Tides of History
@tidesofhistory.bsky.social
Commentary on Labour History, British Politics and Working Class Culture - Author of Hope & Glory
Reposted by Tides of History
Historians, archivists, librarians and historians working in the field of labour history. A starter pack to get you going…
go.bsky.app/CUqdx9a
go.bsky.app/CUqdx9a
September 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Historians, archivists, librarians and historians working in the field of labour history. A starter pack to get you going…
go.bsky.app/CUqdx9a
go.bsky.app/CUqdx9a
Reposted by Tides of History
Most accurate impression of all time
October 1, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Most accurate impression of all time
40 years ago today, Neil Kinnock went to Bournemouth to make a speech
thecritic.co.uk/the-neil-kin...
thecritic.co.uk/the-neil-kin...
“I’ll tell you and you’ll listen”: the Neil Kinnock speech that lives on | Anthony Broxton | The Critic Magazine
It was at Preston railway station, in September 1985, as he made his way back to London from the TUC Conference that Neil Kinnock realised his time had come. Picking up the Lancashire Evening Post…
thecritic.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 7:20 AM
40 years ago today, Neil Kinnock went to Bournemouth to make a speech
thecritic.co.uk/the-neil-kin...
thecritic.co.uk/the-neil-kin...
#OTD 1997. Gordon Brown delivers Labour’s first budget for 18 years 🧰
“Previous Budgets pursued the short-term interests of the few. This Budget advances the long-term interests of the many”
Windfall tax on privatised companies pays for education & welfare to work programme
“Previous Budgets pursued the short-term interests of the few. This Budget advances the long-term interests of the many”
Windfall tax on privatised companies pays for education & welfare to work programme
July 2, 2025 at 6:40 AM
#OTD 1997. Gordon Brown delivers Labour’s first budget for 18 years 🧰
“Previous Budgets pursued the short-term interests of the few. This Budget advances the long-term interests of the many”
Windfall tax on privatised companies pays for education & welfare to work programme
“Previous Budgets pursued the short-term interests of the few. This Budget advances the long-term interests of the many”
Windfall tax on privatised companies pays for education & welfare to work programme
24 years ago today…
John Prescott connects with the voters in Rhyl as Labour launch their election manifesto
🥊 👊
John Prescott connects with the voters in Rhyl as Labour launch their election manifesto
🥊 👊
May 16, 2025 at 7:34 AM
24 years ago today…
John Prescott connects with the voters in Rhyl as Labour launch their election manifesto
🥊 👊
John Prescott connects with the voters in Rhyl as Labour launch their election manifesto
🥊 👊
Reposted by Tides of History
29 years ago almost to the day - the great Ray French insisting on English beer on the Eurostar to Paris for Super League opener
April 1, 2025 at 7:58 AM
29 years ago almost to the day - the great Ray French insisting on English beer on the Eurostar to Paris for Super League opener
Looking forward to this one 🎊
How did America get to this point - where the people who want to destroy the 'deep state' have now won power? For @scribnerbooks.bsky.social, I trace this through the true story of a fake 1967 'top secret' government report, which 'proved' the deep state was real - and evil.
tinyurl.com/GhostsoIM
tinyurl.com/GhostsoIM
Ghosts of Iron Mountain
A compelling work of investigative journalism that explores the surprising origins and hidden ramifications of an epic late 1960s hoax, perpetrated...
tinyurl.com
March 9, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Looking forward to this one 🎊
#OTD 1900. 125 years ago today.
Labour Party is founded.
The Labour Representation Committee (LRC) is formed in London following a socialist conference.
The 129 delegates pass Keir Hardie's motion to create “a distinct group to represent working class people in Parliament”.
Labour Party is founded.
The Labour Representation Committee (LRC) is formed in London following a socialist conference.
The 129 delegates pass Keir Hardie's motion to create “a distinct group to represent working class people in Parliament”.
February 27, 2025 at 9:40 AM
#OTD 1900. 125 years ago today.
Labour Party is founded.
The Labour Representation Committee (LRC) is formed in London following a socialist conference.
The 129 delegates pass Keir Hardie's motion to create “a distinct group to represent working class people in Parliament”.
Labour Party is founded.
The Labour Representation Committee (LRC) is formed in London following a socialist conference.
The 129 delegates pass Keir Hardie's motion to create “a distinct group to represent working class people in Parliament”.
Long Read: After the 1945 landslide, Labour believed they were the “masters now”
But while nationalisation won in the North, Middle England struck back against food shortages, austerity and the cost of living crisis.
