Historian | Author of "Now or Never! A History of the First Scottish Devolution Referendum", published by @BloomsburyAcad on 12 Nov 2026 | Manager @MileEndInst.
Essex
Joined September 2011
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The first reviews of my forthcoming @BloomsburyAcad book, "Now or Never!", have just been published!
Thanks so much to @davidtorrance and the titanic @NaeFear for reading it and providing such lovely endorsements!
You can find out more and pre-order your copy in the link below.
ALT Reviews: "The 1970s were a decade of referendums - Northern Ireland, Europe, Scotland and Wales - but that regarding a devolved Scottish Assembly in March 1979 was one of the most historically important. This engaging book by Tom Chidwick brings it vividly to life, from its dramatic birth in Lanarkshire electoral politics to its sustained parliamentary battles and finally its often colourful campaign". Dr David Torrance, House of Commons Library.
ALT "Chidwick demonstrates undoubted objectivity and grasp of the powers, and personalities, at work in an important period of Scottish and UK politics". Jim Sillars, Scottish National Party.
Tom Chidwick retweeted
Great to be at the launch of @LeeDavidEvansUK “Coronations and Defenestrations” - the definitive modern guide to Tory leadership election
There’s no vacancy currently but would be plotters ought to pick up a copy…
This episode of @LordSpeaker's Corner with @MileEndInst’s Peter Hennessy is delightful.
As the King said of the Queen Mother, one of Peter's great heroes, Peter and Enid are "life enhancers". Their stoicism and good cheer in the face of Parkinson's should be a model to us all.
Family and friends form a powerfully supportive community when someone close has Parkinson’s.
Historian Lord Hennessy, joined by his wife Enid, tells me about his personal experience of the condition, after retiring from @UKHouseofLords.
@ParkinsonsUK @CarersUK
Tom Chidwick retweeted
Ted Heath modestly naming his favourite dish after himself in the 1987 Commons cookery book. And Jim Callaghan’s rather exotic choice of moussaka.
Tom Chidwick retweeted
We are delighted to announce that @anandMenon1
will take over from @CER_Grant as director of @CER_EU
in the new year.
Look out for more news soon on how Anand will ensure that some of the best bits of UK in a Changing Europe are maintained at the CER.
📢 The @CER_EU appoints a new director: @anandMenon1 will succeed @CER_Grant as director, taking over at the start of 2027.
I'm over the moon that Annabel Goldie, former Scottish Tory Leader, has agreed to speak at my @MileEndInst book launch on 18 November!
We've got a fabulous line-up including the voice of Radio 4 @carolynquinncq and the author of THE book on Scottish nationalism so do join us!⬇️
Now or Never! The First Scottish Referendum and its Legacy, 1976-2026.
Book your place to join us at the @MileEndInst to celebrate my new @BloomsburyBooks book now!
eventbrite.co.uk/e/now-or-ne…
It's a month today until my new book is published by @BloomsburyAcad!
Thanks to @MileEndInst, I'll be launching "Now or Never!" at @QMUL with a stellar panel featuring @carolynquinncq, @po_qu's Ben Jackson and others to be announced soon.
All are welcome so please do join us!
Next month, I'm going to be launching my new @BloomsburyAcad book, "Now or Never!", at my beloved @MileEndInst.
Speakers include the voice of Radio 4 @carolynquinncq, @po_qu's Ben Jackson and a MYSTERY Scottish politician. Do join us if you can!
eventbrite.co.uk/e/now-or-ne…
Tom Chidwick retweeted
A rather sad announcement from @anandmenon.bsky.social on the future of UK in a Changing Europe.
ukandeu.ac.uk/announcement/s…
Tom Chidwick retweeted
A recent interview with Richard Rose, who at 93 has just published his 61st book -- on the next UK general election.
He reflects on his long life in British politics, arriving at Oxford in 1957 from St Louis. He travelled the country with David Butler during the 1959 general election! And he interviewed Clement Attlee for his thesis.
politics.ox.ac.uk/news/meet-…
Tom Chidwick retweeted
Not to be missed 👇
Next month, I'm going to be launching my new @BloomsburyAcad book, "Now or Never!", at my beloved @MileEndInst.
Speakers include the voice of Radio 4 @carolynquinncq, @po_qu's Ben Jackson and a MYSTERY Scottish politician. Do join us if you can!
eventbrite.co.uk/e/now-or-ne…
Next month, I'm going to be launching my new @BloomsburyAcad book, "Now or Never!", at my beloved @MileEndInst.
Speakers include the voice of Radio 4 @carolynquinncq, @po_qu's Ben Jackson and a MYSTERY Scottish politician. Do join us if you can!
eventbrite.co.uk/e/now-or-ne…
Tom Chidwick retweeted
The time Jerffery Archer got the HIGNFY treatment.
Tom Chidwick retweeted
My take on Archer and the champagne quaffers who turned a blind eye to his crimes and failed to ask him tough questions. British luvviedom and the British establishment at its sycophantic worst, and it's continued throughout today.
"That conversation illustrates the complexity of Archer's life..."
@MichaelLCrick and @nadhimzahawi discuss the good and the bad that defined Jeffrey Archer and how he will be remembered.
@theJeremyVine | #JeremyVine
It was a pleasure to host @TimClementJone1, Parliament's leading authority on AI, at @MileEndInst last night.
His experience and expertise will be a real asset to @QMUL's staff and students as we grapple with the impact of AI on universities!
Last night, @MileEndInst co-hosted the first in a new lecture series by the School of Society and Environment, @QMUL's new Professors of Practice.
In this lecture chaired by @TomChidwick, Lord Clement-Jones explored how universities can shape and assess graduates for the future.
ALT Peter Downs, Jaspreet Kaur and Lord Clement-Jones, SSE's first Professors of Practice, posing together for a photograph.
ALT Lord Clement-Jones lecturing at Queen Mary University of London on Monday 5 October 2026.
ALT Lord Clement-Jones in conversation with Tom Chidwick at Queen Mary University of London on Monday 5 October 2026.
Tom Chidwick retweeted
#OTD 1976. As Chancellor Healey is on his way to the airport for meetings in Hong Kong and Manila, news reaches him by car that the pound has plunged to a new low against foreign currencies.
He later went to Conference to call for spending cuts and an IMF bail out.
Lovely to see the new statue of Diana the Huntress in Bedford Square this morning, marking @BloomsburyBooks's 40th birthday!
Some of the wonderful people who make Bloomsbury Britain's best independent publisher are handing out free books so do visit the statue if you're nearby.
ALT New statue of Diana the Huntress, poorly photographed by an excited but photographically inept author of a forthcoming Bloomsbury book.
And you can pre-order my forthcoming @BloomsburyAcad book, "Now or Never! A History of the First Scottish Devolution Referendum", on Bloomsbury's website.
"The best book on the 1979 referendum" according to the legendary historian Sir Tom Devine!
bloomsbury.com/uk/now-or-nev…
Tom Chidwick retweeted
After MPs voted against assisted dying legislation today, a new piece from me on the outcome:
'Why did MPs vote to reject the assisted dying bill – and what happens now?' @ConversationUK
theconversation.com/why-did-…
Tom Chidwick retweeted
I couldn’t be prouder to have the opportunity to lead the UK’s amazing diplomats and development professionals 👇
gov.uk/government/news/lindy…
