{"id":13606,"date":"2024-11-11T15:05:56","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T15:05:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/historyofparliament.com\/?page_id=13606"},"modified":"2026-01-14T12:27:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T12:27:34","slug":"contemporary-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/historyofparliament.com\/contemporary-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Contemporary History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Welcome to…<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Contemporary History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The History of Parliament’s Oral History project is working with the British Library to create a sound archive of British politics since 1945. Since 2011 we have interviewed nearly 250 former parliamentarians about their lives and experiences: nearly 1000 hours of recording covering all aspects of politicians’ lives and time at Westminster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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VISIT THe archive<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Due to the ongoing disruption at the British Library our interviews are not available through the BL currently – please see above or contact us if you’d like to hear any of them. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We aim to include in our archive politicians of all parties and backgrounds, who reached all levels in the Commons – from cabinet members such as Michael Heseltine or Clare Short, party leaders like Menzies Campbell or long-time backbenchers like Tam Dalyell. Our long interviews (our record is 24 hours) include a wealth of behind-the-scenes detail including why, and how, politicians entered politics; how they organised their careers, casework and the constituency, and what really went on in the chamber, bars and smoking room!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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