'The Worst Year in British History' | The Crisis Election of 1974 Explained

[@johnbell5295]

I was a New Zealander in London doing my post grad studies during this time. My enduring memories are of a fantastically resilient people using gas lamps to keep their shops open and trading. Life as I recall was “interesting” but pretty normal. I still have the petrol ration book issued at the time. Due to the Irish situation security in London was tight and perhaps as a comment on human expectation when I returned to N Z in late 1975 I missed the security checks in public places. Which I suppose illustrates how we adapt to the “new normal”. It was a time of my life I recall with great affection.

[@majorbloodnok6659]

My late mother met Harold Wilson on a train; he was accompanied by two bodyguards and she was struck by how pleasant and amiable he was but also how shabby he was and his dreadful dandruff

[@philipbrooks402]

I would add that Wilson never looked young even when he was young. He was only fourteen months older than JFK but he looked old enough to be his dad.

[@hatjodelka]

On the other hand, James Callaghan wore quietly expensive suits but was sneered at as apparently nobody left of centre should dress well.

[@jonhelmer8591]

Wilson kept us out of Vietnam and worried that Ireland would end up isolated like Cuba. I'm prepared to overlook the dandruff.

[@russellbishop5995]

@@jonhelmer8591 Wilson's monument is keeping us out of Vietnam. Hacked LBJ off something wicked.

[@SomeBritishGal1]

​@@hatjodelka Wilson came from a privileged background and wanted to look like a man of the people, which is why he smoked a pipe and dressed shabby. Callaghan came from a working class background and worked his way up so he dressed like someone of a higher class.

[@annamariaisland1960]

Wonderful! An American, I was in Britain in 1978 hitchhiking and struck up a conversation with one of my kind drivers about Northern Ireland. I didn't know too much, but in confirmation of what was said here about the attitudes of the English vis-a-vis the "troubles," this fellow wondered why it couldn't all be solved by a conversation between the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it!

[@johnmckiernan2176]

People in England still somehow believe that it was some kind of religious turf war. Nope; the labels protestant and catholic were and are mere bywords for colonial settler and native points of view. What was needed was parity of esteem and extension of equal rights. What was delivered was 'a protestant parliament for a protestant people' and widespread denial of employment, public housing and public tenders on the basis of ethnic identity.

[@louisburke8927]

I'm Irish and I'm ashamed of what the IRA did. Not in my name

[@bfree2speak_freely48]

Thank you. I appreciate your sentiment. I am British, but like many Brits, from Irish stock on both sides of my family. I struggle to identify with the people who did such terrible acts, no matter the cause.

[@1526andrews]

I'm from Northern Ireland. The depravity of the worst men and women on both sides of the Troubles is, at once, infuriating and nauseating. They are among the worst human beings to ever live

[@t5kcannon1]

Well said; any decent Irish man will share your view and take your position.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

I'm English and ashamed of the British government. 🙏 Hope we will always be good neighbours going forward.

[@johnmckiernan2176]

It's ridiculous and it shouldn't have to be stated, but I'm Irish and felt entirely the same during the Troubles, as did, apparently, 98-99 percent of the electorate in the Irish republic. As in; when Sinn Féin stood for election in the 1980s, after decades of denying the legitimacy of the independent part of Ireland, they only got 1-2% of the vote. The basic uneducated English slur against the Irish is that we are or were all PIRA supporters and it's a total myth. . After the ceasefire and Good Friday Agreement support for Sinn Féin rose gradually and continuously, (and for reasons entirely removed from the Northern Irish Troubles, namely; the collapse of any left alternative in the republic) but the kind of English viewer who follows this podcast needs to be reminded that the PIRA was a product of partition, and of the social conditions in the gerrymandered statelet called Northern Ireland. To whit; it was a UK problem, and arose in response to faults in the UK's constitutional and parliamentary systems, which turned a blind eye to civil oppression for half a century. Prior to the crackdown on civil rights marches by rioting Paisleyite thugs in the late '60s, the IRA were an all-but defunct organisation of a few hundred hardline crackpots. Within a few years they had the support of a significant number of Northern Irish nationalists. Not in my name? Yes. Also; not in my nation. This was and is not an "Irish Problem". It was a UK one.

