I'm very grateful to @philipjcowley.bsky.social for mentioning my book, 'Coronations & Defenestrations', in his latest column for @thehousemag.bsky.social. The 'The Professor Will See You Now' articles are always a must-read, so I was chuffed to see my name in one!

🚨 NEW PODCAST: What made Betty Boothroyd such a successful Speaker? Boothroyd was the first woman to become Speaker of the House of Commons - and from the Speaker's chair became one of the most popular and recognisable figures in British politics. But what made her so successful in the role? 1/2

I've just listened to this podcast. What an insight into the life of Margaret Bondfield as well as to the social history of the time. I invite you to settle down with a cuppa ....#womenshistory

Lee David Evans@leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 2mo ago

🚨 NEW PODCAST: Margaret Bondfield In this episode of the Since Attlee & Churchill Summer Book Club, Richard and I are joined by @nansloane.bsky.social, author of 'Margaret Bondfield: The Life and Times of Britain’s First Female Cabinet Minister.' Margaret Bondfield was the first woman... 1/4

I hugely enjoyed joining Richard and Lee on their excellent podcast- do take a listen (and not just to my episode!)

Lee David Evans@leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · last mo.

🚨 NEW PODCAST: Churchill's Queen In the final episode of the Since Attlee & Churchill Summer Book Club, Richard and I are joined by @nigelfletcher.bsky.social, author of 'Churchill's Queen: The Remarkable Friendship That Shaped Our Age'. 1/4

🚨 NEW PODCAST: Churchill's Queen In the final episode of the Since Attlee & Churchill Summer Book Club, Richard and I are joined by @nigelfletcher.bsky.social, author of 'Churchill's Queen: The Remarkable Friendship That Shaped Our Age'. 1/4

I had a lovely time talking about Margaret Bondfield with @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social and Richard Johnson for the Since Attlee and Churchill Summer Book Club. You can get it from most of the usual outlets and we covered lots of aspects of her life and politics. Have a listen and enjoy!

Lee David Evans@leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 2mo ago

🚨 NEW PODCAST: Margaret Bondfield In this episode of the Since Attlee & Churchill Summer Book Club, Richard and I are joined by @nansloane.bsky.social, author of 'Margaret Bondfield: The Life and Times of Britain’s First Female Cabinet Minister.' Margaret Bondfield was the first woman... 1/4

Bondfield was MP for Northampton. Supported in her campaign by GB Shaw and Basset-Lowke, pictured here outside the Rennie Mackintosh house on Derngate. Remembered still by a statue in town, and a hall of residence at the university.

Lee David Evans@leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 2mo ago

🚨 NEW PODCAST: Margaret Bondfield In this episode of the Since Attlee & Churchill Summer Book Club, Richard and I are joined by @nansloane.bsky.social, author of 'Margaret Bondfield: The Life and Times of Britain’s First Female Cabinet Minister.' Margaret Bondfield was the first woman... 1/4

My mother, growing up in a pit village on Tyneside, got into politics aged 5, marching and chanting Vote, Vote, Vote For Maggie Bondfield. That memory and beliefs stayed with her for 80 years.

🚨 NEW PODCAST: Margaret Bondfield In this episode of the Since Attlee & Churchill Summer Book Club, Richard and I are joined by @nansloane.bsky.social, author of 'Margaret Bondfield: The Life and Times of Britain’s First Female Cabinet Minister.' Margaret Bondfield was the first woman... 1/4

Obviously, WhatsApp didn't exist in 1963, but if it had... The actual story of this extraordinary episode in political history - the battle to succeed Harold Macmillan - is told in my new book, 'Coronations & Defenestrations: Choosing (and Losing) Tory Leaders'. Available now.

From my piece for @telegraph.co.uk on how I think the One Nation tradition should be applied to politics today: "The great tragedy is that One Nation Conservatism, properly conceived, still has a lot to offer politics... "Pay, education and life expectancy across the regions... varies wildly...

