NICK MATTHEWS recalls how the ideals of socialism and the holding of goods in common have an older provenance than you might think
Latest editorial
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
Trade unionists march through Derby city centre
Nigeria’s presidential spokesman grovels to the West in response to Washington intimidation, writes PAVAN KULKARNI
Roger McKenzie talks to general secretary of Unison CHRISTINA McANEA about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on members, the local government funding emergency and the threat of Reform UK
SWEE ANG, the founder of Medical Aid for Palestinians, is a big believer in the power of small actions, and she is the living proof it works, writes Linda Pentz Gunter
ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the difficulties surrounding freedom of expression
Kenny MacAskill remembers a ‘Sovietologist’ and voice for peace and reconciliation at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs
“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?
Similar stories
Since 2023, Strike Map has evolved from digital mapping at a national level to organising ‘mega pickets’ — we believe that mass solidarity with localised disputes prepares the ground for future national action, writes HENRY FOWLER
ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the legal case behind this weekend’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival and the lessons for today
MOLLIE BROWN reports on this year’s festival in honour of the ‘seven men of Jarrow’ deported to Australia for union activity 193 years ago
BILL GREENSHIELDS invites all and sundry to this years’ Derby Silk Mill Lockout March, Rally and People’s Festival on June 7