[@paultaylor7082]

A 'disastrous year' when the UK still exported more manufactured goods than it imported, we were in the Common Market/EU, we had our own gas supplies from the North Sea (then self sufficient), with petroleum supplies on the way the following year, nuclear power gave us over 25% of our electricity and we weren't racking up the National Debt by overspending billions more each year than the Government was receiving in taxes. When you put things into context, many things weren't as bad as they are now.

[@tobywaller8717]

When we could still build a nuclear power station. A technology we invented. And yet when the Cameron government wanted to build a couple of more, there were no firms in the Uk, which knew how to build one. Shocking.

[@Trecesolotienesdos]

Back then there was no China emergent as the world's manufacturing hub. Your points are moot.

[@brianpeppers7455]

Reality is, the UK is being led by people from former defeated colonies, by design of course. The once great capitol of London is run by foreigners who hate the natives, by design. If you dare raise a hand against the west being invaded by people who hate it, you will be destroyed. Globalist bankers fund the wests destruction, yet here we are listening to videos about 1970s politics. The austrian painter predicted all of this, but at least we arent speaking german am I right?

[@EzraMerr]

Wilson's short term benefits long term suffering policies ensured that would never be the case again , fucked up your life and future

[@rw3899]

@EzraMerr It wasn't Wilson who sold off the family silver

[@goodgood9955]

Another great podcast. I can't get enough of u guys.

[@stuartcalow737]

Didn't Wilson create the Open University? That's a lasting achievement.

[@nigeh5326]

Yes he did and he was justifiably proud of the fact.

[@kingthomasthehun8408]

In comparison to his failures like develuation, the social contract ,EEC referendum and In place of Strife?

[@TheLeonhamm]

That was Barbara Castle's generously hard work surely, in Harold Wilson's Second term (1966-70) ..? ;o)

[@GodlessScummer]

I mean there are other things that happened under his government that are still lasting or have been expanded. The abolishment of capital punishment and decriminalisation of homosexuality happened under his government. I'm not going to debate anyone's opinions on those subjects I'm just saying that there's a few lasting legacies of the Wilson government.

[@Luxsky]

@@TheLeonhammNo, Jennie Lee, along with Harold Wilson, were pivotal in the creation of the OU.

[@andysouth6624]

Great series, is there another video on Wilson's second premiership?

[@greencloud2225]

I was a school child in 1974. This is a real trip down memory lane!

[@donaldskinner-reid8998]

Very pleased to hear Tom call "The Troubles" a civil war. Finally calling it what it was.

[@spiritofsalt6780]

Please would you consider uploading the audio of part 3 and 4 on to KZbin?

[@bedofromkokstad9034]

Where's the rest of this series? Would love to hear it!

[@pixie3458]

You have such an excellent and engaging way of describing this era that I remember as a child

[@StuartWoodwardJP]

I remember at 7 years old eating my tea in the dark with candles.

[@thescandinavian8339]

Where is the rest of it???

[@askhams]

Where are the next parts?

[@petebondurant58]

I visited Belfast some years ago, and it is rather disconcerting that all of those abandoned checkpoints have become tourist attractions. What a ghastly era.

[@stevo728822]

Same in Berlin.

[@robocombo]

I think it's important that these relics of the past persist and that people see them - "lest we forget"

[@georgesdelatour]

Listening to this podcast, I thought of a question I’d like to ask Dominic Sandbrook. As a historian of Britain’s recent past, you must be aware that some government documents from the period you study are still not available to you. Some are kept back under the 30-year rule, and some from much earlier remain redacted. I believe there are even some documents relating to the First World War which are still being held back. I’d really love to know if there are particular areas where you feel you’re missing some crucial information. If you could ask Rishi Sunak to release some of this classified material, what would be at the top of your list?

[@nigeh5326]

Documents relating to the late 30s and aristocrats and others links to and support for the Nazis

[@paulgalleyblackpool]

What a fantastic summary. You guys brought it alive. I really enjoyed as did my Mum. It shows that crisis and drama is nothing new sadly in politics it's more the average. Your channel deserves way more subscribers.

[@christopher9727]

.... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@joeyyhc3883]

I’ve just found your pod on Spotify & I absolutely love it. The Aztec series was so fascinating, I had visions of the Spanish just rampaging through the Forrest but it wasn’t like that at all lol. You two are hilarious as well. Good to put faces to the voices, top work chaps

[@suxcawks]

There's a face Dominic pulls when he does the voices that you really miss out on with the audio version

[@emjackson2289]

One word missing I think: Rhodesia. This crisis massively affected, at the very least, UK politicians & indeed, many of the UK public especially on the Tory right.

