With the help of research undertaken by the Victorian Commons, today’s blog takes a look at MPs who fought during the Crimean War… The current crisis in Crimea has left some asking whether Russia’s intervention in the peninsula will lead to a new Crimean War. The 19th century conflict was, however, very different to the situation today. With its origins in the decline of the … Continue reading MPs in the Crimean War, 1853-56
Thirty years ago this month the miners’ strike began. One of the defining moments of modern British history and Margaret Thatcher’s government, in March 1984 Arthur Scargill led the National Union of Mineworkers out on strike in protest against proposed mine closures. The strike has been viewed as a stark battle between the Thatcher government, determined to privatise the British coal industry and undermine the … Continue reading The Miners’ Strike: 30 years on
Philip Baker writes about his ‘Parliaments, politics and people’ seminar paper last week, ‘‘But private notes for my owne memory’? Parliamentary diaries in seventeenth-century England.’ In an age before the open reporting of parliamentary proceedings, when even the official journals of the houses normally contain no record of debate, we are fortunate for certain periods to have surviving parliamentary diaries. Written by members themselves and … Continue reading Parliaments, Politics and People Seminar: Philip Baker, ‘But private notes for my owne memory’? Parliamentary diaries in seventeenth-century England
Recently we held the prize day for our 2013 schools competition. Our three winners, Ami Ganatra, Jessica Welchman (Key Stage Three) and James Heale (A level), along with their teachers and families came to Westminster for a special tour of the Palace and to receive their prizes from the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP. You can read more about our winners … Continue reading History of Parliament schools competitions 2014: your turn this year?
The latest paper in our ‘Parliaments, Politics and People’ seminar series was given by Dr James Owen, of the Victorian Commons. James’ book, titled Labour and the Caucus, has just been published by Liverpool University Press. Here he gives us an overview of his paper, ‘The struggle for political representation: Labour candidates and the Liberal Party, 1868-88’… The focus of my paper for the ‘Parliaments, … Continue reading Parliaments, Politics and People Seminar: The struggle for political representation: Labour candidates and the Liberal Party, 1868-1888
