Has Britain’s official history been distorted? A debate
Last month, more than a hundred historians wrote an open letter demanding changes to the history section of the Home Office’s citizenship and settlement test saying it presented a misleading view of British history. Here, Frank Trentmann – who initiated the letter – and Stephen Parkinson, a former Home Office special adviser, debate the matter. Trentmann writes in a personal capacity. From Frank Trentmann: Dear Stephen, I am pleased to debate official history with you. After all, you helped write what is probably the most widely read history chapter in the country. We – 181 historians – are not saying we have one correct interpretation of the past.