[@alphonso391]

Great podcast. Just don’t pronounce the second k in Kirkby.

[@brianarmstrong3731]

I was 18 in 1974 and things didn't seem so bad, it was free for working class kids to go to University (my sister went 2 years before and I went that year, our dad was a South Yorkshire miner), there were no problems getting jobs and we lived in a council house. Compared to the position my kids are in today, that looks decent to me. My first vote was in that October General Election. I revised for my A levels by candle light and my dad collected coal off a spoil heap in a shopping bag...

[@stevo728822]

Today's 18 year old would have a mental breakdown without a mobile phone.

[@prosperwoman7085]

Thank you gentlemen..just what I needed, a new addiction 😂 subscribed ❤

[@stevo728822]

In a newspaper cartoon, Heath's yacht Morning Cloud was renamed Morning Clod.

[@Loratorafromkelowna]

I can’t find part three?!

[@adam-yk6yd]

How does this channel not have more subscribers

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

I don't know how you make modern history sound so exciting as this. I read Irish history & politics at Liverpool for a year way back in the 1980s, and found it rather a full history ... lots of activity and intrigue. So, I know there is excitement in tve study of history. But this ... takes that to another dimension! I subscribed!

[@christopher9727]

...... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@nigeh5326]

Came across the channel about 6 weeks ago and really enjoy it. Slowly trying work my way through some of the earlier videos as I really like Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook’s style. Tom’s brother James Holland does a v good podcast with Al Murray called We Have Ways of Making You Talk which is a great listen too 👍

[@andrews527]

Where's the promised Part 3 of the 1974/Harold Wilson trilogy?

[@MagnusWurzer]

Can't find it either!

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Liked and subscribed - council estate comprehensive (1974 - going for gas-cooked fish and chips, sold by candlelight, with a torch 🔦 and no streetlights) to seven figures in the south of France (2024). Only possible under the likes of Harold and Ted's UK. Left in 1986... Thatcher and the Nasty party were too much to bear.

[@starmersbarber]

Hello. Just to say thanks Tom and Dominic so much for this beautiful and enthralling account of 1974. I was 7 at the time and remember different things (including Scotland being in the football World Cup!!) This gives fantastic articulate (and also funny) reference for things happening in today's UK.

[@jacobwilkinson1390]

When will the next episode be uploaded please?

[@mrbates2]

Glad you asked, did you get an answer?

[@jacobwilkinson1390]

nope@@mrbates2

[@anakei160]

@@mrbates2 I was just going to ask the same question. I can't find part 3

[@bucksguineapigtalks]

Very interesting and informative episode - absolutely love listening to your podcast's - they are very good - congratulations to all involved. Would be brilliant to have an Episode on the 1970 Election as well.....if possible, I'm sure there are hundreds you have ideas for.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

41:50 Is that Grand Imperial size foolscap notepaper?

[@vicentgalvan70]

Amazing episodes. I had no interest in Britain during this period, but you guys made it so interesting!

[@BuildItandProsper]

Where is the next one in this great series?

[@elecchal444]

Yes, where is the next one??? Left us hanging.

[@simonprodhan5050]

brilliant podcast! i love the way it's discussed, dominic's books are among the finest and wittiest i've read, wonderful

[@siyabongamchunu4342]

Hi guys. Not related, but I think it would be well worth your while to do a series on a book called Zulu Identities: Being Zulu, Past and Present by Benedict Carton, John Laband, Jabulani Sithole

[@geoffreyplow7255]

This is outstanding.

[@lewis123417]

Is there a third part on this? Would be interesting to hear about wilsons government

[@jillal-fuhaid1763]

Denis Healey’s book My Secret Planet , is my favourite book of all time. Wonderful!

[@howarddavis2281]

It was at about these years that Britain was at its most equal in its modern history, with its highest possibilities for social mobility. So, the worst year ever?

[@CarlosBacardi]

Exactly. If we’re talking bombs, deaths and darkness, 1940, perhaps? I’ve read Sandbrook’s books, they’re skilfully written and very entertaining but at times gratuitously biased against the left. David Kynaston’s books are better because they capture the lived experience more through diaries etc.

