It's Bath time! But for how long?

​An episode for examining William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath, one of the two most insignificant fellows in England, and for connected purposes.

Sources
A Whig in Power John W. Wilkes (1964)

​Thanks
Totalus Rankium for the use of ‘Sweet and Honourable’

An explanation of Honours lists, following the recent double whammy of New Year Honours & Resignation Honours

​In this episode, we discuss honours lists - what they are for, when they are issued, and why (like busses), two of them have come along at once.

A look at the life and times of our first fictional (yet festive) prime minister

A Christmas special for exploring the premiership of Britain's favourite and most Hugh Grant-y prime minister; and for connected purposes.​

Errata
In the episode, David was given 10 points for Majority, borrowed from Tony Blair (the Prime Minister at the time). We then realised that Tony actually only got 9.5 for Majority, so David gets that too. However, we also changed the system so that First Lord of the Treasury grants half a point for Practice, so his overall score is unchanged.

Sources
Love Actually Richard Curtis (2003)
Red Nose Day Actually Richard Curtis (2017)

A little brother with big ambitions

Two episodes for examining the Hon. Henry Pelham, Walpole’s protégé; and for connected purposes. In the first episode, we go over his background and early days in politics.​ In the second, we talk about his time at the top, and pass judgement on his performance.

Sources
A Whig in Power John W. Wilkes (1964)
The Prime Ministers Iain Dale (2020)
Gimson's Prime Ministers Andrew Gimson (2018)
https://history.blog.gov.uk/2014/12/17/henry-pelham-whig-1743-1754/
https://www.pdavis.nl/NDA.htm
https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/overview/lawofmarriage-/

A look at the history and development of Parliament over the centuries

In this episode, we take a look at the history of Parliament and the huge changes and developments over the centuries to get from the Anglo-Saxon witans to our 21st Century legislature.​

Robert Walpole's successor with big shoes to fill

An episode for examining Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington, the favourite nonentity of George II, and for connected purposes.

Errata
Lord Wilmington was later given an additional 0.5 points for Practice, as he was First Lord of the Treasury.

Sources
The Prime Ministers Iain Dale (2020)
Gimson's Prime Ministers Andrew Gimson (2018)
https://artandthecountryhouse.com/catalogues/catalogues-index/spencer-compton-1st-earl-of-wilmington-16731743
http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1715-1754/member/compton-hon-spencer-1674-1743
https://www.theinfolist.com/php/SummaryGet.php?FindGo=Spencer_Compton,_1st_Earl_Of_Wilmington
https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/member/compton-hon-spencer-1674-1743

Thanks
Totalus Rankium for the use of ‘Sweet and Honourable’

A look at David Cameron's unexpected appointment as Foreign Secretary at the recent Cabinet reshuffle

​In this episode, we take a look at the constitutional and historical issues surrounding David Cameron's appointment as Foreign Secretary.

Britain's first Prime Minister

An episode exploring the rise and fall of Robert Walpole, Britain’s first and longest-serving Prime Minister, and for connected purposes.

Errata
We said that the Theatre censorship act was repealed in 1976, but it was actually repealed in 1968 - the point still stands that it lasted for over 200 years from 1737.
​
Sources
Walpole in Power Jeremy Black (2001)
The Great Man Edward Pearce (2007)
The Prime Ministers Iain Dale (2020)
Gimson's Prime Ministers Andrew Gimson (2018)
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/awards-and-accreditation/content/100022
https://www.gov.uk/government/history/past-prime-ministers/robert-walpole
https://www.artwarefineart.com/archive/gallery/portrait-robert-walpole-1st-earl-orford-1676-1745-prime-minister
https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/sir-robert-walpole-britains-first-prime-minister/

An introduction to British prime ministers, their purpose, and their powers

In this episode, we examine how prime ministers enter and leave office, and what they do whilst they're there.​

The origins of politics and the role of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Starting with the 7th Century Saxons and ending with the Glorious Revolution of 1688, this episode is a quick primer on the pre-history of British politics.