Dominic Sandbrook

You know, this is the issue.

Anyway, the question is why on earth the war council has approved a plan that, I mean, Tom, if you and I can see that there are issues, why can they not see it?

Now, one reason we've already mentioned Asquith is

Asquith is distracted.

There is no question.

Asquith has no greater defender in the world of podcasting than me.

However, even I would have to concede he is not on form at this point in time.

To remind people, Asquith is 62 years old and he is absolutely besotted with his daughter's mate, Venetia Stanley, who is 27.

Early that morning before the meeting, in the small hours of the morning, Asquith had written her one of his huge long love letters.

I give you my most intimate confidence, my unceasing devotion, my fears and hopes, my strength and weakness, my past, my present, my future.

She has now written back to him.

Her letters are lost, so we don't know what she wrote.

Snap out of it.

Focus.

I don't think she did.

Because during the meeting, while Churchill has been talking, Asquith has been reading her letter.

And unbelievably, he's been writing back to her during the meeting as well.

And he says to her, we are having a most interesting discussion, but so confidential and secret, I won't put anything down on paper.

I'm keen to tell you all about it and to see if it meets with your approval.

So it's great that Felicia Stanley will be invited.