[@paultaylor7082]

Sandbrook is a known Tory sympathiser. I read his book about the years 1974 to 1979 and it's quite biased against Labour. You don't need to be a genius to guess he thought Thatcher was the best thing sliced bread, whereas a large proportion (over half the electorate) didn't. Let's remind ourselves that Thatcher only ever got between 42% and 44% of the votes in the 3 General Elections she won. She also left a legacy, especially over the privatisation of utilities, for which all of us are now paying a very hefty price. Witness the likely implosion of Thames Water this year, with its mountain of debt, following massive payouts to shareholders and others. It shortly will have to pay off a loan due, if it doesn't, it will go bust. That's what you get, after giving massive payouts to senior staff and shareholders, while at the same time running the business at an effective loss.

[@bogdiworksV2]

Informative but way too giggly in presentation. Clearly people who can afford to see history as an entertaining story.

[@EddieDrayton]

Totally agree......"historians" desperately tryinmg to hide their in built right wing bias methinks.........

[@EddieDrayton]

@@paultaylor7082 Thatcher destroyed Britain, pure and simple

[@llopritable]

When can we hear the next episode?

[@grahamnelson3608]

50 years ago today. I was 14. Remember it well. I remember the Daily Mail headline on the day or day before - "It's Heath by 5%"

[@douglasmiller4351]

I've only recently discovered 'The Rest is History'. Marvellously enlightning and intelligent podcasts. Keep it up !

[@yeahcat7509]

My grandad was a rural Labour Party member in a village called Ipstones in the Staffordshire Moorlands. The way my dad describes life in growing up in this village is “50 years behind the rest of the UK”. Harold Wilson used to be good friends with the MP for Leek, the local market town. They used to go drinking in one of Ipstones’ pubs, the Marquis of Granby, well into his Premiership. They would be joined by my grandad and another man, who were the entirety of the village Labour membership. Grandad left school at 14. I’d have loved to be a fly on the wall for those discussions. Very few politicians, then or now, could relate on this level.

[@bjjnerd9214]

This is the funniest thing ever. I need to start following British politics

[@ConcordeForever]

I remember it well. I was doing my A-levels. But, bad though it was - actually the whole decade was awful - I didn't have the feeling of sheer hopelessness and frustration that I've felt in recent years and particularly in 2024. Back then it was just another bad patch to get through; now it feels like we're on the brink of oblivion.

[@elecchal444]

Where's the next episode? Nail biting.

[@TomFawcett1]

Part 3 and 4 seem to only be available on other platforms unfortunately: "Britain in 1974: Countdown to a coup (part 3)". "Britain in 1974: Thatcher enters the ring (part 4)"

[@johnking5174]

4:45 - What Dominic said here is 100% true - people living in England, Scotland, Wales and even the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man just did not care about people in Northern Ireland. In fact then and indeed now many would not care if there was a United Ireland. That is the reality.

[@hublanderuk]

When is the next part of 1974 since we had a 2nd General election. I was born in 1975 so was wondering what happened next?

[@OfficialScottR]

Because of technical problems they don't have video for the other parts of 1974. So they've only put it on Spotify (and maybe other podcast platforms) but not youtube

[@hublanderuk]

@@OfficialScottR Thanks. It would have been nice if they were to have said this. So will have to listen then I was interested since it was the year before I was born

[@christopher9727]

.. Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@nickstone3113]

Excellent as usual.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

"...a stable hand..." or "...a stable hand..."? The word stress gave it away. 😊😮

[@R08Tam]

I was 22, working a three-day week as a printer. This is such an entertaining series. As regards the IRA; I was in both Birmingham pubs a week before the bombings as it was one of my friends stag night.

[@nigeh5326]

Do u mean Birmingham?

[@nigeh5326]

My uncle used to drink in the Tavern in the Town and was going there that night but changed his mind. I remember the bombings and the anger and hate afterwards. Then the police framed innocent people who would have been hanged if the death penalty was still legal. Thankfully it wasn’t and they were released some years later. Some in Bham are still campaigning for the government to try to put on trial the actual bombers. Only 1 or possibly 2 of the suspects are still alive though last I heard. Always surprised me, if as suspected MI5 and/or Special Branch knew the identity of the real bombers they never bumped them off.

[@R08Tam]

@@nigeh5326 yes, bloody autocorrect

[@nigeh5326]

@@R08Tam lol thought so it drives me mad at times too

[@sambcg]

12:30 had me cracking up ha. Good podcast.

[@tractorhead971]

No next episode ? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@AcidOllie]

I was surprised to hear you say that people over here just didn't understand or care about it but then I thought to myself they didn't have access to the wealth of information that the internet brings like Wikipedia or any number of other news sites providing context to it all.

