Troublesome Young Men ~ by Lynne Olson ~ April Book Club Online

[Babi]

The Book Club Online is  the oldest  book club on the Internet, begun in 1996, open to everyone.  We offer cordial discussions of one book a month,  24/7 and  enjoy the company of readers from all over the world.  everyone is welcome to join in.

Troublesome Young Men: The Rebels Who Brought Churchill to Power by Lynne Olson

The 1930's.  Depression years . Tough times for America.  The nation was self absorbed and little concerned in what was going in Europe.

And what was going on in Europe?  In England there was little interest in confronting the menace of Hitler and his invasion of neighboring countries.

The question is why?  Perhaps you think you know?  Not really, not until you read this book. 

Lynne Olson writes a story that comes alive with the history of England during one of its most perilous periods and bring us a fascinating tale of  TROUBLESOME YOUNG MEN, highly ambitious, powerful, wealthy young men, with their love of life, their love affairs, who put their careers in jeopardy to oust the old and bring in a new government willing to face the evil that was upon them.

LINK:
Troublesome Young Men - C-Span

JOIN IN WHAT PROMISES TO BE A GOOD DISCUSSION APRIL lst

______________________________

Discussion Leaders:   Ella and Harold

Reading Schedule

April l-8          Chapters 1-5
April 9-15       Chapters 6-10
April 16-22     Chapters 11-15
April 23-30     Chapters 16-end

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:

How did the newspaper accounts of British blunders play in America?

Do you think the age of Chamberlain was a factor in his indecisiveness?

What did you think of the parliamentary procedures in renouncing a prime minister?

What were  the tactics for “getting rid of the government“?

Do you know of other prime ministers that have been ousted from the British parliament and what tactics were used?

Did you find the way of “voting” a better way than a ballot? 

If you had been Chamberlain’s friend, could you have walked down the “no” corridor?

Were you surprised by  Churchill’s speech in defense of Chamberlain? 

Why was Churchill so hesitant  in taking on the job of Prime Minister?

Could he have taken a more active role earlier and made a difference in the war?[/b]

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I noticed, too, WEND, that thought Churchill retained most of Chamberlain's
ministers, he kept all the power firmly in his own hands. He did not rely
on any of them to do what needed to be done.  Thank you for your thoughtful
analysis of that situation.

 Some notes on individuals:
 I was surprised to find that Lord Halifax, the other prospect for PM after Chamberlain, did not
want the job.  He knew nothing about management of a war, and would have had to give that job to Churchill anyway.   He seems to have been a very practical,  self-aware man.  He rose immeasurably in my esteem.  

 And Amery, who might have hoped for PM office himself considering the magnificent job he did of clearing Chamberlain out of the way, shows no signs of disappointment at the outcome.  He was delighted with the way Churchill stepped up and took charge, and felt that to be “the justification of my own efforts to secure leadership worthy of the occasion.”

  Ronald Cartland’s  story continued to be one of  both moral and physical courage.  He was a
remarkable young man,  and Lynn Olson does justice to him.   All those who knew him seemed to feel the same sense of a tragic loss, not only family and friends, but to England itself.

    I find it remarkable that a political correspondent wrote a letter to Chamberlain,  that Chamberlain actually responded positively, and that Chamberlain  arranged for Margesson to direct the Tory members to applaud and support Churchill’s report of  July 4.  ( I did find it depressing that “On cue, every Tory in the chamber jumped to his feet and loudly cheered the Prime Minister”.   So many little mannequins.)  
  All in all,  I have seen in this entire book examples of the difference it can make if one person
steps forward with the right action and the right words, at the right time.  I doubt  that political correspondent (Einzig) ever realized the full importance of his writing that letter.
 

[Ella Gibbons]

DEB, how heavy is that  book you "lifted" up?  The Gathering Storm.   Readable?  Some of us might be interested in lifting up a copy ourselves.  

