Past Present Future Now & Then with Robert Saunders: Gladstone vs Disraeli Part 2 (Burnham vs Badenoch)
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Sep 9, 2026 
Robert Saunders, a historian of modern British politics, explores Gladstone’s dramatic return to power. They examine the Midlothian campaign, mass rallies, new political media, imperial controversy, and Queen Victoria’s resistance. The conversation then turns to Disraeli’s enduring legacy and striking modern parallels involving Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch.
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Crowds Felt Gladstone Before They Heard Him
- Gladstone’s powerful voice made open-air mass politics possible before electronic amplification.
- One worker admitted the words were indistinct but still felt “lifted into a holy region of politics.”
Midlothian Made British Politics More American
- The Midlothian campaign pioneered national political touring, railway-platform speeches, and pre-released speech coverage.
- Rosebery imported techniques associated with American conventions, beginning the Americanisation of British politics.
Parties Invented Mass Politics In Different Styles
- Politicians had to invent ways to create national political communities as constituencies became too large for personal contact.
- Liberals used preaching-style rallies, while Conservatives answered with fairs, jugglers, rides, and aristocratic entertainment.
