The podcast about post-war British politics - since Attlee & Churchill. Hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Enjoy ad-free listening, bonus episodes and show your support for the podcast by joining the Since Attlee & Churchill Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/SinceAttleeAndChurchill
Enjoy listening to the podcast? We would be very grateful if you could leave us a positive review to help other people find the podcast.
Since Attlee & Churchill is also available on YouTube. Subscribe here to listen (and watch) the show: https://www.youtube.com/@sinceattleeandchurchill
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The podcast about post-war British politics - since Attlee & Churchill. Hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Enjoy ad-free listening, bonus episodes and show your support for the podcast by joining the Since Attlee & Churchill Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/SinceAttleeAndChurchill
Enjoy listening to the podcast? We would be very grateful if you could leave us a positive review to help other people find the podcast.
Since Attlee & Churchill is also available on YouTube. Subscribe here to listen (and watch) the show: https://www.youtube.com/@sinceattleeandchurchill
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a special live recording, held at The Clement Attlee pub in Limehouse, London, Lee & Richard were joined by 50 listeners to toast the first year of the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast, share a birthday cake, and answer questions in their first ever live Q&A. Topics ranged from who is the best junior minister in post-war history to Britain's most toxic prime minister - via the most asked question of all: is the two-party system over? Thanks to everyone who joined in to celebrate the first year of the podcast. Here's to another year chewing over delightful morsels of British political history!
Enjoy listening to the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast? If so, we would be very grateful if you could leave us a 5 star review!
Buying books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit the shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Enjoy ad-free listening, bonus episodes and show your support for the podcast by joining the Since Attlee & Churchill Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/SinceAttleeAndChurchill
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the final instalment of their miniseries on the Heath vs Wilson elections, Lee and Richard look back on the October 1974 contest. After a frantic six months in office, Labour's Harold Wilson goes back to the country in search of a majority and a mandate to govern. Everything seems to be going well for him, but has enough changed since the people last voted for them to meaningfully change their verdict? Meanwhile Edward Heath, the Conservative leader, is hoping the second election of the year gives him a second chance with the voters.
In this episode, the following books are discussed:
'Britannia Bright's Bewilderment in the Wilderness of Westminster' by Clive James
'Making Sense of the Troubles: A History of the Northern Ireland Conflict' by David McKittrick & David McVea. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780241962657
Buying books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit the shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
Enjoy listening to the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast? If so, we would be very grateful if you could leave us a 5 star review!
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Enjoy ad-free listening, bonus episodes and show your support for the podcast by joining the Since Attlee & Churchill Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/SinceAttleeAndChurchill
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Richard and Lee mark the new year by looking back on the key events of 2025 that they expect to influence what happens in the year ahead. From Keir Starmer's decision to stick by Rachel Reeves to the removal of the hereditary peers from the House of Lords - via Nigel Farage's continuing centralised leadership style, Kemi Badenoch's growing confidence as Leader of the Opposition, and more.
Happy new year!
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Enjoy ad-free listening, bonus episodes and show your support for the podcast by joining the Since Attlee & Churchill Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/SinceAttleeAndChurchill
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the latest instalment of their miniseries on the Heath vs Wilson elections, Lee and Richard consider Edward Heath's gamble on a general election in February 1974. Having u-turned on the policy agenda that got him elected in 1970 and run into intractable issues with the trade unions - leading to a state of emergency and energy rationing - Heath could see few better options than calling an election. But throughout the campaign it becomes clear that he doesn't really have a plan for overcoming the crisis, win or lose. Does the public think bringing back Harold Wilson would be a step in the right direction? Or are they beginning to look elsewhere, beyond the two major parties?
In this episode, the following books are discussed:
'Downing Street in Perspective' by Marcia Falkender
'The Spicer Diares' by Michael Spicer
Buying books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit the shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
The last few tickets are available for the 1st Birthday Party of the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast, featuring a live recording. Find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/since-attlee-churchills-1st-birthday-party-tickets-1978627898307
Enjoy listening to the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast? If so, we would be very grateful if you could leave us a 5 star review!
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a special Christmas edition of Since Attlee & Churchill, Lee and Richard have been searching through diaries, memoirs and other historical sources to find out how our politicians spend Christmas - and what some of them have contributed to our understanding of a traditional British Christmas. Featuring Ramsay MacDonald, Winston Churchill, Harold Macmillan, Tony Benn, Jim Callaghan, Barbara Castle, Margaret Thatcher and more.