75 years on from the 1950 election 👇🏼
thecritic.co.uk/masters-no-m...
But while nationalisation won in the North, Middle England struck back against food shortages, austerity and the cost of living crisis.
75 years on from the 1950 election 👇🏼
thecritic.co.uk/masters-no-m...
Masters No More: Clement Attlee and the ‘Revolt of the Suburbs’ | Anthony Broxton | The Critic Magazine
In April 1946, the Attorney General, Sir Hartley Shawcross, told Conservative MPs in a Commons debate, “We are the masters” and will be “for a long time to come”. Labour had just become the party of…
thecritic.co.uk
February 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Long Read: After the 1945 landslide, Labour believed they were the “masters now”
But while nationalisation won in the North, Middle England struck back against food shortages, austerity and the cost of living crisis.
75 years on from the 1950 election 👇🏼
thecritic.co.uk/masters-no-m...
But while nationalisation won in the North, Middle England struck back against food shortages, austerity and the cost of living crisis.
75 years on from the 1950 election 👇🏼
thecritic.co.uk/masters-no-m...
#OTD 1979. 1.5 million workers out as part of a 'National Day of Action' in biggest strike since 1926
Callaghan says only “rank and file trade unionists”can “ensure that we do not plunge once more over the abyss”
He says the “survival of free trade unionism” is at stake now.
Callaghan says only “rank and file trade unionists”can “ensure that we do not plunge once more over the abyss”
He says the “survival of free trade unionism” is at stake now.
January 22, 2025 at 9:11 AM
#OTD 1979. 1.5 million workers out as part of a 'National Day of Action' in biggest strike since 1926
Callaghan says only “rank and file trade unionists”can “ensure that we do not plunge once more over the abyss”
He says the “survival of free trade unionism” is at stake now.
Callaghan says only “rank and file trade unionists”can “ensure that we do not plunge once more over the abyss”
He says the “survival of free trade unionism” is at stake now.
#OTD 1963. Death of Hugh Gaitskell.
As leader he had urged Labour to change:
"Above all our object must be to broaden our base, to be in touch always with ordinary people, to avoid becoming small cliques of isolated doctrine-ridden fanatics, out of touch with the mainstream"
As leader he had urged Labour to change:
"Above all our object must be to broaden our base, to be in touch always with ordinary people, to avoid becoming small cliques of isolated doctrine-ridden fanatics, out of touch with the mainstream"
January 18, 2025 at 10:55 AM
#OTD 1963. Death of Hugh Gaitskell.
As leader he had urged Labour to change:
"Above all our object must be to broaden our base, to be in touch always with ordinary people, to avoid becoming small cliques of isolated doctrine-ridden fanatics, out of touch with the mainstream"
As leader he had urged Labour to change:
"Above all our object must be to broaden our base, to be in touch always with ordinary people, to avoid becoming small cliques of isolated doctrine-ridden fanatics, out of touch with the mainstream"
#OTD 1979. Crisis? What Crisis?
Callaghan arrives back to transport strikes, fuel & food shortages and calls for a State of Emergency
He tells the press there is no “mounting chaos” and they should stop talking the country down.
He jokes that he might not be able to get a cup of tea.
Callaghan arrives back to transport strikes, fuel & food shortages and calls for a State of Emergency
He tells the press there is no “mounting chaos” and they should stop talking the country down.
He jokes that he might not be able to get a cup of tea.
January 10, 2025 at 8:06 AM
#OTD 1979. Crisis? What Crisis?
Callaghan arrives back to transport strikes, fuel & food shortages and calls for a State of Emergency
He tells the press there is no “mounting chaos” and they should stop talking the country down.
He jokes that he might not be able to get a cup of tea.
Callaghan arrives back to transport strikes, fuel & food shortages and calls for a State of Emergency
He tells the press there is no “mounting chaos” and they should stop talking the country down.
He jokes that he might not be able to get a cup of tea.
#OTD 1972. Miners strike begins.
The industry had borne the brunt of Lord Robens’ cuts, and over the decade, the number of miners dropped from 571,000 in 1960 to 280,000 in 1972
And they had fallen down the wages league table
The story of the miners last stand 👇🏼
thecritic.co.uk/the-miners-l...
The industry had borne the brunt of Lord Robens’ cuts, and over the decade, the number of miners dropped from 571,000 in 1960 to 280,000 in 1972
And they had fallen down the wages league table
The story of the miners last stand 👇🏼
thecritic.co.uk/the-miners-l...
