A political career of consequence in early
20th Century England began with a path
that led through either Cambridge or Oxford.
However, Winston was an indifferent student and
his parents felt it wise to send young Churchill
to Sandhurst, Britain's West Point.
It was here he found something of interest.
His education took hold.
Winston was mostly ignored by his parents,
the politically prominent Lord Randolph and his
American wife, Lady Randolph. They were each
wrapped up in a whirlwind of self-importance
and could find little time for their dull boy, Winston.
He was someone easy to forget.
Churchill Elected to Parliament.
Mark it on your calendar. 1904.
The Conservatives had a rising star among
their new members in Parliament - the MPs.
Churchill was both a popular writer and
a celebrated hero of the Boer War.
He also had the attitude of an ambitious,
self-absorbed young man. His friendships
mostly had some underlying motive.
People felt used.
This young man wasn't afraid to lose.
It didn't take long before Churchill
picked a fight with his leadership
over party policy. He wasn't about to be
anyone's silent, attentive junior member.
Continued disputes and insubordination would
inevitably lead to Winston switching from
the Conservative to the Liberal Party.
Churchill fought for measures that would raise
people's quality of life beyond that of someone
living in a Charles Dickens novel.
Political accusations flew. Winston was an enemy
to his class. Dinner invitations from friends
dried up.
Controversy was such a hassle.
The Great War ground up lives daily at a sickening rate.
As Lord of the Admiralty, Churchill proposed a plan
he believed would shorten the war. His idea to
attack Turkey at Gallipoli was bold, brilliant and
a disaster.
Gallipoli was a humiliating military defeat.
Churchill was handed the blame.
His star dropped below the horizon.
He was put out to pasture.
Depression set in.
This is where most political careers end.
Promising talent fades before making history.
This wasn't Winston's story.
There was too much he had yet to do.
Churchill saw himself as a man of destiny.
He felt himself born to make a difference.
Winston must be at the center of action.
He was too brilliant to be anywhere else.
He would settle for nothing less than
being leader of a great cause.
World War Two would give Winston his chance.
* * * * *
OVER EASY
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