• Home
• Membership
• How were leadership challenges launched in previous centuries?

How were leadership challenges launched in previous centuries?

Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look at some of the most dramatic attempts to topple leaders – from 1970s Britain to the Tudor court and communist China.

• Matt Elton

Published: May 21, 2026 at 7:58 AM

Save

• Share on facebook
• Share on twitter
• Share on whatsapp
• Email to a friend

The past fortnight has seen headlines here in the UK dominated by news of potential leadership challenges to Labour prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, following the party's heavy losses in recent local council elections in Wales, Scotland and England. But how were such bids to topple leaders mounted in the past? And what happened to those who tried, and failed? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look at some of the most dramatic examples – from 1970s Britain to the Tudor court and communist China.

Ad

Want to hear more from History Behind the Headlines? Listen to all episodes now

Authors

Matt EltonPodcast editor

Matt Elton is the podcast editor at HistoryExtra

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...