History Caught on Camera and Radio

This is the Live BBC General Election Night programming for the General Election held on Thursday, 8th October, 1959, for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Live Programme commenced at 21:15 that evening. The Presenter was Richard Dimbleby (1913-1965) and his CO-Presenters were David Butler (1924-2022), Cliff Michelmore (1919-2016). Additional Reports were provided by the following Correspondents and Participants, Robert McKenzie (1917-1981), Derek Hart (1925-1986) at Transport House, Kenneth Harris (1919-2005)at Conservative and Unionist Party Central Office, Alan Whicker at Hammersmith (1921-2013), Robert Kee at Leeds (1919-2013), David Coleman (1926-2013) at the Press Association. There have also been repeats of this General Election on Friday, 9th October, 2009 at 19:00 and Wednesday, 9th October, 2019 at 18:00. Both of these repeats were broadcast on BBC Parliament. As per usual there are no spoilers as to the outcome. Nick Prince July 2024

This is the very first televised BBC Live General Election Night broadcast, which started at 21:30 (9:30pm) on Thursday, 26th May, 1955. The Election Night programme was presented by Richard Dimbleby (1913-1965) and participation from David Butler (1924-2022). Mr Butler continued with election night television programming until 1979, after which he went to cover election programming until 2010. He still appeared on breakfast television the morning after an election as recently as 2017 and 2019 he learned to Tweet (X) about elections.

This is the very first televised BBC Live General Election Night broadcast, which started at 21:30 (9:30pm) on Thursday, 26th May, 1955. The Election Night programme was presented by Richard Dimbleby (1913-1965) and participation from David Butler (1924-2022). Mr Butler continued with election night television programming until 1979, after which he went to cover election programming until 2010. He still appeared on breakfast television the morning after an election as recently as 2017 and 2019 he learned to Tweet (X) about elections.