‘Sly, Sir, devilish sly!’: The torments of Baldwin, July 1935 – March 1937

Abstract

Chamberlain had little to say about the Cabinet reshuffle in June 1935 ‘except to thank heaven that Simon has left the F.O.’ Although initially satisfied with the performance of Sam Hoare, Simon's successor, Chamberlain's mood throughout the summer of 1935 was one of gloom whenever he considered ‘what a mess the whole world is in’. He remained very depressed about tensions with the other two ‘Stresa front’ powers when Parliament was dissolved for the General Election on 25 October 1935. Although still opposed by his old Labour adversary who had haunted the doorsteps of West Birmingham so assiduously since 1929, from the outset Chamberlain was remarkably confident about the result; ‘my people don't seem afraid of him … B'ham trade is good and people look happier than they did a few years ago’. Moreover, during the campaign he was particularly heartened to find that the old Chamberlain spirit kindled by his father continued to be an active force in what was a ‘regular “slum” constituency’. In the event, his confidence was well founded. In West Birmingham he was returned with a majority of over 7,000, the Conservatives again took all twelve seats in the city and the National Government returned with a majority of 255 to exceed even Chamberlain's wildest expectations.