The Enduring Power of "In the Name of God, Go": A Historian‘s Perspective on Cromwell‘s Iconic Quote

Throughout British history, the iconic phrase "In the name of God, go" has been invoked during times of political upheaval and crisis, serving as a powerful rebuke to leaders who have lost the trust and confidence of the nation. From Oliver Cromwell‘s dismissal of the Rump Parliament in 1653 to the challenges faced by Neville Chamberlain and Boris Johnson in the 20th and 21st centuries, this quote has become a symbol of the enduring struggle between the responsibilities of leadership and the will of the people. In this blog post, we will explore the historical context and significance of this phrase, analyzing its rhetorical power, moral implications, and lasting impact on British political culture.

Oliver Cromwell and the Rump Parliament (1653)

The first recorded use of the phrase "In the name of God, go" dates back to the English Civil War, a period of intense political and religious conflict that saw the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England. At the center of this tumultuous era was Oliver Cromwell, a military and political leader who played a pivotal role in shaping the course of British history.

By 1653, Cromwell had become increasingly disillusioned with the Long Parliament, believing that its remaining members, known as the Rump Parliament, were more concerned with their own self-preservation than serving the interests of the nation. The Rump Parliament had been in session for over a decade, and its members had become notorious for their corruption, factionalism, and resistance to reform.

On April 20, 1653, Cromwell took decisive action. Accompanied by a group of armed soldiers, he stormed into the Commons Chamber and delivered a scathing speech, denouncing the Rump Parliament for its failures and abuses of power. According to the most widely accepted account of the event, Cromwell‘s speech included the following words:

"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice. Ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government […] Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? […] So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!"

Cromwell‘s forceful ejection of the Rump Parliament marked a turning point in English history, paving the way for the establishment of the Nominated Assembly (also known as the Barebones Parliament) and, ultimately, Cromwell‘s own rise to power as Lord Protector. The use of the phrase "In the name of God, go" in this context underscores the moral and religious dimensions of Cromwell‘s actions, as he sought to purge the nation of what he saw as the corrupting influence of a debased and unworthy legislature.

Leo Amery and Neville Chamberlain (1940)

Nearly three centuries later, the phrase "In the name of God, go" would once again resound in the House of Commons, this time during the darkest days of World War II. On May 7-8, 1940, the Commons engaged in a heated debate over Britain‘s response to the Nazi invasion of Norway, a campaign that had exposed the inadequacies of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain‘s leadership and the nation‘s military preparedness.

The Norway Debate, as it came to be known, saw a number of prominent figures, including future Prime Minister Winston Churchill, deliver scathing critiques of Chamberlain‘s handling of the war effort. However, it was the speech by Conservative backbencher Leo Amery that would go down in history, thanks to his invocation of Cromwell‘s famous words.

Amery, who had long been a critic of Chamberlain‘s appeasement policies, rose to address the House on May 7. In a powerful and emotional speech, he condemned the Prime Minister‘s failure to anticipate and respond to the Nazi threat, arguing that his leadership had left the nation dangerously exposed. As he reached the climax of his address, Amery turned to face Chamberlain directly and delivered the following words:

"This is what Cromwell said to the Long Parliament when he thought it was no longer fit to conduct the affairs of the nation: ‘You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go.‘"

The impact of Amery‘s speech was immediate and profound. The invocation of Cromwell‘s words, with their connotations of moral authority and righteous indignation, served to crystallize the growing sense of dissatisfaction with Chamberlain‘s leadership and the urgent need for change. Just three days after the Norway Debate, on May 10, 1940, Chamberlain resigned as Prime Minister, making way for Churchill to assume the role of wartime leader.

The use of the phrase "In the name of God, go" in this context highlights the enduring power of historical precedent and the ways in which the past can be mobilized to shape the present. By drawing a parallel between the failures of the Rump Parliament and those of Chamberlain‘s government, Amery was able to tap into a deep vein of national sentiment and mobilize support for a change in leadership at a critical moment in British history.

David Davis and Boris Johnson (2022)

More than eight decades after Leo Amery‘s famous speech, the phrase "In the name of God, go" would once again be invoked in the House of Commons, this time in the context of a very different kind of crisis. On January 19, 2022, senior Conservative MP David Davis rose to address Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had become embroiled in a scandal over his alleged attendance at lockdown-violating gatherings in Downing Street during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The "partygate" scandal, as it came to be known, had severely damaged Johnson‘s credibility and public standing, with many Britons expressing outrage at the idea that their leaders had flouted the very rules they had imposed on the rest of the nation. Against this backdrop, Davis delivered a short but devastating speech, in which he called on Johnson to take responsibility for his actions and resign:

"I expect my leaders to shoulder the responsibility for the actions they take. Yesterday he did the opposite of that. So, I will remind him of a quotation which may be familiar to his ear: Leopold Amery to Neville Chamberlain. ‘You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. In the name of God, go.‘"

The use of the phrase in this context was particularly striking, given Johnson‘s own background as a historian and biographer of Winston Churchill. By comparing Johnson to Chamberlain rather than Churchill, Davis was making a powerful statement about the Prime Minister‘s fitness to lead and his failure to live up to the standards set by his wartime predecessor.

