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 British Politics: The Best of the BBC Radio Archives
Category: Box Sets
The Likely Lad: A Harold Wilson Box Set
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 The Likely Lad: A Harold Wilson Box Set
Desert Island Discs: The Labour Party Specials
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 Desert Island Discs: The Labour Party Specials
Understanding the Wilderness: The Tides of History Library
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 Understanding the Wilderness: The Tides of History Library
The Wilderness Years: Documentaries for a New Decade
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 The Wilderness Years: Documentaries for a New Decade
