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Articles tagged with: History
We need a new independent review of the allegations against Ted Heath
History
By Lord Lexden
We need a new independent review of the allegations against Ted Heath
There is an overwhelming – some say unanswerable – case for an independent review of a number of allegations of child sex abuse made against Ted Heath after his death. The allegations were left unresolved at the end of a deeply flawed police investigation, known as Operation Conifer, in 2017.
We must commemorate the brave sacrifice of our forgotten service personnel
History
By Diana Johnson and Philip Dunne
We must commemorate the brave sacrifice of our forgotten service personnel
Each November we acknowledge and honour the suffering experienced during global conflicts by those who gave their lives defending our country, the Commonwealth, and our freedoms.
Charles III's first King's speech – and a history of debuts
History
By Daniel Brittain
Charles III's first King's speech – and a history of debuts
As the King performs what is perhaps his most important duty as head of state for the first time, Daniel Brittain reminds us that not every debut has been a nerveless success
Remorse, Roots and Reparations: Clive Lewis and Laura Trevelyan
Communities
By Seun Matiluko
Remorse, Roots and Reparations: Clive Lewis and Laura Trevelyan
Clive Lewis MP and Laura Trevelyan, the former BBC journalist, are campaigning for reparative justice for the Caribbean. They tell Seun Matiluko about how they started working together, the backlash they’ve received, and their plans for joint advocacy.
Starmer might see himself as Blair 2.0 but don’t expect a radical Labour government
Political parties
By Aaron Bastani
Starmer might see himself as Blair 2.0 but don’t expect a radical Labour government
Over recent decades it has become commonplace for politicians to underscore their radical credentials.
When Keir Took On McDonalds
Political parties
By Zoë Grünewald
When Keir Took On McDonalds
Before he was Labour leader, Keir Starmer fought for the underdog in a few headline-grabbing cases as a barrister. Zoë Grünewald speaks to the defendants in the infamous McLibel case
Conference Showdown: The 1963 Conservative Party Conference
Political parties
By Patrick Kidd
Conference Showdown: The 1963 Conservative Party Conference
Things may not be entirely rosy for the Conservatives, but at least this year’s conference won’t be the setting for a leadership contest. Patrick Kidd takes us back to an even more fraught time in the party’s history
We must learn from the past to fight antisemitism today
History
By Baroness Anderson
We must learn from the past to fight antisemitism today
For as long as there has been antisemitism, threats against Jewish people, and dangerous antisemitic conspiracies, there have been people who have bravely fought against them.
The Other History Makers
Political parties
By Seun Matiluko
The Other History Makers
The 1987 general election saw the first post-war MPs of colour elected: a moment hailed as watershed moment for diversity in politics. But what happened to those who stood, but weren’t elected? Seun Matiluko tracks some of them down and asks: what happened next? Photography by Baldo Sciacca
MP Calls For End To 'Toxic Debates' On LGBT Rights Ten Years After Same-Sex Marriage Legalised
Social affairs
MP Calls For End To "Toxic Debates" On LGBT Rights Ten Years After Same-Sex Marriage Legalised
Conservative MP Mike Freer has said "heated, toxic debates" over LGBT rights must end, ten years after he fought for his own right to marry his husband with the legalisation of same-sex marriage in England and Wales.
Just a dead playwright? Why Parliament should pay attention to Shakespeare
Culture
By James Morris MP and Professor Michael Dobson
Just a dead playwright? Why Parliament should pay attention to Shakespeare
“Why are you asking the Prime Minister about a dead playwright?” That is how one unimpressed constituent put it to James Morris MP, chair of the APPG for Shakespeare, when he stood up at PMQs recently to raise the importance of Shakespeare’s works as a force for freedom in the world.
