Art into Pop in Leeds
Gavin Butt’s new book ‘No Machos or Popstars’ tells the story of a moment in Leeds when theory, art, and pop got themselves mixed up, producing groups like Gang of Four and Scritti Politti in the process.
4348 Articles by:
Rae Hart
Rae Deer is an economist and freelance writer.
Unlock the Public Loos
The shuttering of hundreds of public toilets in the last decade is a national issue – but in cities like Newcastle and Bristol, activists are fighting to bring our most basic facilities back.
Argentina’s Blood-Stained 1978 World Cup
The 1978 World Cup was hosted by an Argentine military junta that murdered tens of thousands of people – a history of FIFA-approved image refurbishment that continues today.
Mothers, Artists, Workers
The ‘March of the Mummies’ has drawn attention to how poor childcare provision is in Britain. A small project in southeast London suggests some ways out.
The Lessons of Liz Truss’s Political Obituary
As an insight into a prime minister, the new Liz Truss biography missed its brief moment. But as a document of the Tory Party’s identity crisis, it’s evergreen.
Cuts Are Blocking the Fight Against HIV
This World AIDS Day, what’s needed to end new HIV transmissions is political will – but by slashing sexual health funding, letting inequalities spiral, and forcing the NHS to its knees, the Tories are making clear they don’t have it.
Why Sixth Form Staff Are Saying Enough Is Enough
Thousands of teachers at 77 sixth forms are out on strike today. After a 20% real-terms pay cut since 2010 and chronic underfunding, they’re not only fighting for themselves – they’re fighting for the future of our colleges.
The Climate Change Health Crisis
More than half of known human infectious diseases can be aggravated by climate change. Apathetic political leaders aren’t just condemning us to extreme weather’s devastation – they’re condemning us to perpetual health crisis, too.
The Radical Spirit Of Doctor Sócrates
In the 1970s and 80s, Brazilian footballer Sócrates used his sport as a vehicle to challenge a military dictatorship and speak out for democracy. As this year’s tainted World Cup continues, it’s clear we need more like him.
The Radical Visions of William Blake
‘Jerusalem’ is now most likely to be heard at jubilee celebrations or Last Night of the Proms – but its author William Blake was a radical who raged against a world split between privilege and poverty.
Against the Manchester Model
The last 20 years have seen Manchester become the poster city of neoliberal urbanism with a dressing of radical chic. It’s time to consider how we got here – and how we take it back from the developers.
‘We Can’t Do the Work if We Can’t Pay the Rent’: Why Shelter Workers Are Going on Strike
By imposing a real-terms pay cut on workers in a cost of living crisis, the leadership at Shelter are exacerbating the very insecurities their housing charity exists to fight – so now, those workers are going on strike.
Loneliness Is a Political Problem
A recent survey found 95% of young people now feel lonely, with more than half citing money as a key factor. When everything’s expensive, and the public sphere has been deliberately decimated, it’s no surprise.
Why Students Should Back the UCU Strike
University staff are striking today against the same marketisation that cuts courses, hikes fees, and reduces students to cash cows. They’re not just fighting for themselves – they’re fighting for the future of higher education.
NHS Red Lines Are Already Being Crossed
Reports of discussions about a two-tier NHS in Scotland only make explicit what’s been clear for a long time: that across the UK, our public health service is being stripped away – and we need to fight to restore it everywhere.
When NHS Workers Fought Back Against Thatcher
In 1982, thousands of nurses and NHS ancillary staff took action against the government over low pay – and were joined by miners, printers, firefighters and more in the biggest show of solidarity since the 1926 General Strike.
Jacob’s Workers Won’t Settle for Crumbs
Bosses at the Jacob’s factory in Aintree, Liverpool tried to slap their employees with a pathetic 4% pay offer – so now, 750 workers have gone on indefinite strike to demand their worth.
Billionaire Philanthropy Is a Scam
Jeff Bezos’ pledge to donate his vast fortune to charity is a reputation-laundering exercise – and a reminder that billionaires will never fix the problems that create them.
The OCS Strike Shows How Outsourced Workers Can Win
Following 26 days of strikes, outsourced hospital workers at Lancashire and South Cumbria Trust won a 14% pay rise, an extra week of annual leave, and the same sick pay as their in-housed colleagues – a victory against the two-tier workforce.
The Qatar World Cup Shows Money’s Chokehold On Modern Football
Qatar’s World Cup is the culmination of decades of football capitalism – a victory for big corporations and repressive regimes, and a tragedy for the fans and workers who make the game.