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On this page you will find the latest History & Policy news. Older news items are in our news archive. To keep up-to-date with the latest History & Policy news, sign up for our email alerts or follow us on Twitter.
Afghanistan's armies, past and present
H&P paper, 8 July 2010
As General Petraeus takes over as Commander of US forces in Afghanistan and British troops withdraw from the Sangin region, a new H&P paper explores the challenge of creating and maintaining an Afghan national army. Stephanie Cronin of Oxford University examines previous attempts at state-building and army reform from the nineteenth century to the Soviet era and the present day. She argues that unless NATO changes its strategy, it will continue to repeat the mistakes of the past. This paper is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand why the Afghan mission remains so intractable and continues to cost so many lives.
Read the paper: Afghanistan's armies, past and present.
Working with select committees
H&P resource, 8 July 2010
As part of a secondment with H&P, Dr David Turner, Committee Specialist at the Health Select Committee, has prepared a guide for historians on working with select committees. This is now available to download from our resources section and will be of use to any historian wanting to get involved in the work of select committees. Since 2006, H&P has worked with historians to provide written evidence to seven select committee inquiries and has facilitated oral evidence by a historian to one further inquiry.
Download Dr Turner's paper here [pdf file, 66kb].
Read previous H&P submissions to select committees here.
Co-operation in politics is hardly a new idea
Interview, July 2010
In our latest collaborative feature with BBC History Magazine, Chris Bowlby talks to Matthew Francis about the tradition of co-operatives and mutualism in British politics.
Read the article. Other articles from the series can be found in our BBC History section.
Lessons from Victorian information policy
H&P paper, 30 June 2010
In a new H&P paper, Toni Weller of De Montfort University traces the development of information policy in the UK since the nineteenth century. She argues that current government plans to roll back the 'information state' would benefit from an understanding of decentralised Victorian approaches to information policy.
Read the paper: The Victorian information age: nineteenth century answers to today's information policy questions?.
The scandal of maternal death rates in history and policy
Opinion, 27 June 2010
In an article published by the Guardian online, H&P historian Graham Mooney of John Hopkins University queries the Prime Minister's claim that the Conservative-Liberal government of the mid-1930s ended the scandal of maternal death rates in Britain. He argues that a complex array of factors contributed to the decline in death rates and urges world leaders at the G8 and G20 summits to learn the real lessons from Britain's historical experience as they design policy for the developing world today.
Read the article.
Historian key witness in trial of white supremacists
Interview, 24 June 2010
H&P historian Matthew Feldman of Northampton University has commented on the recent conviction of two members of the neo-Nazi group Aryan Strike Force for inciting racial hatred. He gave expert evidence during the trial of Trevor Hannington from South Wales and Michael Heaton from Lancashire.
Read Matthew's interview with Channel 4 News and his comments in the Jewish Chronicle.
Democratic access to academic knowledge
Opinion, 23 June 2010
In an article for openDemocracy, H&P historian Fay Bound Alberti calls on the government to reform access to publicly-funded academic research. She argues that with a simple change to copyright law, UK Research Councils could make public access a condition of funding. Fay is Senior Research Fellow at Queen Mary, University of London and senior policy advisor to H&P's co-funder Arcadia.
Read the article.
History offers no route-map: these spending cuts have no precedent
Rapid response, 22 June 2010
Glen O'Hara compares the public spending cuts announced in the budget with previous periods of spending restraint - the 'Geddes Axe' of 1922-23, the years following the IMF loan of 1976, and the Conservatives' deficit reduction in the early 1990s.
Read the article.
The 'Big Society' and the state
H&P paper, 22 June 2010
Matthew Hilton, James McKay, Nicholas Crowson and Jean-Francois Mouhot of Birmingham University explore the history of civic participation and voluntary action in Britain, drawing lessons for the government's 'Big Society' agenda. This is based on a paper prepared for a H&P seminar with the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit, attended by seven historians in the H&P Network.
Read the paper: 'The Big Society': civic participation and the state in modern Britain.
You can also read the other papers prepared for the Strategy Unit on our resources page.
What's a 'back office' for? The case of policing
Opinion, 22 June 2010
Police historian Chris A. Williams examines the role of 'back office' staff in the police, explaining why they were introduced and what could happen if cuts go too far. Read the article.
Austerity was a hard sell in the 40s. Today it's harder still
Comment, 22 June 2010
Historian David Kynaston outlines lessons from the age of austerity in today's Guardian, arguing that postwar cohesion came from a sense of shared purpose, a sense of equity of sacrifice, and faith in leadership. Read the article.
