
Now & Then with Robert Saunders: The General Strike @100
From Past Present Future by David Runciman
May 3, 2026 · 60 min · Season 14 · Episode 288
About this episode
David Runciman discusses the significance of Britain's first general strike with historian Robert Saunders.
In today’s episode David talks to historian Robert Saunders about the meaning of Britain’s one and (so far) only general strike on its hundredth anniversary. Was the strike a revolutionary event or an industrial dispute gone wrong? Who won and who lost the battle of ideas? Did it reveal something distinctive about Britain and its politics? Was this a divided nation or one that had more in common than it realised? Join us at the Cheltenham Science Festival on Wednesday 3rd June for a live recording of the podcast with David in conversation with Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, to talk about trust, democracy and knowledge in a divided world. Tickets available now https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/events/the-politics-of-trust-lessons-from-wikipedia You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com Next time: The General Strike @100 Part Two - The Legacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: David Runciman
Guest: Robert Saunders
Topics covered
- general strike
- British history
- political discourse
- industrial disputes
- historical analysis
Keywords
- general strike
- Britain
- Robert Saunders
- David Runciman
- politics
- history
- industrial dispute
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Wikipedia
Places: Cheltenham Science Festival
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