Exit Harold, Enter Jim

Harold Wilson is a slick operator, and he was never slicker than in the timing of his resignation. He meant James Callaghan to succeed him and so arranged things that his rival, Denis Healey, was caught up in a ferocious row with the Left the day before the resignation. It was not only a public row in the Commons, but also a person-to-person row decorated with expletives undeleted. This meant that Healey would not win any leftwing votes at any time in the balloting.

Wilson told Callaghan of his resignation shortly before he told the cabinet. Because of a possibly contrived accident he did not tell Healey, but that was of no importance since Callaghan had had a broad hint as early as December. Wilson’s statement was quite lengthy, and he asked for complete silence while he read it. Except for Barbara Castle, the cabinet respected his wish. When she realized his purpose, Barbara cried, “Oh God!” No doubt she felt genuine distress for Wilson, but if she knew that Callaghan would succeed, she knew also that she was for the chop. There is a strong mutual dislike.

CB

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Colm Brogan

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Harold Wilson is a slick operator, and he was never slicker than in the timing of his resignation. He meant James Callaghan to succeed him and so arranged things that his rival, Denis Healey, was caught up in a ferocious row with the Left the day before the resignation. It was not only a public row in the Commons, but also a person-to-person row decorated with expletives undeleted. This meant that Healey would not win any leftwing votes at any time in the balloting.

Wilson told Callaghan of his resignation shortly before he told the cabinet. Because of a possibly contrived accident he did not tell Healey, but that was of no importance since Callaghan had had a broad hint as early as December. Wilson’s statement was quite lengthy, and he asked for complete silence while he read it. Except for Barbara Castle, the cabinet respected his wish. When she realized his purpose, Barbara cried, “Oh God!” No doubt she felt genuine distress for Wilson, but if she knew that Callaghan would succeed, she knew also that she was for the chop. There is a strong mutual dislike.