Judith Hart Collection

The archive reflects the prominent role Judith Hart played both in government and within the party. Day-to-day correspondence with ministerial and Prime- ministerial colleagues is found in most sections. Hart also corresponded with groups concerned with human rights, community action and trade union issues. She was a member or patron of many such organisations and in many cases played an active part in their work and decision-making.

Judith Hart (1921-1991) was MP for Lanarkshire between 1959-1983 and Clydeside between 1983-1987 before being made a life peer in 1988. During her time in Parliament she was a member of the Labour Government of the 1960s and 1970s. Her special interest was in foreign affairs and she was Minister for Overseas Development in 1967-1968. She was an influential member of the Party's left wing, opposing nuclear armament and British entry into the Common Market. Serving on the National Executive Committee of the party between 1969 and 1983, she was party chair 1981-1982.

The papers have been arranged into the following series:

• Personal/semi-personal papers
• Africa (General)
• South Africa Sanctions
• Chile and the Chile Solidarity Campaign
• South America (General); North and Central America; Caribbean; Falklands
• Falkland Islands Correspondence (1982 war)
• Asia and the Far East
• Miscellaneous International
• Election Material
• Articles and Speeches
• Social Security
• NEC, Committees, Sub-Committees and Working Groups
• Miscellaneous Domestic
• Scottish Affairs

Access by appointment, please email archive@phm.org.uk

The Judith Hart papers were deposited at the People's History Museum (formerly National Museum of Labour History) in 1995. The Labour History Archive and Study Centre is housed at the head office of the People's History Museum.

Collection level description created for the Archives Hub by Janette Martin.

A searchable file level catalogue is available by clicking HART (Searchable File Level Catalogue)

Standard reprography conditions apply and are available on request from the archive.

It is likely that these voluminous files will undergo further appraisal and weeding.

Accruals are not expected.

The constituency papers, 1964-87, of Judith Hart are held at Glasgow City Archives.The Labour History Archive and Study Centre also has files on Judith Hart in the press cuttings collection.Occasional references to Judith Hart may be found elsewhere in the Labour Party Archive.