This is the second part of @tomchidwick look at the 1979 Scottish Referendum. The first part can be read here Campaigning had begun in earnest over two years before the referendum, with The Guardian reporting in January 1977 that even during Hogmanay, 'delirious Scots' were subjected to 'a barrage of publicity from the Bill's opponents'. The Hogmanay... Continue Reading →
Despite a mass public campaign, Kevin Sinfield hasn’t received a knighthood this year. It comes as no surprise to rugby league fans In the final PMQs before the Christmas break, Boris Johnson was urged by a fellow MP to acknowledge former rugby league star Kevin Sinfield’s heroic efforts. Sinfield had just completed seven marathons in... Continue Reading →
“WAS IT DELBOY WOT WON IT?” Its Christmas 1996 and Labour are 36pts clear in the polls. With the Tories in disarray, the Major Government clutches at one final straw. They think Only Fools and Horses might cost them some votes... Christmas 1996 and the nation is anticipating the final Only Fools and Horses trilogy.... Continue Reading →
A new collection of essays provides a welcome reappraisal of the only man to hold all four offices of state. “If you must have a Conservative Prime Minister, I’m your man” – Sunday Mirror, April 1979 At the end of season three of Netflix’s The Crown viewers watched a tearful Harold Wilson hand in his resignation.... Continue Reading →
As Coronation Street celebrates its diamond jubilee, is it time to take it seriously as the chronicler of our times? On 9 December 1960, workers across the country clocked off after a week’s toil on the factories, steel plants and coal mines that made up much of heavy-industrialised Britain. With their wage packets, many would... Continue Reading →
As Spitting Image returns to our screens, its original impact has not been forgotten It’s February 1984 and English television is still ruled by just four stations. Regular political programming consists of the evening news, Panorama and a new debate show called Question Time, while television cameras are not yet allowed into the House of... Continue Reading →
The moment of pure political theatre that endures its legacy thirty-five years on It was at Preston railway station, in September 1985, as he made his way back to London from the TUC Conference that Neil Kinnock realised his time had come. Picking up the Lancashire Evening Post, the Labour leader read of the latest saga... Continue Reading →
A new book celebrates 125 years of rugby league but shines a light on a world that the sport has left behind It is May 1934 and early morning rain puts King George V and Queen Mary off attending the Challenge Cup final at Wembley. In their place, Lord Derby is the guest of honour... Continue Reading →
