First Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald
Political broadcaster Shaun Ley chooses Labour's first Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald. With Matthew Parris. From 2019.
Ramsay MacDonald, Labour's first Prime Minister, is chosen by Shaun Ley.
In 1931 Ramsay MacDonald went to see the king in order to resign. George V persuaded him to stay, and a story of party betrayal began.
Broadcaster Shaun Ley and journalist Anne Perkins pick through events that have a contemporary ring as the political class of the thirties struggled to cope with fast moving events.
MacDonald's own story and background is remarkable too - illegitimate son, born in Lossiemouth in Scotland, he is remembered as one of the early founding fathers of the Labour party, and a man who bravely spoke out against the First World War.
Presenter: Mathew Parris
Producer: Miles Warde
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2019.
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Tue 27 Aug 201916:30BBC Radio 4- Fri 30 Aug 201923:00BBC Radio 4
- Thu 27 Oct 202218:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 28 Oct 202200:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 29 Oct 202207:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 29 Oct 202217:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sun 30 Oct 202205:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
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