Chris Evans MP

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ISLWYN

Archives and History APPG

As a student of history at university, historical study is something that I have maintained a huge interest in. From sporting history and the book I wrote on Freddie Mills I wrote, to political history and specifically my interest in US politics, I have continued to be interested in history in my life outside of politics. I believe historical enquiry to be incredibly important.

It helps us to connect with personal, local, national, and global pasts and understand our present. Hopefully, it also teaches us lessons so that we can live and interact with others in the most positive way possible.

I am currently the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Archives and History. I believe the collection and preservation of Archives are vital for so many things: from the ability to assess historical ‘truths’ and the way we have remembered events, to the preservation of local histories. As a group, we have had talks from the National Archives and British Record Association about their upcoming projects and the National Library of Wales on their work with regional archives. Upcoming projects of the APPG include a joint event with the British-American Parliamentary Group next year, which will be a lecture and discussion on Watergate and a talk on the subject of Historical ‘truths’ and archival work.

Hopefully, it also teaches us lessons so that we can live and interact with others in the most positive way possible.