I agree that Chamberlain was no war time consiglieri, when one was desperately needed. Thankfully Churchill came along at the right moment.
But the fact remains that both England and France were effectively eliminated as great powers following WWI-—the losses both nations suffered in that war were devastating.
The one thing England had that France did not have was a body of water separating it from the European mainland.
Sorry, but this idea that Britain was finished by WW1 is a nonsense.
Until 1940, we were still the greatest and most powerful superpower on earth, and the financial hub of the world. We had the world’s biggest ever Empire, which EXPANDED after WW1, we had the world’s largest navy and a large army and air force. British intelligence was also the world’s finest.
And in science, technology and culture (literature, music), Britain still led the world. Be it Alexander Fleming, John Logie Baird or George Orwell. Be it radar, Colossus or penicillin.
Yes, Britain suffered in WW1. But the idea we ceased to be a major power after 1918 because of that is complete nonsense. Britain only abdicated top spot in 1940, and remained one of the three major world superpowers for another 30 years.