🚨 NEW PODCAST: Who was the last MP to disclaim a hereditary peerage? In the latest episode of Since Attlee & Churchill, Richard and I discuss the remarkable life of James Douglas-Hamilton. A Scottish Tory politician, he had the rare distinction of serving in three legislative chambers... 1/4

🚨 NEW PODCAST: Coronations & Defenestrations: Choosing (and losing) Tory Leaders In the latest edition of our podcast Since Attlee & Churchill, Richard interviews me about my new book on the Tory leadership. We explore how the Conservative Party has picked – and ditched - its leaders. 1/4

It’s here! @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social’s book on the most efficient users of the political guillotine. As the Tories settle down to a period of consistent leadership after the tumult of Cameron to Sunak (move over French Revolution!) I’m looking forward to getting into this. #histbookchat

🚨 NEW PODCAST: New Labour, New Britain? Almost twenty years after Tony Blair left Downing Street, how should we judge the record of New Labour? In our latest 'Since Attlee & Churchill' podcast, Richard and I are joined by @gsoh31.bsky.social to discuss his book, 'New Labour, New Britain?' 1/2

‘Burnham’s coronation comes with a catch.’ @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social on Andy Burnham’s path to become Leader of the Labour Party & the United Kingdom’s next Prime Minister. Via @capx.co. #UnitedKingdom capx.co/burnhams-cor...

Burnham’s coronation comes with a catch

No leadership contest means no debate about what comes next for Labour

capx.co

Spotted in the wild! - at Blackwell's Bookshops, Oxford.

🎉 It's publication day +1! I missed posting about it here yesterday, but my book - Coronations & Defenestrations: Choosing (and Losing) Tory Leaders - is now published with @agendapub.bsky.social and @edinburghup.bsky.social. If you'd like to give it a read, you can find it... 1/2

🚨 NEW PODCAST: The Brexit Referendum Richard and I have reached the finale of our miniseries on Cameron’s referendums. In this episode, we discuss why Cameron promised to hold a referendum... ... the circumstances in which he made good on that pledge...

‘It is hard to imagine Starmer being a boisterous ex-PM. After all, what ideas would he advocate for? If anybody knew - if he knew - then he may not have just resigned as prime minister.’ I’ve written for @unherd.com on what Keir Starmer might do next. unherd.com/newsroom/wil...

Will Keir Starmer become the secretary general of the UN?

In 2023, Emily Maitlis asked Keir Starmer the question that revealed more about his failed premiership than any other: which does he prefer, Davos or Westminster? For most politicians, the choice betw...

unherd.com

Well, I'm glad I haven't just written a history of Labour leadership contests... I'm hoping this Tory version will be 'up to date' for some time yet!

Lee David Evans@leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 4mo ago

An exciting moment: the first copies of my book, ‘Coronations & Defenestrations’, arrived today! It’s the story of how the Conservatives have picked (and ditched) their leaders throughout history, to be published by @agendapub.bsky.social (@edinburghup.bsky.social) at the end of this month.

The formal party mechanisms for triggering a leadership contest have never yet brought down a prime minister ... but nor do prime ministers go by choice. Most voluntary resignations are involuntary" Harold Wilson’s departure half a century ago in 1976 is the last truly voluntary resignation

An exciting moment: the first copies of my book, ‘Coronations & Defenestrations’, arrived today! It’s the story of how the Conservatives have picked (and ditched) their leaders throughout history, to be published by @agendapub.bsky.social (@edinburghup.bsky.social) at the end of this month.

Such an honour to be at the installation service for the Order of the Garter yesterday, and to see the incomparable Peter Hennessy join their ranks.

Richard and I are starting a new miniseries on our podcast, 'Since Attlee & Churchill', all about David Cameron's Referendums. The first episode - on the AV referendum - is available now for members of our Patreon. 👇 patreon.com/SinceAttleeA...

Cameron’s Referendums Ep 1 of 3: The Alternative Vote | Since Attlee & Churchill

Early release for Since Attlee & Churchill Members... Lee and Richard are kicking off a new miniseries looking at the three major referendum

patreon.com

If you've never been, do look out for the open days at Highbury Hall, the former home of Joseph Chamberlain, in Birmingham. The team there - Chamberlain Highbury Trust - are doing a great job restoring the house and bringing the history of the Chamberlains to life. Well worth a visit!

I was delighted to speak at the @mcrhistories.bsky.social festival over the weekend. It was great to discuss the lives of four overlooked politicians with Manchester connections - and to do so at a festival that does so much to bring local history to life. Thanks to everyone who came along!

1983: Tony Benn defeated in Bristol East When Benn says nothing but the defeat of the people of Bristol would ever have induced him to leave, he was surely hinting that, now defeated, he would look elsewhere for a constituency. The following year he stood in Chesterfield.

Delighted to see the latest episode of Since Attlee & Churchill mentioned in Politico. Richard and I discuss a former Labour MP's attempt to return to the House of Commons - not in 2026, but in 1984, when Tony Benn fought the Chesterfield by-election. Available wherever you get your podcasts.