Since Attlee & Churchill
A podcast about post-war British politics, framed around the period since Clement Attlee and Winston Churchill. It is hosted by Lee David Evans, a historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, a historian of the Labour Party. Episodes explore political developments, figures, and debates in Britain after 1945. The show also offers bonus content and ad-free listening through Patreon.
Episodes
Matters of Interest: Government by Mission – Impossible? & Alberta’s Referendums
In this mid-week episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Richard examines the constitutional issues raised by Darren Jones MP’s evidence to Parliament about the failures of Keir Starmer’s mission-led government. Were civil servants obstructing the government’s ambitions, or did the real problems lie with confused responsibilities, muddled leadership and a Prime Minister unwilling or unable to tak
Why did 120,000 Conservatives call themselves vermin?
In July 1948, just as the National Health Service was coming into being, Aneurin Bevan delivered a speech in which he declared that the Conservatives were “lower than vermin”. But rather than take offence, thousands of Tories decided to embrace the insult - and the Vermin Club was born. In this episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Richard and Lee explore the curious history of a political orga
Matters of Interest: Dispatches from Norway & the historical figures we forget to remember
In this week’s 'Matters of Interest', Lee and Richard share their reflections from Oslo, where they’ve been researching how politicians get their policy advice in different parliamentary systems. After a visit to the Storting, Norway’s parliament, they reflect on the differences between Norwegian and British politics, from proportional representation and party discipline to the relationshi
When did Labour think judges were 'enemies of the people?'
In this week's Since Attlee & Churchill, Richard and Lee explore Labour's long and often fraught relationship with the judiciary. From the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the Taff Vale case to Michael Foot's criticisms of judges in the 1970s, why did the Labour movement so often see the courts as an instrument of the establishment, standing in the way of working-class progress? Richard expla
Matters of Interest: The Birmingham Tapestry and Sewer Socialists
In this week's Matters of Interest, Richard and Lee reflect on the Conservative Party Conference and consider what it says about the role of Kemi Badenoch, with Lee arguing she is — rarely for the Conservatives in recent years — a leader who is wholly secure in her position. But what will Badenoch's strategy for the Conservatives be? Next, Richard introduces the 'sewer socialists'
Why didn’t New Labour introduce electoral reform?
When Tony Blair’s New Labour government came to power in 1997, it promised a referendum on changing the voting system for the House of Commons. It then appointed the political grandee Roy Jenkins to work out what an alternative might look like. The Jenkins Commission reported its proposals for a new electoral system in 1998, but the referendum was never held.With electoral reform once again high o
Matters of Interest: Burnham's Big Speech & Labour's Missing Working Class
This week, Lee and Richard discuss Andy Burnham’s speech to the Labour Party Conference. Did it actually represent a meaningful change in Labour’s policies and politics? Or do Burnham's words simply amount to a nebulous set of promises that his government cannot and will not deliver — at least this side of an election? They then turn to a topic that has been at the heart of Labour politics sin
Does the Labour Party really owe more to Methodism than to Marxism?
Labour General Secretary Morgan Phillips famously claimed that the Labour Party owed more to Methodism than to Marxism. But was he right? In this episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Richard and Lee explore the Methodist tradition and its influence on the Labour movement - including the importance of Methodism in teaching working class people about political organisation and public speaking. T
Matters of Interest: The 'Special Relationship' & A Snap Election (in British Columbia)
This week, Lee and Richard discuss the changing nature of the US–UK relationship, from Churchill and Truman to Burnham and Trump. They ask: what exactly is the “special relationship” between Britain and America? And how does it play out in practice? And should it change? Next, Lee turns to the extraordinary snap election getting underway British Columbia. Why has the Premier called an election two
What made Betty Boothroyd such a successful Speaker?
Betty Boothroyd was the first woman to become Speaker of the House of Commons - and from the Speaker's chair became one of the most popular and recognisable figures in modern British politics. But what made her so successful in the role? In this episode, Richard and Lee look at Boothroyd’s journey from a working-class childhood in Dewsbury, through failed attempts to enter Parliament and an unlike
Matters of Interest: Burnham's Bishops & Canada's Conservatives
In this mid-week episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Lee and Richard broadcast from Canada, where they've spent the week talking to politicos. Lee begins by considering what the Right in the UK, and throughout much of the West, could learn from the current travails of the Canadian Conservatives. Next, Richard considers why Andy Burnham is tackling the inability of Catholics to formally recomm
Where have our Prime Ministers chosen as their final resting place?
This week Since Attlee & Churchill takes a funereal turn as Lee and Richard trace where each of Britain's nine deceased post-war prime ministers chose to be buried. Featuring Clement Attlee's memorial in Westminster Abbey, Winston Churchill's return to Bladon, Anthony Eden's dramatic dash home from Florida to die in Wiltshire, Harold Wilson's beloved Scilly Isles - and more. What do these fina
Matters of Interest: Council Tax's Fatal Flaws & The Cost-of-Living Paradox in America
In this mid week episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, recorded in the United States, Lee and Richard tackle two live debates spanning the Atlantic. First, Richard makes the case against Britain's council tax system — a tax still based on 1991 property valuations — and considers whether Andy Burnham was right to rule out replacing it with the sort of property tax used in America. What would be
Did John Freeman throw away a brilliant political career?
John Freeman was one of the brightest stars of the Labour Party’s post-war generation. Elected in the 1945 Labour landslide, he rapidly rose through Clement Attlee’s government and became a hero of the Labour left. Some even thought he could one day become Prime Minister. But after resigning from the government alongside Nye Bevan and Harold Wilson, he walked away from Parliament aged just 40. For
Matters of Interest: Starmer Walks Away & Sovereignty is Back in Fashion
In this week’s Matters of Interest, Lee and Richard discuss Starmer’s decision to resign as an MP – and look at how his departure is part of a much bigger change in the relationship between former prime ministers and Parliament. Will any future PM do as Arthur Balfour and Edward Heath did and stay in the Commons long after their time in Number 10 is over? Then, Richard turns to the recent debate o
Summer Book Club: Churchill's Queen
In this episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Lee and Richard are joined by Nigel Fletcher, author of 'Churchill's Queen: The Remarkable Friendship That Shaped Our Age', to explore the fascinating relationship between Winston Churchill and Elizabeth II. In his new book, Nigel explores how their relationship developed even before Elizabeth's accession in 1952, with Churchill playing an influenti
Matters of Interest: Early Elections & Strict Schools
This week, Lee and Richard debate whether Andy Burnham should call an early general election – and what, if anything, could justify him doing so. Is the conventional wisdom that a Prime Minister is never as popular as they are in their first few months actually true? And what can Burnham learn from the experiences of Theresa May, Gordon Brown, John Major – and even Stanley Baldwin?! Next, Richard
Summer Book Club: Margaret Bondfield
In this episode of the Since Attlee & Churchill Summer Book Club, Lee and Richard are joined by Nan Sloane, author of 'Margaret Bondfield: The Life and Times of Britain’s First Female Cabinet Minister', to discuss the extraordinary life and career of one of the pioneers of the Labour movement. Bondfield was the first woman to speak from the despatch box in the House of Commons, the first woman
Matters of Interest: Debating Burnham’s Start & the American States That Were Once Countries
Andy Burnham has been Prime Minister for a month, but how good a start has he made? Lee and Richard debate Burnham’s first weeks in Downing Street, with Lee arguing that the new Prime Minister has so far offered little more than Martin Lewis-style tinkering to save people a few quid instead of the genuinely bold programme the country needs (and he promised). Meanwhile, Richard argues that Burnham
Summer Book Club: The Disraeli Myth
Benjamin Disraeli remains one of the most influential figures in Conservative history – but how much of the Disraeli we think we know was created after his death? In this episode, Lee and Richard are joined by Emily Jones, author of 'The Disraeli Myth: The Making of a Conservative Tradition'. They discuss how successive generations were inspired by Disraeli and reinvented him to suit their own pol
Matters of Interest: Environmental 'Extremism' and Parliamentary Postbags
In this episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Lee and Richard consider the argument that supporting North Sea oil and gas extraction is an “extremist” position. How useful is it to label political opponents in this way? And has it been a mistake to reduce Britain's environmental policy to what is essentially a spreadsheet exercise in calculating carbon emissions? They then turn to a new article
Who was the last MP to disclaim a hereditary peerage?
In this episode, Lee and Richard discuss the remarkable life of James Douglas-Hamilton, the Scottish Tory politician who had the rare distinction of serving in three legislative chambers: the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Scottish Parliament, earning a reputation in each for courtesy and quiet effectiveness. Born the grandson of two Dukes and educated at Eton and Oxford, Douglas-Ha
Matters of Interest: Reclaiming One Nation Conservatism & Codifying the Constitution
In this episode, Lee and Richard discuss the controversy over whether the Conservative Party is still the home of One Nation Conservatism. Drawing on the long history of One Nation ideas, stretching back to Benjamin Disraeli in the Victorian era, Lee argues that the tradition has become confused in recent decades with liberal conservatism - and makes the case for reclaiming its original emphasis o
How did a left-wing Labour MP become an advocate for the Iraq War?
Ann Clwyd spent her political career on the Labour left. She marched with the miners, opposed nuclear weapons, rebelled against her own party, and was sacked from Labour's front bench more than once. Yet she also became one of the strongest supporters of the Iraq War. How? In this episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Richard and Lee explore the life of one of Labour's most independent-minded M
Matters of Interest: The University Crisis & England's Local Government Revolution
In this week's Matters of Interest, Richard asks whether England's university funding system has reached breaking point after Sir Nick Clegg - one of the men who implemented it - described it as "indefensible". Rather than focusing on tuition fees, Richard argues that the coalition government's removal of student number caps was the real turning point. Lee then turns to one of the biggest politica
Summer Book Club: Coronations & Defenestrations: Choosing (and losing) Tory Leaders
In this Summer Book Club episode, Richard turns interviewer as he puts Lee in the hot seat to discuss his new book, 'Coronations & Defenestrations: Choosing (and losing) Tory Leaders'. Together they explore how the Conservative Party has picked – and ditched – its leaders from the age of Disraeli to the present day. Was the old system of "emergence" really as undemocratic as it's often portray
Matters of Interest: Does Burnham actually have centralising instincts? & How novel will Number 10 North be?
In this week's Matters of Interest, Richard argues that Andy Burnham's first policy announcements reveal an unexpected reliance on central government power and a willingness to exploit the policy freedoms created by Brexit. Does the reality of governing mean Burnham is abandoning his former enthusiasm for devolution and closer European alignment? Next, Lee challenges claims that taking foreign lea
Summer Book Club: Vince Cable on how China and India are Eclipsing the West
This week, Lee and Richard are joined by former Business Secretary and Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable to discuss his new book, 'Eclipsing the West: China, India and the Forging of a New World.' Drawing upon his experience as an economist, Cabinet minister and long-time observer of Asia, Cable argues that the world's economic centre of gravity is shifting decisively away from the West. He is a
Matters of Interest: Will there be a Burnham Bounce? & A Supreme Court Oddity
In this week's Matters of Interest, Lee looks back at mid-term changes of Prime Minister and asks: do new leaders tend to transform their party's fortunes? Or will Labour MPs hoping for a boost under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham be left disappointed? Next, Richard explores one of the most extraordinary Supreme Court cases in American history, concerning an axe murder at RAF Upper Heyford in Ox
Summer Book Club: New Labour, New Britain?
Almost twenty years after Tony Blair left Downing Street, how should we judge the record of New Labour? In this Summer Book Club episode, Lee and Richard are joined by historian Glen O'Hara to discuss his new book, 'New Labour, New Britain?' Together they assess the Blair governments of 1997-2007, exploring whether their domestic record has been overshadowed by Iraq and asking what New Labour actu
Matters of Interest: Clacton in Context & the Risks of Coronation
This week, Richard and Lee place two of the biggest stories in British politics into their historical context. Richard explores the curious history of MPs who have voluntarily triggered by-elections – upon accepting ministerial appointment, changing parties, or as a form of policy protest – and asks where Nigel Farage's decision to force a contest in Clacton fits within that tradition. Lee then ex
Summer Book Club: A Shellshocked Nation
Throughout the summer, we'll be interviewing authors of recent books that chime with the themes of the podcast.This week, we're joined by historian and author Alwyn Turner to discuss his latest book, 'A Shellshocked Nation'. In this sweeping portrait of Britain between the wars, Alwyn reveals far more than the political history of the period, uncovering remarkable cultural, technological and socia
The Declaration of Independence at 250: Myths, Monarchy & the American Revolution
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Richard presents a special edition of the podcast exploring one of the world's most famous documents. As he argues, most people know the Declaration of Independence’s opening words about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But what about the rest of it? Richard makes the case that far from being an attack on the princ
Cameron’s Referendums Ep 3 of 3: Brexit
We’ve reached the finale of our miniseries of David Cameron’s gambles with referendums: the vote on whether Britain should remain in, or leave, the European Union. In this episode, Lee and Richard discuss why Cameron agreed to hold a referendum; the circumstances in which he made good on that pledge; the approach he took to negotiations; and how the campaign eventually unfolded. And of course, as
Matters of Interest: Contrasting Starmer’s departure with other PMs
In this episode, Lee and Richard discuss the headline political news of the week: the forthcoming resignation of Keir Starmer. Lee considers why prime ministers so often fail to use the rules and tools at their disposal to resist leadership challenges more aggressively, arguing that nobody has really done so since John Major in 1995. Richard then looks at how Tony Blair managed the pressure on his
Brexit Referendum: 10 Years On - Special Episode with Matthew Elliott
Ten years after the landmark referendum that set Britain on course to leave the European Union, what really went on behind the scenes of the campaign that transformed British politics? In this special episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Lee and Richard are joined by Matthew Elliott, the former Chief Executive of Vote Leave (and previously Political Director of No to AV), to discuss his new bo
Cameron’s Referendums Ep 2 of 3: Scottish Independence
In 2014, the very existence of the United Kingdom was on the ballot when Scotland voted on whether to sever its ties with the rest of the UK. In this episode, Lee and Richard discuss how devolution became the platform from which Alex Salmond and the Scottish National Party made the case for independence; the complacency of the UK Government over the answer Scotland would give; and the scrappy way
Matters of Interest: The Order of the Garter and the Tyranny of the Benefit-Cost Ratio
In this episode, Lee and Richard reflect on attending the installation service for the Order of the Garter at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, where they witnessed the induction of Peter Hennessy. But instead of being misty-eyed about the ceremony, should they have been more critical of this (allegedly) anachronistic hangover? Next, they turn to the Treasury's Green Book, the framework that guides gov
Cameron’s Referendums Ep 1 of 3: The Alternative Vote
Lee and Richard are kicking off a new miniseries looking at the three major referendums David Cameron held as Prime Minister: on the electoral system, on the status of Scotland, and on Britain’s membership of the European Union. This first vote - widely seen as the least significant and also therefore the least well remembered - nevertheless prompted some important questions about how Britain choo
Matters of Interest: Live Audience Q&A
After giving a talk at the Manchester Histories Festival, Richard and Lee were joined by listeners to the show for a live Q&A. Questions ranged from how to get into history (especially if you don't go to university) and which TV programmes offer the most accurate representations of politics, to whether First Past the Post will survive and the political career of local Manchester MP Lucy Powell
Who are Manchester’s great forgotten MPs? Live from the Manchester Histories Festival
In this special live recording of the podcast at the Manchester Histories Festival, Lee and Richard discuss four MPs, all with Manchester connections, who made an important (but largely forgotten) contribution to British politics: John Robert Clynes, Florence Horsbrugh, Harold Lever and Anthony Barber. Who were they? How did they come to represent Greater Manchester constituencies? And what is the
Matters of Interest: Proportional Representation (Dutch-Style) & the English Countryside
To kick off this midweek episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Richard discusses an article he has recently read about the impact of proportional representation on forming governments in the Netherlands. Should advocates of PR in this country pay more attention to the potential drawbacks of the system they support? Next, Lee reflects on discovering a description of England and its place in an a
Is Makerfield the new Chesterfield?
