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1974 was a year of the Three Day week, a Miners Strike and two General Elections. Sue MacGregor explores the papers released under the 30-year rule for more insight.

1974 was a year of political confusion and domestic strife. There was the Three Day week, a Miners Strike and two General Elections as well as on-going problems over Northern Ireland and Cyprus, and an attempt to kidnap Princess Anne.

With exclusive access to papers released by The National Archives under the thirty year rule, Sue MacGregor presents UK CONFIDENTIAL, a special Radio 4 programme which will give a new insight on many of the political decisions and controversies of the time.

The programme also features interviews with Tony Benn (the then Secretary of State for Industry), Sir Edward Heath, Lord Walker (the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry), Merlyn Rees (the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland), Lord Fitt, Patrick Jenkin (the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury) and other politicians and civil servants of the day who will talk candidly about the events of that year for the first time.

Also taking part are Lord Howard, Joe Haines, Ian Aitken and Lord Armstrong.

Producer: David Prest and Louise Adamson

A Whistledown Production, in association with Takeaway Media.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

New Year's Day 2005 10:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue MacGregor
Interviewed Guest Joe Haines
Interviewed Guest Tony Benn
Interviewed Guest Peter Walker
Interviewed Guest Anthony Howard
Interviewed Guest Robert Armstrong
Interviewed Guest Ian Aitken

Broadcast

  • New Year's Day 2005 10:30

Podcast