Beaverbrook came for lunch. As always, he had many interesting things to say.

Attlee and Greenwood came for dinner. We discussed at length current events and Labour’s plans. A sad picture. Both fail to understand or sense that the present situation is absolutely extraordinary and requires extraordinary measures to be taken – in particular, some ‘heroic’ steps to change Britain’s foreign policy. In their opinion, everything should continue as normal. They must campaign, make speeches in parliament, assail the government in the press, etc., and wait for the nearest election, which will probably be held in a year at the earliest. That’s the sum of their philosophy, strategy and tactics.

Layton, who had tea with me today, told me a strange story. During the crisis, none other than Samuel Hoare told him one day: ‘The more I reflect on the situation, the closer I come to the conclusion that if we really want to preserve our empire, we have no choice but to go along with Russia. Indeed, Russia is not an expansionist country today and poses no danger to the British Empire. Germany, on the contrary, is breaking forth from its borders in all directions and undoubtedly constitutes a threat to the Empire. Why, in such a situation, shouldn’t we come to an agreement with Russia about cooperation?’