Post War - with David Runciman - BBC sounds - audio documentaries

BBC Radio 4 - Politically - Available now

1. The Rejection - BBC Radio 4 - Politically, Postwar, 1. The Rejection
David Runciman tells the story of the 1945 election and the dawn of a new age.
The 1945 general election was one of the biggest shocks in British parliamentary history: a decisive rejection of Winston Churchill and his leadership. The election of Clement Attlee's Labour government in a landslide marked a break with the past and signalled a strong desire on the part of the British people for something new. But it was also a product of Britain's wartime experiences and revealed the many ways in which the country had already changed.
The years that followed -- the postwar years -- would bring about bold and radical reform, the building of a new nation, a 'New Jerusalem'. The Britain of the National Health Service and the welfare state, of nationalised industry and the so-called 'postwar consensus' -- all were ushered into place with this election. This is the Britain that most have us have grown up in and which still shapes an idea of who we think we are.
On 8th May 1945 -- VE Day -- Winston Churchill was triumphant and vindicated. Less than twelve weeks later he was thrown out of office in a crushing electoral defeat. Why did the man who won the war -- the hero of the hour and a hero for the ages -- find himself so decisively rejected by the electorate?
Featuring historian David Kynaston.

2. Mr Churchill and Mr Attlee... BBC Radio 4 - Politically, Postwar, 2. Mr Churchill and Mr Attlee
David Runciman tells the story of the 1945 election and the dawn of a new age.
The 1945 general election was one of the biggest shocks in British parliamentary history: a decisive rejection of Winston Churchill and his leadership. The election of Clement Attlee's Labour government in a landslide marked a break with the past and signalled a strong desire on the part of the British people for something new. But it was also a product of Britain's wartime experiences and revealed the many ways in which the country had already changed.
The years that followed -- the postwar years -- would bring about bold and radical reform, the building of a new nation, a 'New Jerusalem'. The Britain of the National Health Service and the welfare state, of nationalised industry and the so-called 'postwar consensus' -- all were ushered into place with this election. This is the Britain that most have us have grown up in and which still shapes an idea of who we think we are.
Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee had worked closely together for the entire duration of the wartime coalition government, as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. With the war in Europe at an end, these close colleagues became fierce election rivals.
Featuring historian John Bew, author of Citizen Clem: A Biography of Attlee.

3. The Beveridge Report - BBC Radio 4 - Politically, Postwar, 3. The Beveridge Report
David Runciman tells the story of the 1945 election and the dawn of a new age.
The 1945 general election was one of the biggest shocks in British parliamentary history: a decisive rejection of Winston Churchill and his leadership. The election of Clement Attlee's Labour government in a landslide marked a break with the past and signalled a strong desire on the part of the British people for something new. But it was also a product of Britain's wartime experiences and revealed the many ways in which the country had already changed.
The years that followed -- the postwar years -- would bring about bold and radical reform, the building of a new nation, a 'New Jerusalem'. The Britain of the National Health Service and the welfare state, of nationalised industry and the so-called 'postwar consensus' -- all were ushered into place with this election. This is the Britain that most have us have grown up in and which still shapes an idea of who we think we are.
The Beveridge Report was a detailed plan for a universal social security system, intended to vanquish what its author William Beveridge envisioned as Five Evil Giants: Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness.
Published in November 1942, it became a huge popular success, representing a hope for when the war was over and also an answer to the question of what we were fighting for. Battling Beveridge's Five Giants underpinned plans for the postwar welfare state. But who could most be trusted to deliver those plans?
Featuring historian Lucy Delap.

4. Public Opinion - BBC Radio 4 - Politically, Postwar, 4. Public Opinion
David Runciman tells the story of the 1945 election and the dawn of a new age.
The 1945 general election was one of the biggest shocks in British parliamentary history: a decisive rejection of Winston Churchill and his leadership. The election of Clement Attlee's Labour government in a landslide marked a break with the past and signalled a strong desire on the part of the British people for something new. But it was also a product of Britain's wartime experiences and revealed the many ways in which the country had already changed.
The years that followed -- the postwar years -- would bring about bold and radical reform, the building of a new nation, a 'New Jerusalem'. The Britain of the National Health Service and the welfare state, of nationalised industry and the so-called 'postwar consensus' -- all were ushered into place with this election. This is the Britain that most have us have grown up in and which still shapes an idea of who we think we are.
On the eve of polling day in 1945, Winston Churchill told a private gathering that he was certain his party would win. "I feel it in my bones," he said. Few would have disagreed. At that time the British public hadn't been asked for their opinion in a general election for nearly ten years. Opinion polls were in their infancy. How could political parties know what voters were thinking?
Featuring historian Lucy Delap.