[@markmelvin299]

This was the year I first started work. I thought the 3-day week was brilliant! Three 12 hour days and 4 days off. This said, the flippant way of talking through the really very serious things that were happening at the time do grate a little. It was a great time for me... as I had a future. It was a terrible time for my parents... who only had a past. The NEB was a total disaster and set the stage for the Gnomes of Zurich a couple of years later. 20-25% a year inflation for a decade was terrible for the country. Definitely not a laughing matter even though I cannot think of Dennis Healey without thinking of Mike Yarwood and his impersonations. 'Silly Billy' indeed. Still very good to listen to and remember. Even the bad bits.

[@dominicestebanrice7460]

This is a fantastic series. Thanks!

[@Witnessmoo]

Where is the next episode? The delay is uncalled for

[@restishistorypod]

Sadly not available on KZbin due to technical issues. Full episodes available on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts: 1974 Part 3: open.spotify.com/episode/5iInpqs72CLQ72OqKvbHjP?si=d4f00905cc0e4e96 1974 Part 4: open.spotify.com/episode/7rNRSC7IYI2L2YyGH9sXwk?si=31QPvn0zQoiy0dGtz7tNhQ

[@skree100]

Leeds United champions again, Slade move away from the hard rock formula and Everyday rings out from transistor radios. Great year for us Leeds kids cooking on an open fire with the power off

[@StuartWoodwardJP]

I loved all the obscure references.

[@LTAD-xi6sw]

You mention Wilson and his tinned salmon, also worth mentioning that his wife, Mary, is quoted as saying: “If Harold has a fault, it is that he will drown everything with HP Sauce.” I also say this with a bottle of HP Sauce in front of me, coincidentally 😂

[@christopher9727]

Jesus Christ saves He had mercy on me he can save all who all seek him today He made away through calvery repent of all sins today Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Holy Spirit can give you peace purpose and joy and his will today John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@glennwhitehead6484]

That was very enjoyable to watch. I lived through that time, I was 15 but never knew the details of those " interesting times"! I just wish the brexit voters had this kind of information given to them, many were and are still unaware of how we entered "Europe " and which political party got us in and which one offered a referendum in '75 to get out!

[@AndyJarman]

My mother used to work in London, and return to our home in the country each night. Theee times there were massive IRA bomb attacks in London. Three times I had an anxious wait waiting to see if she'd ever come home again. I live in Australia now and still feel uneasy in the presence of Irish people. They can do no wrong in the eyes of people who haven't suffered at their hands.

[@johncarroll772]

The Rumble in Jungle, 1974, a memorable year.

[@simoncampbell-smith6745]

Gentlemen you can be either a cad or a bounder but not both. I actually met Denis Healy on a Tube train in the mid-80s. He was a fine gentleman to sit and chat with while stuck in a tunnel.

[@alastairhunter353]

Excellent

[@scoobydoo5661]

I‘m too dishi for my rishi

[@lakelandbeerdad]

what happened to part 3 off this? when Wilson took power.

[@russellbishop5995]

Jeremy Thorpe would've been Home Secretary and preside over his own trial for murder. Brilliant!

[@Niall001]

Really interesting opening. But it comes close to lampshading. It acknowledges that Northern Ireland is part of the UK & thus events & views there are inherently as important as in any other part of the UK, but simultaneously takes an Anglo-centric approach. Prominence is given to how the Troubles effected England - giving prominence to IRA bombings in England - but not to the more numerous killings elsewhere by a variety of organisations. The attitude comes across a little as "Events that count as important with regard to British history are those that have on the English establishment and/or public."

[@RCx44]

Enoch was right

[@cliveclerkenville2637]

I was 23 and fled the country.

[@Clem_Fandango11]

We still await the real reason why Wilson resigned. He was on MI5s radar but I guess they will not release the paper's until we are dead. My father was a flight engineer for BEA and used to see Wilson and his secretary Marcia Falkender regularly on the plane hand in hand and canoodling. There were also unofficial visits to to certain places that no doubt alarmed the security services.

[@jonnyvalentinevideos]

Were there any policies beyond Tony Benn's ideas?? Yes, there were but you only talked about them for under 20 seconds.

[@Quick-n-eg쿠이크앤이지]

Government power is limited. It is up to an individual to educate themselves and better their lives.

