Prime Minister Resigns

The Cabinet meeting had ended, and Churchill's proposal had been approved. Although everyone still believed that Churchill's plan would be extremely difficult to carry out, with no better alternative, preparing according to his recommendations was not a bad course of action. More importantly, they still held a sliver of hope for the future—hope that their forces could withstand the German offensive. Only then would it be most advantageous for the British Empire and these ministers.

Even in the worst-case scenario, they could flee Britain in advance and head for other colonies. Just as Churchill had said, the British Empire possessed vast colonies. Even if the British mainland fell, they could retreat to the colonies and continue to hold out. Even if they could not defeat Germany, they could at least endure to the very end.

Thus, after the meeting, Churchill received an additional appointment. Although he was the First Sea Lord, Prime Minister Asquith appointed him to take full responsibility for the defense of the mainland. Even Richard Haldane, the Minister of War, seemed to have no objection to this.

Everyone left, except Chancellor of the Exchequer Lloyd George, who remained behind.

"George, the British Empire has reached its final hour. Though Churchill still refuses to give up, you and I both know that the British Empire has suffered a crushing defeat in this war. If we abandon the mainland and retreat to the colonies, even if we can continue to hold out, there will not be much meaning in it," Prime Minister Asquith said.

"Yes, Prime Minister. But there is no harm in letting Churchill give it a try. As he said, no matter how bad things get, they cannot get much worse than they already are. At the very worst, we can still go to the colonies," Lloyd