Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
It’s totally necessary that we organise together to take on the issues of the housing crisis

SCOTLAND is no stranger to housing activism.

This March saw the unveiling of a sculpture commemorating the legendary Glasgow radical Mary Barbour. In 1915 unscrupulous landlords were taking advantage of the wartime economy — pushing up rents as thousands of workers flocked to Glasgow’s shipyards and munitions factories.

Barbour led a 20,000-strong rent strike in what was then the British empire’s second city.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Burnham and Raynor
Rent controls / 3 August 2026
3 August 2026

CLAUDIA WEBBE argues that Burnham’s U-turn on tackling greedy landlords has let the country down 

Angela Rayner
Housing / 24 July 2026
24 July 2026

‘Rent freezes are not a way forward at the moment,’ Housing Secretary Angela Rayner says

John Wheatley. Photo: wellcomeimages.org/CC
Features / 22 November 2025
22 November 2025

Building is the solution for much of our housing crisis – and will also help to address poverty, ill health, and even anti-social behaviour and alienation, writes KENNY MacASKILL