At Wessex Film and Sound Archive you can see and hear history, from late Victorian times to the present day, through moving images and sound recordings. The Archive contains over 36,000 film and sound recordings relating to Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including film and tapes of local TV and radio.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
General Election 1951
A remarkable film showing the Municipal Borough of Slough's preparations for the 1951 General Election.
From the collection of:
Overview
In this fascinating film we see Slough's mayor, Alderman Percy Lightfoot, posting the proclamation of the forthcoming General Election. Teams set to work, issuing ballots and opening polling stations. On polling day Fenner Brockway, the Labour candidate, is seen chatting to voters. The Conservative candidate, Victor Rees, is also seen with supporters. On election night we see the votes being counted and the result read out by the mayor. It's a win for Fenner Brockway.
Fenner Brockway was an anti-war activist, anti-colonialist and politician. A member of the Independent Labour Party since 1907, he was imprisoned during the First World War for refusing to be conscripted. Brockway finally elected Member of Parliament for Leyton East in 1929. However, the Spanish Civil War marked a change in Fenner Brockway's pacifist views and he supported the struggle against fascism. An active supporter of Britain's role in the Second World War, he later became involved in various anti-colonial movements, being especially critical of Britain's handling of the Mau Mau emergency in Kenya. In 1950 he won the Parliamentary seat of Eton and Slough which he held until 1964.
Related
Watch for free
Vote for Froglet Vote for Froglet
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1974 7 mins
As the general election is held in the UK, it's polling day for the Clangers on a small blue planet far away.
Watch for free
Sam Small at Westminster Sam Small at Westminster
Promotional 1935 3 mins
It's the 1935 general election and Stanley Holloway recites a comic monologue promoting the policies of the National Government.
Currently unavailable
Bristol Fashion Bristol Fashion
Party political broadcast 1959 25 mins Location: Bristol
The Labour Party takes a heartfelt look at Bristol council’s social(ist) housing and education agenda, spinning a 'new story from an old city'.
Watch for free
Mr. Jenkins Pays His Rates Mr. Jenkins Pays His Rates
Documentary 1957 19 mins Location: Slough
Slough gets a resounding thumbs-up from a reluctant ratepayer in a surprising 1950s government film.
Watch for free
Socialist Car of State Socialist Car of State
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1930 9 mins Silent
Party-political hyperbole meets Wacky Races in this spirited cartoon produced for the Conservative Party.
Watch for free
Children and Politics Children and Politics
News 1964 3 mins
Some remarkably well informed (well, for the most part) children interviewed prior to the 1964 General Election.
Watch for free
Return to Action Return to Action
Documentary 1947 19 mins Location: Egham
Bricklayers, lawyers, teachers – disabled men and women are encouraged to retrain for new jobs
Watch for free
General Election Slough 1950 General Election Slough 1950
Government sponsored film 1950 11 mins Silent Location: Slough
A remarkable film showing the Municipal Borough of Slough's preparations for the 1950 General Election.
Watch for free
Mr. Jenkins Pays His Rates Mr. Jenkins Pays His Rates
Documentary 1957 19 mins Location: Slough
Slough gets a resounding thumbs-up from a reluctant ratepayer in a surprising 1950s government film.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.