladstone. She even offered to make him a duke - although Churchill refused.	Eventually, Churchill went in early April 1955. At his final audience, Queen Elizabeth II behaved with much greater graciousness to him than Victoria had to Gladstone. She even offered to make him a duke - although Churchill refused.