Tag: Oral history

Contemporary History, 20th century history, Factions, Modern, Oral history, Parties

‘Always great fun: particularly when there was a row going on’: memories of the 1922 Committee

Once again, the powerful backbench Conservative 1922 committee is back in the headlines. Here Dr Emma Peplow, head of our Oral History Project, shares some of former MPs’ memories of its workings and influence… Whilst the 1922 Committee comes to public attention only at times of political drama, for the former Conservative MPs interviewed for our oral history project, it was a central part of … Continue reading ‘Always great fun: particularly when there was a row going on’: memories of the 1922 Committee

Emma PeplowLeave a comment
Contemporary History, 20th century history, Modern, Oral history, Speakers of the House, Women and Parliament

Women Speakers and Deputy Speakers

As we have seen in some of our previous blogs, the role of Speaker of the House has a long history, but it wasn’t until the late 20th century that women took to the Speaker’s Chair. Through the History of Parliament Oral History Project we have been able to interview some of the female former MPs who occupied the roles of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, … Continue reading Women Speakers and Deputy Speakers

eledgerw1 Comment
Conferences, Seminars and Events, 20th century history, Contemporary History, Elections, Local History, Modern, Oral history, Parties

Exeter elections in the 1990s: Witness Seminar

On 27 October we held our first ‘witness seminar’ at the Devon Heritage Centre as part of From the Grassroots: an oral history of community politics in Devon. The aim of a witness seminar is to bring together a small group of people who were involved in particular event or organisation to share their memories. The result is different from a one-on-one oral history interview … Continue reading Exeter elections in the 1990s: Witness Seminar

Emma Peplow1 Comment
Contemporary History, 20th century history, Modern, Oral history, Social history

The Miners’ Strike: 30 years on

Thirty years ago this month the miners’ strike began. One of the defining moments of modern British history and Margaret Thatcher’s government, in March 1984 Arthur Scargill led the National Union of Mineworkers out on strike in protest against proposed mine closures. The strike has been viewed as a stark battle between the Thatcher government, determined to privatise the British coal industry and undermine the … Continue reading The Miners’ Strike: 30 years on

Emma Peplow1 Comment