Category: Harold Wilson

Contemporary History, 20th century history, Factions, Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, Modern, Oral history

Arthur Latham and the rise of the Labour Left

On this day, 1930, Arthur Latham was born. Labour MP for Paddington North (later Paddington) from 1969 to 1979, his career both inside and outside the Commons reflected the ebb and flow of the Labour Party’s ‘hard left’. Alfie Steer explores the significance of Latham’s career, and what it reveals about the history of left-wing politics in late Twentieth Century Britain. Arthur Latham’s journey to … Continue reading Arthur Latham and the rise of the Labour Left

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Conferences, Seminars and Events, 20th century history, Contemporary History, Economic history, Edward Heath, Elections, Harold Wilson, Modern, Scottish History

The Union in Peril: The British Government and the Scottish Question in the Shadow of the Oil Crisis, c. 1973-1975.

Ahead of next Tuesday’s Virtual IHR Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Robbie Johnston of the University of Edinburgh. On 10 May 2022, between 5.15 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., Robbie will be responding to your questions about his paper on Parliament and the Scottish question in the 1970s. Robbie’s full-length paper is available by signing up to his seminar and contacting seminar@histparl.ac.uk. Details of how to join the discussion are … Continue reading The Union in Peril: The British Government and the Scottish Question in the Shadow of the Oil Crisis, c. 1973-1975.

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Conferences, Seminars and Events, 20th century history, Harold Wilson, Modern, Parliamentary Life

Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar: Henry Midgley, ‘Harold Wilson and the Public Accounts Committee 1959-63’

At our first ‘Parliaments, Politics & People‘ seminar of the new academic year, Henry Midgley discussed his work on Harold Wilson before he became Prime Minister… Harold Wilson is well known for many things – his Premiership and long leadership of the Labour Party and his role in key debates such as those around the UK’s recent referendum on membership of the European Union and … Continue reading Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar: Henry Midgley, ‘Harold Wilson and the Public Accounts Committee 1959-63’

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Social history, 20th century history, Contemporary History, Edward Heath, Elections, Harold Wilson, Modern, Oral history, Parties

Memories of the 1974 snap elections

Last week Theresa May shocked the political establishment by calling a snap election. In the first in our 2017 election campaign series, we take a look back at the two elections of 1974 through the memories of our oral history project interviewees… Modern political wisdom has urged caution on Prime Ministers considering calling early elections, in part thanks to memories of 1974. There were two … Continue reading Memories of the 1974 snap elections

Emma Peplow2 Comments
Modern, 19th Century history, 20th century history, Alec Douglas-Home, Harold Wilson, Neville Chamberlain, Parliamentary Life, Social history

Props in Parliament

In today’s blogpost, Martin Spychal of the Victorian Commons discusses his recent work on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Prime Ministers’ Props’ (the next episode is broadcast today at 9.30am). Here he discusses how these props were received within Parliament itself… In addition to my usual post at the Victorian Commons, I’ve been working with Professor Sir David Cannadine (until recently a member of the History of … Continue reading Props in Parliament

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Contemporary History, 20th century history, Diplomacy and International Relations, Edward Heath, Factions, Harold Wilson, Modern, Oral history, Parties

The Parties and Europe 1: Labour and the 1975 Referendum

The European Referendum campaign is now in full swing, creating heated political debate and causing some unusual alliances. In British politics, however, the issue of Europe and Britain’s role in it has been long-running and divisive for both the Labour and Conservative parties. The issue features prominently in our interviews with former MPs for our oral history archive. In the first of two blogs on … Continue reading The Parties and Europe 1: Labour and the 1975 Referendum

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