DIANE ABBOTT MP argues we shouldn’t see last week’s march as an inarticulate outpouring of confused class consciousness, arguing that the agenda was set by the stars of the international far right, whose speeches were explicit, extreme and unopposed
Revolt rekindled: when Adam delved and Wat did rebel
A radical history event reignited the flame of the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, a grassroots uprising that terrified kings and clergy, for ALISON BANVILLE and JAMES FLOREY
An illustration of the death of Wat Tyler at the hands of the king’s forces from a 15th century manuscript of Jean Froissart’s Chronicles
ANDREW MURRAY breaks down this week’s rift in the new left party that was at one point polling at 15 per cent of the vote without even having formed — whether it will form now has been thrown into a pit of doubt
ROGER McKENZIE argues that the BRI represents a choice between treating humans as commodities or as equals — an essential project when, aside from China’s efforts, hundreds of millions worldwide are trapped in poverty
Our annual memorial event and lecture honouring a legend of English working-class history, who ‘organised the unorganisable’ in the countryside, will hear from today’s organisers of the unorganisable fighting the bosses of Amazon, writes NICK MATTHEWS
BERNADETTE KEAVENEY announces a simplified and streamlined way to get your paper delivered daily, and a big push for new readers that we can all help make into a success
Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports from the start of Kunming’s Belt and Road media forum, where 200 journalists from 71 countries celebrated a new openness and optimism, forged by China’s enormous contribution to global development
“MATTERS cannot go well in England, nor ever will, until all things shall be held in common, when there shall be neither vassals nor lords, when the lords shall be no more masters than ourselves.” — John Ball
On the evening of June 13 we attended a free event held in Clerkenwell, London, and hosted by the Marx Memorial Library as part of their Reds on the Green series, which aims to bring alive England’s rich radical history.
This night was devoted to the Peasant’s Revolt, a seismic historical moment that holds particular resonance for Clerkenwell, the huge throng led by Wat Tyler having gathered here on their way to confront King Richard II, but not before they burnt down the original priory on the very site we were now sitting in, currently the Museum of the Order of St John.
The evening got started with a fascinating short lecture and Q&A with historian James Crossley and compelling readings by acclaimed actor and vice-president of the Marx Memorial Library, Maxine Peake.
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