The Miners’ Last Stand | Anthony Broxton | The Critic Magazine
It was New Year’s Eve 1971, and Labour’s Tony Benn was in a sombre mood. Just eighteen months into his new life on the opposition benches, he feared that his party was becoming ever more unelectable.
thecritic.co.uk
January 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OTD 1972. Miners strike begins.
The industry had borne the brunt of Lord Robens’ cuts, and over the decade, the number of miners dropped from 571,000 in 1960 to 280,000 in 1972
And they had fallen down the wages league table
The story of the miners last stand 👇🏼
thecritic.co.uk/the-miners-l...
The industry had borne the brunt of Lord Robens’ cuts, and over the decade, the number of miners dropped from 571,000 in 1960 to 280,000 in 1972
And they had fallen down the wages league table
The story of the miners last stand 👇🏼
thecritic.co.uk/the-miners-l...
#OTD 2003. Death of Roy Jenkins.
In the 1970s he was a key figure in the 1975 UK referendum campaign to remain in the Common Market:
“I think we are in danger of getting bogged down in a debate about theoretical paper sovereignty”.
In the 1970s he was a key figure in the 1975 UK referendum campaign to remain in the Common Market:
“I think we are in danger of getting bogged down in a debate about theoretical paper sovereignty”.
January 5, 2025 at 9:27 AM
#OTD 2003. Death of Roy Jenkins.
In the 1970s he was a key figure in the 1975 UK referendum campaign to remain in the Common Market:
“I think we are in danger of getting bogged down in a debate about theoretical paper sovereignty”.
In the 1970s he was a key figure in the 1975 UK referendum campaign to remain in the Common Market:
“I think we are in danger of getting bogged down in a debate about theoretical paper sovereignty”.
Reposted by Tides of History
My column on honours lists, the snubbing of rugby league, a history of racism in 20th century Welsh rugby and why Billy Boston should be league's first knight.
www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-...
www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-...
Rugby league due its first knight – but Sir Kev must wait his turn
Now 90, Billy Boston rose above discrimination to establish himself as a role model in a community that was proud to support him. He and his sport should be properly honoured sooner rather than later
www.thetimes.com
January 4, 2025 at 8:58 AM
My column on honours lists, the snubbing of rugby league, a history of racism in 20th century Welsh rugby and why Billy Boston should be league's first knight.
www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-...
www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-...
Reposted by Tides of History
His White House Diary record of the visit
December 29, 2024 at 10:19 PM
His White House Diary record of the visit
RIP President Jimmy Carter aged 100
Here he is in 1977 on his famous visit to the North East with PM Jim Callaghan
There were crowds of 20,000 and Carter visited the Corning glassworks in Sunderland where he was given a special gift…
Here he is in 1977 on his famous visit to the North East with PM Jim Callaghan
There were crowds of 20,000 and Carter visited the Corning glassworks in Sunderland where he was given a special gift…
December 29, 2024 at 9:46 PM
RIP President Jimmy Carter aged 100
Here he is in 1977 on his famous visit to the North East with PM Jim Callaghan
There were crowds of 20,000 and Carter visited the Corning glassworks in Sunderland where he was given a special gift…
Here he is in 1977 on his famous visit to the North East with PM Jim Callaghan
There were crowds of 20,000 and Carter visited the Corning glassworks in Sunderland where he was given a special gift…
Wham! Last Christmas takes out the Xmas no 1 again 🌲
40 years ago, just a few weeks before it’s release the band had “risked their reputation” by playing a benefit gig for striking miners at Festival Hall, London ⛏️
40 years ago, just a few weeks before it’s release the band had “risked their reputation” by playing a benefit gig for striking miners at Festival Hall, London ⛏️
December 20, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Wham! Last Christmas takes out the Xmas no 1 again 🌲
40 years ago, just a few weeks before it’s release the band had “risked their reputation” by playing a benefit gig for striking miners at Festival Hall, London ⛏️
40 years ago, just a few weeks before it’s release the band had “risked their reputation” by playing a benefit gig for striking miners at Festival Hall, London ⛏️
Reposted by Tides of History
Pleased to welcome @historytrainsman.bsky.social, a member of our EC, to BlueSky - and to add him to our labour history starter pack
go.bsky.app/CUqdx9a
go.bsky.app/CUqdx9a
December 18, 2024 at 2:52 PM
Pleased to welcome @historytrainsman.bsky.social, a member of our EC, to BlueSky - and to add him to our labour history starter pack
go.bsky.app/CUqdx9a
go.bsky.app/CUqdx9a
Reposted by Tides of History
What a mad five years
Covid, the Captain Sir Tom Moore Memorial Spa, the lettuce, that week where everyone thought the royal family were covering up the death of the Princess of Wales
Just normal country things
Covid, the Captain Sir Tom Moore Memorial Spa, the lettuce, that week where everyone thought the royal family were covering up the death of the Princess of Wales
Just normal country things
#OTD 2019. “Brexit” Election. Johnson and the Conservatives win majority of 80.
