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Articles tagged with: History
On Holocaust Memorial Day we must learn the lessons of the past and honour the lives lost
History
By Karen Pollock
On Holocaust Memorial Day we must learn the lessons of the past and honour the lives lost
In 1960 Adolph Eichmann, often described as the architect of the Holocaust, was captured by Israeli forces in Argentina where he fled after the war.
We must continue to honour the Good Friday Agreement to ensure stability within the two parts of Ireland
Home affairs
By Andrew McCormick
We must continue to honour the Good Friday Agreement to ensure stability within the two parts of Ireland
North-south co-operation is right at the heart of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. The exchange of constitution for institutions was central to the very remarkable compromise agreed in 1998.
Britain has much to learn from historic links to the Caribbean islands
History
By Blondel Cluff
Britain has much to learn from historic links to the Caribbean islands
Islands are pieces of land completely surrounded by water, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Isolated, if you will. Or are they?
Memories of Nazi occupation remain across the Channel Islands
History
By Kristina Moore
Memories of Nazi occupation remain across the Channel Islands
Jersey’s constitutional status – as a self-governing British Crown Dependency – has essentially been unchanged since 1204. The island has, for the most part, enjoyed more than 800 years of autonomy.
Welcome to Thorney Island, a London landmark you may never have known existed
History
By Sophie Church
Welcome to Thorney Island, a London landmark you may never have known existed
Many are surprised to learn that Westminster sits on an ancient island in the Thames. Sophie Church hears from a Thorney Island Society member about the area’s unique history
How an Irish state was created 100 years ago
Foreign affairs
By Lord Lexden
How an Irish state was created 100 years ago
“You have agreed to a revolution in Ireland.” So said Edward Carson, the famous leader of the Irish Unionists, as the legislation giving full internal self-government to 26 of the 32 counties of Ireland was passed by the House of Lords, of which he was then a Member, in December 1922.
At a time of anger and division we draw comfort from the message of Christ
Social affairs
By Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani
At a time of anger and division we draw comfort from the message of Christ
The Bishop of Chelmsford delivers a Christmas message to readers of The House.
Bats And Ballots - The History Of Parliamentary Cricket
History
By Patrick Kidd
Bats And Ballots - The History Of Parliamentary Cricket
The Lords and Commons cricket team has been a parliamentary fixture since the Victorian era. Patrick Kidd traces some of its hilarious history.
Tales from the crypt: The controversies behind the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft
History
By Graham Seel
Tales from the crypt: The controversies behind the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft
The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft might be familiar to those in Parliament, but few know that a row over its status had the potential to cause an incendiary religious split – until a resourceful Speaker defused the situation. Historian Graham Seel tells the full story.
Hidden history: Parliament's secret Second World War munitions factory
History
By Zoe Crowther
Hidden history: Parliament's secret Second World War munitions factory
After the horrors of the Blitz, with much of Parliament in ruins, staff hatched a secret plan: as Zoe Crowther reports, a hidden factory was created in the basements of the Commons to help the war effort.
Secrets of the ballot box: 150 years of voting in private
Political parties
By Lord Lexden
Secrets of the ballot box: 150 years of voting in private
Seldom can a major constitutional reform have aroused so little enthusiasm. No public meetings were held to demand it; no great demonstrations were organised in its support. After much parliamentary dithering and delay, the Ballot Act finally became law in the second half of 1872, exactly 150 years ago.
An uncrowned monarch and a state opening
History
By Baroness Hayter and Elise Kitching
An uncrowned monarch and a state opening
The United Kingdom has had a very busy political year, making future generations’ history and politics lessons highly complicated but instructive. Within two months, the country saw three prime ministers, two monarchs, three chancellors and several U-turns, all on top of an economic crisis. During all the political turmoil and uncertainty, the demand for a general election has become more vocal, even if undesirable to some.
Historical precedent: How historians influence politics
History
By Andrew Southam
Historical precedent: How historians influence politics
If today’s politics is tomorrow’s history, then perhaps our ministers would be wise to pay more attention to those writing the books, as Andrew Southam reports.
'We are the moles within Parliament': Exploring the enigmatic work of parliamentary agents
History
By Sophie Church
"We are the moles within Parliament": Exploring the enigmatic work of parliamentary agents
Parliamentary agents have been working in Parliament for nearly 200 years, but their role is shrouded in mystery. Sophie Church hears from one parliamentary agent, Richard Bull, about his profession
Changing of the Lord: How Lord Carrington became the new Lord Great Chamberlain
Culture
By Daniel Brittain
Changing of the Lord: How Lord Carrington became the new Lord Great Chamberlain
The King was not the only person to inherit a new role following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September. Almost unnoticed was the departure of the sovereign’s representative in Parliament, the Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord Cholmondeley, who lost his job with the demise of the monarch. As Daniel Brittain reports, the new occupant of the hereditary office held by three different families is Lord Carrington
The Chris Bryant interview: 'It is a bizarre irony that I am chair of the Committee on Standards'
Political parties
By Tali Fraser
The Chris Bryant interview: "It is a bizarre irony that I am chair of the Committee on Standards"
Chris Bryant has been through a few political scrapes, so recognises the irony that he is now chair of the Standards Committee. He tells Tali Fraser about the recent furore in the division lobbies, trying to hold his tongue and surviving cancer. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer.
Steve Baker, John Brown and the role of white Christianity in Black History
History
By Nels Abbey
Steve Baker, John Brown and the role of white Christianity in Black History
Throughout history, white Christians have proved both spectacularly malevolent and truly inspirational in the battle for Black equality. Nels Abbey sets the scene
Remembering Jayaben Desai and the Grunwick dispute
Culture
By Kim Johnson MP
Remembering Jayaben Desai and the Grunwick dispute
As the first Black Member of Parliament to represent Liverpool – home to the oldest established Black community in Europe – it means a lot to look back and remember the women on whose shoulders I stand.
Why I Set Up Black History Walks
Culture
By Tony Warner
Why I Set Up Black History Walks
I set up Black History Walks to prevent the further erasure of our histories
Claudia Jones: journalist and political activist
Communities
By Dawn Butler MP
Claudia Jones: journalist and political activist
The philosopher Thomas Carlyle suggested history was best understood as the "biography of great men". The House disagrees — and has invited parliamentarians this Black History Month to spotlight inspirational Black women.
Mary Seacole: nurse, businesswoman and Crimean War hero
Communities
By Paulette Hamilton MP
Mary Seacole: nurse, businesswoman and Crimean War hero
The philosopher Thomas Carlyle suggested history was best understood as the "biography of great men". The House disagrees — and has invited parliamentarians this Black History Month to spotlight inspirational Black women.
Maiden Voyages: Liz Truss and her predecessors
History
By Patrick Kidd
Maiden Voyages: Liz Truss and her predecessors
In his occasional series, Patrick Kidd looks at maiden speeches of note
No, ‘Blacks’ did not ‘sell Blacks into slavery’
Communities
By Nels Abbey
No, ‘Blacks’ did not ‘sell Blacks into slavery’
The Ex-Files: What should former prime ministers do with the rest of their lives?
History
By Robert Hutton
The Ex-Files: What should former prime ministers do with the rest of their lives?
One day you’re feted by world leaders and fawning staff, the next you’re out on your ear. So what should a former premier do with the rest of their life? Robert Hutton explores the options