[@stevo728822]

The British Army were brought in to police Northern Ireland. They did have previous experience of similar operations. They had been policing Aden for for much of the 1960's in a mixed rural and urban environment. The rough treatment the Yemeni nationalists received may have been transferred to NI in the early years.

[@markmcnicholas9475]

The parallels with today are troubling. Theresa May is mentioned as a contrast with Heath. But the idea of “one nation conservative” party has been the disastrous reality for Britain over the past fourteen years. Unwilling to recover the Thatcher politics that produced four election victories (Major benefitted from his predecessor) the conservatives continued the policies of Bliar and Brown that makes our present times so redolent of the seventies. Beware of any description of a labour leader described as enormously intelligent. Wilson, Bliar, Brown (particularly) and now Starmer, with islamists substituted for the unions, all makes me feel we have been here before. Only this time, the philosophic battle between Britain and an even bigger and the more dangerous implications from Islam dwarfs the provincial battles between Britain and communist unions in the seventies and eighties.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

@mark... No longing for Thatcher ideas to return in this house 🏡. Which Islam dwarfs (dwarves?) are you referring to? 😊

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Islam dwarfs 😂🎉.

[@paultaylor7082]

Short ones? Although as Spike Milligan once opined in his two word joke 'dwarf shortages', perhaps there really is a shortage Islam Dwarves? LOL.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

@@paultaylor7082 Comic historian! Encore une corde à ton arc. Salutations d'un Cap d'Agde ensoleillé mais pas encore nu intégral 🧐😳😱. (+1)

[@tulyar57]

Bit of a Thatcher fan, aren't you? If you are getting into a polemical diatribe please be objective. Blair (or Bliar as you so uniquely and hilariously call him) won the same number of GEs (three). Thatcher had a total of 289 seat majority (1979-1987) and Blair had a total majority of 412 seats (1997-2005) so to describe Thatcher as being more successful and popular is nonsense. As for 'islamists substituted for the unions' what are you smoking?

[@danpovey]

The next episode after this is available on spotify, its name is "Countdown to a coup".

[@philipbrooks402]

At time 44.00 Dominic states that the Tories are a pro-European party. I would dispute that bearing in mind that Heath only got his Bill through parliament with the help of a number of Labour MPs who defied their whip.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Thanks to Harold and Ted, we all got musical instruments to play at school. I made over £150,000 playing music 🎵🎶 as second job in the EU 🇨🇵🇪🇺. UK taxpayer's money well-spent. 🌹😊

[@docastrov9013]

Oh yes. The guys who think no way would London lay claim to Ireland.

[@JonniePolyester]

I love that pic of Tony Benn … just to his left another renowned aristocrat - Sir Tam Dalyell, 11th Baronet ( Ed. Eton & Cambridge) and behind them his holiness St Jeremy of Corbyn - The Patron Saint of Terrorists 😂😂😂

[@philipbrooks402]

There is an interview with Denis Healey shortly before his death by Laura Kaunsberg in which he stated that 'Benn was an artificial leftie.'

[@darrenalevi3006]

Wilson was probably the last great Prime Minister Britain had someone who actually was a true public servent sadly Thatcher and Blair seem to be remembered more but I think Wilson is someone who should be admired sadly Labour are not likely to see a figure like him lead again.

[@tropics8407]

Hilarious 😂 🤣 and Brilliant 👏👏

[@1969cmp]

Sounds like Britain needs to adopt Australia's preferential voting / two party preference system.

[@Teesbrough]

I too was 14 at the time of the first General Election of 1974. My memory of it doesn’t quite equate with your portrayal, especially as regards Thorpe and the Liberal Party. It’s condescending and superficial to describe the Liberals as you have. At that time, news of Thorpe’s liaisons was yet to emerge. Instead, he had a large following particularly among women, many of whom saw him as an intellectual heart-throb. The Liberals had just won a series of spectacular by-elections, including Isle of Ely (Clement Freud’s account of his win is hilarious), and Berwick-upon-Tweed, which was happening when we had a family holiday in Northumberland during Autumn half term 1973. I well recall masses of posters all across the constituency for Alan Beith. You say Thorpe also went into hiding, but I also recall watching tv footage of Thorpe’s train arriving at Paddington (live?), I think on the Monday after the election. One lesser known but key example behind the rise of the Liberals in the 1970s was the group of friends who met in a Richmond-upon-Thames pub in 1970 and decided they were sick of being governed by a 100% Tory Council. They started campaigning and in each successive local election won more seats. By the mid 1980s they’d won every seat on the Council bar three which were won in one ward by the SDP.

