King Edward's private secretary, Knollys, once wrote to someone to ask about Winston's motives. 'Let's not pretend he's doing this out of principle or conviction: the thought that he has either is enough to make anyone laugh.'

A damaged man, but one you would want on your side in a fight! He was wrong half the time, but he never wanted for decision or drive. His life was filled in almost equal parts with terrible blunders and great victories. And he did not give up in anything.

At the ripe old age of 32, he complained bitterly about the shortness of life. 'We are all worms,' he decided. 'But I do believe that I am a glow worm.' It was his sad fate to watch over the decline of the British Empire, and this understandably made him a bit testy. "I will not preside over a dismemberment!"



You made me love you, I didn't want to do it...

Winston the former Apostate, savior of the Tories (from Punch). Ultimately, I'm afraid I love him, too, warts and all. I'm sure he would have inspired me to fits of rage, but what a glow worm he was.