George Caunt, political papers
Please note
Users are advised that the content in this collection may include accounts of discrimination and the expression of opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable.See the Access and usage section below for further details.
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: George Caunt, political papers
Classmark: MS 1316
Creator(s): Caunt, George
Date(s): c.1950-c.1980
Language: English
Size and medium: 5 boxes, manuscript, typescript, press cuttings, and printed material
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/6868
Description
Comprises books, letters, cuttings, papers, diary and draft of unpublished work by George Caunt relating to the Parliamentary Labour Party and the Wilson administration.
The papers include candid accounts and opinions relating to parliamentary life and the administration of Prime Minister Harold Wilson during a time of change and controversy in twentieth century British politics.
It includes references to (but is not limited to), the Suez Crisis, the Cold War, allegations of spies operating and concerns for national security, Commonwealth debates including immigration, joining the European Common Market, leadership changes within the Labour Party, MP's pay, peerages, the Profumo Affair, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, relations with/conflict in Northern Ireland and international tensions in the contexts of Vietnam, Central Africa, Rhodesia and Congo.
There is particular focus on the day to day office workings relating to the Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Caunt's and his colleagues dealings with Wilson's private secretary Marcia Williams (later Baroness Falkender).
Biography or history
George Caunt (1908-1977) worked as part of the secretariat of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) and worked with Harold Wilson when Wilson became leader of the party in 1963. He remained with the PLP when Wilson was elected and was involved with the election tours in 1964, 1966 and 1970. He also worked as a researcher for Lord Wigg (who was also writing his own autobiography 'George Wigg'). Previously a councillor in Ilford, he lost his seat in 1955. He wrote and published various local history books including "Ilford's yesterdays: the village that became a town."(1963) and" Essex Yesterdays: Holidays into History" and "Essex in Parliament." He was awarded an OBE in 1970.
Provenance
The collection was purchased from Mrs Caunt, (wife of George Caunt) in February 1988.
Access and usage
Access
Users are advised that the content in this collection may include accounts of discrimination and the expression of opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable.
View the Cultural Collections sensitivity policy