In May 1995 Harold Wilson died. Parliament met - with Wilson's widow watching on - to offer its praise and tribute to one of the most remarkable politicians of the twentieth century.
Wilson at his peak (which, as I’ve written, was I think surprisingly short) had something none of his peers could really match, which was not just wit but lightness of touch. Macmillan had something of the same quality—much more so than Wilson in private—but his, of course, had that stageyness of the Edwardian actor-manager. For a brief time, Wilson seemed ineffable modern and optimistic.
Wilson at his peak (which, as I’ve written, was I think surprisingly short) had something none of his peers could really match, which was not just wit but lightness of touch. Macmillan had something of the same quality—much more so than Wilson in private—but his, of course, had that stageyness of the Edwardian actor-manager. For a brief time, Wilson seemed ineffable modern and optimistic.