Jacqueline Riding

Jacqueline Riding, a historian and author who has worked on the Peterloo Massacre, delves into the events of August 1819. She discusses the economic hardships after Waterloo that sparked demands for political reform. Riding highlights the role of radical figures like Henry Hunt and the tension at St Peter's Field, where a peaceful meeting turned chaotic. She argues that the initial decision to arrest Hunt led to the tragedy, raising important questions about historical representation and the ongoing relevance of Peterloo in today’s discussions about rights and democracy.