source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/election_01.shtml

Labour's landslide in the 1945 general election remains one of the greatest shocks in British political history. How did Winston Churchill, a hugely popular national hero, fail to win?

Between 1940 and 1945 Winston Churchill was probably the most popular British prime minister of all time. In May 1945 his approval rating in the opinion polls, which had never fallen below 78 per cent, stood at 83 per cent. With few exceptions, politicians and commentators confidently predicted that he would lead the Conservatives to victory at the forthcoming general election.

In the end, he led them to one of their greatest ever defeats. It was also one for which he was partly responsible, because the very qualities that had made him a great leader in war were ill-suited to domestic politics in peacetime.

Politicians are often rejected by voters because they have failed in office. But one of the reasons why Churchill lost the general election in 1945 was because he had succeeded in completing the almost superhuman task he had taken on in 1940, and in a way this made him redundant. When there was No Hitler, then there was no need for Churchill.

The conduct of the war, however, was his overriding passion, and military victory was by far the most important of his goals - thus everything else, including party politics, was secondary. As a result, when the war came to an end and party politics resumed, Churchill suddenly found himself without a clear sense of purpose or direction.

'Cheer Winston:Vote Labour'.

The Labour party came up with a succinct slogan 'Cheer Winston:Vote Labour'. Now that war is over and Hitler is dead, there is no need for Winston Churchill. Personally Churchill was very popular, but the Labour victory was a landslide. The Labour successfully projected as Churchill is good only for war and not for peacetime

The Labour party played another trick to defeat Churchill. That was, 'Freedom to India'. The British people knew that Churchill would never give freedom to India. Winston used to say, "It's over my dead body." The British people also knew that, because of Gandhi and his Satyagraha action, Great Britain lost its reputation in the international community. So, the Labour party used 'India' against Churchill to win the 1945 election. Here is their manifesto:

The Labour Party will seek to promote mutual understanding and cordial co-operation between the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, the advancement of India to responsible self-government, and the planned progress of our Colonial Dependencies.

Labour Prime Minister Clement Atlee had no special love for India and Gandhi. Just to win the election, he said that he would give freedom to India. That trick did help him. Clement Atlee won; Winston Churchill lost

Look at the history: Hitler thought he was invincible. Winston Churchill defeated Adolf Hitler.
Winston Churchill was so confident that he would win the 1945 election.
It's not Clement Atlee; it is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi defeated Churchill.
But at the end, with the partition of the united British India into Pakistan and India,
Gandhi felt that, his struggle was a failure.

Cheer Mahinda; Vote Ranil.

Almost similar situation now in Sri Lanka. War is over. Prabhakaran is dead. Just like, Winston Churchill, Mahinda Rajapakse is a war hero and very popular.

The other party in Sri Lanka may just follow the footsteps of the British Prime Minister Clement Atlee. First, promote the slogan like, 'Cheer Mahinda; but Vote Ranil or some common candidate'

Project Mahinda as good for war and only for war. Let us all thank the President for his leadership in war and its success. Now that Prabhakaran is dead, Sri Lanka people no longer need Mahinda. Mahinda's service may be useful in Afganistan or some other places. The other party shall project Mahinda is not good for peace activities such as, promoting tourism, economic development, etc

The second useful strategy is, building reputation in the international community. Right now it is very low. International organizations, countries and others have no respects for Sri Lanka government. The other party shall make the best use of this issue

Tourism is the best way of building Sri Lanka. For that, people from other countries should love to visit Ceylon. To gain respects from the international community, the other party shall follow the British Prime Minister Clement Atlee's trick, 'Freedom to India'; that is, make equal rights as your election promise and present it in manifesto as - Citizens of Sri Lanka are Equal.

In summary, the other party can win the election; all they need to do is, just follow the strategy of those British politicians. Two solid points will guarantee their victory. One is: Mahinda is a good leader for war; but not for peace. Now that Prabhakaran is dead, there is no need for Mahinda.

Second is: Citizens of Sri Lanka are Equal. The second one will help Sri Lanka to gain their reputation in the international community.