5. The Soldiers' Election - BBC Radio 4 - Politically, Postwar, 5. The Soldiers' Election
David Runciman tells the story of the 1945 election and the dawn of a new age.
The 1945 general election was one of the biggest shocks in British parliamentary history: a decisive rejection of Winston Churchill and his leadership. The election of Clement Attlee's Labour government in a landslide marked a break with the past and signalled a strong desire on the part of the British people for something new. But it was also a product of Britain's wartime experiences and revealed the many ways in which the country had already changed.
The years that followed -- the postwar years -- would bring about bold and radical reform, the building of a new nation, a 'New Jerusalem'. The Britain of the National Health Service and the welfare state, of nationalised industry and the so-called 'postwar consensus' -- all were ushered into place with this election. This is the Britain that most have us have grown up in and which still shapes an idea of who we think we are.
In 1945 there were almost five million servicemen and women. And some of them stood for election. The stage was set for another 'khaki election', overshadowed by war and the consequences of war. But it didn't turn out that way.
Featuring historian Robert Saunders.

6. Appealing to Women - BBC Radio 4 - Politically, Postwar, 6. Appealing to Women
David Runciman tells the story of the 1945 election and the dawn of a new age.
The 1945 general election was one of the biggest shocks in British parliamentary history: a decisive rejection of Winston Churchill and his leadership. The election of Clement Attlee's Labour government in a landslide marked a break with the past and signalled a strong desire on the part of the British people for something new. But it was also a product of Britain's wartime experiences and revealed the many ways in which the country had already changed.
The years that followed -- the postwar years -- would bring about bold and radical reform, the building of a new nation, a 'New Jerusalem'. The Britain of the National Health Service and the welfare state, of nationalised industry and the so-called 'postwar consensus' -- all were ushered into place with this election. This is the Britain that most have us have grown up in and which still shapes an idea of who we think we are.
After a war which dramatically changed the working lives of women, the 1945 election became, in some ways, the first modern election. Women represented a majority of the electorate and, as far as the party manifestos were concerned, did not form a separate constituency. Women campaigned alongside men on the airwaves and a record number of female MPs were elected.
Featuring historian Lucy Delap.


Etc.

 

I've only just listened to this series as it popped up as a recommendation on BBC Sounds.

I found it both interesting and annoying.

[RANT]
Annoying because it tried to sensationalize the fact that Churchill & the Tory party were "unexpectedly rejected" by the British electorate, and that it was "a big surprise to everyone".

I understand that we now live in a strange world where people visiting the Repair Shop are expected to cry real tears when their granddads long Johns are stitched back up and made to look new-ish, or say "wow!" whenever the presenter of some dreadful program says something totally unremarkable. But I suppose I'm increasingly touchy about the BBC going down the same route (...its not what I pay my license fee for!).

The truth about the 1945 election is that the polls predicted a Labour win, as this information from Wikipedia shows:-



So no great surprise, especially as (I believe) people were far more engaged in politics at the time than they are now.

OK, I feel better now! [/RANT]

I wrote a simple analysis of this election result about 6 years ago, partly based on how my dad viewed the world at this time: Sergeant ACK-ACK: 1945: How did Churchill lose the General Election?

 

Good stuff chaps. I'll make sure to listen to these, they sound interesting.

And, co-incidence?

From a "conversation" on the forum but a few days ago.

"Young chaps, fought hard for liberation, and along the way it opened their eyes to opportunities long denied them by the British "class" system and those who were perceived to be "their betters'".

So many of those young men who fought for freedom now, as the victors, thought "I'll have some of that freedom for myself thank you"

No turning the clock back. No more "betters'". No more being kept down by my "class". And good on those that helped to break the pre-war mold.

Winston was out and Clement was in!"

Hammer time! (Note; not hammer and sickle time ).

Kind regards, "Is the red flag waver in front of that horseless carriage a union member?", always,

Jim.

 

I'm sure my dad was very optimistic when he returned from the war as a young man and the Socialists came to power. But I don't think he believed this country had changed enough by the time he died in 1997. In fact he said he would not have voted for Blair in the election of that year, had he been able to get to the polling station.

Actually, his visits to the polling station every 4 years to vote 'Labour' never counted for much, because mum always voted Tory, just to cancel out his vote! (...I inherited my mum's sense of humour).

 

Steve,

I may have heard another BBC R4 radio commentary recently and one speaker noted the results were delayed for a week to ensure the overseas armed services votes were property counted.

Post 1 contains this:

So, back to opinion polls and how reliable they were. I doubt the 5m service personnel were polled; yes, a good number were serving in the UK.

Another Wiki states the votes cast were:

From: 1945 United Kingdom general election - Wikipedia

The absence from polling of 5m service personnel could have affected the polls accuracy. I have a recollection that there was some reporting that the overseas service vote would not support Churchill and the Conservatives.

 

Dan Snow’s History Hit - Churchill vs Attlee: The Election that Changed Britain - BBC Sounds

"15 Aug 2025 Available for over a year
It was one of the most dramatic political upsets in British history. Just weeks after leading Britain to victory in Europe, wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill was defeated in a general election landslide by Clement Attlee and the Labour Party. How did the Conservatives lose so decisively? What did Labour offer that resonated so strongly with a war-weary public? And how did this election shape the foundations of Britain’s modern welfare state?
For this, we're joined by David Runciman, host of 'Past Present Future' and 'Postwar', a 20-part series for Radio 4 that explores the seismic 1945 election. Dan and David discuss the personalities, policies, and pivotal moments that brought about the dawn of a new age.
Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore.
All music from Epidemic Sounds/All3Media.
Dan Snow's History Hit is a History Hit podcast."