In addition to the numerous documentaries on Labour in opposition listed here, on the Harold Wilson era and the Desert Island Discs archives , below are a list of the best radio documentaries and interviews available in the BBC archives. Biographies ‘Barbara Castle - the Red Queen, clever, sexy and single-minded she was the most important female politician... Continue Reading →
Labour Documentaries: The Harold Wilson Era (1964-1976) This list of documentaries follows on from previous posts on the Wilderness Years, an essential book list and the Labour Island Discs archive. Below are some documentaries on Harold Wilson - Labour's great election winner. Essentials The Heath/Wilson Duel (BBC:2011) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGiQ4YLMyN0 Superb documentary charting the story of two... Continue Reading →
Over the years, numerous Labour politicians have appeared on Desert Island Discs, and thanks to the BBC’s exhaustive archive these episodes, and many more, are available to download. Usually a political right of passage - which Jeremy Corbyn missed out on - many of the interviews - such as Kinnock's, Blair's and Miliband's - were... Continue Reading →
The question of ‘Must Labour Lose’ has been central to the thoughts of historians of the Labour Party for much of the post-war period. Applied to the party's successive defeats in the 1950s and 1980s, it has now returned as a key question as the party grapples with another historic identity crisis. Labour's 'Wilderness Years'... Continue Reading →
Don't mourne! Organise! is what Tribune said in 1983 as Labour faced up to a long period in Opposition. Thursdays defeat was much worse than 1983, with nine years already behind us, and a likely ten more ahead of us. To help us navigate this new Wilderness, I've put together a list of essential documentaries... Continue Reading →
