Policy Papers
History & Policy papers are written by expert historians, based on peer-reviewed research. They offer historical insights into current policy issues ranging from Afghanistan and Iraq, climate change and internet surveillance to family dynamics, alcohol consumption and health reforms. For historians interested in submitting a paper, please see the editorial guidelines.
Currently, 252 papers are freely searchable by theme, author or keyword, with new papers published regularly. Where possible, we publish papers to coincide with relevant policy developments. If you are a policy maker, civil society practitioner or journalist and would like to contact one of our historians, please contact [email protected].
You can download H&P policy papers directly from the Apple iBooks store to your iPhone, iPad or Mac. We also have an Amazon Kindle version to download to your PC for transfer to your Kindle via USB cable. Please consult your Kindle manual for further details.
The power of the Prime Minister
Introduction The role of the British premiership has, since the office began in the early eighteenth century, often been a prominent subject of political debate. This year two reports, by the House of Lords Constitution Committee and the Institute for Government, have considered this topic. Both are likely to have some influence upon perceptions of […]
Read MoreWhat next for Gordon Brown?
Introduction Gordon Brown has just joined the small and exclusive club of living former prime ministers, increasing the current 'membership' from three (Lady Thatcher, Sir John Major and Tony Blair) to four. There is no fixed or predetermined role for former prime ministers. What they do after they leave office depends on their personal choices […]
Read MoreToday’s toughest policy problems: how history can help
Introduction Now more than ever, as Britain's policymakers face the challenges of political uncertainty, global recession, climate change, 'lifestyle diseases' and international insecurity, they need the unique perspective that historians can offer. Historians can make major contributions to understanding the key public issues of the day, but are rarely consulted by policymakers or the opinion-formers […]
Read MoreUnequal Britain: equalities in Britain since 1945
Introduction As the Equality Bill goes through parliament we should reflect on why it is now possible for a government credibly to propose a statutory duty on public authorities to address the inequalities experienced by members of their workforce and the communities due to their gender, race, religion, age disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic difference, […]
Read MoreThe ‘Idea of a University’ today
The Robbins report and the Oxbridge model In 1963, the report of the Robbins committee on higher education proclaimed the 'Robbins principle', that university places should be available to all who were qualified for them by ability and attainment. The report also discussed the nature of higher education, and defined four 'objectives essential to any […]
Read MoreThe legal profession and social activism: the Italian ‘long 1968’
Introduction There is a tendency today to recount the history of the modern professions in terms of a perennial struggle of groups and individuals committed to improving their social status, increasing their income, and strengthening their position of power in society. According to this interpretation, professionals are members of the establishment who act on the […]
Read MoreThe Osborne Judgement of 1909: Trade Union funding of political parties in historical perspective
Introduction There is nothing in the Trade Union Acts from which it can reasonably be inferred that trade unions as defined by Parliament were meant to have the power of collecting and administering funds for political purposes. House of Lords, 21 December, 1909 With this ruling, the Law Lords struck down a practice which […]
Read MoreHow (not) to cut government spending and reduce public sector debt
Introduction This has been the year in which 'cuts' became the mainstay of political rhetoric. The leaders of both main Opposition parties, David Cameron for the Conservatives and Nick Clegg for the Liberal Democrats, made the reduction of Britain's national debt the centrepiece of their party conference speeches in the autumn of 2009. Mr Clegg […]
Read MoreThe 1909 budget and the destruction of the unwritten constitution
King, Lords, and people: the first phase The General Election of 1906 marked one of the largest swings to the left in British democratic history. At the previous General Election in 1900, the Conservatives – then known as Unionists – had won 402 seats; the Liberals 186 (if the two Labour members are counted with […]
Read MoreRemember Cable Street? Wrong battle, mate
Introduction When Communities Secretary John Denham recently compared the recent anti-Muslim disturbances in north London to fascist attacks on British Jews in the 1930s he fell into a familiar trap. The analogy, while superficially seductive, is ill-informed and unhelpful. The causes of friction between the far right and Muslims in this country (and in other […]
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About Us
H&P is based at the Institute of Historical Research, Senate House, University of London.
We are the only project in the UK providing access to an international network of more than 500 historians with a broad range of expertise. H&P offers a range of resources for historians, policy makers and journalists.
