Chris Bryant: The Glamour Boys (1939)

Most people know the story of Appeasement: of Chamberlain and Churchill. But very few people know the history of the 'Glamour Boys.' 

In this episode of Travels Through Time, the MP Chris Bryant takes us back to 1939 and a time of huge tension in Europe. For years a group of MPs, derided by the establishment as the 'Glamour Boys', had been warning about the threat posed by Hitler and his expansionist policies. 

They faced a stubborn government and an often shockingly antisemitic press. But these politicians were used to being outsiders, Chris Bryant explains, because of their sexuality.

The scenes and characters discussed in this episode feature in Chris Bryant's new book, The Glamour Boys: The Story of the Rebels who Fought for Britain to Defeat Hitler which will be published by Bloomsbury on 12 November.

Much more at our website: tttpodcast.com

Show notes

Scene One: 19th July 1939, Ronnie Tree’s house in Queen Anne’s Gate, Westminster. The Glamour Boys gather at Ronnie’s house to plot their opposition to Chamberlain.

Scene Two: The evening of 2nd August 1939, Chamber of the House of Commons. A debate about whether parliament should break for summer recess becomes unexpectedly heated.

Scene Three: Any day in October 1939, Victor Cazalet’s Anti-Aircraft Battalion in Sevenoaks, known as ‘the monstrous regiment of gentlemen’ or ‘the buggers’ battalion’.

Memento: The shield commemorating the death of MP Jack Macnamara that currently resides in the House of Commons Chamber.

People/Social

Presenter: Artemis Irvine

Guest: Chris Bryant

Producers: Maria Nolan

Titles: Jon O

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Podcast Partner: ColorGraph

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