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The History of Ideas Podcast
with David Runciman

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Now & Then with Robert Saunders: Neil Kinnock vs Militant

Today’s episode in our occasional series with Robert Saunders to mark momentous events in British political history explores the lasting consequences of a speech delivered 40 years ago this week. Labour leader Neil Kinnock’s attack on Militant at his party’s annual conference in 1985 brought a long-running conflict out into the open. Who were Militant? Why did the speech have such an explosive impact? What did it mean for the past, present and future of the Labour Party?

Next time: From Kinnock to Corbyn to Starmer

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00:00 / 01:04

28 September 2025

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