20th century history
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MPs and the Second World War
Ahead of Remembrance Day, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons, 1832-1945 project, follows up her series on MPs and the First World…
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The Speakers and the Suffragettes
At the IHR Parliaments, Politics and People seminar on Tuesday 28 October, Dr Mari Takayanagi will be discussing ‘The Speakers and the Suffragettes’. The seminar takes place on 28 October 2025, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. It is fully ‘hybrid’,…
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The role and power of the Victorian House of Lords
Dr Philip Salmon looks at a key element of Parliament which we don’t usually have much opportunity to reflect on in our work on Victorian MPs and constituencies: the House of Lords. As he explains below, the upper chamber played…
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Descended from a giant: the Worsleys of Hovingham
The recent death of HRH the Duchess of Kent, who was married to the late queen’s cousin at York Minister in 1961, reminds us of her family’s long association with Yorkshire. This has included two brothers who served as archbishop…
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A ‘revolution’ in electioneering? The impact of the 1883 Corrupt Practices Act
Concluding her series on the 1883 Corrupt Practices Act, Dr Kathryn Rix of our House of Commons, 1832-1945 project looks at the long-term consequences of this major reform. In the wake of the corruption and expense of the 1880 general…
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The Recording Angel and the expression of English Welsh identities during the First World War
Ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Professor Wendy Ugolini of the University of Edinburgh. On 3 June she will discuss The Recording Angel and the expression of English Welsh identities during the First World…
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How did the routes of political processions and protest marches evolve in London during the nineteenth century?
At the IHR Parliaments, Politics and People seminar on 20 May 2025, Professor Katrina Navickas of the University of Hertfordshire will be discussing ‘The development of political processions and protest marches in London, 1780-1939’. The seminar takes place on 20 May…
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‘A negative achievement’: Behind the scenes of the House of Lords Act 1999
Ahead of major pieces of legislation designed to reform the composition of the House of Lords, and our recent event ‘Reforming the House of Lords’ discussing the history of this tricky issue, Dr Emma Peplow, Head of Contemporary History, draws…
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Call for Volunteers: History of Parliament Oral History Project
The History of Parliament Trust is looking for new volunteer interviewers to join its oral history project! Since 2011, the project has interviewed over 250 former members of parliament, creating, in collaboration with the British Library, a unique sound archive…
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Scrutinising Wartime Britain: The Commons Committees on National Expenditure 1917-20 and 1939-45
Ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Dr Philip Aylett. On 25 February, Philip will discuss ‘Scrutinising Wartime Britain: The Commons Committees on National Expenditure 1917-20 and 1939-45’. The seminar takes place on 25 February 2025,…
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‘A Socialist Identity in Parliament’? The Campaign Group of Labour MPs, 1982-2015
Ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Alfie Steer of Hertford College, University of Oxford. On 11 February Alfie will discuss the Campaign Group of Labour MPs, 1982-2015. The seminar takes place on 11 February 2025, between…
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What’s in a Name? How Peers Settled Their Titles in the Twentieth Century
Ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Dr Duncan Sutherland. On 26 November he will discuss how peers settled their titles in the twentieth century. The seminar takes place on 26 November 2024, between 5:30 and…