WEND, thank you for your thoughtful post about the Churchill situation with Chamberlain.  No, I doubt Churchill was afraid of much of anything political, but I find his treatment of Boothby, an old friend, unforgiveable.  He ordered an investigation of the man who had done nothing illegal and in so doing made the remark he should "join a bomb disposal squad as the best way of rehabilitating himself in the eyes of his fellow men....after all, the bombs might not go off."  

An example of his wit, which could be as cruel as it was eloquent and persuasive.  A wartime adviser to Churchill said of him "The idea of having a friend who was of no practical use to him, but being a friend because he liked him, had no place." (pg. 352) What an indictment!

SHEILA, I don't think I have a military channel on TV, where is it?  I have well over 350 channels, maybe more, but I hardly watch TV except on weekends if something is on BookTV that I like.  I am reversing history, going back to the radio.

Back later for more comments.  We have two more days for your opinions  

We want to hear more of them!

[HaroldArnold]

serenesheila, I am not reading anything on Edward VIII.  As a 10 year old I remember hearing the news as it unfolded over the radio.  It was the second radio news event that I followed.  The Year before the first big radio News events was the final Illness and death of Edwards Father George V.

I have read quite a bit of English History particularly on the 18th century and the following regency period.  Also on Naval history particularly the Bounty affair, Napoleonic war events, WW I. WW II and the 1982 Falkland Island War.

I too have seen the Military Channel WW II series.  I think it is quite good.  All cable companies use their own numbering system It comes to me as a part of my Time Warner extended package that Includes most sports channels.  It is  a digital channel that they package with their Sports package.  The Military Channel is one of the few other than Sports events that I watch frequently.

[PatH]

"The Gathering Storm" is the first book of Churchill's 6 volume history of WWII, ending with Chamberlain's resignation and the King asking Churchill to form a new government.  My copy is almost 700 pages.  I haven't read it, but my husband, a history fan, read all 6, so it must be somewhat readable, though apparently it is indeed filled with Churchill's saved minutes and memoranda.  Bob remarked to me once "Churchill was a great man with a memorandum".

[joangrimes]

I own all of Churchhill's books.  I have read one or two of them.  However now I cannot read them because they are not large print and my vision is so bad that I cannot read anything unless it is on Kindle or if it is large print.   However I am happy that I own those books,

[PatH]

The question of what Churchill was thinking, and what were his motives, as he took over are very interesting to me.  I should read the relevant parts of "The Gathering Storm" and "Their Finest Hour", but I suspect this won't be objectively useful.  Here are the last 2 paragraphs of "The Gathering Storm".  We have to remember that they were written after the war, and he both knew he had done a good job and was still hurting at being ousted.

"Thus, then, on the night of the tenth of May, at the outset of this mighty battle,I acquired the chief power in the State, which henceforth I wielded in ever-growing measure for five years and three months of world war, at the end of which time, all our enemies having surrendered unconditionally or about to do so, I was immediately dismissed by the British electorate from all further conduct of their affairs.

During these last crowded days of the political crisis, my pulse had not quickened at any moment.  I took it all as it came.  But I cannot conceal from the reader of this truthful account that as I went to bed at about 3 A.M.,I was conscious of a profound sense of relief.  At last I had authority to give directions over the whole scene.  I felt as if I were  walking with Destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and fot this trial.  Eleven years in the political wilderness had freed me from ordinary party antagonisms.  My warnings over the last six uears had been so numerous, so detailed, and were now so terribly vindicated, that no one could gainsay me.  I could not be reproached either for making the war or with want of preparation for it.  I thought I knew a good deal about it all, and I was sure I should not fail.  Therefore, although impatient for the morning, I slept soundly and had no need for cheering dreams.  Facts are better than dreams."

