In a nation of 65.5 million people the membership of the Conservative and Unionist Party is a tiny 134,000, a fraction of the well over half a million current members of the Labour Party. Yet the Conservative Party is one of the most successful political parties in Western democracies. Conservative Prime Ministers led UK governments … Continue reading Why I Never Write About the Tories
New Old Labour: An Introduction for Housing Campaigners
And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The Parliamentary Party and the Progress councils fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the unions, both affiliated and unaffiliated, standing before his throne. And the books were opened, including the Electoral Register. And the voters … Continue reading New Old Labour: An Introduction for Housing Campaigners
J’ACCUSE! Selected Letters to the Architects’ Journal, June 2015-July 2017
ASH first encountered the Architects’ Journal in June 2015 when, together with Fight for Aylesbury and Class War, we organised a protest at the AJ120 Awards, and Will Hurst, at the time the Deputy Editor, appeared among our motley crew of squatters and class warriors resplendent in a navy blue suit, and engaged me in debate. … Continue reading J’ACCUSE! Selected Letters to the Architects’ Journal, June 2015-July 2017
In formation: ASH Residency at the ICA
In 1960 the Fourth Conference of the Situationist International was held in London’s East End. This was the SI's only visit to the land of Les Rosbif, and while here they were invited to speak at the Institute of Contemporary Arts at its old site in Dover Street. After their presentation – which largely consisted of … Continue reading In formation: ASH Residency at the ICA
The Truth about Grenfell Tower: A Report by Architects for Social Housing
A PDF file of this report is available here: The Truth about Grenfell Tower On Thursday, 22 June, 2017, in response to the Grenfell Tower fire the previous week, Architects for Social Housing held an open meeting in the Residents Centre of Cotton Gardens estate in Lambeth. Around 80 people turned up and contributed to … Continue reading The Truth about Grenfell Tower: A Report by Architects for Social Housing
Déjà lu: Who are Academics For?
On the weekend of 10-11 June ASH attended the Housing Justice conference being held as part of the ‘Small is Beautiful’ festival in Wales, and for something to read we took Anna Minton’s new book, Big Capital: Who is London For? a copy of which, signed by the author and sent to ASH, had arrived … Continue reading Déjà lu: Who are Academics For?
The Green-eyed Twitter Trolls: Rab Harling and Stephen Pritchard
Architects for Social Housing became aware that we were being subjected to what appeared to be a trolling campaign on Twitter. Unpleasant as it is, therefore, we feel we must explain where these attacks are coming from and why, and refute the accusations they make against ASH.
21 Council Army (Poem for Jeremy Corbyn)
We’re gonna say it loud Twenty-one councils can’t shut us up They’re lying about it Spreading their smears across all our backs And it feels as if we’re talking to ourselves Cause no-one wants to know But the message coming from the street is ‘They want our homes!’ Oh Je-re-my Cor-byn Why are you so … Continue reading 21 Council Army (Poem for Jeremy Corbyn)
Jeremy Corbyn and the Haringey Development Vehicle
Across the country, Labour councils are putting Labour values into action in a way that makes a real difference to millions of people. It is a proud Labour record, and each and every Labour councillor deserves our heartfelt thanks for the work they do. – Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Party conference (28 September, 2016) In the … Continue reading Jeremy Corbyn and the Haringey Development Vehicle
Oh, Jeremy Corbyn! The People’s Assembly
https://youtu.be/eA-iHySbEiA Tories Out! Did I hear right, or was I making it up? As I stood outside the pub having a fag, the crowd shuffled past, branded like an Olympic team with flags and banners and placards bearing the logos of every Labour-affiliated union and other left-wing group, including several I thought no longer existed. … Continue reading Oh, Jeremy Corbyn! The People’s Assembly
Simon Elmer 