This House is inspired by real events, but it should not be understood as a biography or historical record. While trying to remain true to the events, this is of course a fictional account. Some incidents and characters have been altered for dramatic purposes, and, naturally, the conversations that happen behind closed doors are imagined by me.
For those interested in learning more – here’s what I read and who I spoke to.
I am most indebted to Joe Ashton, former Labour MP who served as a Whip during this period. His book Red Rose Blue: The Story of a Good Labour Man was one of my first ‘ways in’, and Joe has been so generous with his time (and anecdotes). His own play Majority of One, inspired by the same parliament, played at the Nottingham Playhouse in 1988.
Other politicians who kindly gave their time in interview were Lord Bruce Grocott, who was invaluable for his insight, not to mention his tours of the house; Sir George Young, the Leader of the House of Commons and Conservative Whip during the period; Lord Ted Graham, former Labour Whip; Alfred Bates, former Labour Whip; Lord Philip Norton, an incomparable authority on constitutional matters; and Baroness Helene Hayman.
Sally Grocott, in charge of the Association of Former Members of Parliament, was a great source of help, as was Claire Medd of the House of Commons library, and I’m grateful to Stephen Lees for his sharing his immense knowledge on British elections and political stats.
Finally, I’m grateful for the openness, insight, and kindnesses of Baroness Ann Taylor and Walter Harrison, for reasons that will be obvious.
The Weatherill Papers held at the University of Kent are a priceless source, as was Mark Darcy’s BBC documentary The Night the Government Fell.
On whipping during this period and beyond:
Joe Ashton: Red Rose Blue: The Story of a Good Labour Man
Ted Graham: From Tyne to Thames via the Usual Channels
Philip Norton: Dissension in the House of Commons, 1974–79
Gyles Brandreth: Breaking the Code
Tim Renton: Chief Whip: People, Power and Patronage in Westminster
On the House of Commons and parliamentary democracy:
Robert Rogers and Rhodri Waters: How Parliament Works (6th edition)
John Biffen: Inside Westminster
Robert Wilson: The Houses of Parliament
Philip Norton: The British Polity
And more general works on the politics of the period:
Andy Beckett: When the Lights Went Out: Britain in the Seventies
Dominic Sandbrook: Seasons in the Sun: The Battle for Britain, 1974–1979
Bernard Donoghue: Conduct of Policy Under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, 1974–79
Tony Benn: The Benn Diaries
Alan Clarke: Alan Clark Diaries
Kevin Hickson and Anthony Seldon: New Labour, Old Labour: The Wilson and Callaghan Governments, 1974–1979
I owe a huge debt to Sebastian Born and Nicholas Hytner for giving me the chance and championing the play from so early on, and to Jeremy Herrin and Ben Power for their invaluable interrogations of the script, along with Samuel Barnett and Ben Hall.