We wish you all a very happy Christmas.
Enjoy listening to the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast? If so, we would be very grateful if you could leave us a 5 star review!
Buying books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit the shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In part two of their miniseries on the Heath vs Wilson elections, Lee and Richard delve into the second of the contests fought between the pair. In May 1970, incumbent Prime Minister Harold Wilson asked the Queen for a dissolution of Parliament, judging it was his best opportunity to win a third successive election for Labour. Almost everyone expected Wilson to triumph. But when the votes were cast, Edward Heath and the Conservatives came out on top. How did it happen? And why did the polls and political commentators misjudge the views of the British people?
In this episode, the following books are discussed:
'Downing Street Downfalls: The Misadventures of Britain's Prime Ministers Since Thatcher' by Mark Garnett. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781788218696
'Original Sin: President Biden's decline, its cover-up, and his disastrous choice to run again' by Alex Thompson & Jake Tapper. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781529155488
Tickets are now available for the 1st Birthday Party of the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast, featuring a live recording. Find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/since-attlee-churchills-1st-birthday-party-tickets-1978627898307
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's Matters of Interest, Richard considers whether the Labour Party's internal rules - especially the power of the National Executive Committee over Parliamentary selections - could stand in the way of Andy Burnham's triumphant return to Parliament. And Lee considers whether the changing electoral landscape of Britain means parties no longer need to really make pacts with one another, because the voters are effectively doing it for them.
Enjoy listening to the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast? If so, we would be very grateful if you could leave us a 5 star review!
Buying books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit the shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lee and Richard are starting a brand new mini-series looking at some of the most dramatic and consequential general elections in post-war history: the four contests fought between Conservative leader Edward Heath and Labour leader Harold Wilson between 1966 and 1974. In this episode, they discuss Wilson's gamble on a snap election in March 1966. Boosted by a recent by-election win, Wilson thought it would be the perfect moment to seize the initiative and win a big majority. How did the campaign unfold - and did Wilson get the result he hoped for?
In this episode, the following books are mentioned:
'The Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemingway. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780099273967
'White Identity Politics' by Ashley Jardina. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781108468602
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this Week's Matters of Interest, Richard suggests that the use of the royal prerogative to deprive Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of his titles of nobility might have inadvertently set a precedent for allowing prime ministers to eject troublesome members from the House of Lords without legislation. And Lee raises the strategy and success of the Lib Dems. Both Lee and Richard have experience of fighting against Britain's traditional third party, but what do they think of how the Lib Dems got to where they are today - and what the future holds?
Enjoy listening to the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast? If so, we would be very grateful if you could leave us a 5 star review!
Buying your books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit the shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode, Lee and Richard discuss one of the most dramatic events in Labour history: the emergence of Jeremy Corbyn, a man who had never before sat on the front bench, as the landslide winner of the party leadership. It's a story that covers the fallout of the Iraq war and reforms to Labour's leadership rules, Ed Miliband's decision to resign the leadership straight after election defeat and Andy Burnham's following of the Labour whip on Tory welfare measures. So, how did it unfold - and what were the consequences?
In this episode, the following books are mentioned:
'A Scandal in Konigsberg' by Christopher Clark. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780241767887
'The House of Lords' by John Wells. Available at: https://amzn.to/3XIWGN4
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Richard kicks off this episode by looking at the reasons why ministers have resigned historically and what has prompted people to leave government since Labour came into office last year. Lee and Richard then debate whether politicians should rethink what constitutes grounds for resignation - either to make it more, or less, likely. Next, Lee discusses the most important week so far of Kemi Badenoch's leadership of the Conservative Party and considers what it means for the Conservatives, their fight for survival, and how they will try to return to government.
Enjoy listening to the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast? If so, we would be very grateful if you could leave us a 5 star review!
Buying your books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit the shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As we've just had a Budget in the UK, Lee and Richard look back to one of the most famous - and controversial - Budgets in post-war British politics: the 1981 Budget delivered by Geoffrey Howe in Margaret Thatcher's first term as Prime Minister. This Budget provoked a furious backlash among some Conservatives as well as most of the economic establishment. But by luck or by judgement it marked the turning point in Britain's economic fortunes in the 1980s.
