History of Parliament
@histparl.bsky.social
Creating a comprehensive account of parliamentary politics in England, then the UK, from the thirteenth century to the present day.
You can find us at other places, here: https://linktr.ee/historyofparliament
You can find us at other places, here: https://linktr.ee/historyofparliament
Pinned
Annual Lecture: Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51
Join us for the History of Parliament Annual Lecture for 2025, given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
The History of Parliament is excited to announce this year's Annual Lecture!
On 16 December in Portcullis House, Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds will be speaking on 'Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
Tickets are FREE and can be found in the link below:
On 16 December in Portcullis House, Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds will be speaking on 'Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.
Tickets are FREE and can be found in the link below:
Born #OTD 1930, Alan Lee Williams, Labour MP for Hornchurch 1966-70 and 1974-1979, before joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 1980s. Find out how to access his 2012 #OralHistory interview, here.
historyofparliamentonline.org
November 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Born #OTD 1930, Alan Lee Williams, Labour MP for Hornchurch 1966-70 and 1974-1979, before joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 1980s. Find out how to access his 2012 #OralHistory interview, here.
#OTD 1990 Margaret Thatcher resigned as Prime Minister. Her fall from power was one of the most dramatic moments in modern British history, and has been mentioned frequently in our #OralHistoryProject, as @EmmaPeplow explored for #HistParl in 2015.
Memories of Thatcher’s fall - The History of Parliament
25 years ago this week the Conservative Party were in the process of electing a new leader after Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister for over 11 years, stood
historyofparliament.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
#OTD 1990 Margaret Thatcher resigned as Prime Minister. Her fall from power was one of the most dramatic moments in modern British history, and has been mentioned frequently in our #OralHistoryProject, as @EmmaPeplow explored for #HistParl in 2015.
#OTD 1905 Arthur Griffith is generally regarded as having founded Sinn Fein.
In this article, Kirsty O'Rourke looks at the origins of the party and its founder:
In this article, Kirsty O'Rourke looks at the origins of the party and its founder:
The origins of Sinn Féin - The History of Parliament
In a series of two blogs, our Public Engagement Assistant, Kirsty O'Rourke, will discuss the 20th century history of Sinn Féin. In this first blog, Kirsty
historyofparliament.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:46 PM
#OTD 1905 Arthur Griffith is generally regarded as having founded Sinn Fein.
In this article, Kirsty O'Rourke looks at the origins of the party and its founder:
In this article, Kirsty O'Rourke looks at the origins of the party and its founder:
'Materials of State' concludes today at 1:45pm on BBC Radio 4. If you missed any of the episodes, don't fret! You can catch up with the rest of the series either on BBC iPlayer or on BBC Sounds!
BBC Radio 4 - Materials of State
David Cannadine examines some of the objects that make the British constitution so unique.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
'Materials of State' concludes today at 1:45pm on BBC Radio 4. If you missed any of the episodes, don't fret! You can catch up with the rest of the series either on BBC iPlayer or on BBC Sounds!
Died #OTD 1632, John Eliot, MP for various Cornish constituencies between 1614-1629. Eliot was an outspoken critic of Charles I, unafraid to speak out in the chamber. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London twice, eventually dying whilst detained there. Read more:
www.historyofparliamentonline.org
November 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Died #OTD 1632, John Eliot, MP for various Cornish constituencies between 1614-1629. Eliot was an outspoken critic of Charles I, unafraid to speak out in the chamber. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London twice, eventually dying whilst detained there. Read more:
Born #OTD 1586, Sir John Wray.
MP for Grimsby and then Lincolnshire, he was a defiant figure in Parliament, refusing to pay the Forced Loan and thus imprisoned. He later lost his seat after being ejected at Pride's Purge, even though he sided against the King during the Civil War:
MP for Grimsby and then Lincolnshire, he was a defiant figure in Parliament, refusing to pay the Forced Loan and thus imprisoned. He later lost his seat after being ejected at Pride's Purge, even though he sided against the King during the Civil War:
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Born #OTD 1586, Sir John Wray.
MP for Grimsby and then Lincolnshire, he was a defiant figure in Parliament, refusing to pay the Forced Loan and thus imprisoned. He later lost his seat after being ejected at Pride's Purge, even though he sided against the King during the Civil War:
MP for Grimsby and then Lincolnshire, he was a defiant figure in Parliament, refusing to pay the Forced Loan and thus imprisoned. He later lost his seat after being ejected at Pride's Purge, even though he sided against the King during the Civil War:
On today's episode of 'Materials of State' (BBC Radio 4) David Cannadine will be exploring the history of Black Rod.
