Trade Unionism – The Middle Aged Revolutionary

Jason and Terry on Trade Unions

Mar 21, 2025

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Jason and Terry discuss the decline of trade unions in Britain, the challenges of maintaining integrity as union officials, and the potential for creating Marxist trade unions. We analysed data showing union membership peaked in 1979 and has since fallen, attributing this decline to Thatcher’s policies, deindustrialisation, and the unions’ failure to recruit in new…

Why Are Birth Rates Declining?

Mar 8, 2025

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JT

in culture, Economy, Politics, Social, Trade Unionism

On 28th January 2025, The Daily Telegraph ran an article entitled “How soaring housing costs have crushed the birth rate”. This article detailed the very real and potentially devastating problem of Britain’s declining birth rate and made a link, albeit tenuous, between this seemingly inexorable decline and the availability of affordable housing. The lowest birth…

The TUC: In Complete Lockstep With Imperialism

Feb 21, 2025

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JT

in Politics, Trade Unionism

On 22nd February, the Trades Unions Congress will be joining unions including the National Union of Mineworkers (total number of members 196), the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), Unison, GMB and PCS in a rally in London alongside such luminaries as Peter Tatchell and John McDonnell to call for the withdrawal of…

Our Review of Paul Embery’s ‘Despised: Why the Modern Left Loathes the Working Class’: Part Six

Dec 14, 2024

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JT

in culture, Economy, Local Government, Politics, Social, Trade Unionism

In the sixth and final episode of our review of Paul Embery’s book ‘Despised: Why the Modern Left Loathes the Working Class’, Comrades Terry and Jason look at Chapter 5, entitled ‘What is to be Done?’, though enthusiasts of V.I. Lenin’s seminal work may be a little disappointed. You can see our book review here.

Our Review of Paul Embery’s ‘Despised: Why the Modern Left Loathes the Working Class’: Part Five

Nov 13, 2024

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JT

in culture, Economy, Politics, Social, Trade Unionism

The Middle Aged Revolutionary and Comrade Terry sit down again to discuss Paul Embery’s book ‘Despised: Why the Modern Left Loathes the Working Class’. In this episode, we look at Chapter 4: The Case for the Nation State, where Embery details how strong, independent states, separate from supra-national entities like the European Union, give better…

The Reality of Trade Unions and Political Rhetoric: Insights from Burston Strike School 2024

Sep 2, 2024

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JT

in Politics, Trade Unionism

On Sunday 1st September of this year, I visited the Burston Strike School, an annual festival which takes place in the village of Burston, near Diss in Norfolk. Every year, the great and not so great of the trade union movement in the area and beyond come to this little place and do what many…

Billy Bragg: Unofficial Bard of the Trade Union Bureaucracy

Aug 19, 2024

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JT

in culture, Politics, Trade Unionism

In my previous life as a trade unionist, I visited the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival on several occasions. For readers who aren’t aware of what this festival is all about, it commemorates the struggles of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Six farm labourers, including George Loveless, were arrested in 1834 for swearing an (illegal) oath of secrecy under…

Our Review of Paul Embery’s ‘Despised: Why the Modern Left Loathes the Working Class’: Part One

Jun 16, 2024

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JT

in culture, Economy, Politics, Social, Trade Unionism

I was joined by my friend and comrade Terry Eaton as we took a deep dive into Paul Embery’s book ‘Despised’. In this first part, we look at the introduction and Chapter 1 of the book. You can see the video in full here.

The Problem With Sharon Graham

Jun 8, 2024

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JT

in Politics, Trade Unionism

Two years ago, I was a contributor on a podcast for the Workers Party of Britain on the issue of the trade unions and the Labour party. With me on the panel was Joti Brar, the then deputy leader of the Workers Party, Paul Embery, noted trade unionist and author of the book Despised: Why…

Category: Trade Unionism