In this week's podcast, we discuss one of the most important forks in the road in Britain's post-war history: when Clement Attlee's Labour government refused to take part in discussions on the Schuman Plan, which would become the European Coal and Steel Community and ultimately evolve into the European Union. What motivated their decision? Was it Germanophobia, or a devotion to socialism? And did their decision mean that European integration was set on a course that meant Britain could never truly be happy as part of the European project? We discuss these questions - and more!In this podcast, the following books are mentioned:'The Death of Consensus: 100 Years of British Political Nightmares' by Phil Tinline. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781805260356'Another England: How to Reclaim Our National Story' by Caroline Lucas. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781804941591More generally, buying your books via the Since Attlee & Churchill page on Bookshop.org 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.
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1:01:38
Matters of Interest: 'Are the old Political Parties over?' & Thatcher's Legacy
Richard kicks off this week's 'Matters of Interest' episode by discussing whether the old political parties in Britain - the Conservatives and Labour - are dying, changing, or simply finding they have new competitors vying for power. Lee focuses on the question of Margaret Thatcher's legacy, one he is keen to defend - and Richard even keener to condemn.Visit the Since Attlee & Churchill bookshop to find books recently discussed on the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Did Margaret Thatcher have to resign as Prime Minister?
October 2025 marks 100 years since the birth of Margaret Thatcher. In this week's podcast, Lee and Richard discuss the dramatic events that came in her sixty-sixth year: her downfall as Prime Minister. Why did she resign after eleven and a half years in Number 10? Could she have fought on? And if she had stayed in power, would she have won the 1991/2 general election? Listen to find out their answers to these questions - and more.In this episode, the following books are mentioned:'The World We Have Lost' by Peter Laslett. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780367705329'The Man Who Was Thursday' by G. K. Chesterton. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9781513271842 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Matters of Interest: Political Awareness, Party Memberships & Public Loos
This week, Lee and Richard discuss whether the public really pay attention to politics - with Lee challenging the shibboleth of some political commentators that very few people really pay attention to what is going on in Westminster. They also discuss party memberships, following news that the Lib Dem membership has halved in the last five years. And Richard shares his thoughts on the importance of free-to-use toilets in public spaces, in a discussion that ranges from the London Underground to Japan via one of Barbara Castle's first ever political campaigns.Since Attlee & Churchill Substack, featuring bonus podcasts: https://www.sinceattleeandchurchill.com/Since Attlee & Churchill bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Was Barbara Castle Labour's Iron Lady?
115 years ago this week, one of Labour's most iconic politicians was born. Barbara Castle grew up in Yorkshire before attending Oxford University and becoming a Labour MP in 1945. For over three decades, she was one of the best-known MPs in the country and one of the most forceful advocates for socialism. In this episode, Lee interviews Richard about Castle's life and achievements and Richard explains why she is his favourite Labour politician of all time.In this episode, the following books are mentioned:'A Year with Gilbert White' by Jenny Uglow. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780571354184'The Castle Diaries 1964-1976' by Barbara Castle. Available at: https://amzn.to/4732K78Did you know there is also a Since Attlee & Churchill Substack? Find it at: https://www.sinceattleeandchurchill.com/ 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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