Baby Boomers not to blame says historian
Interview, 21 June 2010
H&P co-founder Pat Thane was interviewed for BBC Radio 4's Analysis programme 'Baby Boomers on Trial', which examines the idea that the generation born during the postwar boom have 'squandered the inheritance their prudent parents left them and [left] little behind for their own children'. Hear the programme: Baby Boomers on Trial.
New History & Policy MA options launched
New course, 16 June 2010
From September 2010, two new History & Policy MA options will enable students to explore how history can inform key areas of current policy and how to communicate their work to policy audiences. The MA in Contemporary British History will be offered at King's College London, including the new options: 'policymaking under pressure' and 'long-term policy problems'. The course is aimed at anyone seeking a history MA with a unique and contemporary twist that is clearly relevant and applicable to the present. H&P co-managers Pat Thane and Richard Roberts will be among those teaching the options, along with H&P staff.
For full details of the new options, see the Centre for Contemporary British History website or click here to see full details of the MA on the King's College website.
The power of the Prime Minister
H&P Paper, 9 June 2010
Andrew Blick and George Jones examine the idea that the Prime Minister's personal power has increased in recent years. They question the evidence that a UK 'presidency' has developed and explore the implications for the coalition government.
Read the paper: The power of the Prime Minister
Has Britain always united behind commemorations of the war dead?
Interview, June 2010
In our latest collaborative feature with BBC History Magazine, Chris Bowlby talks to Lucy Noakes about the history of war commemoration, and finds that it has caused division as well as unity.
Read the article. Other articles from the series can be found in our BBC History section.
History of coalition governments
Interview, 28 May 2010
H&P historian Steven Fielding was interviewed about the history of coalition governments on the BBC News programme 'The Record Review'. You can watch the programme on the BBC website.
What are academic historians for?
Opinion, 27 May 2010
Martin Johnes considers the contributions that historians can make to society, examining how history is used in Wales. Read his article at WalesHome.org.
MMR, autism and the history of medical controversies
Rapid response, 25 May 2010
Yesterday the General Medical Council ruled that Andrew Wakefield, the doctor who suggested a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, would be struck off the medical register. Exeter historian Matthew Smith puts the controversy in historical context in a rapid response for H&P: MMR, autism and the history of medical controversies.
Dr Liam Fox: More Palmerston than Blair?
Rapid response, 24 May 2010
In a recent interview with The Times, the Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox described himself as 'more Palmerston than Blair'. Adam Shelley examines the comparison in a rapid response for H&P: Dr Liam Fox: More Palmerston than Blair?
Scrapping the police 'stop' form
Opinion, 24 May 2010
Police historian James Whitfield considers the new government's plans to reduce the burden of 'stop and search' procedures, and scrap the 'stop' form, outlining implications for the public.
Read his article: Scrapping the police 'stop' form. See also:
- Policing the Windrush generation, a History & Policy paper by James Whitfield
- Stop and search: what can we learn from history?, a BBC History Magazine article by James Whitfield.
Summer reading list for MPs
Interview, 22 May 2010
H&P historian Sarah Richardson and Lord Hurd, former foreign secretary, advise MPs on some historical reading matter in an interview on the Today programme.
Apprenticeships: still the best route into the working world?
Feature, May 2010
Chris Bowlby talks to H&P Trade Union Forum member Paul Ryan about the history of working apprenticeships from the pre-industrial age to the present day. 'Apprenticeships: still the best route into the working world?' is the latest article in H&P's collaborative series with BBC History Magazine. Other articles can be found in our BBC History section.
Historians can have many roles in public life
Letter, 20 May 2010
The co-managers of H&P have had a letter published in Times Higher Education asserting the value of history to current policymaking. They were responding to a feature by Professor Richard Overy of the University of Exeter.
The H&P Managers' letter is available on the THE website.
Nick Clegg and the not-so-great 1832 Reform Act
Opinion, 20 May 2010
Two historians in the H&P Network have responded to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's use of the 1832 Reform Act in his speech on political reform, which was widely reported without question by the national media. Steven Fielding of Nottingham University reminds us what the Reform Act of 1832 achieved, and why it was an unfortunate parallel to choose. Sarah Richardson of Warwick University explains why Clegg's references to 1832 were bad history.
Read Steven Fielding's article.
Read Sarah Richardson's comment.
There were also examples of 'good history' in some media coverage of the speech, including David Aaronovitch's comment in The Times, and Ben Wright's feature for BBC online.
