Marxist. Trade Unionist. Socialist-feminist. Author. Poet. Speaker. Tutor. RMT ex-Exec. Workers' Liberty. Autie. Bi. PUFC fan.
Misogyny, discrimination, prejudice, …
Thirty-five years ago, I was sexually assaulted at a gig. I never told anyone. But over the last few years, some stuff has prompted me to finally address it – by writing this poem. Standing by the ticket table, flogging … Read more
Referring to this. You’ve won the Women’s Ballon d’Or You dribble, tackle, shoot and score But do you twerk? You strike a hard and well-aimed ball Around a wide defensive wall But do you twerk? Top scorer in the Champions … Read more
I fancied some titilating photos so I went on an upskirting hunt I didn’t really care about consent, that’s if I’m being blunt I came across Sir Christopher and thought I’d have a punt I’d capture a … Read more
Harvey Weinstein is an addict Harvey, he just has to have it Harvey’s checked into a clinic Not convinced? You heartless cynic Harvey can not help himself Please pray for Harvey’s failing health Poor Harvey, he is sex addicted Please … Read more
RMT’s delegation to the European Transport workers’ Federation Women’s Conference comprised Mary Jane Herbison, Michelle Rodgers, Lorna Tooley and Janine Booth. The conference was, unfortunately, squeezed into a short time on a single day. It still managed to do its … Read more
Performed with the Loud Poets at Chat’s Palace, Hackney, on 28 April 2017.
A new sociological category to scare the establishment … Somewhat like the angry youth But rather longer in the tooth We’re gobby, feisty, loud, uncouth We’re Disaffected Middle-aged Women Kicking our heels against the wall Plotting in the shopping mall Go … Read more
Yesterday was my radiotherapy booking-in appointment. So, off I went to the basement of Bart’s hospital to be fitted and measured. Some more forms to fill in and consents to be signed – this time, consenting to have permanent marks … Read more
Text of the George Lansbury Memorial Lecture, given on 16 November 2016 at Queen Mary University, London. I’m working on the assumption that most of you know a fair bit about George Lansbury but rather less about his daughter-in-law … Read more
When Donald Trump said “Grab them by the pussy” The objectionable word was not “pussy” It was “grab” His words were not “lewd” They were violent
Roll up, roll up for the Sexism Olympics Medals to be won! It’s not about your skill or fitness But your husband or your son! And the first event is … Giving Men Credit For Women’s Achievements. Step on to … Read more
I am a railway woman, love my job I take you there and back, I take your fare Sometimes behind the scenes, sometimes you’ll see me I fix the track or operate the signal I clean the station, guard or … Read more
Originally published on Workers’ Liberty’s website. There was a discussion at Workers’ Liberty’s ‘Ideas for Freedom’ discussion weekend in 2006 about ‘The Left and Cultural Relativism’. The two speakers were Janine Booth and Peter Tatchell. These are the notes from … Read more
Country Reports Spain From 2007, the socialist government introduced equality legislation and a framework to demand action against sexism and harassment. But since then, the situation has been worsened by economic crisis, with equalities driven off the agenda, curbs on … Read more
He tells us what to think and do And shouts until the air turns blue And when he’s done enlightening folk He goes outside and has a smoke. She bites her lip and lifts her hand Says “I’m not sure … Read more
This is the speech that I gave in the opening plenary of Workers’ Liberty’s ‘Ideas for Freedom’ event in 2013 – originally published here. On 23rd June 2012, Steven Simpson, a gay autistic student, was verbally abused, stripped, and his … Read more
An article from 27 September 2005: Today, I am pretty annoyed by reading articles about the Portman group’s report about boozing and the trouble it allegedly gets you into. The report, “Anatomy of a big night out”, claims that almost four in … Read more
The final section of the Workers’ Liberty pamphlet ‘Comrades and Sisters’ looks at what socialism can offer women, and what sort of movement we need to win liberation. Formal Equality and its Limits Britain has had the Sex Discrimination Act … Read more
The second section of the Workers’ Liberty pamphlet ‘Comrades and Sisters’ looks at women’s situation today. Domestic work, (badly-)paid work, the vast gulf between working-class and ruling-class women. Women in communities, and women in the welfare state. Religious fundamentalism, the … Read more
An oldie from the 1980s, a decade of Thatcher, Reagan, crap haircuts and appallingly sexist washing powder adverts. They are not exactly bastions of feminism now, but in the 1980s we were subjected to images of women descending into hysterical … Read more