The impact of Davis‘s speech was significant, with many commentators noting the historical resonance of his words and the way in which they seemed to capture the growing sense of public disillusionment with Johnson‘s leadership. While Johnson did not immediately resign in response to the speech, the "partygate" scandal would continue to dog his premiership, contributing to a steady erosion of his authority and ultimately leading to his resignation in July 2022.

The Enduring Significance of "In the Name of God, Go"

The repeated use of the phrase "In the name of God, go" across different eras of British history highlights its enduring power as a rhetorical device and its ability to capture the public imagination. The quote‘s effectiveness lies in its ability to evoke a sense of moral authority and righteous indignation, tapping into deep-seated cultural and historical narratives about the responsibilities of leadership and the accountability of those in power.

At the same time, the use of the phrase in such disparate contexts also underscores the adaptability and flexibility of political language, and the ways in which the meaning of words can shift and evolve over time. While Cromwell‘s original use of the phrase was rooted in a specific religious and political context, its subsequent invocations by Amery and Davis have drawn on a more secular understanding of leadership and public service, reflecting the changing nature of British society and political culture.

The enduring significance of "In the name of God, go" can also be seen in its pervasive influence on popular culture and public discourse. The phrase has been referenced in countless books, films, and television shows, often serving as a shorthand for a powerful rebuke of authority or a call for change in the face of entrenched power structures. Its enduring resonance speaks to the universal human desire for accountable and responsive leadership, and the ongoing struggle to balance the demands of authority with the will of the people.

Ultimately, the history of "In the name of God, go" reminds us of the importance of holding our leaders to high standards of integrity, competence, and responsibility, and of the power of words to shape our understanding of the past, present, and future. As we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of our own time, we would do well to remember the lessons of this iconic phrase, and to continue to demand the best from those who hold positions of trust and authority.

Conclusion

The phrase "In the name of God, go" has left an indelible mark on British political history, serving as a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle between the responsibilities of leadership and the will of the people. From the English Civil War to the Brexit era, this iconic quote has captured the public imagination, evoking a sense of moral authority and righteous indignation in the face of failed leadership and broken trust.

As historians, we have a responsibility to examine the context and significance of this phrase, not just as a matter of academic interest, but as a way of illuminating the larger forces that shape our political and social lives. By tracing the history of "In the name of God, go" across different eras and contexts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the way in which language and rhetoric are used to mobilize public sentiment, challenge authority, and effect political change.

At the same time, the enduring resonance of this phrase also speaks to the universal human desire for accountable and responsive leadership, and the ongoing struggle to balance the demands of authority with the will of the people. In an era marked by political polarization, economic uncertainty, and social upheaval, the lessons of "In the name of God, go" are more relevant than ever, reminding us of the importance of holding our leaders to high standards of integrity, competence, and responsibility.

As we look to the future, it is clear that the challenges we face as a society will require a renewed commitment to the principles of democratic accountability, public service, and responsible leadership. By drawing on the lessons of the past and the enduring power of words like "In the name of God, go," we can work to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for all.

References

1. Coward, B. (2003). The Stuart Age: England, 1603-1714. Routledge.
2. Henning, B. D. (1983). The House of Commons, 1660-1690 (The History of Parliament Trust). Secker & Warburg.
3. Jenkins, R. (2001). Churchill: A Biography. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
4. Morrill, J. (1990). Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution. Longman.
5. Olson, L. (2007). Troublesome Young Men: The Rebels Who Brought Churchill to Power and Helped Save England. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
6. Petrie, C. (1962). The Life and Letters of Sir Henry Jones. Cassell.
7. Quinault, R. (2011). British Prime Ministers and Democracy: From Disraeli to Blair. Palgrave Macmillan.
8. Smith, D. L. (1999). The Stuart Parliaments 1603-1689. Arnold.

Data and Statistics

Prime Minister	Date of "In the Name of God, Go" Speech	Outcome
Neville Chamberlain	May 7, 1940	Resigned on May 10, 1940
Boris Johnson	January 19, 2022	Resigned on July 7, 2022

Sources: UK Parliament, BBC News