Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
On 29 December 1961, Labour MP Denis Healey was interviewed by Ian Trethowan about the future of the United Nations – just ten days after the Indian Army’s invasion of Goa. Healey argued the UN represented “the only possible framework for a world government,” and warned that “without world government policing world disarmament, the human race will perish.” His belief in the need for stronger systems of collective security was shaped in part by his experiences of the 1930s and the Second World War – during which he served in the British Army and witnessed the consequences of international failure to prevent global conflict.
Healey later went on to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1974 to 1979, and as Secretary of State for Defence from 1964 to 1970 under Harold Wilson – the longest-serving Defence Secretary to date. He was Labour’s Deputy Leader under Michael Foot between 1980 and 1983.
Following the Conservative victory in the 1987 general election, Healey stepped back from frontline politics, leaving the Shadow Cabinet. He remained MP for Leeds until 1992, ending a parliamentary career that spanned 40 years.
#BritishPolitics #DenisHealey #LabourParty #WorldGovernment #UnitedNations
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On 29 December 1961, Labour MP Denis Healey was interviewed by Ian Trethowan about the future of the United Nations – just ten days after the Indian Army’s invasion of Goa. Healey argued the UN represented “the only possible framework for a world government,” and warned that “without world government policing world disarmament, the human race will perish.” His belief in the need for stronger systems of collective security was shaped in part by his experiences of the 1930s and the Second World War – during which he served in the British Army and witnessed the consequences of international failure to prevent global conflict.
Healey later went on to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1974 to 1979, and as Secretary of State for Defence from 1964 to 1970 under Harold Wilson – the longest-serving Defence Secretary to date. He was Labour’s Deputy Leader under Michael Foot between 1980 and 1983.
Following the Conservative victory in the 1987 general election, Healey stepped back from frontline politics, leaving the Shadow Cabinet. He remained MP for Leeds until 1992, ending a parliamentary career that spanned 40 years.
#BritishPolitics #DenisHealey #LabourParty #WorldGovernment #UnitedNations
To license the footage featured in this clip, follow the link below:
gettyimages.co.uk/detail/video/denis-healey-interview-on-future-of-united-nations-news-footage/1309958787?
_______
To search the ITN Archive collection on Getty Images, follow the link below:
gettyimages.co.uk/footage/itn
🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel (tap the bell icon and stay up to date with all the latest ITN Archive videos!) - youtube.com/@ITNArchive
🎥 Follow us on Twitter - twitter.com/ITNArchive
🎥 Like us on Facebook - facebook.com/ITNArchiveITNP
🎥 Check out our TikTok - tiktok.com/@itnarchive1955
