Category: News; Radio 4
Date: 05.10.2005
Printable version
Saturday 8 October at 11.00am on BBC Radio 4
Today in Parliament celebrates 60 years of broadcasting with a special edition on Saturday 8 October at 11.00am on Radio 4.
Radio 4 Controller, Mark Damazer, said: "After 60 illustrious years, Today in Parliament still provides an invaluable insight into the nation's democratic life.
"BBC listeners have the chance to hear for themselves the cut and thrust of argument and debate."
Today in Parliament was first broadcast on 9 October 1945. Attlee was the new Prime Minister and Churchill sat on the unfamiliar Opposition front bench.
There was also the Parliamentary debut of a little-known young minister called Harold Wilson.
In the days before Today in Parliament was first aired, broadcasters were not really made welcome in the Palace of Westminster.
"When the BBC wanted to send an observer to the Commons, the Director-General had to send a written request to the Speaker – and it was not always granted.
"On some occasions, the Speaker consulted the party leaders and access was refused if they thought the presence of broadcasters was inadvisable," says presenter, Mark D'Arcy.
In D'Arcy's book marking the anniversary, Tam Dalyell, former Father of the House, says: "The House of Commons is an arena in which formidable debaters have come to grief, and MPs with towering reputations outside Parliament have failed to make their mark. Success there requires a special blend of qualities."
Today in Parliament has, over the years, given listeners the chance to hear for themselves who has those special qualities – and who has not.
It has guided listeners to the most significant and interesting moments - and remains the essential round-up of the latest developments in the Palace of Westminster.
A five-minute Yesterday In Parliament package is broadcast at 6.50am on Radio 4's Today programme, in which an audience of 2.7 million can hear an extract of the previous day's Parliamentary business.
