The Night of the Long Knives was the moment when luck began to run out for Macmillan. Fifty years ago Prime Minister Harold Macmillan shocked the nation by sacking seven ministers in what became known as the 'Night of the Long Knives'. Night of the Long Knives In February, 1934, Hitler had a meeting with Group Captain Frederick Winterbotham. While the events were unprecedented, this sacking of so many senior colleagues was also believed to be out of character for Macmillan. "There's a certain zest about the job. VideoTips for helping your child's mental health, Losing your identity to get a job in Japan. However, the plans were soon splashed on newspaper front pages after Butler spoke indiscreetly with a journalist. "It is important Cameron does not let the legacy of the 'Night of the Long Knives' inhibit his own political calculations. Wilson didn't really want to do this, but it seemed the best option for the economy ... Macmillan's nickname after the Night of the Long Knives. The arrival of the youthful and charismatic John F Kennedy as president of the United States made many elderly members of the government look out of touch in a rapidly changing Britain. The Night of the Long Knives, or the Röhm Purge, also called Operation Hummingbird, was a purge that took place in Nazi Germany from June 30 to July 2, 1934. "We have a Macmillanite prime minister in David Cameron. I personally didn't feel at all tired, I thought things were going rather well.". THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES: Forty-Eight Hours That Changed the World Paul Maracin, Author. Night of the Long Knives. .css-1xgx53b-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-1xgx53b-Link:hover,.css-1xgx53b-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. Macmillan's notorious cabinet reshuffle 1973. Macmillan believed the conversation part of a deliberate ploy by the ambitious Butler. Harold Macmillan's reputation was shattered. Reprivatisation. Public Management Review. "The party had lost its sense of direction and conviction and this was due to neglect from the centre. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Directed by Lance Miccio, Grant Slawson. This included Gregor Strasser, a rival within the Nazi party, and Kurt von Schleicher, a general who tried to split the Nazi Party by offering the chancellorship to Hitler’s rivals.However, Hitler’s biggest concern was Ernst Röhm, a man Hitler himself had appointed to command the 3 million-strong Brown Shirts of the Sturmabteilung (SA). The leak forced Macmillan's hand and he acted swiftly, sacking Lloyd that evening and six other cabinet members the next day - Friday 13 July - calling them to his office one by one to confirm the news. .css-14iz86j-BoldText{font-weight:bold;}It was the most brutal cabinet reshuffle in British political history. VideoThe starling startler of Rome, Why California is struggling to contain Covid. Terms of Use Harold macmillan's ‘night of the Long Knives’ Keith Alderman. .css-orcmk8-HeadlineContainer{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;}Biden plans decree blitz to dump Trump policies.css-1dedj2h-Rank{-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;color:#B80000;margin-left:3.125rem;}1, When white supremacists overthrew a US government2, Clothes sellers targeted by 'creepy' messages3, Australian Open players hit out at Covid isolation4, Bobi Wine 'fearful for life' after Uganda poll7, Nasa's 'megarocket' engine test ends early8, Will the Trump corporate backlash make a difference?9, Airline industry 'needs $80bn more government aid'10. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan dismissed seven members of his Cabinet, one-third of the total. 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