The Crown (TV Series)

Act of God (2016)

Simon Chandler: Clement Attlee

Quotes 

• Collins : This is great, Clem.

  Clement Attlee : It's interesting, for sure. What I don't understand is this. Why a Downing Street employee, working for the government, should come to me with this information? I've read the Aeneid, Mr. Thurman. "Do not trust the horse, Trojans. I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts."

  Thurman : Mr. Attlee, I entered the civil service to serve the public and to serve government, any government. But I am also a responsible citizen and I cannot stand by while chaos reigns around me. This is not a government. Mr. Attlee, this is a collection of hesitant, frightened, old men unable to unseat a tyrannical, delusional even older one. Yours was the most radical, forward-thinking government this country has ever seen. How you lost the election escapes me.

  Clement Attlee : Escapes us all.

• Collins : It's chaos out there. Trains disrupted, air services cancelled. At Richmond Bridge this morning, visibility was officially measured at one yard. That's a record low, incidentally. Our Trojan friend in Downing Street has been speaking to his friends at the Met office. They say this is just the beginning. They expect it to get worse.

  Clement Attlee : I know you would have me call a vote of no confidence, and will doubtless call me over-cautious for not doing so. But the Prime Minister needs to be given a chance. Even if it's only to hang himself. Let's see how the old fool responds.