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The Morning Star 2026 Conference
Rebel Without a Pause by Hank Roberts
Life and times of a “stop talking and start shooting” trade unionist
Outstanding activist: Hank Roberts

WHILE the trade union movement is full of larger-than-life figures, Hank Roberts is certainly one of a kind.

How many other trade union leaders could claim to have stolen a firearm, drunk bleach, hospitalised several people, lived in a tent for six months to halt privatisation of a school, appeared before a High Court judge at the Old Bailey and then been elected president of their union, subsequently securing one of the most significant trade union amalgamations in recent history?

So, when Roberts turned 70 several weeks ago and released his autobiography, it was bound to be an interesting read. Something of a roller-coaster of a ride, it details his life from his birth in Bermuda and growing up in Portsmouth and Camden to his career as a teacher and trade unionist.
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