This episode focuses on a former Labour MP who tried to return to Parliament in a by-election. If successful, he was expected to launch a challenge to the sitting leader - who was reluctant to see him return. On that occasion, the provocateur wasn’t Andy Burnham, but Tony Benn. In this episode, Richard and Lee discuss the 1984 Chesterfield by-election that Benn contested - how it came about, what
Matters of Interest: Should there have been more defections? & ‘Rivals’
In this mid-week episode, Lee begins by asking why, given the enormous change in the voting habits of British voters over the last decade, we’ve not seen more defections among MPs. Next, Richard wonders why the hit Disney+ show ‘Rivals’ gets so many of the details wrong about 1980s politics - carelessness, or purposeful Americanisation? BOOK NOW: Tickets are available for our live event in Ma
Strikes of the 20th Century: Thatcher vs The Miners (1984-5)
In the final episode of their strikes miniseries, Richard and Lee look back to one of the defining moments of Margaret Thatcher’s premiership: the year-long battle with the National Union of Mineworkers in the mid 1980s. Many Conservatives feared another showdown with the miners would bring the government down, as it did under Heath. But having spent years preparing for a strike, Thatcher and her
Matters of Interest: Gaming Devolution & Streeting’s Strategy
Lee opens up this mid-week episode by looking at the way politicians increasingly flitter between the Westminster Parliament and devolved bodies. Most prominently at the moment, Andy Burnham - who had 16 years experience as an MP under his belt before becoming Mayor of Greater Manchester - is seeking a return to the Commons. But also in Scotland, Stephen Flynn has traded being an MP to become an M
Strikes of the 20th Century: Heath vs The Miners (1972-4)
In this episode, Richard and Lee fast forward almost half a century from the General Strike to the next time mineworkers walked out across the country. Twice in two years, Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath went to war with the National Union of Mineworkers (or as he saw it, they went to war with him) and Heath came out the worst on both occasions. He appeared to learn the wrong lessons from
Strikes of the 20th Century: The General Strike (Part 2)
In this second instalment looking back at the General Strike of 1926, Lee and Richard pick up the story with millions of workers on strike and parts of the country brought to a standstill. To begin the episode, they debate the role of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin - with Lee making a much more positive case for his role - before Richard explains how the only General Strike in British history came
Matters of Interest: Losing (and choosing) Party Leaders
With the country gripped by speculation over Keir Starmer’s future, Lee and Richard look back on the way recent prime ministers have fallen and how the next prime minister may be chosen. Lee begins by considering what stands out from the downfall of Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss - focusing particularly on the difference between losing the authority to govern and then subsequently losin
Strikes of the 20th Century: The General Strike (Part 1)
Richard and Lee kick off a new miniseries on the strikes that shaped the 20th century by looking back one hundred years to the first, and so far only, General Strike in British history. When a slump in the profitability of coal met with the demands of the mineworkers, few could see a peaceful way out. At first, the government provided the money to bridge the gap between what coal paid and what the
Matters of Interest: Putting the Local Elections in Context & Raising the Flag
In this mid-week episode, Lee starts by considering one of the possible comparisons for Labour’s performance in this week’s local elections: 1995, the nadir of John Major’s leadership of the Tory Party. Will Keir Starmer’s party do better, or worse, and what will it mean for his leadership? Lee then offers a tentative prediction on who may end up being the biggest party in English local government
Local Elections Special: Labour's 1968 Battering at the Polls
As millions of voters across the United Kingdom head to the polls this week, Lee and Richard discuss one of the worst local election results ever for a government. In 1968, Labour suffered a near wipe-out in large parts of London and was almost wholly rejected by voters in many English and Scottish cities. Why was Harold Wilson and his party so unpopular? What were the consequences for Wilson's le
Matters of Interest: Rent Controls & the King’s Maiden Speech in the House of Lords
Following the rumours that the government is considering introducing rent controls, Richard reflects on the way in which private rents were controlled and regulated for much of the twentieth century in Britain. What was the impact then? And ought similar to be considered today - or are there better alternatives? Next, Lee takes us back to June 1974 when a young Prince of Wales (now Charles III) ad
How political was Elizabeth II?
This week marked 100 years since the birth of Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. In this episode, Lee and Richard ask how political she was during her record-breaking reign. Lee argues that there are seven legitimate ways in which a monarch can do or say political things, and Richard and Lee then explore - and debate - the times they happened and the consequences of them in a democr
Matters of Interest: Is Britain Broken? & Lessons from Mandelson's Appointment
Lee kicks off this midweek edition of 'Since Attlee & Churchill' by unpacking one of the emerging divides on the British right: is the country broken? Reform seems to think so, and the Conservatives not. But what does it mean to label a country as broken? And what would the policy consequences of such a condition be? Next, Richard argues that there is nothing wrong with Prime Ministers making
What's the point of TV debates?
In 2010, Britain had its first ever Prime Ministerial debates, with Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg going head-to-head in front of the TV cameras. The idea had first been mooted as early as 1964, when Harold Wilson challenged Alec Douglas-Home to an on-air joust. So why did it take so long for them to happen? What advantages and disadvantages did the debates bring in the 2010 election -
Matters of Interest: Anglo-Gaullism & Burnham’s Difficult Route Back
In this mid-week episode, Richard discusses the rise of ‘Anglo-Gaullism’ as a prescription for Britain’s governing ills. Are its supporters learning the right lessons from de Gaulle’s experience - and do we really need to cross the channel to find political inspiration? Next, Lee responds to the latest flurry of articles about Andy Burnham’s ambitions to lead the Labour Party - but casts doubts on
How did the 1922 Committee become so powerful?
There was a time when you could barely tune into the news without the cryptically named ‘1922 Committee’ being in the headlines. The future of Prime Ministers seemed to depend upon its deliberations - as well as who might be forming the next government. But how did this group of Tory MPs, originally founded as a self-help group for newly elected Parliamentarians, acquire its role as one of the key
Matters of Interest: The King’s Christianity & Tony Blair’s Socialism
Lee kicks off this mid-week episode by sharing how annoyed he was by criticisms of the King’s Christian faith, or apparent lack of it, from some people on the right. In particular, he focuses on how a small number of self-described ‘conservatives’ have turned on the King and the monarchy - and asks what they are really trying to achieve with their attacks. Next, Richard engages with the challenge
Which post-war PMs were most influenced by Christianity?
In a special Easter Sunday episode, Lee and Richard discuss two of the most religiously observant, and theologically curious, post-war prime ministers: Harold Macmillan and Tony Blair. Macmillan's teenage years were riddled with crises of faith which left him on the brink of converting to Catholicism. Yet he remained a devout Anglican whose interest in matters of God and the church persisted throu
Matters of Interest: Prime Ministers' Sense of History and Government by WhatsApp
In this mid-week episode, Richard discusses how Keir Starmer appears to be unmoored from the history of the office he holds. How concerned should we be about that? And which of his predecessors could he take inspiration from to be a more historically literate leader? Next, Lee wonders what the Morgan McSweeney phone story tells us about how internal government communications operate - do their way
Was this the most talented Labour leadership election ever?
In the second part of their miniseries on the transition of power from Harold Wilson to Jim Callaghan, Richard and Lee discuss the remarkably talented field of candidates who sought the lease of Number 10 Downing Street in 1976. The incumbent Foreign Secretary, Jim Callaghan, Home Secretary, Roy Jenkins, and Chancellor, Denis Healey, were joined by Michael Foot, Tony Benn and Anthony Crosland. So,
Matters of Interest: What next for the Lib Dems? & Unpacking Policy Diffusion
In this mid-week episode, Lee wonders where the Lib Dems will go from here. Can Ed Davey find a compelling and coherent policy agenda? And will his MPs be happy to be led by a man whose prominence, so far at least, rests on gimmickry? Next, Richard discusses the ‘California effect’ and the ‘Delaware effect’, exploring how policies set in one state can influence those in another. They conclude the
Why did Harold Wilson resign when he did?
In the first episode of a new two-part miniseries, Richard and Lee discuss the 1976 transition of power from Harold Wilson to Jim Callaghan. First, they consider the why, when and how of Wilson's resignation. The news that he would be resigning as Prime Minister shocked Westminster and the wider world - so what explains Wilson's decision to leave when he did? And as one of the few post-war PMs not
Matters of Interest: ‘Local’ MPs & Approaches to Inequality
In this mid-week episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Lee and Richard weigh in on the debate, triggered by comments from William Hague, that we risk creating a pipeline of MPs who are more focused on being a local representative than a national leader. Is that fair? And are the two actually mutually exclusive? Next, they discuss whether inequality is the natural way of societies operating and
How did Attlee & Churchill get on with each other?
Lee and Richard discuss the namesakes of the podcast - Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee. They consider their differences and similarities; how they worked together during the Second World War; and also how they opposed each other for the ten years they spent on opposite sides of the Commons after Victory in Europe day. The episode concludes by wondering what lessons modern politicians can lear
Matters of Interest: Heritage in Flames & the Perils of Economic Orthodoxy
In their mid-week instalment, Richard and Lee discuss issues that have caught their eye this week. Firstly, the problem of historic buildings, like Union Corner in Glasgow, burning down - and what we should do in response. Protect them? Rebuild them? Or move on? Next, Lee and Richard discuss how economic orthodoxies are often used to narrow the range of political debate and consider if it’s possib
How did the Brighton bomb change British politics?
The bomb planted by the IRA at the Grand Hotel in Brighton in 1984 is one of the near-misses in British political history. Its target, Margaret Thatcher and her Cabinet, all survived, but 5 people died and 33 people were injured. How did the bomb get into the hotel? What damage did it cause? And how did these dramatic and murderous events change British politics? Lee and Richard discuss in this la
Matters of Interest: Denmark’s Migration Management & Britain’s Voting Rights
In this mid-week Matters of Interest, Richard discusses how the Danish Social Democrats, a party once confronted with losing its historic working-class base, re-oriented itself to maintain their traditional supporters. What lessons could Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party learn from its Scandi counterparts? And Lee reflects on Reform UK’s policy announcement, after the Gorton & Denton by-election
How did Theresa May become Britain’s most pro-LGBT Prime Minister?
