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Duration 51:25

New files from 1981

An overview of newly-released government files from 1981 including discussion of the major stories of the year. From urban riots and IRA hunger strikes to splits in Cabinet over economic policy, 1981 was an extremely challenging year for Mrs Thatcher’s Conservative government. Contemporary records specialists Mark Dunton and Simon Demissie delve into the files for new revelations. Introduced by Tommy Norton.