Treasure Island
History
By Chris Chafin
Treasure Island
Recent changes to the Treasure Act will redefine what counts as ‘treasure’. But will it mean that more found items appear on public display, or create new problems for museums and others? Chris Chafin reports. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
We must reflect on the legacy of the Windrush pioneers who helped rebuild Britain
Communities
By Blondel Cluff
We must reflect on the legacy of the Windrush pioneers who helped rebuild Britain
The 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush is a chance to reflect on the pioneers who helped rebuild Britain, and explore the impact of ‘toxic’ government policies on the community.
David Lammy Says Windrush Anniversary Will Be “Bittersweet Commemoration”
Communities
David Lammy Says Windrush Anniversary Will Be “Bittersweet Commemoration”
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMP Empire Windrush to the UK will be a “bittersweet commemoration” for him and the rest of the country.
A bureaucratic establishment: the founding of the civil service
History
By Andrew Southam
A bureaucratic establishment: the founding of the civil service
Recent anger towards the ‘blob’ from some Tories has called into question the nature of an impartial civil service. But how did this concept come into being? Andrew Southam traces its fascinating history.
How a new Parliament building could become a dreadful reality
History
By JS Curl
How a new Parliament building could become a dreadful reality
If the doomsayers are right, and Parliament burns down or is forced to relocate entirely, what comes next? Architectural historian Professor James Stevens Curl explains how the current structure came to be – and explains why he fears the worst in the future.
We must come together to make the UK a world leader on LGBT+ rights once more
Social affairs
By Angela Eagle MP and Elliot Colburn MP
We must come together to make the UK a world leader on LGBT+ rights once more
Every June, countries around the world celebrate Pride Month. We honour those who fought and indeed continue to fight to end anti-LGBT+ discrimination and oppression, as well as celebrating the value and power of human diversity.
The Slow Death of Parliamentary Scrutiny
History
By Dr Alice Lilly
The Slow Death of Parliamentary Scrutiny
One of Parliament’s core roles is to scrutinise policy and legislation. Dr Alice Lilly from the Institute for Government finds that with a Commons that has limited time to look at bills in detail, and an overworked second chamber, it is struggling to do its job properly. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
King Charles can revitalise Britain’s soft power
Foreign affairs
By Baroness Verma
King Charles can revitalise Britain’s soft power
This month I embarked on a visit to India along with my parliamentary colleagues on the India (Trade and Investment) All-Party Parliamentary Group. I have been to India many times, seen the huge economic growth particularly over the last 20 years or so, and today India’s influence in the world is clear.
At a time of shattered loyalties and diminished trust the King’s coronation can unite us
History
By Lord Howell
At a time of shattered loyalties and diminished trust the King’s coronation can unite us
Coronations have taken place in Westminster Abbey for 900 years, the Archbishop of Canterbury always presiding. That puts our own paltry timescales in sobering perspective. This, the 40th coronation, seems the ultimate expression of the permanence of institutions while the generations come and go. Nothing changes.
The king’s dilemma: how it fell to George V to choose a new prime minister
History
By Lord Lexden
The king’s dilemma: how it fell to George V to choose a new prime minister
A century ago, it fell to King George V to select a new prime minister. Lord Lexden revisits the machinations that lay behind the eventual decision
Remembering and forgetting
Culture
By Dr Francis Young
Remembering and forgetting
Coronations are infrequent events, and that is why the ceremony is prone to dramatic evolution, writes Dr Francis Young
The coronation will be an opportunity to reflect on the role of the monarchy in 21st century Britain
History
By Lord Janvrin
The coronation will be an opportunity to reflect on the role of the monarchy in 21st century Britain
The King’s coronation will, I am sure, be a magnificent event rich in pageantry, symbolism and tradition, combining moments of intense religious significance, ceremonial flamboyance, and cultural excellence with a good excuse for a party.
What were MPs debating ahead of the Queen's coronation in 1953?
History
By Patrick Kidd
What were MPs debating ahead of the Queen's coronation in 1953?
What were MPs debating in the run up to the last coronation, 70 years ago? Issues very much of their time; and others that wouldn’t be out of place today. Patrick Kidd takes a stroll through the archives