Main content

8. The Most Successful Party That Never Won A Seat

Mark Mardell gets to grips with Sir James Goldsmith and his Referendum Party

A blustering billionaire playing politics, or a brave man doing his best for his country? Sir James Goldsmith divided opinion, but he united both sides of politics in promising a referendum on the euro.

Mark Mardell reflects on the party that only fought one election, didn't win a single seat, but secured a promise that in the end mattered more. And while that referendum never came to pass, he paved the way for the one that did, nineteen years after his death.

Email: worldatone@bbc.co.uk. Twitter: @大象传媒WorldatOne

Release date:

Available now

19 minutes

Podcast