Callaghan Night

Forty years ago this spring, Britain's governing party was caught up in a leadership election after Labour prime minister Harold Wilson's shock announcement that he was stepping down. Six cabinet ministers vied to replace Wilson, with foreign secretary Jim Callaghan emerging as victor after three rounds of voting, on 5 April 1976. To mark the anniversary, James Naughtie presents an evening of BBC archive programmes looking back at the political career of Jim Callaghan.

From the BBC archives, Panorama looks at the Labour leadership contenders James Callaghan, Denis Healey and Michael Foot. From March 1976.

Archive Panorama programme from October 1976 looking at the UK's financial bailout by the International Monetary Fund.

In March 1977, the Labour government, left with no overall majority following a by-election defeat, faced a motion of no confidence. In order to remain in office, James Callaghan approached the Liberal Party under the leadership of David Steel and the agreement they reached was known as the Lib-Lab pact. BBC current affairs programme Tonight looked at the deal. From March 1977.

Archive edition of Panorama from February 1979, presented by Robin Day and featuring an extended interview with James Callaghan.

A series of BBC archive programmes looking back at the political career of former British prime minister Jim Callaghan.