The resignation of Harold Wilson | Labour Party | This Week | 1976

The shock resignation of Prime Minister Harold Wilson not only sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom, but also though the Labour Party.
Jonathan Dimbleby and Llew Gardner discuss the impact Wilsons decision will have on the country and also his Party - and the all important question - Who will succeed him?
Guests:
JONATHAN DIMBLEBY IN STUDIO INTVS RT HON JAMES PRIOR MP & RT HON JEREMY THORPE MP
LLEW GARDNER INTERVIEWS - RT HON JUDITH HART MP, BRIAN WALDEN MP, PETER JENKINS & ROBERT CARVEL
First shown: 16/03/1976
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Quote: VT13557

[@johndcosta7347]

I remember him as the prime minister who kept us out of the Vietnam war. and for that I will always respect him.

[@jonathangammond3019]

They are all more articulate and possess a wider vocabulary than our current politicians.

[@tombroderick7206]

Wilson kept the UK out of Vietnam and for that we owe him our eternal thanks.

[@brianarbenz1329]

I'm a U.S. resident, but I was privileged to hear Harold Wilson speak at my college in the state of Indiana in the early 1980s as part of a speaking tour. He spoke largely on international issues, sharing many anecdotes about the world leaders whom he had met.

[@1969delft]

How polite and well behaved the politicians were back in the 1970s and no rude interruptions from the reporters.

[@th8257]

Wilson was mentally and physically exhausted by this point. He'd been suffering from heart problems, but also the first signs of Alzheimer's had started and begun to affect his memory.

[@deborahrobertson8606]

I was 15 when this was broadcast and can remember the shock of his sudden resignation. How far we have fallen as a nation, culturally! People were so much more articulate and cultured then. Just shows you that material affluence does not lead to civilisation. Also the comprehensive system has destroyed state education.Wilson, Heath and Thatcher were all state grammar school pupils, who went to Oxbridge. State grammars offered the finest education to all classes. Now it's back to those with money.

[@stevehillier7018]

Love the way Brian Walden lifts his eyes at Hart. Very funny 😄

[@robertmay9798]

Walden sounded fair-handed even as an MP!

[@davidcole8268]

Wilson freely admitted his major achievement was holding the Labour Party together - triangulation in today’s argot. Despite presiding over national decline, a wily act sadly missing from today’s scene.

[@LeftLib]

Funny to watch Judith Hart trying to take the moral high ground before finally admitting she would be supporting Foot.

[@stevehillier7018]

21 years later Brian Walden gives a good account of Callaghan in Labour Leaders . Walden on Callaghan. Worth a watch

[@sevenwatson5854]

Loved Brian Walden!!

[@gnjp8340]

Fascinating to watch !! An other era … everyone so polite , lots of RP English , pipe smoking on screen , . Thorpe all dressed up and wonderfully balanced Liberal gentleman … ( A Dedicated Follower of Fashion ) … but do remember day very well was with my father walking in the street and saw it on one of Evening Standard type paper announcement … my father was knocked back as He thought Wilson had been instrumental in transforming Britain in 60s , … his words on seeing the headline was “Not good , not good at all …”

[@mrlotusmic]

Mr Thorpe looks distracted. Possibly had other things on his mind.

[@pendragon4905]

Good God, Llew Gardiner!!! Never thought I would see him or hear that distinctive voice again. He died aged 60 in 1990. Quite young; I wonder what happened to him. Can't believe I have outlived him already...

[@flashtheoriginal]

It was hard, tough for him, yet courageous. His brain was showing early signs of the dementia which was eventually to engulf him.

[@CyberspacedLoner]

The last years of the progressive; economic policies/welfare state

[@tonymcmahon_historybear]

Astonishing Harold Wilson was only 60 - he looked ten years older!

[@Mrrobackenson1]

Loved Thames TV.