[Babi]

An example of his wit, which could be as cruel as it was eloquent and persuasive.  A wartime adviser to Churchill said of him "The idea of
having a friend who was of no practical use to him, but being a friend
because he liked him, had no place." (pg. 352) What an indictment!(

ELLA)
  I agree, ELLA, it was a very harsh indictment.  I don't see anything similar
anywhere else in the book, though, and I am hesitant to accept as valid
this single statement by a 'wartime advisor'.  We have no idea of the impartiality..or otherwise...of this comment.
  I am often reminded of my father's advice:  "Don't believe anything you
hear and only half of what you see."
 I was pleased when MacMillan finally found his milieu.  He found the work he was suited for and it made all the difference.. Even the thoroughly nasty Rab Butler was a changed man after he found the work that was a good fit for him.   I firmly believe many an unhappy and/or incompetent soul  would be a changed man/woman if they only found the work they were born to do. 

  I’m surprised that Eden was ever made PM,  and not at all surprised that he couldn’t handle the job.  All his life he had chosen the easy road, avoiding difficulty and hassles at all cost. Why would anyone think he had acquired responsibility and backbone at that late date.

[Ella Gibbons]

Hi BABI!  Eden is such an aristocratic looking fellow, so dapper, one would think he would make an excellent p.m., so unlike the rotund figure of Churchill.  Aren't looks deceiving!  Eden couldn't take the tough, back-room intrigues, our book says.

JOANG, so sorry about your eyes, do you listen to audio books?  And isn't it a miracle that you can get books on your Kindle and make them large print?  Thanks for posting!

HAROLD, I did find a listing in a drawer of all cable channels by subject matter and there is the military history one.  I just never thought of watching it and with spring approaching I probably won't for awhile.  How do you know what program is going to be on?  Do you get a TV guide?  Perhaps I should?

THANK YOU, PATH - how very interesting - I must get it and read THE GATHERING STORM.  So Churchill is sleeping well is he!  "My warnings over the last six uears had been so numerous, so detailed, and were now so terribly vindicated, that no one could gainsay me.  I could not be reproached either for making the war or with want of preparation for it."

Yes, a bit of bitterness creeps in when he writes that all enemies had surrended and thus it was he was discmissed from office!  He must have felt so old and useless then, his duties finished!  But he came back for another four years didn't he!  

Everyone has seen that picture of the three Allied leaders sitting down at Yalta with Churchill on the left, FDR in the middle and Stalin on the right.  Here it is:

http://www.history.com/photos/world-war-ii-political-leaders/photo4

Churchill usually has a cigar in his mouth, FDR with a cigarette between his fingers.

Has anything in this book changed your thinking toward any of these leaders?

[marcie]

The book told the agonizingly slow process of recognition that the government must be changed in order to "save England." I absolutely felt the frustration of the small group of men and women who realized that appeasement was the wrong course and who courageously worked to change that. Lynne Olson managed to provide a wealth of details about that long process while keeping me in suspense. The book doesn't have exactly a Hollywood ending. While "England was saved," the author reveals the flaws in various characters and their disappointments, as she does all along in the book. I think that's a strength of the book. We get to see the reality of the individuals involved...both their strengths and weaknesses.

[serenesheila]

HAROLD, I confused something that BOOKAD had posted, thinking it was you.  I apologize. 

BOOKAD, would you kindly tell me the title of the autobio of EDWARD VIII, which you are reading?  How long did was he king?  When was he crowned, and when did he abdicate?

ELLA, what type of TV service do you have?  I have DIRECTV,  With it it is not necessary to have TV Guide.  I can search two weeks worth of listings for each of the channels.  Then pre program the programs I want to program.  The military channel also runs "The Gathering Storm", periodically.

The final two chapters, seemed out of alignment, with the rest of the book, to me.  I do not think that I had any set expectations of how it would end.  However, the way it did end, was disappointing to me. 

I am looking forward to Lyne Olson's latest book, "Citizens of London".  It is about Ed Murrow, and Averall Harriman.  Both had lengthy affairs with two of Churchill's daughters.  There is also a third American, whose name is not at all familiar to me.

