Last month, the NHS celebrated its 75th anniversary. Since its formation, the NHS has played a key role in politics. Here, Dr Emma Peplow, Head of Oral History, explores how important the NHS was to voters and politicians on the campaign trail. This summer we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the NHS. Alongside the tributes to those who work so hard to keep it running, there … Continue reading 75 Years of the NHS – on the campaign trail
In June, the History of Parliament were delighted to welcome an audience to the first lecture of our contemporary history series ‘parliamentarians on their past’ that uses our oral history archive. Here our Oral History Intern, Alfie Steer, reflects on the lecture ‘Memories of the 1983 General Election’ and explores the background to the 1983 general election. To mark the fortieth anniversary of the 1983 … Continue reading Parliamentarians on their past: Memories of the 1983 General Election
Ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliaments, Politics and People roundtable seminar, we hear from Dr Henry Miller of the University of Durham. On 27 June between 5.30 p.m. and 7.00 p.m., Henry will discuss his book A Nation of Petitioners with Prof. Katrina Navickas (University of Hertfordshire), Dr. Diego Palacios Cerezales (Complutense University of Madrid), Dr. Kathryn Rix (History of Parliament Trust) and Prof. Miles Taylor (Humboldt University … Continue reading Roundtable on Henry J. Miller, A Nation of Petitioners: Petitions and Petitioning in the United Kingdom, 1780-1918 (Cambridge, 2023)
Ahead of next Tuesday’s hybrid Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Ellie Lowe of Selwyn College, Cambridge. On 13 June, between 5.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., Ellie will discuss the reinvention of the political wife in the age of suffrage. The seminar takes place on 13 June 2023, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. It is fully ‘hybrid’, which means you can attend either in-person … Continue reading The reinvention of the political wife in the age of suffrage
In today’s blog we hear from Robert Crosby, formerly of the London School of Economics, winner of the History of Parliament Undergraduate Dissertation Competition 2022. Here Robert has adapted his winning essay, exploring how those in Wales viewed themselves and their position in the British Empire during the early 20th century. The History of Parliament’s 2023 Undergraduate Dissertation Competition is open for entries until 29 September. Find all the … Continue reading A War for ‘Small Nations’: Wales and Empire from the Boer War to the Great War, 1899-1918
In May 1923, Andrew Bonar Law handed in his resignation letter and it fell to King George V to select a new prime minister. Lord Lexden, trustee of the History of Parliament, reflects on the process behind George V’s decision. One hundred years ago this month, King George V had to find a new prime minister very quickly. The incumbent, the Conservative Andrew Bonar Law, … Continue reading The king’s dilemma: how it fell to George V to choose a new prime minister
Ahead of next Tuesday’s hybrid Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Dr Helen Sunderland of St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford. On 16 May, between 5.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., Helen will discuss politics and play in girls’ schools in England between 1870 and 1914. The seminar takes place on 16 May 2023, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. It is fully ‘hybrid’, which means … Continue reading Politics and play in girls’ schools in England, 1870-1914
The members of the House of Lords have traditionally been far more involved with coronations than their Commons counterparts, and for the coronation of Edward VII it was Viscount Esher who worked closely with the king to plan the ceremony and adapt its traditions to suit the times. However, as this blog from Dr Kathryn Rix shows, MPs also played their part in coronation festivities … Continue reading MPs and the coronation of Edward VII
Ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Dr Ben Griffin of the University of Cambridge. On 2 May between 5.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., Ben will discuss the relationship between liberalism, the law and Parliament in modern British history. The seminar takes place on 2 May 2023, between 5:30 and 6.30 p.m. You can attend online via Zoom. Details of … Continue reading Liberalism, the law and Parliament in modern British history
25 years ago this month the basis for peace in Northern Ireland – the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement – was signed after years of painstaking negotiations. Although nothing would have been achieved without the hard work of politicians and activists of all parties from Northern Ireland, mainland Britain and the Republic of Ireland, one of the crucial figures was Mo Mowlam, Secretary of State for Northern … Continue reading Mo Mowlam and the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
