Scott Cresswell looks at the life of a pioneering Labour MP in 100 words History is littered with the names of those who deserve to be remembered. Unfortunately, some parliamentarians are forgotten. Edith Summerskill is one. Her progressive and feminist beliefs in the conservative thirties make her an ideal candidate for a biography; Mary Honeyball’s … Continue reading Books in 100: Edith Summerskill – Life and Times of a Pioneer

The relationship between rugby league and television has never been easy. Now it’s Channel 4s turn to shake things up It was March 1976, and Britain was on the brink of change. In Westminster, shockwaves ripped through the political world when the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, handed in his resignation to the Queen. Having been … Continue reading Seize the Day: Channel 4 and the Revival of Rugby League on TV

London was once seen as essential to the revival of rugby league in England. But as the Broncos begin a new life at AFC Wimbledon, has the game finally given up on the capital? It was the morning after the 1979 Challenge Cup final, and the Warrington Director Harold Genders was sitting in the room … Continue reading Southern Discomfort: Rugby League in London

A Rethinking Labour's Past event from Progressive Britain, Tides of History and the Labour History Research Unit at Anglia Ruskin About this event How does the Tory sleaze of the 2020s compare with the Tory sleaze of the past?  What do people think and what does the data tell us? What was it like being … Continue reading Rethinking Labour’s Past: History of Sleaze Event (Jan 31st @ 6pm)

As a companion piece to our Chapeltown Road chapter of the Super League War, Michael chats to British labour historian Anthony Broxton about Thatcherism, striking miners, economic depression and how it all relates to Rugby League in England. Was a pleasure to be invited on to the Rugby League Digest podacst this year to talk … Continue reading Podcast: Class and the Politics of English Rugby League

Celebrating the genius of Only Fools and Horses on its 40th anniversary - but it almost never survived its early struggles in depicting Thatcher's Britain. It was the summer of 1983, and John Sullivan was on a caravan holiday in Hastings with his wife and two children. It had been a difficult few months for … Continue reading Thatcher’s Britain: The strike that saved Only Fools and Horses and changed TV history

Rob Burrow approaches MND like he did Rugby League: with bravery and without fear It was October 2011, and as they do at the end of every season, thousands of rugby league fans descended on Old Trafford to see which way the League title would be decided.  Since the creation of a play-off and Grand … Continue reading Robert the Lion Heart: Rob Burrow and Too Many Reasons to Live