Tag: House of Commons

Contemporary History, 20th century history, Factions, Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, Modern, Oral history

Arthur Latham and the rise of the Labour Left

On this day, 1930, Arthur Latham was born. Labour MP for Paddington North (later Paddington) from 1969 to 1979, his career both inside and outside the Commons reflected the ebb and flow of the Labour Party’s ‘hard left’. Alfie Steer explores the significance of Latham’s career, and what it reveals about the history of left-wing politics in late Twentieth Century Britain. Arthur Latham’s journey to … Continue reading Arthur Latham and the rise of the Labour Left

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Georgian Lords, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Elections, History of Parliament Trust, Irish History, Local History

The Southwells – from administrators to an ancient peerage

In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Stuart Handley charts the history of the Southwell family, from their origins in Gloucestershire and as administrators in Ireland to their ultimate inheritance of one of the senior peerages in the House of Lords. It is particularly satisfying when the various sections of the History of Parliament allow the fortunes of one family to be traced … Continue reading The Southwells – from administrators to an ancient peerage

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20th century history, Buildings and Architecture, Modern, Ramsay MacDonald

The House of Commons Chamber and the Politics of Seating

Parliament will be officially opened this week and debates will begin once again in the House of Commons. But with the Labour party winning such a large majority in the 2024 General Election, some of their Members may be left wondering- where should I sit? Emeritus Director of the History of Parliament, Dr Paul Seaward, looks to the past to find out more about the … Continue reading The House of Commons Chamber and the Politics of Seating

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Contemporary History, 20th century history, Conferences, Seminars and Events, Modern, Oral history, Women and Parliament

‘A Manly Place’: Experiences of Women in Parliament after 1997

On 19 March 2024, the History of Parliament Trust hosted the second in a series of events drawing on their groundbreaking Oral History Project. This event, in partnership with and funded by Keele University, explored women’s experiences in parliament and whether they have changed through time. The event was organised by the project’s research team, Professor Helen Parr (Keele University), Dr Emma Peplow (Head of … Continue reading ‘A Manly Place’: Experiences of Women in Parliament after 1997

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Parties

“Honest and essential service”: Henry Fox, Lord Holland, government fixer

Even in the 18th century, governments of all sorts relied on tough politicians who were willing to do the dirty work to keep administrations afloat. In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles highlights the case of Henry Fox, Lord Holland, one of the most notorious of them all, who died 250 years ago. In the winter of 1762/3 Holland oversaw the … Continue reading “Honest and essential service”: Henry Fox, Lord Holland, government fixer

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

Down for the count: election night highs and lows

As the UK goes to the polls today, here Dr Emma Peplow shares memories from our oral history archive, exploring how former MPs felt on polling day and how they approached the night of the count… Today most of the UK’s election candidates will be racing around their constituencies trying to make sure their supporters go to vote. But this is just the start of … Continue reading Down for the count: election night highs and lows

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Georgian Elections Project, 18th Century history, Elections, Georgian

Declaring the result of an Eighteenth Century Election

Today the nation will be casting their votes in the 2024 General Election with most constituencies declaring their results in the early hours of the morning. However, as Dr Robin Eagles explains in our final Georgian Elections Project blog, 18th-Century voters would have had to wait for considerably longer to find out who their new MPs were… Even in a snap election, polling day is … Continue reading Declaring the result of an Eighteenth Century Election

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Georgian Elections Project, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Elections, Factions, Local History, Military history, Parties, Social history

Election Chairing Ballads: The Songs and Music of Electoral Victory from Handel to ‘Things Can Only Get Better’

In today’s blog for the Georgian Elections Project, Dr Kendra Packham (Institute of English Studies, University of London and Newcastle University) tells us about her research on eighteenth-century election ballads, and finds in the forgotten election ‘chairing’ song points of comparison with the campaign for the 2024 UK general election. In the eighteenth century, when the ability and opportunity to vote was heavily restricted, songs … Continue reading Election Chairing Ballads: The Songs and Music of Electoral Victory from Handel to ‘Things Can Only Get Better’

History of Parliament
Georgian Elections Project, 18th Century history, Elections, Georgian, History of Parliament Trust, Local History, Parties

Hustings and leadership debates 18th-century style

Leadership debates, as experienced in modern elections, were not a feature of 18th-century contests. However, as Dr Robin Eagles shows in the latest post for the Georgian Elections Project, that does not mean that there was not plenty of opportunity for candidates to address their prospective constituents and be quizzed on their record. As Frank O’Gorman has shown, the qualities looked for in 18th-century MPs, … Continue reading Hustings and leadership debates 18th-century style

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Commons in the Civil Wars, 17th Century history, Conferences, Seminars and Events

‘Until head and knee weary’: motives and formats in the diarizing habit of Sir Simonds D’Ewes during the Long Parliament, 1640-47

Ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Stephen Roberts, emeritus director of the History of Parliament. On 25 June 2024 Stephen will discuss the diarizing habit of Sir Simonds D’Ewes during the Long Parliament. This seminar takes place between 5.30 and 6.30 p.m. It is fully ‘hybrid’, which means you can attend either in-person in London at the IHR, or … Continue reading ‘Until head and knee weary’: motives and formats in the diarizing habit of Sir Simonds D’Ewes during the Long Parliament, 1640-47

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