In this episode, the following books are mentioned:
'Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House' by Amie Parnes & Jonathan Allen. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780063438644
'Wilt' by Tom Sharpe. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780099435488
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Richard delves into the Labour rulebook to explain the latest rumours of an attempt to remove Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader; and Lee looks at the extraordinary volatility of local by-election results which offer good news - and bad - for all of the parties, depending on where you look!
Enjoy listening to the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast? If so, we would be very grateful if you could leave us a 5 star review!
Buying your books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit the shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
***
Since Attlee & Churchill is a podcast about post-war British politics - literally since Attlee & Churchill - and is hosted by Lee David Evans, an historian of the Conservative Party, and Richard Johnson, an historian of the Labour Party.
Got a question or comment? Get in touch!
Richard: richard.johnson@qmul.ac.uk
Lee: l.d.evans@qmul.ac.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Neil Kinnock’s showdown with Militant Tendency at the 1985 Labour conference is one of the standout moments of his Labour leadership - and of the entire history - of the Labour Party. In this week's episode, Lee and Richard explore the history of ginger groups in the Labour Party; how Militant established themselves in Liverpool in the early 1980s; and how their high-stakes fight with Thatcher's government became a totemic moment for Kinnock and his leadership.
In this episode, the following books are mentioned:
'The Smallest Room in the House: 50 political oddities to read in more than one sitting' by Philip Cowley. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781785909702
'Rust Belt Union Blues: Why Working-Class Voters Are Turning Away from the Democratic Party' by Lainey Newman & Theda Skocpol. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780231218795
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the latest Matters of Interest, Richard tears apart the complaints made by some employees in government about the condition of Number 10 Downing Street, opening up a discussion about the refurbishments of the building over the years and the power of Number 10 versus other government departments. Then Lee takes issue with a recent report about different types of 'reading' - including digital reading and audiobooks - and makes the case for books as the pinnacle of literacy.
Buying your books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit our store: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's podcast, Richard and Lee are joined by historian Tom Chidwick to discuss the life and times of Dick Taverne. In the early 1970s, the Labour MP for Lincoln was deselected by his party over Europe; in response, he resigned his seat and stood in a spectacular by-election. When voters went to the polls, Taverne achieved what John Curtice has called 'the most significant by-election success ever’. Why was he deselected? How did he win? And what were the longer-term consequences for Taverne - and British politics?
In this episode, the following books are mentioned:
'Can the Welfare State Survive?' by Andrew Gamble. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780745698748
'Gladstone' by Roy Jenkins. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781509868292
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In their regular mid-week episode, Lee and Richard clash on the current scandal engulfing the BBC before Richard shares some anonymous correspondence from the heart of Whitehall, exposing some of the challenges we face in being an effectively-governed nation.
Enjoy listening to the Since Attlee & Churchill podcast? If so, we would be very grateful if you could leave us a 5 star review!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, released on Remembrance Sunday, Lee and Richard discuss four titanic politicians of the twentieth century shaped by their experience of war. Clement Attlee and Harold Macmillan both served with distinction in the First World War, and Denis Healey and Edward Heath in the Second. This podcast looks at what their contribution to the war looked like - including their many brushes with death - before reflecting on the significance of their service on their political lives.
In this episode, the following books are mentioned:
'The British General Election of 2019' by multiple authors. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9783030742560
'The Land in Winter' by Andrew Miller. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781529354300
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's Matters of Interest, Richard shares some remarkable examples of leading British politicians who have chosen not to go by the name they were given at birth. Who did it? And why? Then Lee discusses the recent reforms to political donations in Australia, with a lively discussion about the need for - and the pitfalls of - reforming the way we fund our political parties.
Did you know that there is a Since Attlee & Churchill Substack, including bonus podcasts? Find it here: https://www.sinceattleeandchurchill.com/
Buying your books via the Since Attlee & Churchill Bookshop is a great way to support the podcast. Click here to visit the shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode, Lee and Richard discuss the biggest political scandal of a generation: the publication of MPs' expenses in 2009. Reported on by the Daily Telegraph after the sensational leak of over a million and a half documents from Parliament, the scandal captured the attention of the nation. From duck houses to moat cleaning, phantom mortgages to packets of biscuits - every detail seemed to fascinate the public and provoke fury towards MPs. How did it unfold? Was it as bad as it seemed? And are we still living with the consequences today?
In this episode, the following books are mentioned:
'The Conservative Party After Brexit' by Tim Bale. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781509546015
'No Expenses Spared' by Robert Winnett & Gordon Rayner. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781409093664
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.