6-9 May 1926, in a week that changed the BBC forever... this is part 2 of our 3-part special on the BBC and the General Strike

100 years ago this week (at time of podcast release), two million strikers were out in solidarity with the miners. It brought unique challenges to the BBC - with Winston Churchill trying to take it over, a tightrope of independence and impartiality, and broadcast requests from the Archbishop of Canterbury (no), the Leader of the Opposition (no), the TUC (no) and the Prime Minister (come on in sir!).

John Reith welcomes the PM to his own home, even rewriting his speech for him while he's on air. It's all part of what we're calling The BBC and the General Strike in 5 (Over-)Steps.

This episode, we'll discover over-reaching editorialising of the news, Reith the rewriter and those notably absent voices of opposition. Hmm. But then again, what would you do differently... and would that hand to Churchill the BBC on a plate?

All will become clear, in our day-to-day guide through the middle of the General Strike during those nine days in May 1926.

This episode looks at 6-9 May. Last episode we looked at 3-5 May. Next episode we'll look at 10-14 May plus the General Strike's legacy (and Reith's apologies).

I hope you'll agree it's a fascinating tale, worth us taking the long way round. The details - from the role played by Reith's creaky office chair to his mum listening to the PM through the study door, and from Earl Grey's doorstep duel to Peter Eckersley's shock when he discovers imbalanced news - are deserving of retelling. So thanks for listening, if you do. And you should. Join us! 

Part 3 follows on 10 May 2026 - 100 years on from the moments featured. Be subscribed to get the episodes when they land.

With thanks to these excellent resources...

Radicalstroud.co.uk

Warwick Digital Collections at the University of Warwick

The Trades Union Congress

The BBC Written Archive Centre

1926 The General Strike edited by Jeffrey Skelley

Into the Wind by John Reith

Asa Briggs’ The Birth of Broadcasting

Ian McIntyre’s Expense of Glory

Peter Eckersley’s The Power Behind the Microphone

The BBC A People’s History by David Hendy

Our Newspaper Detective Andrew Barker - and the various newspaper articles

Trevor Howard and his article Immovable object, irresistible force: Reith, Churchill and BBC ‘impartiality’

Nine Days in May – radio drama by Robin Glendinning

Churchill vs Reith – radio drama by Mike Harris

Random Radio Jottings: https://andywalmsley.blogspot.com/2025/01/churchill-and-bbc.html

SHOWNOTES:

Next time, Episode 120: The General Strike at 100, part 3: Reith wins?

More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio