News Archive

Uni conference to examine Sir Oswald Mosley and his New Party – University of Reading

This Autumn, the University of Reading is offering the public a fantastic opportunity to find out more about one of Britain's most controversial political characters, Sir Oswald Mosley.

On Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 September, the University is hosting a fascinating two-day conference on Mosley and his short-lived New Party, that he established in 1931, a year before he founded the notorious British Union of Fascists, often seen as a key transitional stage in Mosley's journey from mainstream politician to reviled fascist leader.

Guest speakers will give hugely interesting presentations over both days and on Tuesday afternoon a 'Round Table' session concludes the event. Thanks to an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) dissemination award, about a 100 places at the Round Table session are available to the general public. This session provides a wonderful chance to quiz an expert panel on Mosley, including the veteran political journalist Anthony Howard and Shaun Ley, presenter of Radio 4's The World This Weekend.

The conference marks the end of a programme of research on Mosley conducted by Dr Matthew Worley, from Reading's Department of History, that showed the New Party drew on a wide range of political influences and attracted people with a variety of political outlooks who were dissatisfied with the British political system.

"These two-days promise to be extremely interesting," said Dr Worley. "Mosley was an intriguing figure, and with the calibre of speakers attending the conference audiences are guaranteed to be informed and entertained.

"Our Round Table session is a fantastic way to end the event. The University is delighted to offer the public this free opportunity to come and discuss the New Party and examine its role, significance and contemporary relevance."

The conference will take place on 17th and 18th September in the Palmer Building on the University's Whiteknights Campus.

Prices are £30 a day (refreshments provided) or £70 for both days (including dinner on Monday evening). The Round Table session is free and begins at 2pm on Tuesday.

For more details and to download a booking form visit www.reading.ac.uk/humanities/conferences.htm

If you would like to reserve a seat at the Round Table session please contact Dr Philip Murphy, tel 0118 378 8146 or email p.v.murphy@reading.ac.uk

Ends

For University of Reading media enquiries, please contact James Barr, Press Assistant, on 0118 3787115 or email j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk