London Socialist Historians Group
3rd August
Media Release
Contact: Dr Keith Flett 07803 167266 Twitter @LSHGOfficial. Website: http://londonsocialisthistorians.blogspot.co.uk/
Socialist Historians say critical Times Editorial underlines why its important to remember Peterloo
The London Socialist Historians Group which organises the socialist history seminar at the Institute of Historical Research as the University of London (currently suspended in support of an IWGB boycott over outsourcing) has said that a Times Editorial (3rd August0 critical of events to mark the 200th anniversary of Peterloo underlines precisely why they are so important.
The Times Editorial rightly notes that one of the most important original reports of the events in Manchester on Monday 16th August 1819 was by the paper’s own reporter John Tyas.
The historians say it is a pity that the paper sees fits to undermine its own heritage with such an Editorial.
The paper is critical of a BBC programme presented by Guardian Editor Katharine Viner on the events of Peterloo but fails to mention that the paper was founded directly as a result of the Massacre
The Times also criticises one of the most significant and influential history books of the post-1945 era, E.P Thompson’s Making of the English Working Class as ‘Marxist’. In reality it is serious piece of sustained historical research which is certainly not beyond criticism. However to describe it as ‘thrown together’ without any evidence for the statement is unwarranted.
LSHG Convenor Dr Keith Flett said, the reality is that 200 years on the Peterloo Massacre remains controversial history. In 1969 the ruling Conservatives on Manchester Council declined to mark the 150th anniversary at all and it appears The Times would like the 200th to be the same. The BBC deserves praise for properly marking this important moment in British history, as does the Guardian for playing its part. The Times has succeeded only in undermining its own history
The Times Editorial
The Murdoch Times rubbishes the paper’s own creditable history on Peterloo
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