The series has been made in association with the History of Parliament. Check out some extra content we have produced about Black Rod below 🧵
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
The series has been made in association with the History of Parliament. Check out some extra content we have produced about Black Rod below 🧵
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Materials of State, Black Rod
David Cannadine looks at the history and symbolism of Black Rod.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
On today's episode of 'Materials of State' (BBC Radio 4) David Cannadine will be exploring the history of Black Rod.
The series has been made in association with the History of Parliament. Check out some extra content we have produced about Black Rod below 🧵
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
The series has been made in association with the History of Parliament. Check out some extra content we have produced about Black Rod below 🧵
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
On 3 December, Helen Wilson will be speaking at a special joint session of the IHR’s Parliaments, Politics and People and British History in the Long 18th Century seminars.
Find out more about her paper on 'Reconstructing Black Participation in British Politics, 1750-1850' below:
Find out more about her paper on 'Reconstructing Black Participation in British Politics, 1750-1850' below:
Black and Political: Reconstructing Black Participation in British Politics, 1750-1850 - The History of Parliament
Dr Helen Wilson will be discussing Black participation in British Politics between 1750 and 1850.
historyofparliament.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
On 3 December, Helen Wilson will be speaking at a special joint session of the IHR’s Parliaments, Politics and People and British History in the Long 18th Century seminars.
Find out more about her paper on 'Reconstructing Black Participation in British Politics, 1750-1850' below:
Find out more about her paper on 'Reconstructing Black Participation in British Politics, 1750-1850' below:
With Budget Day 2025 taking place today, you may be wondering when was the first budget?
Check out this article by Dr Paul Seaward, who explores the origins of what could be considered as the first budget:
Check out this article by Dr Paul Seaward, who explores the origins of what could be considered as the first budget:
The first budget? Walpole’s bag of tricks and the origins of the chancellor’s great secret
The word is often said to be derived from the old french word for a little bag or purse. But there is more to it than that. As the Oxford English Dictionary points out, the phrase ‘to open on…
historyofparliamentblog.wordpress.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM
With Budget Day 2025 taking place today, you may be wondering when was the first budget?
Check out this article by Dr Paul Seaward, who explores the origins of what could be considered as the first budget:
Check out this article by Dr Paul Seaward, who explores the origins of what could be considered as the first budget:
Today is #BudgetDay 2025!
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
November 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Today is #BudgetDay 2025!
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
On today's episode of 'Materials of State' on BBC Radio 4, David Cannadine alongside Dr Mari Takayanagi
(@satisfactory20.bsky.social), will be examing the history of the ballot box.
We've published several articles on the history of the secret ballot 🧵
(@satisfactory20.bsky.social), will be examing the history of the ballot box.
We've published several articles on the history of the secret ballot 🧵
November 26, 2025 at 8:30 AM
On today's episode of 'Materials of State' on BBC Radio 4, David Cannadine alongside Dr Mari Takayanagi
(@satisfactory20.bsky.social), will be examing the history of the ballot box.
We've published several articles on the history of the secret ballot 🧵
(@satisfactory20.bsky.social), will be examing the history of the ballot box.
We've published several articles on the history of the secret ballot 🧵
Tonight Natalee Garrett will be speaking at the IHR Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar where she will be discussing her paper on 'Jane, Duchess of Gordon and the Romanticisation of Scottish Identity in London, c.1780-1812'.
Details of how to attend online can be found below:
Details of how to attend online can be found below:
‘A Tartan Belle’: Jane, Duchess of Gordon and the Romanticisation of Scottish Identity in London, c.1780-1812
Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.
www.history.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Tonight Natalee Garrett will be speaking at the IHR Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar where she will be discussing her paper on 'Jane, Duchess of Gordon and the Romanticisation of Scottish Identity in London, c.1780-1812'.
Details of how to attend online can be found below:
Details of how to attend online can be found below:
#OTD 1696, a bill was passed that would result in the execution of Sir John Fenwick for treason.
Dr Paul Seaward explores the reasonings behind his beheading and how a bill of attainder sentenced Fenwick to death without the provision of two witnesses:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/25/t...
Dr Paul Seaward explores the reasonings behind his beheading and how a bill of attainder sentenced Fenwick to death without the provision of two witnesses:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/25/t...
