Podcast: An MP's Christmas behind bars

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This festive tale about a disgraced politician who spent Christmas Day locked up in prison comes straight from the heart of Dickensian Britain…

Christmas Day 1857 saw former MP Edward Glover, who was kicked out of parliament for not being rich enough, behind bars in Newgate Prison. This political chancer's downfall was ultimately down to trouble with the in-laws, believe it or not.

Alex Stevenson spoke to historian Kathryn Rix, assistant editor of the History of Parliament House of Commons 1832-1945 project, to get under the skin of how this miserable politician ended up behind bars on Christmas Day 155 years ago – and how his fate fundamentally changed the nature of British politics.

politics.co.uk's past podcasts are also available on iTunes. 

 

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