ABSTRACT
The Labour victory has been much speculated upon ever since, it came as a surprise to some Labour leaders as much as it did to Churchill, and explanations still vary in emphasis. The loss, of power in 1945, whatever weight is given to the factors which occasioned it, came as a staggering surprise to Churchill himself. Churchill responded characteristically to the suggestion that his loss of power was a blessing in disguise. The rhetorical activities of Churchill in the United States in the spring of 1946 mark a significant step in the emerging 'Cold War'. In opposition, Churchill was the celebrity virtuoso soloist who inspired by the brilliance of his individual performances, rather than the leader of the orchestra who gave a constant and sustained lead to his fellow players. The European pillar had strengthened since 1947 but by the time Churchill returned to power it no longer required his patronising benevolence.
