History Daily – Episode 1290: The Resignation of Sir Anthony Eden

Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Lindsey Graham
Main Theme:
A gripping narrative on the momentous resignation of British Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden—a pivotal consequence of the Suez Crisis in 1956–1957, and a defining episode that marked the decline of Britain’s imperial power and reshaped global politics.

Episode Overview

Lindsey Graham takes listeners back to the dramatic days of 1956–1957, when the nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egypt’s leader Gamal Abdel Nasser triggered a global crisis. The episode traces the series of political and military miscalculations by Eden and his government culminating in Eden’s resignation, and the profound impact of the episode on Britain’s standing in the world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Spark: Suez Canal Nationalization

• Setting the Stage (01:08)
  Graham dramatizes the night of July 26, 1956, in Port Said, where Egyptian soldiers, awaiting a code word in Nasser’s fiery speech, storm the Suez Canal Company to declare its nationalization.

  “When the president says 'Ferdinand de Lesseps,' that’s the soldiers’ signal to begin their secretly planned operation.”
  — Lindsey Graham, (01:58)

• Strategic Importance
  The Suez Canal is vital for Europe's oil supply; its sudden seizure threatens Western control and precipitates an economic and political crisis.

2. British Response: Cabinet Debates and War Preparations

• Eden’s Dilemma (07:58)
  The British Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, convenes his cabinet at 10 Downing Street. Eden is a celebrated statesman but regards Nasser as a threat equated with "a fascist."

  "Eden leads the debate, outlining how serious he believes the situation to be. Egypt is not a friendly nation and Eden regards its leader, Nasser, as a fascist."
  — Lindsey Graham, (08:44)

• Options Weighed:

  • Diplomacy is attempted first, but Nasser refuses to negotiate.
  • Britain and France consider military action if diplomacy fails.

3. The US Factor: Misreading an Ally

• Harold Macmillan’s Secret Mission (10:59)
  Chancellor Harold Macmillan visits President Eisenhower, believing he’s secured American neutrality. But Eisenhower privately opposes military intervention and will later take a firm stand against British action.

  "Macmillan leaves the meeting utterly convinced that the United Kingdom will have Eisenhower’s support... But in time, it will become clear that Macmillan has misread the Americans."
  — Lindsey Graham, (12:09)

4. The Military Operation and Its Fallout

• Operation Musketeer (15:50)
  Britain and France coordinate a secret plan with Israel to invade Egypt, using the Israelis as a pretext for Anglo-French military intervention under the guise of peacekeeping.

  "Israel would invade the Egyptian held Sinai Peninsula east of the Suez Canal. Feigning surprise and horror... Britain and France would then pose as peacekeepers..."
  — Lindsey Graham, (16:37)

• Initial Military Success, Immediate Political Crisis:
  The invasion begins on October 31, 1956, achieving rapid military gains. However, diplomatic condemnation follows, with the US backing a UN resolution demanding withdrawal.

5. International Backlash and British Humiliation

• Cabinet Shock and American Pressure (17:59)
  Eden is devastated by the news that America supports UN sanctions, forcing him to accept a ceasefire, underlining Britain’s fallen status on the world stage.

  "...the Prime Minister watches the cabinet members' eyes widen at his words... their expressions mirror Eden’s own feelings of shock and disappointment."
  — Lindsey Graham, (18:54) "On a crackling transit light line, he tells President Eisenhower that Britain has agreed to America’s demands. The fighting will stop at midnight, Egyptian time."
  — Lindsey Graham, (19:39)

6. Eden’s Resignation and Aftermath

• Formal Resignation (22:32)
  January 9, 1957: Eden bows before Queen Elizabeth II and resigns, officially citing ill health but widely known to be a casualty of the Suez fiasco.

  “After agreeing to the ceasefire in Egypt and withdrawing British troops, Sir Anthony Eden’s political authority quickly drained away... He still believes his actions were right, but it’s clear he’s lost the confidence of many, many colleagues in Parliament.”
  — Lindsey Graham, (22:35)

• Legacy
  The Suez Crisis exposes Britain’s diminished power and damages relations with the United States. Harold Macmillan succeeds Eden, dedicating his term to rebuilding the “special relationship” and redefining Britain’s global role.

  “The humiliating public reversal in Egypt has exposed Britain’s weakness, shredded the country’s reputation, and badly damaged the so-called special relationship with its closest ally, the United States.”
  — Lindsey Graham, (23:05)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Eden’s Miscalculation of US Intentions:

  “But in time, it will become clear that Macmillan has misread the Americans. Eisenhower is, in fact, firmly against Britain and France taking military action. And this mistake will lead to a national humiliation for the United Kingdom and deliver a fatal blow to Macmillan’s boss, Sir Anthony Eden.”
  (12:09)

• On the End of British Power:

  “The end of hostilities will send an unmistakable signal to the world about the power and standing of the United Kingdom. The days when the British Empire was the globe’s foremost power are gone.”
  (19:57)

• On Eden’s Personal Downfall:

  “Eden has been responsible for the worst days for the United Kingdom since it faced the near defeat at the hands of the Nazis early in World War II.”
  (23:00)

• On Suez Crisis as Political Catastrophe:

  “Even today, the Suez Crisis is remembered in the United Kingdom as a byword for political catastrophe and the national humiliation that began with the nationalization of a trade route and ended with the resignation of a prime minister on January 9, 1957.”
  (24:05)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 01:08 — Egyptian nationalization of the Suez Canal: covert action and immediate implications.
• 07:58 — Sir Anthony Eden gathers cabinet; debates Britain's response.
• 10:59 — Harold Macmillan’s mission to Washington and misinterpretation of American intentions.
• 15:50 — Operation Musketeer: military action in Suez.
• 17:59 — Political fallout: US-backed UN resolution and Eden’s forced ceasefire.
• 22:32 — Sir Anthony Eden's resignation to Queen Elizabeth II.
• 24:05 — Reflections on the Suez Crisis as a political and national watershed.

Closing Thoughts

This episode compellingly chronicles how a single international incident—the Suez Crisis—undermined British imperial identity and forced the country into the realities of its post-war position. Graham emphasizes the drama and personal toll on Eden, as well as the seismic shift in Britain’s global role. The storytelling is vivid, urgent, and insightful, making an absorbing listen for anyone interested in world history, politics, or leadership in crisis.