3RD JULY – CHURCHILL PRAISES MUSSOLINI
3 July 1937 – During a speech to his constituents at Wanstead, Churchill reminded the crowd of his then well known admiration for fascism. “If I had been an Italian,” he confessed, “I should have been on Mussolini’s side fifteen years ago when he rescued his country from the horrible fate of sinking into violent communism.” These fascist sympathies were deep rooted, an aspect of Churchill’s outlook which has been subsequently erased or overlooked by most historians. As early as 1927 the Western Daily Press could comment that “Mr. Churchill makes no secret of the fact that he has fallen under the thrall of Mussolini and would not be averse to follow in his footsteps.” The newspaper then referenced a quote which was almost identical to the words he chose when speaking to his constituents ten years later. “If I had been an Italian”, he declared, “I should have been wholeheartedly with you from start to finish in your triumphant struggle against the bestial appetites and passions of Leninism.”