Michael’s high-profile appearances attract the attention of the authorities. Six weeks later, he addresses his next rally under police surveillance. ibid.
We were weaned on the concept of the empire and the mother-country and we firmly believed this. No more loyal subjects of the king and queen had ever … come here and discover we weren’t wanted has been a very shattering blow … It’s not a matter of hate that our people are feeling towards the people of this country, but a very simple emotion like that of a rejected love. ibid. Michael’s TV interview
After serving eight months in prison, Michael is released but remains under police surveillance. He immediately persuades his white liberal backers to fund a new venture: the Black House [inc Lennon]. ibid. caption
The assault on Marvin Brown gives the Metropolitan police reason to raid the Black House. Michael is charged with robbery and extortion. ibid.
There is a difference between leadership and demagoguery. ibid. professor, re Malcolm X
In the town of Arima, Michael sets himself up as leader of Christina Gardens – a small agricultural commune centred around his claimed political ethos of self-help. ibid. caption
Michael, alongside two of his followers stands accused of the murder of Joseph Skerritt. If found guilty, the penalty is death by hanging. ibid.
2021: A year when British people discovered that we’re the first people in history to be ruled by incompetent fascists. Fascists are normally organised. Frankie Boyle’s 2021 New World Order, BBC 2021
60 years ago an extraordinary national festival captured the imagination of the country. In 1951 the Festival of Britain was a celebration designed to show how a country battered by war, debt and austerity could carve out a new future through science, design and innovation while still having fun. The 1951 Festival of Britain: A Brave New World, BBC 2021
That evening, a new concert hall – the Royal Festival Hall – was opened by the King. ibid.
The Skylon: a towering 300 foot tall structure of steel and aluminium. ibid.
All Set For Festival: London’s South Bank exhibition is ready to show the world what Britain can do. Pathé News 1951
The South Bank exhibition: Britain’s proof to a doubting world that she still leads in science and discovery draws to a close. ibid.
This is one of the richest countries in the world. It’s pretty desperate, isn’t it. Martin Lewis, 10 April 2022
By 1914 there were 48 shipyards on the Clyde. Shipbuilding guaranteed the empire and empire guaranteed the shipyards. Michael Wood, The Great British Story 8/8: A People’s History
There was still a huge gulf between rich and poor. In 1910 the chain-makers of the black country went on strike ... The most exploited were the women. ibid.
In 1919 the Irish War of Independence – the Anglo-Irish War – brought the end of British rule after more than three centuries. ibid.
The Labour Party’s victory in the election of 1945 put in hand a visionary project by Sir William Beveridge. ibid.
1960: 533,000 textile workers; 1978: 209,000 textile workers; 1960: 700,000 miners; 1998: 9,000 miners in the UK. ibid.
He always felt it was his destiny to lead the nation to victory. And at the most dangerous moment in history his leadership was making the greatest Briton of all time. Great Britons s1e8, Churchill, Mo Mowlam
He was kept out of his parents’ way and packed off to boarding school ... He was a small and sickly child. ibid.
She [mother] was a New York heiress ... She was cold and distant to him ... He [father] would go for months on end without seeing his children. ibid.
The British opened fire and ten thousand [Sudan] dervishes were killed. ibid.
He didn’t really care about party politics. ibid.
He fought for better labour conditions, trade union rights, old age pensions and prison reforms. He even wanted to get rid of the House of Lords. ibid.
He wasn’t keen on women having the vote, and he strongly disapproved of the suffragettes’ aggressive protests. It was Churchill who sent in the vicious Black and Tans ... His brutality came to the fore when he was Home Secretary ... He behaved like the general he always wanted to be. ibid.
Churchill was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty ... The solution he believed was a naval attack on Turkey ... Seven hundred men were killed ... It was an unmitigated disaster. Churchill was removed from the Admiralty. ibid.
He had always been prone to bouts of depression: he called them his black dog. And now he fell into his worst depression ever. ibid.
