“This is my truth, tell me yours” – Aneurin Bevan
Politics is supposed to be a clash of ideas, but often seems to be an argument about the past. Parties emphasise their own bygone achievements, and play up their opponents’ previous failings. And each ideology has a distinctive fix on how the past unfolded, and why it alone has the right approach for the future.
If truth is the first casualty of war, historical detail also comes off second best to politics. So WelshPoliticalHistory.com dissects some of the claims about historical events made in the media and by politicians and bloggers – and tries to work out if the conclusion put upon them can really be supported.
This happens in three steps:
1. What is the claim? Who made it, and why? What do others say?
2. What is the evidence, for and against?
3. What is the conclusion?
Then it’s over to you to comment.
History – as Bevan reminds us – is not about one truth. It’s a constant rewrite of the story about how we came to be who we are. Every part of that story is up for revision and debate; if it weren’t, this wouldn’t be worth doing.
Please comment on anything you see here. And, if you feel like you would like to write an article, or even become a contributor to the site please drop me a line.
Adam Higgitt, Editor
February 2009
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