logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
48m 57s

418. Britain in 1974: The Crisis Electio...

Goalhanger
About this episode
Three days after one of the most devastating IRA attacks launched upon British soil, the Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath called an election, in circumstances that had never been more dire. Running against him was the veteran Labour leader, Harold Wilson, now as tired and beleaguered as his rival, and whose party was increasingly divided by internal ... Show More
Up next
Apr 29
665. Britain in the 70s: The Bailout from Hell (Part 4)
How did the new British Prime Minister, Jim Callaghan, intend to keep Britain from bankruptcy in 1976? What extreme new step might have seen riots in the streets? And, would labour survive the greatest financial scandal in British history? Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the e ... Show More
1h 15m
Apr 26
664. Britain in the 70s: Scandal in Downing Street (Part 3)
With Britain heading towards financial meltdown and paranoia in the air, could its exhausted Prime Minister, Harold Wilson survive? Why were bombs going off in London every few days in the winter of 1975? And, with inflation reaching unprecedented heights, would the government fi ... Show More
1h 14m
Apr 22
663. Britain in the 70s: The Brexit That Never Was (Part 2)
In the Spring of 1975, why was the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, so embattled? Why was the left so divided during this period? And, was Britain’s relationship with Europe already fracturing…? Join Tom and Dominic, as they discuss the trials of Harold Wilson, as the melee of 1970 ... Show More
1h 17m
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2022
What Could Labour Learn From Harold Wilson?
<p>In the week of the Labour Party when polls indicate that the party is likely to form the next government, it seems an opportune moment to examine what lessons they might be able to draw from their own history. But why Harold Wilson?</p><br><p>Harold Wilson won four general ele ... Show More
23m 43s
Oct 2023
Labour’s historic by-election wins
<p>The UK's Labour party has pulled off two stunning by-election victories. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Miranda Green, Jim Pickard and Stephen Bush to discuss whether Keir Starmer’s party is now on track for a 1997-style landslide, and what the Tories’ dismal res ... Show More
32m 12s
Jun 2024
UK General Elections: 1906
The first episode in our new series with historian Robert Saunders on pivotal general elections is about the Tory disaster and Liberal triumph of 1906. David and Robert explore the reasons behind the worst result in modern Conservative party history – until now? How did the Liber ... Show More
56m 15s
Jul 2019
Going the way of the dodo? The decline of Britain's two main parties.
Recent polling data and election results paint a picture of woe for Britain's two main political parties. Of course both Labour and the Conservatives have suffered periods of decline throughout their history. But arguably never before have both parties been so riven by internal d ... Show More
28m 22s
Oct 2022
What caused the turmoil in British politics?
After the resignation of Liz Truss the UK will soon have its third prime minister this year. Britain has long been considered a politically stable nation. So has something changed? The governing Conservative Party is divided on many issues, including the country’s future directio ... Show More
49m 11s
May 2023
Stuck In The Middle With You
<p>Exclusive YouGov polling for Times Radio shows that plenty of Labour voters - and even more Liberal Democrats - would like to see a coalition between the two parties after the next election.</p><br><p>Matt discusses the history of Lib Dem 'equidistance' with former advisers to ... Show More
48m 45s
Jul 2021
Q & A With Helen and David: UK Politics and the Union
The second part of our attempt to answer your questions, this week covering British politics. Helen and David tackle whether Labour can win, what happened to the Lib Dems, where the Greens are heading and what's in store for the Union. Plus, how much is being held together by the ... Show More
58m 8s
Jul 2022
Boris Johnson lands back to earth
<p>We discuss whether Boris Johnson's Global Britain ambitions were achieved during his recent overseas trip and the fallout from the resignation of deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.&nbsp;</p><p>Plus, we explore Nicola Sturgeon's plans for a second Scottish independence referendum ... Show More
36m 5s
Jun 2021
By-election: Welcome to Batley and Spen
<p>Tomorrow voters in Yorkshire’s Batley and Spen constituency head to the polls for the fourth time in five years. The previously safe Labour seat is under threat and this by-election is seen as a test of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership. The Conservatives are hoping to win and cou ... Show More
36m 19s