Author: Emma Peplow

Blogging on parliament, politics and people, from the History of Parliament
Victorian, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Georgian, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd marquess of Salisbury

Cabinet resignations: an issue of principle

Following Iain Duncan-Smith’s high profile resignation from the cabinet this weekend, we take a look back at some other examples of resignations from the cabinet due to policy differences… Resigning your post in government has long been the unhappy minister’s weapon of last resort. As Iain Duncan-Smith has been discovering this weekend, it can be an extremely powerful tool to highlight your opposition to government … Continue reading Cabinet resignations: an issue of principle

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History of Parliament Trust

Review of the year 2015

2015 has been a very busy year here at the History of Parliament Trust! Of course much of this has been due to the important political anniversaries we’ve been marking this year. These began in January, when Parliament launched their year of celebrations with the ‘Beginnings of that Freedome’ exhibition in Westminster Hall on the anniversary of Simon de Montfort’s 1265 Parliament. We were delighted … Continue reading Review of the year 2015

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Social history, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Georgian, Victorian

The ‘Story of Parliament’: Parliament and the press

Earlier this year the History published ‘The Story of Parliament: Celebrating 750 years of parliament in Britain’ to mark the anniversary of Simon de Montfort’s parliament in 1265. The book is a brief introduction to the full 750 years of parliamentary history, aimed at the general reader, and available to purchase from the Houses of Parliament bookshop – a great Christmas present for the parliamentary … Continue reading The ‘Story of Parliament’: Parliament and the press

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Contemporary History, 20th century history, Margaret Thatcher, Modern, Oral history

Memories of Thatcher’s fall

25 years ago this week the Conservative Party were in the process of electing a new leader after Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister for over 11 years, stood down. The story of Thatcher’s resignation has long been a controversial one within the Conservative Party, seen by some as an ‘assassination’ and by many as high political drama. This is reflected in many of our oral history … Continue reading Memories of Thatcher’s fall

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History of Parliament Trust

History of Parliament’s Dissertation Competition, 2014 and 2015

Every year the History of Parliament Trust holds a competition for the best undergraduate dissertation on British or Irish politics. 2014’s winner was Stuart Clark of Edinburgh University, with ‘“An Old Tory Dodge”, or “a Large and Liberal Project of Practical Benevolence”? The Congested Districts Board, Politics and the Press in Ireland, 1890-1914’. Our editors and editorial board judged the work to be interesting, well-written … Continue reading History of Parliament’s Dissertation Competition, 2014 and 2015

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Conferences, Seminars and Events, 15th Century History, Medieval, Social history

The History of Parliament Annual Lecture 2015: Dr John Maddicott, ‘Parliament and the People in Medieval England’

Last week we had a large audience for our annual lecture in Portcullis House, Westminster. Dr John Maddicott FBA gave a fascinating talk on Parliament’s relationship with ordinary people between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. Dr Maddicott began by defining both ‘parliament’ and ‘the people.’ In doing so he traced the development of parliament from a group of the monarch’s close advisors to a body … Continue reading The History of Parliament Annual Lecture 2015: Dr John Maddicott, ‘Parliament and the People in Medieval England’

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Conferences, Seminars and Events, Parliamentary Life

Speaking in Parliament: History, Politics, Rhetoric – Conference 2016, Call for Papers released

In 2016 the History of Parliament will hold, in partnership with Queen Mary, University of London, a conference focussing on Parliamentary rhetoric. ‘Speaking in Parliament: history, politics, rhetoric’ will take place over 6-7 April 2016 at Queen Mary, University of London. The conference will explore the past and present of Parliamentary speaking. Thanks to the presence of television cameras in its debating chambers, the spectacle … Continue reading Speaking in Parliament: History, Politics, Rhetoric – Conference 2016, Call for Papers released

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

Labour leadership elections through the years

The Labour party’s leadership contest comes to a close this week, with the winner announced at a special conference on Saturday. Our oral history project features many former Labour MPs’ recollections of leadership contests, and the consequences of them, particularly in the 1980s as the party grappled with life in opposition and internal divisions between left and right. Former MP for Ipswich, Ken Weetch, described … Continue reading Labour leadership elections through the years

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Social history, 20th century history, Contemporary History, Elections, Local History, Modern, Oral history, Parties

New website material on ‘From the Grassroots’

As many of you will know, over the past two years we’ve run a wonderful oral history project in Devon with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund: ‘From the Grassroots: an oral history of community politics in Devon.’ Sadly the project is about to come to an end – but not before we were able to record 70 interviews with local political activists, soon … Continue reading New website material on ‘From the Grassroots’

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Contemporary History, 20th century history, Clement Attlee, Elections, Modern, Oral history, Parties

1945 Election: A political awakening

Seventy years ago yesterday the results of the 1945 General Election were declared. Although the poll had been held on 5 July, the results were only announced on the 26th because of the time needed to return the ballots of service men and women from overseas. The result – a Labour landslide – had a dramatic impact on British politics. The new government led by … Continue reading 1945 Election: A political awakening

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