About this season
Archive programmes depicting British life and politics in 1959, including the issues leading the debate ahead of the General Election of October 1959.
Episodes (11)
1. Introduction
Aired 10 October 2009 • 5 min
Anthony Howard presents an evening of archive programmes depicting Britain in 1959, including the build-up to the October General Election.
2. Who Cares? A New Way Home
Aired 10 October 2009 • 20 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, a report looking at slum clearance in Birmingham.
3. Press Conference - Hugh Gaitskell
Aired 10 October 2009 • 30 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, an edition of Press Conference in which Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell faces questions in the studio from three newspaper journalists.
4. Panorama: Women and Politics
Aired 10 October 2009 • 25 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, an edition of Panorama including an interview with the first woman MP, Lady Astor.
5. Conservative Election Broadcast
Aired 10 October 2009 • 20 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, the Conservative Election Broadcast presented by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, together with members of his cabinet. Originally broadcast on 19 September 1959.
6. Tonight
Aired 10 October 2009 • 20 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, an edition of the Tonight programme with Cliff Michelmore, Alan Wicker and the team.
7. Labour Election Broadcast
Aired 10 October 2009 • 25 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, the Labour Election Broadcast entitled 'Britain Belongs to You', presented by Anthony Wedgewood Benn and broadcast on 21 September 1959.
8. General Election Hustings
Aired 10 October 2009 • 25 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, a South London hustings from the 1959 election campaign featuring Ian Mikardo MP, Harold Watkinson MP and John Baker.
9. Press Conference - Jo Grimond
Aired 10 October 2009 • 30 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, an edition of Press Conference in which Liberal leader Jo Grimond faces questions in the studio from three newspaper journalists.
10. Who Goes Home?
Aired 10 October 2009 • 30 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, a 1950s prototype for Question Time, featuring Barbara Castle MP and Julian Amery MP.
11. 10/10/2009
Aired 10 October 2009 • 30 min
As part of BBC Parliament's Never Had It So Good evening looking at Britain in 1959, Denis Mitchell's landmark impressionistic film on life in a northern city.