Derby honours silk workers’ bitter lockout battle
The annual Silk Mill Festival celebrates the first-ever industrial workers’ strike in Britain, which, although it ended in defeat, laid the template for today’s union movement, writes BILL GREENSHIELDS
The welcome news that Cuba has finally been removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list is tempered by the fact that Donald Trump, the man who put it there, is returning to the White House, warns NATASHA HICKMAN
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By spreading race-based conspiracy theories, the billionaire tycoon turned right-wing provocateur has been seriously undermining the case against those who really did let victims of the grooming gangs down, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
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KEITH BENNETT explains why, despite its present meagre economic outcomes, an honest and fruitful partnership with China is worth pursuing
Nick Wright talks to photographer and author JANINA STRUK
“REMEMBER the past, fight for your future,” is — as it is every year — the rallying cry at Derby’s annual Silk Mill Festival.
Derby’s Silk Mill Festival marks the year-long struggle of Derby and Derwent Valley silk mill workers from 1833-34, against oppressive and ruthless owners and managers who routinely ripped off their already low-paid workers through spurious pay cuts — and denied them trade union rights with the threat of instant dismissal.
Does this sound familiar 190 years on?
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BEN CHACKO finds many parallels with present-day peaceful Chinese influence, as well as evidence of exploitation, in a historical exhibition
BILL GREENSHIELDS looks ahead to a lively event this weekend which draws the parallels of working-class struggle from the 19th century to today