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The \u2018Cool Britannia\u2019 party - held at 10 Downing Street on 30th July, 1997 - quickly became one of the most iconic events of the New Labour era. Celebrities including Helen Mirren, Eddie Izzard and Lenny Henry were invited to Britain\u2019s seat of power to sup champagne with Tony Blair, the youngest Prime Minister since 1812.\nThe defining image of the night was a photo of Blair chuckling away with rockstar Noel Gallagher. The Oasis singer defended his attendance (\u201cbecause I\u2019m from Burnage, and me mam would kill me if I turned down the chance to go to Downing Street. Wouldn\u2019t yours?\u201d), but later claimed to have snorted coke off the Queen\u2019s lavatory whilst there.\nIn this episode, Rebecca, Olly and Arion reveal the surprising origins of the phrase \u2018Cool Britannia\u2019 (spoiler: the Tories did it first); ask whether popstar-politician collabs are ALWAYS ultimately disastrous; and consider whether the lukewarm reaction to David Cameron\u2019s subsequent showbiz party might yet be considered a success for the Conservatives...\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022\xa0Footage from the party (Associated Press, 1997):\xa0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDa__W1_gcg\n\u2022 \u2018Cool Britannia: where did it all go wrong?\u2019 (New Statesman, 2017):\xa0https://www.newstatesman.com/1997/2017/05/cool-britannia-where-did-it-all-go-wrong\n\u2022 \u2018David Cameron revisits Cool Britannia (with Michael McIntyre and Cilla Black)\u2019, (The Guardian, 2014):\xa0https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/30/david-cameron-a-listers-cool-britannia-party\nFor bonus material and to support the show, visit\xa0Patreon.com/Retrospectors\nWe'll be back on Monday! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2021.\xa0\n#90s #Music #Politics #Funny #UK\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices