Hello, gentle listeners and welcome to a special episode of the history of England.

At the time of speaking, we are approaching a fascinating period in the podcast

when England becomes part Britain and Britain becomes a leading European military and economic power.

And I'm going to have to start referring to us as a damp island off the coast of Europe,

although we are still damp. But anyway, getting on with as a damp island off the coast of Europe, although we are

still damp. But anyway, getting on with it, is also a period of extraordinary political turmoil

with the odd revolution thrown in for good measure. Now, I've been asked a few times in my life

whether I consider myself a roundhead or a cavalier. In fact, I think I've asked you all that

question. But from this period, there is a new question in town, are you a Whig or a Toryier. In fact, I think I've asked you all that question. But from this period, there is a new

question in town, are you a Whig or a Tory? And this is the question posed at the end of a new book,

The Rage of Party, by the author George Owers. Hopefully by the end of this episode, you will know a bit

more about what Wig and Tori means and feel inspired to find out a bit more from

this fantastic book because I'm joined by George here to explain a bit more.

George, welcome to the podcast.

Thanks for having me. It's good to be here.

Can I ask you to tell everyone a little bit about yourself and what drew you to write this

particular book on this subject?

Well, I did a PhD when I, about 10 years ago, after I finished my undergraduate in 18th century politics,

and then I ducked out of trying to be an academic.

My obsession with 18th century politics continued on abated as a sort of hobby.

I increasingly sort of was drawn to the earlier part of the 18th century because

I was sort of interested, particularly in the intellectual history and political thought of

...