LONDON: Mr Winston Churchill put himself in the dual wartime role of both the Prime Minister and Defence Minister on Saturday [Oct 27] as he announced the new British Cabinet on his first day in office.

The 76-year-old statesman pulled a surprise by taking over the same heavy chores of defence he handled throughout [World War II]. His action underlined the gravity with which he views the world situation.

Mr Churchill named his trusted Deputy and Heir Apparent, Mr Anthony Eden, to the job of Foreign Secretary to try to keep peace and halt the twisting of the British Lion’s tail. Mr Eden [was] also appointed Deputy Prime Minister. … The Conservatives will have a margin of only about 19 seats from the election victory on Thursday.

Into the painful job of the Chancellor of the Exchequer stepped Mr R. A. Butler, one of the party’s top economists. Mr Butler is faced with a [bleak] financial picture of dollar shortages and shrinking gold reserves plus a pound that has steadily lost its value in world markets.

Other appointments were: Lord President of the Council Lord Woolton (68), head of the Conservative Party and wartime Minister of Food. …

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2026