The passing of the bill of attainder against the Jacobite Sir John Fenwick - The History of Parliament
after a bitter series of debates, finally passed a bill that would result in the execution of the Northumbrian baronet Sir John Fenwick, for treason
historyofparliament.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:32 AM
#OTD 1696, a bill was passed that would result in the execution of Sir John Fenwick for treason.
Dr Paul Seaward explores the reasonings behind his beheading and how a bill of attainder sentenced Fenwick to death without the provision of two witnesses:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/25/t...
Dr Paul Seaward explores the reasonings behind his beheading and how a bill of attainder sentenced Fenwick to death without the provision of two witnesses:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/25/t...
In the second episode of 'Materials of State', David Cannadine will be exploring the importance of the Sword of State, which you can listen to at 1:45pm today on BBC Radio 4.
Looking through our archive we have highlighted some of our favourite ways the Sword of State has appeared in our research 🧵
Looking through our archive we have highlighted some of our favourite ways the Sword of State has appeared in our research 🧵
November 25, 2025 at 9:15 AM
In the second episode of 'Materials of State', David Cannadine will be exploring the importance of the Sword of State, which you can listen to at 1:45pm today on BBC Radio 4.
Looking through our archive we have highlighted some of our favourite ways the Sword of State has appeared in our research 🧵
Looking through our archive we have highlighted some of our favourite ways the Sword of State has appeared in our research 🧵
Died #OTD 1848, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Although his first ministry survived four months, he was able to return to the position following the 1835 general election after Peel and the Conservatives were unable to secure a majority:
Although his first ministry survived four months, he was able to return to the position following the 1835 general election after Peel and the Conservatives were unable to secure a majority:
The evolving electoral system: the 1835 and 1865 general elections compared - The History of Parliament
The 1835 and 1865 general elections both took place under the electoral system established by the 1832 Reform Act, with 1865 being the last general election before the 1867 Reform Act made…
historyofparliament.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Died #OTD 1848, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Although his first ministry survived four months, he was able to return to the position following the 1835 general election after Peel and the Conservatives were unable to secure a majority:
Although his first ministry survived four months, he was able to return to the position following the 1835 general election after Peel and the Conservatives were unable to secure a majority:
#OTD 1586, after intense parliamentary activity, Elizabeth I delivered a speech in response to a petition from both Houses.
Her reply greatly disappointed her listeners; the silence was deafening. Find out why👇
Her reply greatly disappointed her listeners; the silence was deafening. Find out why👇
The ‘Answer Answerless’ and Elizabeth I’s attitude towards the Parliament of 1586-7 - The History of Parliament
The Parliament of 1586-7 – the sixth of Elizabeth’s reign - had been called after the discovery of the Babington Plot, whereby Elizabeth’s prisoner, the
ow.ly
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
#OTD 1586, after intense parliamentary activity, Elizabeth I delivered a speech in response to a petition from both Houses.
Her reply greatly disappointed her listeners; the silence was deafening. Find out why👇
Her reply greatly disappointed her listeners; the silence was deafening. Find out why👇
'Materials of State' will be airing this week on Radio 4, made in association with the History of Parliament.
The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.
You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE
The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.
You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE
BBC Radio 4 - Materials of State, The Union Jack
David Cannadine explores the history of the Union Jack.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:25 AM
'Materials of State' will be airing this week on Radio 4, made in association with the History of Parliament.
The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.
You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE
The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.
You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE
#OTD 1499, pretender to the throne Perkin Warbeck was hanged for treason.
Dr Hannes Kleineke explores the Warbeck conspiracy and the story of his failed rebellion against Henry VII:
Dr Hannes Kleineke explores the Warbeck conspiracy and the story of his failed rebellion against Henry VII:
Unrest in the West: The Perkin Warbeck Conspiracy - The History of Parliament
On this day, 1499, Perkin Warbeck, a pretender to the English throne, was hanged for treason, bringing an end to one of the most significant threats to Henry
historyofparliament.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#OTD 1499, pretender to the throne Perkin Warbeck was hanged for treason.
Dr Hannes Kleineke explores the Warbeck conspiracy and the story of his failed rebellion against Henry VII:
Dr Hannes Kleineke explores the Warbeck conspiracy and the story of his failed rebellion against Henry VII:
#OTD 1883, the first by-election in England held under the rules of the 1883 Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act took place.