He insisted that surrender wasn’t an option. The Battle of Britain was about to begin. Churchill gave a call for arms. ibid.
Against all the odds our spitfires fended off invasion. But it wasn’t over yet – the Germans started launching bombing raids on our cities. ibid.
Hitler accused Churchill of being an alcoholic. ibid.
The famous victory at El Alamein was a turning point in the war. ibid.
The very soldiers who had fought for him were not convinced he was the right man to rebuild Britain. ibid.
This is the authentic story of a bombing raid on Germany, how it is planned and how it is executed. Target for Tonight, caption, short 1941
‘Certainly is a peach of a target, isn’t it, sir.’ ibid. Bomber Command
Blended together in one great symphony is the music of Britain at war: the evening hymn of the lark, the roar of Spitfires, the dancers in the great ballroom at Blackpool, the clank of machinery, and shunting trains … Listen to Britain, short 1942
Austerity has meant food banks and food co-ops. Austerity has meant shorter lives. Austerity has meant unbelievable levels of poverty in Britain. Jeremy Corbyn, interview The Alexei Sayle Podcast, More Hope Please, Youtube 1.28.06
Soaring food bills, fuel shortages, and public sector workers on strike … Winter 1974. Britain was running out of power and drastic action was needed: nationwide blackouts and a three-day working week as electricity was rationed and whole towns plunged into darkness. The Blackouts of ’74, Channel 5 2023
At the heart of the crisis was a pay dispute between the miners’ union and the government. ibid.
The miners were victorious: the government agreed to a 27% wage increase. ibid.
Suddenly, the price of oil quadrupled … Petrol rationing and speed limits were imposed. ibid.
1973: They [miners] demanded a 35% pay rise on top of the 27% won in 1972. ibid.
This is just little England elites drunk on the memory of a British empire that no longer exists. We have the lowest pensions in Europe, the lowest sick pay, we pretend the minumum wage is a living wage when it’s not. We miss our own economic targets time and time again. We’re happy to break international law. We are turning into a country where words hold no value, and over the last 12 years I fear we are sleepwalking closer and closer to the f-word. And I know is scared to say it for fear of sounding over the top or being accused of going too far. But I say this with all sincerity when I say the f-word. I’m talking about fascism. Fascism wrapped in red, white and blue. Mhairi Black
Only three men have led the Labour Party to victory in its entire history: Ramsay McDonald, Clement Attlee and Harold Wilson. Of this trio Wilson was the most successful. Anthony Howard on Harold Wilson, BBC 1995
The other fixed point in his life was the local Baptist chapel.
At the age of 31 he was catapulted into the cabinet as president of the Board of Trade. ibid.
Bevan and Wilson wanted to see cuts in Defence rather than impose NHS charges. ibid.
‘Harold was hated by Gaitskellites.’ ibid. Tony Benn
‘There were malcontents in MI5 who were right wing, malicious.’ Secret History: Harold History: The Final Days, Channel 4 1996
On March 16th 1976 Harold Wilson resigned as prime minister. He was just two years into his second term of office and still only sixty. His resignation stunned the nation. Extraordinary rumours began to circulate that some dark secret had forced him from office. ibid.
From the beginning of his political career he’d been monitored by his own security service, MI5. ibid.
The obsession that he was being targeted began to dominate life at Number 10. ibid.
He was a broken man: physically, mentally and politicly. ibid.
Labour supporters were cautiously optimistic about winning the next election. But then in a few short months all their hopes were dashed. A devastating series of strikes brought the country to a halt and changed the face of British politics for ever. Secret History: Winter of Discontent, Channel 4 1998
Labour was cast into the wilderness for 19 years and union power was smashed. ibid.
The trade unions were fed up after 3 years of incomes policy. ibid.
The first big test came with the pay negotiations at Ford … The unions finally accepted an odder of around 17% … The Ford settlement burst the way policy dam. ibid.
The 5% pay limit was being ignored by almost everyone except the government. ibid.
‘Crisis. What Crisis?’ ibid. The Sun headline