It is Tories biggest win since 1987 and their highest share of the popular vote since 1979.
Labour drop to lowest number of MPs since 1935.
It is Tories biggest win since 1987 and their highest share of the popular vote since 1979.
Labour drop to lowest number of MPs since 1935.
December 12, 2024 at 10:06 AM
What a mad five years
Covid, the Captain Sir Tom Moore Memorial Spa, the lettuce, that week where everyone thought the royal family were covering up the death of the Princess of Wales
Just normal country things
Covid, the Captain Sir Tom Moore Memorial Spa, the lettuce, that week where everyone thought the royal family were covering up the death of the Princess of Wales
Just normal country things
#OTD 2019. “Brexit” Election. Johnson and the Conservatives win majority of 80.
It is Tories biggest win since 1987 and their highest share of the popular vote since 1979.
Labour drop to lowest number of MPs since 1935.
It is Tories biggest win since 1987 and their highest share of the popular vote since 1979.
Labour drop to lowest number of MPs since 1935.
December 12, 2024 at 9:30 AM
#OTD 2019. “Brexit” Election. Johnson and the Conservatives win majority of 80.
It is Tories biggest win since 1987 and their highest share of the popular vote since 1979.
Labour drop to lowest number of MPs since 1935.
It is Tories biggest win since 1987 and their highest share of the popular vote since 1979.
Labour drop to lowest number of MPs since 1935.
Reposted by Tides of History
What book would you choose?
sslh.org.uk/2022/12/17/w...
sslh.org.uk/2022/12/17/w...
Well read: labour historians recommend books that deserve to be better known
Newspapers and magazines always like to list their ‘best books of the year’ as Christmas approaches. But what if the best books weren’t published this year? Preferring to take a l…
sslh.org.uk
December 8, 2024 at 8:42 AM
What book would you choose?
sslh.org.uk/2022/12/17/w...
sslh.org.uk/2022/12/17/w...
Reposted by Tides of History
This week's new post looked at Wigan: the borough was one of the few to build council housing before 1914: 'a slum abolished, an eyesore removed, the health of the inhabitants remarkably improved, their environment made clean, refined, and elevating' ...
municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2024/12/03/c...
municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2024/12/03/c...
December 7, 2024 at 8:22 AM
This week's new post looked at Wigan: the borough was one of the few to build council housing before 1914: 'a slum abolished, an eyesore removed, the health of the inhabitants remarkably improved, their environment made clean, refined, and elevating' ...
municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2024/12/03/c...
municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2024/12/03/c...
#OTD 1955. Clement Attlee steps down as Labour leader after 20 years in charge.
The Times leads the tributes to the man they say would be remembered as being "distressed by the needs of the needy, the poverty of the poor and the lack of opportunity for the many"
The Times leads the tributes to the man they say would be remembered as being "distressed by the needs of the needy, the poverty of the poor and the lack of opportunity for the many"
December 7, 2024 at 8:48 AM
#OTD 1955. Clement Attlee steps down as Labour leader after 20 years in charge.
The Times leads the tributes to the man they say would be remembered as being "distressed by the needs of the needy, the poverty of the poor and the lack of opportunity for the many"
The Times leads the tributes to the man they say would be remembered as being "distressed by the needs of the needy, the poverty of the poor and the lack of opportunity for the many"
#OTD 1923 Election. Tories forced to seek mandate on tariff reform as Labour win seats in North.
Labour argue tariffs "foster a spirit of profiteering, materialism and selfishness, poison the life of nations, lead to corruption in politics, promote trusts and monopolies, and impoverish the people"
Labour argue tariffs "foster a spirit of profiteering, materialism and selfishness, poison the life of nations, lead to corruption in politics, promote trusts and monopolies, and impoverish the people"
December 6, 2024 at 9:34 AM
#OTD 1923 Election. Tories forced to seek mandate on tariff reform as Labour win seats in North.
Labour argue tariffs "foster a spirit of profiteering, materialism and selfishness, poison the life of nations, lead to corruption in politics, promote trusts and monopolies, and impoverish the people"
Labour argue tariffs "foster a spirit of profiteering, materialism and selfishness, poison the life of nations, lead to corruption in politics, promote trusts and monopolies, and impoverish the people"