Sheila

[HaroldArnold]

Regarding Eden as PM, I certainly a remember his 1957 Suez Canal venture that almost precipitated WW III when the Soviet Union got involved.  Also The U.S under Eisenhower and the U.N. violently opposed the the English French and Israeli invasion of Egypt. The Egyptians  sank a number of ships in the canal effectively closing it for a decade thereafter.  Eden's career was effectively terminated.  

 Eden like Attlee and other P.M. of the period did accept a Peerage so was technically eligible to sit in the House of Lords, but I have never herd of him as active there.  Churchill had declined the offered Peerage and ended his life quite satisfied with his Knighthood with the Sir Winston title.

Harold Macmillan succeeded Eden as PM and despite the initial poor prospects for longevity managed a successful term during which Britain began a much needed post war economic recovery and a new lesser world political role.    

Ella, yes since 2006 I have had an on screen TV guide furnished by Time Warner as a part om my extended high definition package that also includes a Sports package as well as some several hundred digital channels including the military channel and maybe a dozen other other channels that I sometimes tune.  Most of the other channels are uninteresting and ignored but they are part of the package.  The on-screen TV guide is wonderful and always current for a week or 10 days.  Having it is worth the extra $5 a month.
    

[Wend]

Marcie I agree with your assessment and I too felt the frustration depicted in the book.

Lynne Olson's first achievement was her ability to accommodate such a huge amount of historical fact and comment in the form of a coherent spell binding story.

I liked the way the the many quotations were seamlessly embedded within the narrative. The reader's interest is subtly heightened with emotion on a limited number of occasions, such as disgust at the use of a "dirty tricks department" in the domestic phone tapping issue, "keeping the nation in the dark" as to the real danger and vulnerability of Britain and the incurable appeasement of Hitler.

The Notes, Index and Bibliography give a glimpse into the existence of related and peripheral issues which don't necessarily come to mind whilst reading and also give an appreciation of the magnitude of the research undertaken by the author.

Thank you Ella and Harold for selecting such an interesting, well reseached book. It held my attention from beginning to end and included much information that was new to me. I enjoyed meeting you and all the participants and found the discussion very stimulating. Thank you all!

[HaroldArnold]

serenesheila Edward VIII never had a formal carnation. It was delayed pending resolution of the emerging marriage crisis that resulted inhis terminating Abdication  .  He succeeded as King the  instant of his father's death.  The carnation is a formal installation ceremony but unnecessary to complete the legality of the succession.

[bookad]

Sheila

the book about Edward VIII is titled " A King's Story, the memoirs of the duke of windsor" --the book I have from the library was published in 1951--interesting the book classif # on the spine is 941.084Edw (most books have a sirname 3 letter, which in this case would be Windsor)--I am barely 100 pages into the book, not that its not interesting, but I have about 5 other books on the go at the same time, some more captivating than others; ...but there is a picture on the insert of this book that shows Edward leaving Westminster after his first and last opening of parliament Nov. 3, 1936

I did enjoy 'The Gathering Storm', when I read a number of pages into it a couple of summers ago, and felt at the time it would not be a hardship at all to read it... but have not been interested enough till reading this month's book--now I am curious to know how Winston saw things, and if he communicated any particular feelings about the events leading up to his becoming Prime Minister in this book

I did read somewhere that Winston suffered from bouts of depression, and it became a problem following his time as Prime Minister, what with all the activities of running the war, ...sort of a let down with the calm after the storm I guess.  
Another book I read " The Bielski Brothers" by Peter Duffy, ...{about 3  brothers in Germany who managed to conceal over 900 people during the Nazi regime in a forested area of Germany...thereby saving their lives}.....-one of the Bielski brothers succumbed with--the let down following the adrenalin rush of being constantly on the go and responsible for so many people's lives..  he couldn't deal with the aftermath of a quiet life after all the bustle....

I just found this to be an interesting sidenote to find how a person handles the follow-up
Churchill was in his 'element' during the war years...!!