Dr Kathryn Rix explores the impact that the Act had on electioneering during the York by-election:
Dr Kathryn Rix explores the impact that the Act had on electioneering during the York by-election:
The impact of the 1883 Corrupt Practices Act: the York by-election - The History of Parliament
series on the 1883 Corrupt and Illegal Practice Act, Dr Kathryn Rix looks at its impact on electioneering, focusing on the November 1883 York by-election
historyofparliament.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
#OTD 1883, the first by-election in England held under the rules of the 1883 Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act took place.
Dr Kathryn Rix explores the impact that the Act had on electioneering during the York by-election:
Dr Kathryn Rix explores the impact that the Act had on electioneering during the York by-election:
Reposted by History of Parliament
This was a thing in the 18th century, too. See Charles Littleton's post on cricket and the Georgian aristocracy:
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
‘Kind patron of the mirthful fray’: the English aristocracy and cricket in the 18th century - The History of Parliament
The Ashes Test series currently under way provides an opportunity to consider the English aristocracy’s role in cricket’s early development in the 18th
historyofparliament.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:04 PM
This was a thing in the 18th century, too. See Charles Littleton's post on cricket and the Georgian aristocracy:
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
Born #OTD 1639, Sir Richard Knight.
Returned to Lymington in 1678 near the end of the Cavalier Parliament, after being unsuccessful the next year in running for Hampshire it was said that "what with a former indisposition and present drinking, poor man, he died the next day after."
Returned to Lymington in 1678 near the end of the Cavalier Parliament, after being unsuccessful the next year in running for Hampshire it was said that "what with a former indisposition and present drinking, poor man, he died the next day after."
historyofparliamentonline.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Born #OTD 1639, Sir Richard Knight.
Returned to Lymington in 1678 near the end of the Cavalier Parliament, after being unsuccessful the next year in running for Hampshire it was said that "what with a former indisposition and present drinking, poor man, he died the next day after."
Returned to Lymington in 1678 near the end of the Cavalier Parliament, after being unsuccessful the next year in running for Hampshire it was said that "what with a former indisposition and present drinking, poor man, he died the next day after."
With this years Ashes beginning in the early hours of this morning, we thought we'd point you in the direction of @TheVictCommons where they explore the link between cricket and the Victorian House of Commons
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/20/c...
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/20/c...
Cricket in the Commons: a Victorian First Eleven - The History of Parliament
With the 2025 Ashes between England and Australia getting underway this week, we have a cricketing themed post from our House of Commons, 1832-1945 project.
historyofparliament.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:38 AM
With this years Ashes beginning in the early hours of this morning, we thought we'd point you in the direction of @TheVictCommons where they explore the link between cricket and the Victorian House of Commons
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/20/c...
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/20/c...
#OTD 1918 the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, giving women the right to stand for parliament, gained royal assent.
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
‘She is an Outsider in Public Life’: women parliamentary candidates, 1918-1923 - The History of Parliament
Ahead of tonight’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, we hear from Lisa Berry-Waite, a Leverhulme-funded PhD
historyofparliament.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OTD 1918 the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, giving women the right to stand for parliament, gained royal assent.
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
#OTD in 1459 marked the opening of the Coventry Parliament.
Although this Parliament only met briefly between November and December 1459, it would have a lasting impact in the Wars of the Roses:
Although this Parliament only met briefly between November and December 1459, it would have a lasting impact in the Wars of the Roses:
A turning-point in the Wars of the Roses: the attainders of the Coventry Parliament - The History of Parliament
As significant, however, as this Parliament was in the history of the Wars of the Roses, it had as least as great a longer-term significance. It saw the
historyofparliament.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:02 PM
#OTD in 1459 marked the opening of the Coventry Parliament.
Although this Parliament only met briefly between November and December 1459, it would have a lasting impact in the Wars of the Roses:
Although this Parliament only met briefly between November and December 1459, it would have a lasting impact in the Wars of the Roses:
This year's Annual Lecture will be taking place on 16 December, where Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, will be speaking on Clement Attlee's Labour Governments.
Grab your FREE ticket below before its too late: hptannuallecture2025.eventbrite.co.uk
Grab your FREE ticket below before its too late: hptannuallecture2025.eventbrite.co.uk
Annual Lecture: Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51
Join us for the History of Parliament Annual Lecture for 2025, given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds.
HPTAnnualLecture2025.eventbrite.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
This year's Annual Lecture will be taking place on 16 December, where Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, will be speaking on Clement Attlee's Labour Governments.
Grab your FREE ticket below before its too late: hptannuallecture2025.eventbrite.co.uk
Grab your FREE ticket below before its too late: hptannuallecture2025.eventbrite.co.uk