Having started life as a vicar’s daughter, and casting socially conservative votes in her first years as a Member of Parliament, by the mid-2000s Theresa May had begun embracing the cause of LGBT rights. As party chairman, she recognised the Conservative campaign group for homosexual equality, and then as Home Secretary and Prime Minister she embraced a range of policies advocated for by gay and t
Matters of Interest: From ‘Remainer’ to ‘Leaver’ & Cameras in the Commons
In this mid-week episode, Lee discusses an article he recently wrote for The Telegraph in which he set out why he has gone from being a ‘Remainer’ in the 2016 referendum to firmly committed to Britain staying out of Europe. And Richard offers his views on the recent debate about TV cameras in the Commons - are they really the cause of the alleged decline in Parliamentary speech-making? Or is the w
Was the Poll Tax really such a bad idea?
The Poll Tax is one of the defining policy failures in post-war British politics - almost universally dismissed as unfair and often credited with bringing down Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister. In this week's episode, Lee and Richard talk about the old 'rates' system that Thatcher sought to replace; the gestation of the idea of introducing the poll tax; and how the public and political backlash
Matters of Interest: Refurbishing Parliament & the Value of Voting Lobbies
In this midweek episode, Lee and Richard focus on the Palace of Westminster. First, Lee raises the staggering timescales and price tags proposed for refurbishing Parliament. Are either of the plans acceptable to Parliamentarians or the public? He thinks not. Next, Richard shares some evidence he recently submitted on the importance of voting in lobbies in the British Parliament - and what would be
How much power did Marcia Williams have over Harold Wilson?
In recent weeks political advisors - especially those who have departed Keir Starmer's Downing Street - have never been out of the headlines. In this episode, Lee asks Richard about one of the most famous, celebrated and criticised political advisors in post-war politics: Marcia Williams. Having first met Harold Wilson when she was just in her 20s, she remained by the Labour Prime Minister's side
Matters of Interest: ‘Caretaker’ Prime Ministers & Political Promises
In this week's Matters of Interest, Richard explores what would happen if Keir Starmer didn't just announce he was going resign, but actually resigned as Prime Minister before a new Labour leader was chosen. The Labour rulebook says one thing, but the British constitution might have other ideas! Then Lee raises political promises and governing reality - including whether or nor our politicians are
Does the Profumo scandal deserve its infamy?
Throughout the past week, frequent reference has been made to the Profumo affair, the benchmark for scandal and outrage in post-war British politics. But what was it? How did it unfold? And does it really deserve its infamous status? In this episode, Lee and Richard look back to the misjudgements of the Secretary of State for War John Profumo in 1961 and how it imploded in 1963 - ruining his caree
Matters of Interest: Triggering Labour Leadership Elections & the PM's Travels
In this mid-week episode, Lee and Richard debate how Labour MPs can trigger a challenge (and maybe even bring about the downfall) of Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader. After disagreeing, they invite rebellious Labour MPs to settle the matter once and for all. They then discuss the Prime Minister's travels, with both defending him from the attack that he is 'Never Here Keir' before exploring
What did the first Labour government achieve?
In this week's episode, Lee & Richard look a little further back than usual to discuss the very first Labour government. Ramsay MacDonald 'kissed hands' upon his appointment as Prime Minister after Stanley Baldwin gambled his premiership on a snap election and lost the Conservatives' majority. But even so, Labour didn't have a majority of their own - and weren't even the largest party. So how
Matters of Interest: What's the point of PMQs?
In a follow-up to the last episode on the history of Prime Minister's Questions, Lee and Richard discuss how Parliament's biggest weekly event works today. What types of questions do MPs ask - and what do they expect to achieve with them? What are the opportunities and risks for party leaders? And is it really true that the public hate the theatrical, adversarial nature of PMQs? Richard and Lee at
What's the history of Prime Minister's Questions?
After a special visit to the House of Commons to watch PMQs, Lee and Richard discuss the long history of MPs interrogating the Prime Minister and how its evolved through the premierships of William Gladstone, Harold Macmillan, Jim Callaghan, Tony Blair and others. They finish by reflecting on who performed best in the format - and who flopped. On Wednesday, the next Matters of Interest will consid
