Diplomatic history of World War II in the Dunkirk evacuation in late May/early June 1940. Tens of thousands of tanks, trucks and artillery guns were left behind, as well as all of the radios, machine guns, rifles, tents, spare parts and other gear. The new Prime Minister Winston Churchill pledged that Britain would continue to fight for France's freedom, even if it must do so alone. After Mers el Kebir, Britain recognised Free France as its ally and the legitimate government of France. The United States maintained diplomatic relations with Vichy (until late 1942) and avoided recognition of de Gaulle's claim to be the one and
Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom) 1940 and Home in 1963), but these were all cases where the Conservative Party was in government and do not affect the list of Leaders of the Opposition. In 1931–32 the Leader of the Labour Party was Arthur Henderson. He was Leader of the Opposition for a short period in 1931, but was ineligible to continue when he lost his seat in the 1931 general election. George Lansbury was Leader of the Opposition before he also became the Leader of the Labour Party in 1932. Leaders of the Opposition, in the two Houses of Parliament, had been generally recognised and