What next for Gordon Brown?
Paper, 19 May 2010
Kevin Theakston looks at what former Prime Ministers have done after leaving office, and gives some advice for Gordon Brown.
Read the paper What next for Gordon Brown?
Read Prof Theakston's opinion article in the Yorkshire Post: Brown begins his adventures in the afterlife.
Read the press release [pdf file, 46KB].
If Cameron is the new Baldwin, where does this leave Clegg?
Opinion, 19 May 2010
Steven Fielding explores historical precedents for the Liberal Democrat - Conservative coalition, comparing David Cameron with Stanley Baldwin. Read his article.
British Airways versus Unite in historical context
Interview, 18 May 2010
H&P co-founder Alastair Reid was interviewed on BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight in a report about the court battle between British Airways and the Unite union. He discussed the historical precedents for employers using the law to prevent strike action.
You can listen again to the report on the BBC Radio 4 website (24 minutes in)
See also: H&P Trade Union Forum and Trade unions: a foundation of political pluralism?.
BA cabin crew: the London dockers of our time?
Rapid response, 17 May 2010
Philip Hammond, the new transport secretary, recently compared British Airways cabin crew strikes with actions by London dockyard workers in the 1960s. Glasgow historian Jim Phillips examines the comparison. Read his comment.
Avoiding Irish entanglements
Opinion, 12 May 2010
Iain McLean considers what might have happened had the Conservatives allied with Ulster Unionists. Read his article: Avoiding Irish entanglements.
A Conservative - Labour coalition?
Rapid response, 11 May 2010
David Edgerton looks back to the Labour-Conservative coalition of 1940, and suggests that New Labour is closer to the Conservatives in policy terms than the Liberal Democrats. Read his comment: A Conservative - Labour coalition?
Electoral reform: The battle for fairer votes begins here
Opinion, 10 May 2010
Iain McLean outlines options for electoral reform in an article for the Independent.
A lesson for Clegg: what happened when the Liberals supported a minority government
Blog, 10 May 2010
Steven Fielding looks back to the 1923 and 1929 elections, when the Liberals helped a minority Labour government to remain in power. Read the blog on the University of Nottingham Election 2010 website.
Advice for a new government
Article, 8 May 2010
H&P contributor David Reynolds suggests some essential reading for a new government, in an article for the Guardian.
That Cabinet Manual in full
Opinion, 7 May 2010
Iain McLean discusses the Cabinet Manual which has laid down conventions for the formation of government in a hung parliament, and considers the role of the Monarch.
Read the article: That Cabinet Manual in full.
Another election this year?
Rapid response, 7 May 2010
H&P contributor Richard Toye gives an historical perspective on the hung parliament, and suggests there will be another election this year.
Read his comment.
Proportional Representation: historical destiny beckons?
Opinion, 6 May 2010
H&P co-founder Simon Szreter suggests that the two-party political system, supported by first-past-the-post elections, is out of date. He outlines the changes in British society that support his case for proportional representation.
Read the article.
Today's toughest policy problems: how history can help
H&P paper, 5 May 2010
To mark the milestone of our 100th paper, H&P has today published a special, pre-election policy paper. Drawing on expertise and ideas from some of the previous 99 papers, Mel Porter and Alastair J. Reid explore what historians can contribute to today's major policy questions. In Today's toughest policy problems: how history can help, they examine the knotty issues that will face the new government: the economy and finance, democracy and political reform, social policy, the NHS and public health, climate change and international security.
Read the paper, and the press release.
Nuclear elections
Opinion, 4 May 2010
Matthew Grant examines the role of nuclear weapons in British election campaigns. Read the article: Nuclear elections.
Scrap the Tory plans and bring in PR
Opinion, 2 May 2010
H&P network member Iain McLean explains the anti-Conservative bias of the current electoral system and puts forward a case for proportional representation. Read the article on the Guardian's CiF at the Polls.
Would changing our electoral system result in perpetual hung parliaments?
Blog, 2 May 2010
Steven Fielding looks at past coalition governments and questions whether the first-past-the-post system delivers decisive election outcomes. Read the article on the University of Nottingham election 2010 blog.
Where will the axe fall? Public opinion and spending cuts
Rapid response, 30 April 2010
Henry Irving discusses the election campaign of 1950 and suggests the Conservatives lost because they failed to give voters enough detail on spending cuts. Read the article: Where will the axe fall? Public opinion and spending cuts.
H&P historian illuminates past attempts to cut public spending in new report for policymakers
Report, April 2010
Research by H&P co-manager Richard Roberts was published in a new report exploring the historical precedents for major cuts to public spending. In 'Sharpening the Axe', published by Lombard Street Research, Professor Roberts explores the so-called 'Geddes Axe' drive for retrenchment during the 1920s. He argues that the spending cuts achieved were not as swingeing as people have since assumed, and highlights the relevance of this largely unresearched episode for today's policymakers.
The report was covered by financial commentator Anthony Hilton in two articles in the Evening Standard: Why there is no need for a hung parliament hang-up, and Off-target government cuts could cause untold damage. It was also reported in the Independent and the Guardian.
Richard Roberts is Director of the Centre for Contemporary British History and co-manager of History & Policy. To get in touch with him, please contact us.
When the wheels came off Brown's campaign bus
Opinion, 29 April 2010
Jon Lawrence compares Gordon Brown's 'bigotgate' to previous political gaffes, including David Lloyd George's slip-up in Rochdale in 1923, and explains why Brown's may be worse. Read the article: When the wheels came off Brown's campaign bus.
Changing the rules by stealth: the UK's constitution is being written as the public follows the election
Opinion, 29 April 2010
Andrew Blick writes for OurKingdom (part of openDemocracy) about the Cabinet Manual which could lay the foundations for a written UK constitution. Read the article.
UK constitution is being written behind closed doors of the Cabinet Office
Opinion, 23 April 2010
Andrew Blick examines how history is being used to determine a course of action if the election results in a hung parliament. He warns that plans for a UK constitution are being drawn up behind the closed doors of the Cabinet Office and calls for a more democratic process. Read the article: Cabinet Office quest for written constitution should worry historians.
Revisiting the 'Big Society'
Opinion, 23 April 2010
Henry Irving uncovers the history behind the Conservatives plan for a 'Big Society' . Read the article: Revisiting the 'Big Society'.
Don't mention the war? History suggests foreign policy can swing voters
Opinion, 22 April 2010
Ahead of the second leaders' debate historian Jenna Phillips discusses how foreign policy influences voters, looking back to the 1951 and 1970 elections. Read her article: Don't mention the war? History suggests foreign policy can swing voters.
Leaders' debates: keeping the hustings alive?
Blog, 21 April 2010
Jon Lawrence examines the televised Prime Ministerial debates and considers how the spirit of the hustings can be revived in the internet age. Read his article on the OUP blog. See also: The hustings, broadcasters and the future of British democracy.
History suggests that Scandinavian policies will be lost in translation
Rapid response, 21 April 2010
Conservative plans to create Swedish-style free schools are examined by historian Glen O'Hara. He suggests that policymakers should learn from previous attempts to import policy ideas from other countries. Read his comment.
Meet the Nick Clegg of 1942: Sir Stafford Cripps
Article, 18 April 2010
H&P historian Steven Fielding (University of Nottingham) discusses Nick Clegg's rise in popularity following the first televised leaders' debate, drawing lessons from 1942. Read the article on the Guardian website.
Does health policy need history?
Article, March 2010
H&P co-founder Virginia Berridge discusses the use of history in health policymaking, in the Lancet. Read the article: Thinking in time: does health policy need history as evidence?
Labour's manifesto image
Blog post, 12 April 2010
H&P contributor Christopher Burgess discusses the recurring image of the sunrise in British politics, in a blog on the University of Nottingham website.
See also Christopher Burgess' H&P article: 'Posters in history'.
History suggests "boom and bust" won't go away
Opinion article, 12 April 2010
Historian David Hall-Matthews (University of Leeds) discusses Gordon Brown's recent interview on the Today programme, in which he argued that the causes of the global financial crisis were unprecedented. Read the article: History suggests "boom and bust" won't go away.
A return to Victorian levels of railway building?
Rapid response, 12 April 2010
Transport historian Colin Divall (University of York) examines Liberal Democrat plans to expand the rail network: A return to Victorian levels of railway building?
Is it time to let government advisers out of their cage?
Feature, April 2010
Reflecting on the sacking of David Nutt, a government adviser on drugs policy, Chris Bowlby talks to David Edgerton about the changing relationship between politicians and scientists. 'Changing times: Is it time to let government advisers out of their cage'? is the latest article in H&P's collaborative series with BBC History Magazine. Other articles can be found in our BBC History section.
