Conservative History Group

[Lee David Evans @LeeDavidEvansUK]

I'm pleased to say my book on the Tory leadership, 'Coronations & Defenestrations', will be out next month with @agendapub (part of @EdinburghUP).

It looks back to when leaders simply 'emerged' and charts the path to the flurry of leaders the party has endured in recent years.

[Tom Chidwick @TomChidwick]

Thrilled that one of my favourite stories about Ted Heath is mentioned in @TimesDiary!

While Heath denied the ‘monstrous allegations made about a lack of courtesy’, his friends conceded that he hadn’t accompanied Thatcher to the door so they wouldn’t be photographed together …

[Lee David Evans @LeeDavidEvansUK]

‘Where there is discord, may we bring harmony…’

The note Margaret Thatcher used when addressing the media on her first day as PM - including the key words of the prayer of St Francis of Assisi and a reminder to finish by quoting her recently murdered friend, Airey Neave (A.N.).

[Dr Daniel Pitt @DanJTPitt]

It is the 103rd anniversary of the famous and pivotal meeting of @Conservatives MPs at the Carlton Club. At this event, it can be argued (without being hyperbolic) that, the Conservative Party was saved from extinction through a merger. A thread on that famous night.

[Lee David Evans @LeeDavidEvansUK]

🚨 NEW PODCAST: Did Margaret Thatcher have to resign as Prime Minister?

In this week's podcast, @richardmarcj and I discuss the dramatic downfall of Margaret Thatcher in November 1990.

Why did she resign? Could she have fought on? And...

1/2

[James Vitali @VitaliJames]

I've had the opportunity to read an inordinate amount while researching for my forthcoming book. It's not exactly holiday-friendly reading(!), but I thought I'd share a few of the key texts from my conservative philosophy / political economy reading list 🧵

[Conservative History Group @ConHistoryGroup]

#OnThisDay in 1867, Stanley Baldwin was born.

Baldwin dominated British politics in the inter-war years, but afterwards his legacy was tarnished by both the left and the right.

His defenders, including @dcsandbrook, argue 'Baldwin deserves better... He was a great man.'

[Conservative History Group @ConHistoryGroup]

In 1837, Benjamin Disraeli was elected to the House of Commons for the first time.

Later that year, he made a chaotic (and much barracked) maiden speech, ending with the words:

‘Though I sit down now, the time will come when you will hear me!’

[Lee David Evans @LeeDavidEvansUK]

Campaigning ain’t what it used to be!

(Photograph from 1951)

[Conservative History Group @ConHistoryGroup]

On this day in 1902, A. J. Balfour became prime minister - replacing his uncle the Marquess of Salisbury.

Balfour’s career got off to a slow start. He waited 2 years before making his ‘dull’ maiden speech in 1876 then did not speak again for a year.

But by 1902 he was PM.

[Conservative History Group @ConHistoryGroup]

‘We want Ted! We want Ted!’

On this day in 1970, Edward Heath became prime minister after defeating Harold Wilson’s Labour Party in the general election.

Outside the front door of 10 Downing Street, the new prime minister spoke of his vision for the country. 👇🏻

[Conservative History Group @ConHistoryGroup]

70 years ago today, Sir Anthony Eden went to the country to secure his own mandate as prime minister.

The Conservatives won 49.7% of the vote - a vote share never beaten since - and a majority of 60.

Here's the moment Richard Dimbleby declared the outcome was beyond doubt.

[James Vitali @VitaliJames]

Over the last week I've been at the Bodleian Library in Oxford consulting the Conservative Party Archives. I've been especially interested in what historically the Party has done to regain its intellectual self-confidence in the aftermath of electoral defeat🧵

[Lee David Evans @LeeDavidEvansUK]

In February 1952 a young Margaret Thatcher wrote an article for Sunday Graphic.

It was titled, ‘WAKE UP, WOMEN’ and reflected on the role of women in the second Elizabethan age, then just a few weeks old.

Here’s what the young Mrs Thatcher wrote. A thread. 🧵

[Conservative History Group @ConHistoryGroup]

#OnThisDay in 1982, Rab Butler died.

He was one of the most consequential Conservative politicians of the 20th century, serving as Chancellor, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary.

On three occasions he nearly ended up Prime Minister, but failed to make it to Number 10.

[Conservative History Group @ConHistoryGroup]

A full house for tonight’s event on the legacy of Sir Keith Joseph with @CPSThinkTank.

Thanks to Professor Sir Vernon Bogdanor and Lord Parkinson for their contributions and to the audience for their stimulating questions.

[Lee David Evans @LeeDavidEvansUK]

4th Feb 1975 saw Margaret Thatcher defenestrate Edward Heath.

But a week later - 50 years ago today - she had to defeat another four men to become the Conservative leader.

Here's the story of the all-important second ballot of the 1975 Tory leadership contest.

A thread.🧵

[Conservative History Group @ConHistoryGroup]

Fifty years ago today, Tory MPs voted for a new leader - and the result made headlines around the world:

Thatcher: 146
Whitelaw: 79
Prior: 19
Howe: 19
Peyton: 11

Earlier in the contest, Thatcher was asked whether the country was ready for a woman leader. Here's what she said.👇

[Lee David Evans @LeeDavidEvansUK]

It's 131 years since Harold Macmillan was born.

Here are ten snapshots from the life of 'SuperMac', one of the 20th century's greatest Prime Ministers.

A thread.🧵

[Conservative History Group @ConHistoryGroup]

Harold Macmillan, Conservative prime minister from 1957-63, was born #OnThisDay in 1894.

He entered 10 Downing Street in the aftermath of the Suez crisis, with the Conservative Party in a trough, but turned things around to win a 100 seat majority in the 1959 general election.