115 years ago this week, one of Labour's most iconic politicians was born. Barbara Castle grew up in Yorkshire before attending Oxford University and becoming a Labour MP in 1945. For over three decades, she was one of the best-known MPs in the country and one of the most forceful advocates for socialism. In this episode, Lee interviews Richard about Castle's life and achievements and Richard explains why she is his favourite Labour politician of all time.

In this episode, the following books are mentioned:

'A Year with Gilbert White' by Jenny Uglow. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780571354184

'The Castle Diaries 1964-1976' by Barbara Castle. Available at: https://amzn.to/4732K78

Did you know there is also a Since Attlee & Churchill Substack? Find it at: https://www.sinceattleeandchurchill.com/

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Throughout the month of October, Lee and Richard are experimenting with mid-week editions of Matters of Interest. In this first episode, Lee returns from Conservative Party Conference and shares his thoughts on Margaret Thatcher's legacy and the Tories' newly announced policies. And Richard discovers an almost century-old prescription given to Winston Churchill by an American doctor, which reveals a great deal about what it was like to live (and be treated) in America under prohibition.

Since Attlee & Churchill Substack, featuring bonus podcasts: https://www.sinceattleeandchurchill.com/

Since Attlee & Churchill bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/saac

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In the second part of their miniseries on consequential party conferences, Richard and Lee discuss the Conservatives' 2005 gathering in Blackpool. In the wake of their third successive election defeat, Tories gathered on the Fylde coast to mull over the choice of leader. The front-runner at the start of proceedings would bomb on the conference stage and a little known MP would emerge as the leader-in-waiting - setting him on course to the party leadership and 10 Downing Street.

In this episode, the following books are mentioned:

'Looking for Rights in All the Wrong Places' by Emily Zackin. Available at: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16406/9780691155784

'The Past Masters' by Harold Macmillan. Available at: https://amzn.to/4gZ2N8M

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.