大象传媒

A British Bulldog who never, never, never gave up, Winston Churchill went from political outcast to the saviour of the nation.

1. He never gave up

Churchill’s political career was long, but it was also tumultuous. During the First World War, while head of the Navy, he oversaw a disastrous campaign against Turkey at Gallipoli; in 1929 he lost his seat in parliament altogether. But he wasn’t to be deterred by set-backs. After Gallipoli he fought at the front and in 1940 he was ready to serve again, as Britain was plunged into the Second World War. It was his finest hour: as Prime Minister he doggedly led the nation to victory. Even after the war he was in and out of office – losing the election in 1945 before returning as Prime Minster for a second time in 1951.

2. He galvanised the opposition to fascism

Churchill’s legacy and views have been much debated, both during his life and after his death. His takes on votes for women, imperialism and Indian independence do not sit well in the modern world. But on one subject he was a true leader: he was one of the first to realise and highlight the dangers of Nazism and he refused to waver during the 1930s when many sought to appease Hitler’s Germany. Ultimately Britain backed his utter determination to fight the Nazis despite the enormous sacrifice involved.

3. His words were inspirational

It was once said of Churchill that he “mobilised the English language and sent it into battle”, such was the force and persuasive nature of his speeches. His words rallied a nation behind the war effort and those speeches – delivered in his idiosyncratic, croaky bulldog style – are still famous today.