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Oral History Project (Contemporary History)

The History of Parliament’s Oral History project is working with the British Library to create a sound archive of British politics since 1945. Since 2011 we have interviewed nearly 300 former parliamentarians about their lives and experiences: over 1000 hours of recording covering all aspects of politicians’ lives and time at Westminster.

We aim to include in our archive politicians of all parties and backgrounds, who reached all levels in the Commons – from cabinet members such as Michael Heseltine or Clare Short, party leaders like Menzies Campbell or long-time backbenchers like Tam Dalyell. Our long interviews (our record is 24 hours) include a wealth of behind-the-scenes detail including why, and how, politicians entered politics; how they organised their careers, casework and the constituency, and what really went on in the chamber, bars and smoking room!

Due to the ongoing disruption at the British Library our interviews are not available through the BL currently – please see above or contact us if you’d like to hear any of them.

Staff

Dr Emma Peplow

Head of Contemporary History

Emma Peplow is a historian of contemporary British politics, specialising in oral history and women’s participation in politics.

Alfie Steer

Oral History Project Manager

Alfie Steer is a historian of contemporary British politics, specialising in the history of the Labour left. 

Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament

Have you ever wondered how MPs get involved in politics, get elected or how the role effects their personal life?

Using the History of Parliament’s extensive Oral History archive fo 200+ interviews of former sitting MPs, Tales from the Green Benches offers an insider’s view into life as a Member of Parliament.

Hosted by Dr Emma Peplow, Head of Contemporary History at the History of Parliament Trust, and Dr Alex Lock, historian and curator at the British Library.

The Political Lives of Postwar British MPs

An Oral History of Parliament

Edited by Emma Peplow & Priscila Pivatto

Featuring extracts from the History of Parliament Trust’s collection of interviews with former MPs who sat from the 1950s until the 2000s, The Political Lives of Postwar British MPs gives a voice to those MPs’ stories. It explores why they became interested in politics, how they found their seat and fought election campaigns, what it felt like to speak in the chamber and how their class or gender dictated their experiences at Westminster.

Volunteer

The History is keen to attract people with an interest in and knowledge of British postwar political history to act as interviewers. If you would like to become part of the team then please get in touch!

Article Collection

Contemporary History