Deb

[joangrimes]

Ella.  thank you and Harold for allowing me to go along for the ride in this discussion eventhough I was not reading the book...I have learned a lot from the posts all of you made here..

Yes Ella, I listen to audio books but they are much too expensive for me to own many of them.  The Kindle is perect for me but the competion between Amazon and Barns and Noble with their nook is causing a problem in availability of books on the Kindle.   Oh well something will work out even if I have to buy a page magnifier to read a regular print book with a page magnifier...  Part of my eye problem is caused by light.  So it is tricky as to what will work right...
thanks again for allowing me to sit through your discussion.  I am reading the Citizens of England by Lynne Olson on Kindle.  It is a very good book. Joan Grimes

[Jonathan]

'I felt as if I were  walking with Destiny...'

Thank you, Pat, for those two wonderful, concluding paragraphs from Churchill's The Gathering Storm. A great bit of summing up of what he had come through. And all along, as he tells us, he kept his finger on his pulse. Haha. And wondering, as he seems to hint, is it a dream? What a character. I wonder what Shakespeare might have done with him. The Man of Destiny? Or, Destiny Meets His Match?

He felt bitter about being dismissed, after subduing all England's foes. But perhaps the electorate showed great wisdom in allowing the hero to exit the stage in all his glory. Who can blame the electorate, if it did not want to push its luck with this amazing man who fumbled as often as he scored. One historian describes Churchill's career as a game of snakes and ladders.

'Eleven years in the political wilderness had freed me from ordinary party antagonisms.'

I try to relate that with how well he kept himself in the background, out of the conspiracy, as described in the book. And how he contended with those party antagonisms during the first six months as prime minister. The political climate in England was acrimonious in the thirties, to say the least'

'Facts are better than dreams.'

I think Churchill enjoyed both. And took a hand in bringing both about. Destiny had a hard time keeping up with him.

[Jonathan]

I find it interesting that Dorothy and Harold Macmillan are the first and the last in the photo section. Still together despite everything.

Boothby. It's hard to know what to read into that face. There must have been things about him that made Churchill wish he would blow himself up on a bomb demolition mission. Perhaps sleaze. Christine Keeler in her book, The Truth At Last, on hearing that he had been made a lord, shook her head and thought:

'A peer of the realm? It still (2001) seems weird to me.'

[Babi]

 MARCIE, Ronald Tree made an observation which I believe was accurate,
…that if Parliament could not operate effectively to meet the country’s
need in this ‘phony war’ crisis,  then it  was an institution that had
failed in its purpose. changes were necessary, weren't they? The old system
was simply a roadblock to any effective action.

 Churchill was a great war minister, as I'm sure all will agree. I can
understand, though, how a people weary of war and lacking so much, would like
the idea of putting it all behind them, retiring Churchill will respect and honor,
and choosing a labour leader who was promising to restore prosperity and an
end to the queues for everything.  They couldn't actually do that, of course.
There was too much to be done to be accomplished in a few years.

 I have no quarrel with the way the book ended.  Lynne Olson was telling the story of
how Churchill came to power in time to lead England through WWII.  Her only further commentary was to let us know what became of the key leaders. 
  I especially appreciated knowing about Cartland.  That was a poignant story and I am glad
to have learned about this man and his actions.  I was glad to learn that MacMillan found his
place and work in life. 
   I'm really glad, ELLA, that you introduced me to this book.  I would never have known about
it otherwise,  and I have found it most rewarding.  Ms. Olson has written an excellent book and
is to be congratulated.  Thank you, Lynne, for your thorough research and even-handed depiction of these men and women.

[Ella Gibbons]

I'm going to be compiling a few complimentary comments about Lynne's book (without quoting sources) and email them to her; thanking her for visiting us during our discussion.

And I can't begin to thank you - ALL OF YOU - enough for participating!  

It was great fun and I looked forward so much to coming here every day to read your comments.

If you have anything else to add, please do so today!

