Martha Kearney offers a fresh perspective on history as she opens up the National Archives and delves into the secret government files of 1992 - the year of Black Wednesday, Maastricht Ratification, the queen's "Annus Horribilis", and an election result that almost nobody saw coming.

John Major was still a relatively new fixture in Downing Street - but was already juggling the demands of an election campaign with deep divides in his own party over Europe. His papers from 1992 - including secret correspondence, minutes of top secret meetings and telephone calls, confidential policy advice, and the Prime Minister's own handwritten notes - reveal a story full of resonance with our current political climate.

Joining Martha to look through the papers are then Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont, former Labour Lord Chancellor Charlie Falconer and the journalist John Sergeant.

Producer: Robert Nicholson
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4. Show less