Thanks to all who joined us last night to celebrate 50th anniversary of Jim Callaghan's premiership. Fascinating insights from Michael Cockerell, Peter Kellner, Baronesses Liddell, Hayter & Jay; Political Secretary Tom McNally & speechwriter Roger Carroll & GMB's Lord Whitty
Clearing out my grandparents flat this weekend and coming across these treasures - thank you cards from Denis Healey and Leeds MP Joe Dean - my grandfather made their suits. He was so proud of that.
A wonderful evening of insight, reminiscence & revelation...including Lord Whitty's cunning plan that almost averted Winter of Discontent. And celebration of the Premiership of one of our LHG Patrons: James Callaghan
🚨 Peter Kellner is the first speaker about Jim Callaghan at the @LabourHistory event. He talks about the roots of Callaghan's political career and some of the controversies of his time as a minister.
🚨 Next up at the @LabourHistory event on Jim Callaghan is Michael Cockerell, opens by referring to the full length documentary he made with Lord Callaghan in 1992, starting with Callaghan on his farm.
🚨 Ahead of this evening's @LabourHistory event on the Callaghan Government, a reminder of where James Callaghan ranks in terms of parliamentary interventions as a former Prime Minister, from the time of his resignation as Labour leader in 1980 to his last intervention in 1999.
Harold Wilson would have been 110 today. He is my favourite Labour PM and my illustrious predecessor, having been the MP for Huyton from 1950 to 1983.
This is a pic of me, Lord Hanson and Alan Johnson at a Harold-themed fundraiser I did last year in Huyton; a great night.
Harold Wilson would have been 110 today…
Here he is taking on a protestor during the 1966 election campaign
“I’m afraid your aim is no better than your material my friend” 🎯
5️⃣0️⃣ years ago today, Harold Wilson resigns as Prime Minister
He wishes he had governed in easier times
“These years of office spanned a period when Britain nationally and internationally had to face storms and challenges without parallel in our peacetime history’
A thread 👇🏼
At LHG panel "Lessons for Labour from coalition & austerity: 1929-35", Phil & @greggmcclymont . Phil's essay on Lab leader Clynes just part of his legacy. With @LordJohnMann Phil played key role saving @LabourStudents from Militant, as @MichaelDugher chronicled. We'll miss him.
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of Phil Woolas who served the people of Oldham East and Saddleworth as their local MP, and served the wider country as a Minister.
My thoughts are with his family and many friends.
🚨 Don't miss your chance to reserve a spot for what's clearly going to be a brilliant event on The Great Man, Jim Callaghan.
🏅 A titan of @LabourHistory, he is also a titan of the Office of Former Prime Minister, not least by being the most parliamentary active ex-PM to date.
🚨🚨Fiftieth Anniversary of formation of Callaghan government. All-star panel including Downing St Policy Unit Chief Lord Donoughue; Scottish Labour chief Baroness Liddell; biographers Michael Cockerell & Peter Kellner; Baronesses Jay & Hayter. Eventbrite: https://t.co/ZV9HF0K75t
🚨🚨This April, it will be Fifty Years since James Callaghan became the fourth Labour leader to be appointed Prime Minister. Labour History Group are assembling an all-star panel to commemorate the anniversary.
🚨🚨🚨Save the date!!! Evening of 28th April 2026. In parliament. Next Labour History Group panel. Celebrating a significant anniversary. Of a great Labour PM.