We will do another nonfiction someday, do you have suggestions?  

Do you read much nonfiction?

[Ella Gibbons]

Before we leave altogether, do you have any comments to make about how history has treated the big three wartime leaders, Churchill, FDR, Stalin?

Has there been any leaders of their stature since?  Anyone to compare?  Or is just wartime that produces such men?

Europe was in the throes of two deadly dictators, HItler and Stalin, during the 20th century, a very turbulent bloody century.  And now the European Union; do you know how it is faring?  Will it succeed?

This is my kind of book; I like nonfiction and I like a book that reads well, keeps my interest and is researched well.  I think Lynne Olson has done a good service in making history come alive and I hope young people can take advantage of such books to enrich their knowledge.

[HaroldArnold]

I too much enjoyed this discussion.  It was an interesting review of the world event that certainly shaped my entire life. Also I see both Anthony Eden and Harold Macmillan.in a much truer perspective than before.  Thanks to all of you who have participated. 

Ella, do you think we can leave the board open for the next two weeks for continuing comment on the outcome of the U.K. General election that I think is May 6th, next Thursday?   Apparently there is now a good chance \fort the new Democrat party to at leas make substantial gains at the expense of both Conservative and Labor.

[marcie]

Thank you very much, Ella and Harold, for your thoughtful leadership of this very interesting discussion. And many thanks to all of the other participants for all you shared. I learned a lot from reading the book and from everyone's comments. It  certainly has motivated me to read more about some of the people mentioned in the book.

[JoanK]

This has been a fascinating discussion and a wonderful book. Thanks to Ella and Harold for their usual excellant job. I look forward to the next non-fiction discussion.

[Jonathan]

Thanks to Ella and Harold. Thanks to everybody for a great discussion. What an interesting book. I was great fun to participate.

[PatH]

After the intolerable suspense culminating in the events of the 10th of May, the last chapters seem a bit anticlimactic until you think about it. The book had to end that way.  We need to know what happened to all the characters, and how this revolt affected their lives.  And it has a certain dramatic satisfaction, a bit like a Shakespearean play after a lot of main characters have killed each other off, and, in the last scene, some official or the new king or whoever comes in and ties up the loose ends.

[PatH]

This is a remarkable book.  It does a really good job of explaining this important bit of history in a lively, interesting, clear and intelligible way.  And although this is a period that interests me, I don't think I would have gotten around to reading it except for this discussion.

Thank you, Ella and Harold, for picking it and doing such a good job of leading the discussion.  And thank you, fellow discussers for being so interesting.

And thanks, Lynne, for writing it.

[Jonathan]

Right on, Pat, on the two postscript chapters. There a lot to said for them. Most readers love the PSs.

[serenesheila]

This has been a wonderful book, and discussion, for me.  I really like the way Lynne Olson writes.  From the time the war began, when I was a child, I revered both Chuchill and Roosevelt.  The more I learn about boh of them, the less reverance I have for them.  But, I firmly believe that things could have well turned out, differently, without them!  I loved all of the detail of this book.  I applaud the author, for the vast amount of research that she went into.

Ella, and Harold, thank you much, for selecting this book, for us.  Thanks to everyone who participated, for all of the comments, and new information.  This has been a wonderful adventure for me.  I am looking forward to the next discussion, of a non fiction book.

Sheila

[Babi]

 Ah, SHEILA, when we are children we are told only the good things about our heros.  It is always a shock to learn they were imperfect, just like ourselves.  In a way, though, it is most
encouraging to learn that great things can be done by flawed people.

[Jonathan]

Since Ella asks for suggestions, I would like to propose William Manchester's biography of Douglas MacArthur: AMERICAN CAESAR.

Or, Ulysses S. Grant's: PERSONAL MEMOIRS. Edmund Wilson, it says on the cover of my copy, described it as 'The most remarkable work of its kind since the COMMENTARIES of Julius Caesar.

