Category: Factions

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

Emma PeplowLeave a comment
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

Emma PeplowLeave a comment
19th Century history, Conferences, Seminars and Events, Factions, Parties, Victorian

Parliaments, Politics and People seminar: Alex Middleton, ‘The idea of Whiggism in mid-Victorian politics’

In an excellent conclusion to this term’s seminar programme, Dr. Alex Middleton of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, discussed Whiggism in nineteenth century British politics. He blogs for us about his paper… This paper examined how the mid-Victorians understood Whiggism and the Whigs. It started from the premise that despite Whiggism being one of the defining creeds in British political history, little attention has been paid … Continue reading Parliaments, Politics and People seminar: Alex Middleton, ‘The idea of Whiggism in mid-Victorian politics’

History of ParliamentLeave a comment
Contemporary History, 20th century history, Diplomacy and International Relations, Elections, Factions, Modern, Oral history, Parties

Defection, by-elections and Europe… in the 1970s.

In tomorrow’s by-election in Clacton, former Conservative MP Douglas Carswell will contest his previous seat after defection to UKIP. Carswell’s strong difference of opinion with his party over the issue of Europe has echoes of a different by-election – Lincoln in 1973 – but the parties and positions were reversed. When Britain was applying to join the then European Economic Community (EEC) in the 1960s … Continue reading Defection, by-elections and Europe… in the 1970s.

Emma Peplow1 Comment
Interregnum, 17th Century history, Factions, Military history

Street demonstrations, military interventions and governments toppled: not today’s Cairo but London, 1640s and 1650s

After the dramatic events in Egypt yesterday, commentators have been arguing over whether the change of government should be considered a ‘military coup’ or a ‘revolution’. Dr Vivienne Larminie discusses the role of the army in government during the Civil War and Interregnum… On 20 April 1653 Oliver Cromwell, commander-in-chief of the New Model army, led troops into the Palace of Westminster and forcibly dissolved … Continue reading Street demonstrations, military interventions and governments toppled: not today’s Cairo but London, 1640s and 1650s

larminiev1 Comment
Medieval, 15th Century History, Edward IV, Factions, Henry VI, Military history

Political drama: From The Wars of the Roses to the Australian Labor Party

Looking back at the startling events in Australian politics over the past week, Dr Hannes Kleineke compares the divisions in the ruling Labor party with those currently dramatised by the BBC in ‘The White Queen’ during the Wars of the Roses… Anyone watching last week’s high drama in the Australian Parliament, which saw Prime Minister Julia Gillard ousted in a palace coup by Kevin Rudd, … Continue reading Political drama: From The Wars of the Roses to the Australian Labor Party

Hannes Kleineke4 Comments
Stuart, 17th Century history, Charles I, Factions, Interregnum, Military history, Parliamentary Life

6 December, 1648: Pride’s Purge

Dr Stephen Roberts, editor of the HOP’s House of Commons 1640-60 project, explains the importance of “Pride’s Purge” which took place on this day in 1648. Since the victories by the New Model Army which brought the first civil war between Parliament and King Charles I to an end in 1646, relations between the soldiers and their parliamentary employers had been uneasy. Many of the … Continue reading 6 December, 1648: Pride’s Purge

Stephen Roberts5 Comments