meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
HistoryExtra podcast

Harold Wilson: the rock 'n' roll prime minister

HistoryExtra podcast

HistoryExtra

History

4.34.7K Ratings

🗓️ 3 January 2025

⏱️ 27 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Harold Wilson is as central to the story of sixties Britain as the Beatles, Profumo and miniskirts. Admirers applauded the social reforms he introduced while in office; his critics accused the prime minister of being Machiavellian. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, former home secretary Alan Johnson – who has just written a biography of Wilson – reveals how he rode the wave of the cult of youth sweeping the nation. (Ad) Alan Johnson is the author of Wilson: Twentieth Century Man/ (Swift Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harold-Wilson-Ministers-Alan-Johnson/dp/1800753322/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty. Check out our series in which historians nominate who they think was Britain's greatest prime minister here: https://www.historyextra.com/membership/britains-greatest-prime-minister-historyextra-podcast-series/ The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode is presented by eBay.

0:03.8

Rob, everyone loves a deal and a bargain from time to time, don't they?

0:07.8

Absolutely, mate. And do you know where you can grab a great deal? Talk to me. Where?

0:11.9

The eBay app. Yes, you are correct. You didn't need to talk to me. I already knew it. I love eBay.

0:17.2

When you're buying, you can discover loads of hidden gems. There's so many items where you think I would have never found that anywhere else. Then when you're selling, it's so simple and most

0:25.9

importantly, free. It's free, Rob. When it's this easy to sell for free and there's great deals

0:31.6

on things you love. You can't help but say when it's eBay. It excludes vehicles and business

0:35.9

sellers.

0:40.3

The Monopoly game at McDonald's is back. Play today with the Philly Cheese Stack so you can enjoy two beef patties,

0:43.3

crispy grilled onions and a melted cheddar cheese sauce.

0:46.3

Go on. It's your go.

0:48.3

From 11 a.m. until the 21st of October,

0:51.3

participating in restaurants subject to availability at may be required. 18 plus UK, seem at d rules.co.com. Welcome to the History Extra

1:04.1

podcast, fascinating historical conversations from the makers of BBC History Magazine.

1:11.3

Harold Wilson is as central to the story of 60s Britain as the Beatles, perfumo and mini-skirts.

1:19.1

Admirers applauded the social reforms he introduced during his tenure as Prime Minister,

1:24.0

while his critics accused him of being Machiavellian. Here in conversation with Spencer

1:30.2

Mizan, former Labour politician and Home Secretary Alan Johnson, who recently wrote a biography of Wilson,

1:37.4

reveals how he rode the wave of the cult of youth sweeping the nation. You joined the Labour Party back in the early 70s when Harold Wilson was, of course,

1:50.0

leader of the party. In fact, he'd already served one stint as prime minister and would, of course,

1:55.5

go on to enter Downing Street again. What do you remember of him back then? And was he a factor in

2:03.6

your decision to join the party? What do I remember? He was enormously popular. He was the prime

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from HistoryExtra, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of HistoryExtra and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.