The supporters of appeasement came from diverse groups, such as the Conservative Party, the Church of England and a number of right wing extreme elements. The only significant group on the centre left to support Chamberlain were pacifists. The very way in which such influential groups gave support to the policy, meant that it would be an even greater challenge for the opposition to discredit it

Few Tories favoured direct military involvement in European problems. Sir Arnold Wilson, a Tory MP, was not alone in calling for a return to a policy of isolation from European problems, supported by armaments but uncommitted to upholding collective security of taking part in any alliance system. Tories saw little other alternative to appeasement. There was strong conservative opposition to...