Political historians pool their expertise ahead of General Election
New H&P Forum, 31 March 2010
A group of expert political historians is now available to provide comment on a range of key issues ahead of, during and immediately after the General Election, including:
- Electoral reform
- Hung parliaments
- Election campaigning
- Public engagement with politics
- Candidate selection
- Cabinet appointments and coalition governments
For more information on the forum, and for details of how to contact a historian, please see our press note.
The forgotten impact of a war that didn't happen
Feature, 30 March 2010
Holger Nehring suggests that the impact of the Cold War arms race on politics and society has been forgotten. This is the forth article from the Lest we forget series, produced in partnership with openDemocracy.
Read the article: The forgotten impact of a war that didn't happen.
Historians comment on the 2010 Budget announcement and debate
Rapid response, 25 March 2010
Historians in the H&P network offer rapid responses to the 2010 budget announcement and debate:
- Glen O'Hara of Oxford Brookes University, puts public debt in historical perspective
- Ronen Palan of Birmingham University, evaluates Alistair Darling's announcement on tax havens
- Hugh Pemberton (University of Bristol) and Noel Whiteside (University of Warwick) discuss public sector pensions
You can read their comments on our opinion page.
Unequal Britain: equalities in Britain since 1945
H&P paper, 24 March 2010
In a new H&P paper published as the Equality Bill reaches the final stages in parliament, Pat Thane outlines the long struggle for equality by some of Britain's most marginalised groups. Read the paper, Unequal Britain: equalities in Britain since 1945.
Read the press release [pdf file, 65KB]
The paper is based on a new book Unequal Britain: equalities in Britain since 1945 edited by Pat Thane and published by Continuum. H&P subscribers can buy the book at a discount. To do so, please download this flyer.
The book was launched with a discussion at the British Academy, with a panel of speakers including Rob Berkeley, Trevor Phillips OBE, Peter Tatchell, Judith Okely, Baroness Sally Greengross and Pat Thane. A podcast of the discussion will be available soon on the British Academy website.
US healthcare reform
Article, March 2010
On Sunday evening, the US House of Representatives finally passed the healthcare reform bill by 219 votes to 212. In a recent article for 'History Today', H&P contributor Martin Gorsky outlines the history of the struggle for public healthcare in the US.
Read the article: Good Health for America?
Wave energy development in the UK
Opinion article, 22 March 2010
Last week the Crown Estate announced that new wave and tidal energy sites would be developed in the Pentland Firth. Campbell Wilson, an energy historian from the University of Glasgow, outlines what we can learn from previous attempts to develop wave energy technology in the UK.
Read Campbell Wilson's article: Choosing your history: Wave energy development in the UK
Forgotten lessons: Palestine and the British empire
Feature, 19 March 2010
James Renton examines the legacy of British involvement in Palestine, arguing that mandate-era misjudgements are being readily repeated. This is the third article from the Lest we forget series, produced in partnership with openDemocracy.
Read the article: Forgotten lessons: Palestine and the British empire.
Social Care
Select Committee, 12 March 2010
The House of Commons' Health Committee report on social care, published Friday 12 March, made special mention of the historical overview provided by H&P co-founder Pat Thane. The memorandum explains the history of financing health and social care and argues that the post-1948 separation of health from social care continues to cause problems.
Read Pat Thane's memorandum.
How can the Post Office keep pace with the modern world?
Feature, March 2010
As the future of the Post Office comes under increasing speculation, Chris Bowlby talks to Adrian Steel about the place of the postal service in the twenty-first century. Changing times: How can the Post Office keep pace with the modern world? is the latest article in H&P's collaborative series with BBC History Magazine. Other articles can be found in our BBC History section.
The 'Idea of a University' today
H&P paper, 9 March 2010
Robert Anderson explores the role of universities and argues for a balance between teaching and research, autonomy and accountability. Read the paper, The 'Idea of a University' today.
Read the press release [pdf file, 27KB]
Twenty historians advise against immediate spending cuts in letter to the Guardian
Letter, 3 March 2010
A letter signed by twenty economic historians in the H&P Network is published in today's Guardian. The signatories warn against immediate cuts in public spending and urge support for knowledge-based economic growth. They argue that British public debt is actually relatively low, both in historical and international contexts, and urge policymakers to maintain spending on the knowledge economy, which will contribute to economic growth and speed up repayment of the debt. The letter was initiated by Glen O'Hara of Oxford Brookes University and H&P co-founder Simon Szreter. Other signatories include Professors Martin Daunton, Jane Humphries and Jim Tomlinson.
Read the letter.
The letter was discussed by Madeleine Bunting in the Guardian, and David Blanchflower in the New Statesman.
