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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

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!

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

🚨 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

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angerj.eurosky.social @angerj.eurosky.social · 02/09/2026

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

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Dr Nigel Fletcher @nigelfletcher.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

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

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

🚨 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

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Nan Sloane @nansloane.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

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!

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James Tarry @northamptonian.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

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.

Statue of Bondfield in the Guildhall open square amongst other town worthies such as Walter Tull

GBS and the Basset-Lowkes on the doorstep of the Charles Rennie Macintosh house on Derngate, now a tourist attraction.

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Peter Hutchinson @catus14.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

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.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

🚨 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

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

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.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

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...

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

🚨 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

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

🚨 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

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TheKnightIrish @theknightirish.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

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

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

🚨 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

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Marie Coronel @mariecoronelsd.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

‘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...

capx.co

Burnham’s coronation comes with a catch

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

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

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

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

🎉 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

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

🚨 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...

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

‘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...

unherd.com

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...

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

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!

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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

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

The formal party mechanisms for triggering a leadership contest have never yet brought down a prime minister: Theresa May and Johnson both survived a no-confidence vote of their Conservative party MPs. Yet both found themselves forced to resign soon after, within a month in Johnson’s case.

But nor do prime ministers tend to go by choice, either. Harold Wilson’s departure half a century ago in 1976 is the last truly voluntary resignation, where a prime minister controlled the timing, and surprised his party and the public. Most voluntary resignations are involuntary, though they can have shorter or longer timelines.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

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.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

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.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

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...

patreon.com

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

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

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!

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

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!

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

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.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

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.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

🚨NEW PODCAST: Is Makerfield the new Chesterfield? In the latest Since Attlee & Churchill, @richardmarcj and I discuss a former Labour MP's attempt to return to Parliament in a by-election. But the candidate isn't Andy Burnham - it's Tony Benn, in Chesterfield, in 1984. 1/2

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

On our podcast, Since Attlee & Churchill, Richard and I have been looking at three of the most dramatic strikes of the last century. It's a story of changing trade union power; competent and inept governments; and the collapse of the coal-mining industry. 🧵A mini thread.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Richard and I are delighted to be taking 'Since Attlee & Churchill' to @mcrhistories.bsky.social. We'll be there on 6th June, in Manchester Central Library, speaking about Manchester's underlooked political figures. Tickets are free and can be booked at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mhf-2026-f...

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Agenda Publishing @agendapub.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Just spotted that you are the #1 'hot new release' for political leadership books on amazon - congratulations! (though annoyingly they are still displaying an old version of the cover) www.amazon.co.uk/gp/new-relea...

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

I'm pleased to say my book on the Tory leadership, 'Coronations & Defenestrations', will be out next month with @agendapub.bsky.social (part of @edinburghup.bsky.social). It looks back to when leaders simply emerged and charts the path to the flurry of leaders the party has endured in recent years.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

🚨 NEW PODCAST: The General Strike (Part 2) In our second episode on the General Strike, Richard and I pick up the story after the strike got underway and debate the role of Stanley Baldwin, the terms of the 'surrender' and the long-term consequences of the strike. 1/2

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Pleased to write for @telegraph.co.uk on Labour's battering in Wales - a once-in-a-century rupture between the Labour Party and what was one of its most steadfast heartlands. Available here. 👇 www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05...

telegraph.co.uk

You are seeing this page because our security systems have detected some unusual activity on this connection. To regain access to The Telegraph website please try the following:

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

One of the recurring themes of leadership challenges is the difference between technical survival and retaining the authority to govern. For anything more than a few months’ reprieve, it’s the latter that really matters. And Keir Starmer is clearly losing it.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

‘An almost forgotten character walked back onto the stage of British politics this weekend. After decades in the wilderness, the “stalking horse” was revived by Labour MP Catherine West…’ I’ve written for @unherd.com on the remarkable return of the stalking horse.👇🏻 unherd.com/newsroom/wil...

unherd.com

Will the stalking horse bring down Starmer?

An almost forgotten character walked back onto the stage of British politics this weekend. After decades in the wilderness, the “stalking horse” — previously a star of Tory leadership dramas — was rev...

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

🚨NEW PODCAST: The General Strike (Part 1) Richard and I kick off a new miniseries on strikes by looking back 100 years to the only General Strike in British history (so far). When a slump in the profitability of coal met with the demands of the mineworkers, few could see a peaceful way out. 1/4

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

The interpretation of these results for the Conservatives depends almost entirely on if you’re comparing with 2021/22 (effectively pre-Reform) or 2025. Obviously these are worse for the Tories than before the right was split. But they’re much better than the 2025 results.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

As we learn more about how the country has voted, I’ve put the results so far into some historical context over on @capx.co. Free to read here. 👇 capx.co/the-old-poli...

capx.co

Welcome to the age of five-party politics

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

To the average voter, this will come across as it is: horrible, vile, spiteful politics. It may motivate some of their existing vote, but few new people will want to support a party that threatens to punish you, even if you vote for it, because a plurality of your neighbours vote for someone else.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

I’m delighted this is now our fastest downloaded episode ever - out of 100+ eps! Hear about how Labour got smashed in the 1968 local elections; plotters tried to end Harold Wilson’s premiership; and yet he survived until the next election (and beyond)… Links below.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

🚨NEW PODCAST: Labour's 1968 Battering at the Polls In 1968, an unpopular Labour PM was on the brink as voters went to the polls in local elections. When the votes were counted, Labour suffered a wipe-out in large parts of London, with similarly grim results across the rest of the country. 1/2

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

🚨 NEW PODCAST: How political was Elizabeth II? To mark the centenary of her birth, Richard and I discuss - and debate - the political role(s) of Elizabeth II. I argue that there are 7 legitimate ways in which a monarch can, and sometimes must, act politically - but that each comes with... 1/2

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Wonderful news that Lord Hennessy has been made a Knight of the Order of the Garter. If you haven't done so already, take this as a prompt to listen to his utterly charming appearance of Desert Island Discs in 2023.

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Owen Winter @owenwntr.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

It's an underrated part of British culture that we tend to believe other Brits are generally good people. There's such a huge gulf in the Anglosphere between those who believe it (UK, Australia, Canada) and the US

A chart from Pew showing the share of people who say people in their country are morally good. 47% in the US say it is true, lower than any other country. The highest are UK (82%), Mexico (83%), Japan (83%), Australia (85%), Sweden (88%), India (88%), Indonesia (92%) and Canada (92%)

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

The problem isn't that a democratically elected PM got his way. It's that having made a political decision, and got his way, Keir Starmer now tries to blame other people and hide behind bureaucracy and process. Politicians exercising power is fine - so long as it comes with accountability.

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Lee David Evans @leedavidevansuk.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

This is the reason I struggle to imagine an actual Labour leadership contest being what removes Starmer. It would need 20% of MPs willing to publicly rebel against him AND get behind the same alternative. Imho, intolerable pressure, including resignations from govt, more likely to remove the PM.

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