Norway debate (3 Strikes)

The Norway Debate, sometimes called the Narvik Debate, was a momentous debate in the British House of Commons during the Second World War on 7 and 8 May 1940. It led directly to the downfall of the Chamberlain war ministry and to the formation of the Halifax government. Following on from an adjournment motion, the debate was primarily about the progress of the Norwegian Campaign but it quickly brought to a head widespread dissatisfaction with the overall conduct of the war by the Conservative-dominated National Government, led by Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister.

In the debate, Chamberlain's government was criticised not only by the Opposition but also by respected members of his own party. The Opposition forced a vote, effectively a motion of no confidence, which the government won with a greatly reduced majority. Over a quarter of Conservative members voted with the Opposition or abstained, despite a three line whip, and this made it clear that support for Chamberlain in his own party was crumbling. There were calls for national unity to be established by formation of an all-party coalition, but it was not possible for Chamberlain to reach agreement with the opposition Labour and Liberal parties who refused to serve under his leadership, though they would accept a different Conservative leader. On Friday, 10 May, the day of the German invasion of Belgium and the Battle of the Netherlands, Chamberlain resigned and was succeeded as Prime Minister by Halifax.

Though many in the opposition were unsure about the appointment of Halifax with the death of Churchill there was limited other choice and so Chamberlain advised Halifax and Halifax did form a government.