[@christopher9727]

... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@paultaylor7082]

Sandbrook is a Tory sympathiser. If you think he gives the Liberals a hard time, read his book about 1974 to 1979 (I have) where he gives Labour an even harder time. If you want unbiased political reporting, look elsewhere, others are far more circumspect and measured. He's the political historian's equivalent of Laura K, always giving the Tories the benefit of the doubt.

[@johnfarrandrogers1299]

@@paultaylor7082 Indeed. The programme made it appear that the Liberal result of 19% came fron nowhere. In fact the Liberals had been doing well in local government, and had won a series of Parlamentary byelections - Berwick, Rochdale, Ripon, Isle of Ely, Sutton & Cheam. I may have got the order wrong. But the mood was certainly there long before 1974.

[@Trecesolotienesdos]

it's said Heath was a closet gay man. He seemed that he made bad decisions amidst a bad situation. Wilson too was given a bad hand, but the problems faced then were systemic and rooted in Britain not adapting to the post-war economic world. Whether one loves Thatcher or not, she was right to change things, and and she changed the malaise that both Heath and Wilson couldn't correct.

[@chrisjones6736]

I don't think it is possible to be a cad AND a bounder. They are different, mutually exclusive things.

[@TrevorBarre]

Enough of the slagging off of the Bullring of circa 1974, Dominic. Sounds very patrician patronising. Were you even born then?

[@paultaylor7082]

He's a Tory sympathiser. Be aware of that and everything else becomes rather obvious. He was actually born on 2 October 1974, so everything he comments about here isn't from first hand knowledge, he's relying on information supplied and giving it a rather biased political nuance. If you think of a political historian's equivalent of Laura Kuenssberg, you won't go far wrong. I'm 70 and voted for the first time in February 1974, I lived through these times and would argue his rather obvious political bias gets in the way of objective comment. You won't be surprised to realise he frequently writes article for the Daily Heil and Hate on Sunday, one of the many Tory arsewipe papers.

[@insertclevername4123]

Say what you will about the Liberals not having strong positions, but I think that "generally just being nice" is a pretty good policy on its own. As all this happened a bit before I was born, I can only hope that the future was bright for those nice guys like (checks notes) Jeremy Thorpe, Clement Freud, and Cyril Smith.

[@goodgood9955]

Hi guys. Love ur podcasts. Can you please do one and the Barbary slave trade and Thomas Pellow?

[@tsr207]

Rose tinted glasses? - in 1974 where I lived Labour were incompetent and couldn't find their way out of a wet paper bag - our screens were full of appointees (Ross, Millan, Harry Ewing) sorry but Wilson was not the "cosy" man you portray- his scheming was common knowledge.....

[@yescharliesurfs]

Spiderman has let himself go!

[@adampowell5376]

I cannot help but think that 2024 is far worse than in 1974. Perhaps you believe the perception that there was an attempted coup d'etat in 1974. Northern Ireland is a more peaceful place. Clearly some things have got better.

[@terrym3837]

I always thought the country was a basket case during the 70’s but it was worse than this. When you hear what was going on in Downing st. One flew over the cuckoo’s nest comes to mind.

[@stirlingmoss9637]

The worst year as far as long lasting effects are concerned was 1997 when the Blair Brown government was elected.

[@johnmckiernan2176]

"Some of our listeners in Ireland and Northern Ireland might be surprised to learn that [The Troubles] was background noise." You're kidding, right? As a Dubliner who lived in England, if the average English person knows anything about the Troubles at all, their knowledge of it starts when people started dying in England. I didn't and don't approve of the Provisional IRA's civilian-targeting tactics (and please refer to them as such; there have been numerous essentially non-contiguous organisations by the name IRA over the last century, with different tactics and politics), but they were entirely correct when they assumed there could only be a settlement to the Northern Irish conflict when it became troublesome to English voters. In my experience, everyday English people still have no idea as to the origins of the conflict either, namely the setting up of a deliberately ethno-suprematist state with "a protestant parliament for a protestant people" in which a third of the population were, by dint of their ethnic and religious identities, subalterns, second-class human beings. 50 years of systematic denial of basic rights in housing, employment and civic elections and it was a powder keg waiting to catch flame.