[serenesheila]

How true, BABI.  We are all flawed people.  It is encouraging to know that I do not have to be perfect!

I just ordered a new, non fiction book.  It is called "George, Nicholas, and Wilheim". by Miranda Carter.  Have any of the rest of you read it?  It sounds interesting.  The more I learn, the more I want to learn.

Sheila

[HaroldArnold]

serenesheila  You might mention"George, Nicholas, and Wilheim". by Miranda Carter on the Non Fiction Board.  As you know that is a good place to post comment on new nonfiction titles.  Many of our discussions have originated from such a post.  This title seems to discuss WW I through three Kings, two of which did not survive the War.   Interesting!

[serenesheila]

HAROLD, I did post about that book, in the non fiction section.  It begins in 1859, and ends at WWI.  Two of the three Kings were dead by then.  Only George survived.

Sheila

[Ella Gibbons]

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions.  I am a listmaker and then every one inawhile I throw the lists away and start anew!  BookTV is a good source of suggested reading also.  This last Sunday I listened to Stephen Fried talking about his book APPETITE FOR AMERICA, about the Harvey Restaurants throughout the West early in the 20th century, the railroads, the Harvey Girls.  I have it reserved at my library.  Something different from books about wars which are so plentiful aren't they?

I received the following email from Lynne Olson, our author,  and it compliments all of you!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ella,


Many, many thanks for picking my book and for your outstanding conducting of the discussion. All the remarks and comments were so much fun to read -- and really enlightening, too!  I'm just sorry I didn't have more time to participate. I think I learned more than the other participants did.


Again, thank you so much.


All the best,
Lynne 


P.S. And, yes, the comments did make my day.

[Ella Gibbons]

DAVID CAMERON WINS. 

DIFFICULT DAYS AHEAD - WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK OF THE NEW GOVERMENT IN GREAT BRITAIN?

Here is the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/liveevent/

[marcie]

Ella, I'm going to read more before I can venture an opinion. There is quite a bit of information about David Cameron at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cameron

[Frybabe]

When I left this morning for some shopping, the vote was undecided. It was too close to call.
I'll reserve my opinion of Cameron until I've read more about him and see what he does in the first few months.

[HaroldArnold]

When I left home this morning The Conservatives under David Cameron had won the most seats but their total was some 20 seats less than the half plus one necessary to assure the formation of a Government.  Today the three main parties no doubt are negotiating for possible coalition arrangements.   I'm sure there are many possible combination, Conservative/ Liberal, Conservative/Labor, or even Labor/Liberal.  Also members of the smaller parties are involved trying for a Cabinet post of their own.

This situation is a principal  weakness of the Parliamentary system.  Coalition of this type tends not to last long leading to a new General Election before the expiration of the five year term. Apparently the Liberal Party showing was not as good as the pre election polls indicated.  

[Ella Gibbons]

Yes, HAROLD, I can see that's a problem we do not have ordinarily (ahem, do we speak of Bush vs. Gore, in 2000?).

That's a very long article in Wikipedia, MARCIE.  I did note one or two items:  both Cameron and his wife are extremely wealthy;   Cameron has been likened to Tony Blair, in fact, the press wonders if he had a transplant (hahaha), and then the following sentence, which makes one believe that if he wins the election he will have no trouble getting the "nod" from the Queen:

"A feature on Cameron in The Mail on Sunday on 18 March 2007 reported that on the day he was due to attend a job interview at Conservative Central Office, a phone call was received from Buckingham Palace. The male caller stated, "I understand you are to see David Cameron. I've tried everything I can to dissuade him from wasting his time on politics but I have failed. I am ringing to tell you that you are about to meet a truly remarkable young man."[33] - Wikipedia

We must keep posted on our friends across the pond, as they say.

[Babi]

 Well, ELLA, that phone call certainly pigued my interest in David Cameron.  I'm always interested in what a 'truly remarkable young man' might do.  I think we have one of our own
in office now.