Never Mind The Ballots

A remarkable film showing the Municipal Borough of Slough's preparations for the 1951 General Election.

"There's been no active encouragement for black people to participate within the political structure of this country". A bleak picture of the lack of equality in Britain.

The first in a series of 12 campaign reports from Labour's Radio and TV Operations Room, presented by Tony Benn and featuring Hugh Gaitskell.

Derrick Knight’s 1967 documentary about a school in Kingston Upon Hull makes a powerful case for the comprehensive school system.

Tony Benn fronts a vigorous report on the pressing issues of Labour's election campaign, from housing conditions to comprehensive education.

A remarkable film showing the Municipal Borough of Slough's preparations for the 1950 General Election.

"Set the People Free" - Tories take to the streets in the lead-up to the 1950 General Election.

“If you care, show it” - is the message to encourage voting in the Scottish elections, long before the galvanising independence referendum of 2014.

Woolwich candidates face the voters in the first of 1910's two general elections.

No fewer than five once or future prime ministers on show at the momentous 1923 election.

The three candidates in the 1957 Gloucester by-election out and about on the campaign trail.

A lively crowd greets Blackpool's Conservative MP - possibly on election day.

This Conservative Party film claims that votes for Labour are stepping stones to a Communist state.

Trusted, tried and true? A Labour MP takes a principled stand on women's right to vote

With the nation at the polls, incumbent PM Stanley Baldwin’s election call had not yet backfired when this newsreel summary was released.

A strident protest against "a government for the best people by the best people", made by the Communist Party of Great Britain.

Stirring scenes in Trafalgar Square as Labour MP Will Thorne rallies recruits for the war effort.

The newly-elected parliament of 1924 opens for business under a veil of mystery, as the nation comes to terms with a sea change in British politics.

Not a politician in sight in this clever Conservative election campaign film.

Home Secretary James Callaghan holds court in a Gateshead factory canteen.

Lights, camera, democracy! Eager voters swarm to Trafalgar Square to witness the election results, live on screen.

"What's the difference between Conservative and Labour?, what's a swing, or a floating voter? Anglia news canvasses opinion from voters of the future.

Who could be better placed to report from the Tory party conference at the height of Mrs Thatcher's powers, than the outspoken Labour MP Joe Ashton?

Enthusiasm abounds as Labour win an historic election, with former Liberal Richard Denman being carried aloft through the streets of Leeds.

Don’t judge a book by its cover but do judge a political party by its garage in this Conservative cartoon from the height of the depression.

Melodramatic amateur fiction film protesting against the government's hated Means Test.

With the General Election only days away both Conservative and Labour candidates face local news cameras. In 1964, top of the national agenda is the 'Independent Deterrent'.

Lady Tweedsmuir, Unionist MP for Aberdeen, addresses the housewives of Britain on the dangers of Socialism.

A housewife galvanises her docker husband to take an interest in more important matters than the football pools.

Women's Suffrage campaigners make their mark in a key by-election

Another example of a by-election protest vote as David Steel arrives to address the Pickering populace as the Liberals gain a famous victory in the middle of Thatcher’s rule.

A Liberal dose of electioneering in this unmissable party political broadcast - an example of 1960s live TV saved on film.

Mr Nosey Parker visits farmer John Barleycorn to tell him how to do his job in this witty Conservative Party campaigning cartoon.

A fascinating film from 1931 showing the National Government candidate, William Craven Craven-Ellis, on the hustings in Southampton.

Can politics be pleasurable? The Labour Party envisions a better civic life for all in this party political broadcast featuring poet John Betjeman.

The Sussex Communist Party presents its review of events and activities during the final months before the outbreak of war in this remarkable film from 1939.

Splendid portraits of three hopeful parliamentary candidates, filmed in the run-up to the 1924 general election.

Who won the October 1974 election? Was it Labour or was it the trade unions?

What effect will the political bombshell of the Profumo scandal have on the voters of Stratford upon Avon?

Five hours on a coach for the stalwarts of Walsall's Labour Party on an away day to campaign in far off Darlington.

A far cry from the slick political campaign film of today. Here's Ralph Assheton on his way to Westminster and the National Government of Ramsay MacDonald.

A chance to witness a real rarity, masses of enthusiastic Labour Party supporters parading through the streets behind their victorious candidates after an electoral triumph.

Who's who in the 1976 Coventry North West by-election. A vital campaign for a former industrial centre now in economic crisis.

Will electioneering change your vote? Food for thought for parties planning to spend big money on the 1966 General Election.

Ј150 and ten signatures is all you need to stand in a British election. Can it really be that simple?

Sussex Communists march on the streets of Brighton in this remarkable film from 1938, which also features the return of three members of the International Brigade.

A fascinating record of the 1962 Aldermaston March featuring Canon John Collins, Michael Foot and thousands of marchers of all ages.

A political giant at his magnificent Highbury estate in Birmingham.

A small crowd greets a local Conservative parliamentary candidate at Accrington station.

The weight of taxation and unemployment keeps Britain lagging behind in the 'international prosperity race', says this Tory campaign film.

Residents of Barnet and Stockton-on-Tees are the lucky beneficiaries of a government scheme to remedy Britain’s housing problem.

This poignant Public information film from Northern Ireland publicises elections for a new Assembly.

In an emotive address, Plaid Cymru’s first two Westminster MPs plead the case for an independent Welsh state.

Harold Wilson explains the reasons behind the rising cost of living under the Tories in this Labour election broadcast.

Topical Budget salutes Britain's top brass in this gleefully patriotic newsreel edition, released just weeks after the First World War was won.

Early propaganda film setting out an emotive case for 'fair trade', or tariff reform

Poverty and hunger compels angry, jobless workers - including Jarrow's crusaders - to make a historic march to London to petition government.

Crowds pack out Chertsey's streets to hear who their new MP will be

A remarkably laid-back Harold Macmillan addresses the nation (or at least those who owned televisions) just days before election victory.

One of Britain’s earliest surviving party political broadcasts.