See also: How (not) to cut government spending and reduce public sector debt by Glen O'Hara, and browse other H&P papers on economic history.
For media enquiries please contact Mel Porter: mel.porter@sas.ac.uk 020 7862 8768
Can the Conservatives do co-operatives?
Opinion article, 26 February 2010
Matthew Francis considers Conservative plans for workers' co-operatives to own and run public services, suggesting that the party should look back to Noel Skelton's proposals to extend the 'property owning democracy'.
Read Matthew Francis' article: Cameron and the renewal of the 'property-owning democracy'.
H&P co-founder supports campaign to combat single parent stereotypes
Interview, 23 February 2010
H&P co-founder Pat Thane is interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live, supporting a campaign launched by the charity Gingerbread to combat the stigma faced by single parents. Professor Thane says recent statistics do not support popular and media stereotypes about single parents and points out that single parenthood is not a new phenomenon.
Find out about Gingerbread's 'Let's lose the labels' campaign on their website.
Read H&P papers on lone parenthood by Tanya Evans and Thomas Nutt.
National debt - the long view
Programme, 23 February 2010
A new series of 'The Long View' starts on Radio 4 today with a programme exploring the history of national debt. Presenter Jonathan Freedland hears from Niall Ferguson, Will Hutton, Stephanie Flanders and IHR Director Miles Taylor, comparing the causes and consequences of rising debt and deficit levels, from the battlefield of Waterloo to today's financial crisis. Listen to the programme on the BBC website.
What can we learn from Victorian ideas on thrift?
Feature, February 2010
As the recession forces many to re-think their spending habits, historian Katy Pettit tells Chris Bowlby what we could learn from the thrifty food culture of Victorian Eastenders. Changing times: What can we learn from Victorian ideas on thrift? is the latest article in H&P's collaborative series with BBC History Magazine. Other articles can be found in our BBC History section.
The radicalisation of Italy's legal profession
H&P paper, 10 February 2010
A new H&P paper by historian Maria Malatesta examines the radicalisation of Italian lawyers and explores the legacy of Italy's 'long 1968'.
Read the paper: The legal profession and social activism: the Italian 'long 1968'.
Second article from the Lest we forget series in association with openDemocracy.
Feature, 9 February 2010
Bob Brecher examines how dissention over the legality of the Iraq war, and the history of Western military interventions since 1945, reveal the paucity of international law's moral underpinnings in Iraq and the fig leaf of just war theory. For more information on submissions to the Lest we forget series, please refer to the guidelines on the openSecurity website or contact daniel.macarthur-seal@opendemocracy.net.
Treat TV biopics with caution
Opinion article, 8 February 2010
Steven Fielding looks at Channel 4's portrait of Mo Mowlam and explores how the recent crop of political biopics are not only historically inaccurate but potentially harmful to civic culture.
Read Steven Fielding's article, 'Recreating our political history'.
First article from the Lest we forget series in association with openDemocracy.
Feature, 26 January 2010
As Wootton Basset pays its respects to soldiers killed in the Afghanistan conflict, it stirs up memories of controversies surrounding previous acts of remembrance. Lucy Noakes explores the fraught history of war remembrance in The politics of poppy day. For more information on submissions to the Lest we forget series, please refer to the guidelines on the openSecurity website or contact daniel.macarthur-seal@opendemocracy.net.
Historical definitions of old age
Interview, 22 January 2010
H&P co-founder Pat Thane discusses the historical development of 'old age' in an interview with Chris Bowlby for BBC Radio 4's More or Less. She argues that the concept of 'old age' emerged in the 20th century alongside the development of pensions and retirement, whereas in the past, perceptions of an individual's age were based on their ability to carry on an active life.
To listen to the interview, go to the More or Less website. See also, Pat Thane's interview for the monthly H&P feature in BBC History magazine.
Latest H&P - BBC History Magazine article online
Feature, 20 January 2010
The latest article from H&P's collaborative series with BBC History Magazine is available online now. Dr Jon Lawrence warns against romanticising the spontaneity of 18th century hustings. He argues that public outrange at MP's expenses in 2009 produced scenes as tumultuous as anything in the days of the hustings Changing times: Have we lost the 'spirit of the hustings'? Other articles can be found in our BBC History section.
More Baldwin than Blair: The Conservative Party's latest posters
Opinion article, 12 January 2010
Why does a huge image of David Cameron dominate the Conservative's new election poster? In this article, Christopher Burgess examines the tradition of leadership marketing in British politics.
Read Christopher Burgess's article, 'Posters in history'.