We Can Work It Out

For nine days in May 1926, Britain stopped.Trains stood still, factories fell silent, newspapers disappeared and millions of workers walked out in what remains the only truly national general strike in British history. Nearly a century later, the General Strike still raises difficult questions about power, solidarity, democracy and the limits of collective action.In this episode of the We Can Work It Out podcast, Dr Jonathan Lord is joined by Jonathan Schneer, Professor Emeritus of Modern British History at the Georgia Institute of Technology and author of Nine Days in May: The General Strike of 1926. Together, they explore the origins, atmosphere and consequences of one of the most dramatic confrontations in British labour history.The conversation begins by tracing the economic and political tensions that led to the strike. Jonathan explains how the First World War postponed rather than resolved conflict between organised labour and employers, while the post-war years saw rising industrial militancy, fears of revolutionary politics and increasing pressure on Britain’s struggling coal industry. At the centre of the dispute were the miners, who faced wage cuts and longer working hours as mine owners attempted to restore profitability.Jonathan discusses how coal was not simply another industry but the backbone of the British economy, powering industry, transport and everyday life. The episode also explores the dangerous reality of mining work during the early twentieth century, including the exhausting conditions underground and the infamous “murder hour”, the final hour of shifts when exhausted miners were most likely to suffer serious accidents.A major theme throughout the discussion is the role of the Trades Union Congress and whether the General Strike was ever truly intended to happen. Jonathan argues that many within the TUC believed the threat of a general strike would force compromise and negotiation, but underestimated the determination of both the government and mine owners. While the government spent months preparing for national disruption, the unions largely failed to prepare, believing workers would instinctively know how to organise and sustain the strike if necessary.The episode examines the extraordinary atmosphere of the nine days themselves, with Jonathan describing the strike as a remarkable display of solidarity and collective purpose. Millions of workers participated not because they were miners themselves, but because they supported fellow workers facing severe wage cuts and worsening conditions. At the same time, many supporters of the government saw themselves as defending constitutional democracy against what they believed was an unacceptable challenge to elected authority.The role of media and propaganda also features heavily in the discussion. Jonathan explains how the government used Winston Churchill’s British Gazette to shape public opinion, while the unions responded with their own publication, the British Worker. The conversation also explores the controversial role of the BBC and how broadcasting became a battleground over legitimacy and power.As the episode progresses, attention turns to why the strike collapsed after only nine days. Jonathan argues that the TUC leadership increasingly feared both defeat and the wider implications of their own actions. While the unions hoped to pressure the government into renewed negotiations, Baldwin’s government believed the strike represented a direct challenge to state authority and therefore had to be defeated completely.The discussion concludes by examining the aftermath of the strike and its continuing relevance today, asking what the events of 1926 still tell us about work, inequality, political power and collective organisation in modern Britain.

In this episode of We Can Work It Out, we are joined by leading scholars Professor Rebecca Zahn and Professor Miriam Kullmann. We explore how exile, gender, and the hidden labour of academia shaped not only one career, but the foundations of British labour law itself.We uncover the overlooked story of Liesel Kahn Freund, a woman whose life and work sat at the heart of one of labour law’s most influential legacies, yet whose name rarely appears in the history books. This is a story about what gets remembered, what gets forgotten, and why it matters today.Enjoy the discussion.

In the newest episode of the We Can Work It Out podcast takes us to the picket line at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, where workers supported by UNISON have been engaged in a prolonged industrial dispute. This episode is different from the usual studio discussions. It was recorded on location, speaking directly to the workers who keep the museum running and preserve the history of Britain’s coal industry.

This episode’s guest is John Lansdown, one of 786 seafarers dismissed by P&O Ferries on 17th March 2022, one of the most shocking corporate acts in modern British employment history. After over 15 years of loyal service, he and his colleagues were abruptly fired via pre-recorded video, a move designed to replace experienced British crews with low-paid agency workers, many earning below the UK minimum wage.Rather than accept silence, John became one of the leading voices exposing the injustice. His decision to speak publicly, to Parliament, to national media, and alongside trade unions like the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and Nautilus International, helped turn what might have been a quiet redundancy into a major national scandal.He has since become a symbol of worker resistance and moral courage, representing those who lost not only jobs but dignity, rights, and trust in Britain’s labour protections. John continues to campaign for reform of maritime employment law and stronger enforcement against exploitative corporate practices. His story offers a human face to questions of legal loopholes, corporate governance, and the moral responsibilities of employers in the twenty-first century. Enjoy the discussion.

In Episode 4 of We Can Work It Out, I was joined by Professor Douglas Brodie, one of the UK’s leading scholars of labour and employment law, to explore the long and contested history of British labour law from 1867 to 1945. Drawing on his seminal book A History of British Labour Law, 1867–1945, our conversation traced how the legal regulation of work emerged, how it was shaped by social struggle, judicial reasoning, and political reform, and why this history still matters in today’s world of precarious labour, platform work, and regulatory retreat.

In this episode of We Can Work It Out, Dr. Jonathan Lord speaks with Paul Embery—trade unionist, writer, firefighter, and author of Despised: Why the Left Loathes the Working Class. Drawing on decades of frontline experience in the Fire Brigades Union and a lifetime rooted in East London’s working-class communities, Paul examines the growing cultural and political divide between the modern left and the people it once claimed to represent.The conversation explores the forces that reshaped working-class life in post-industrial Britain, from rapid demographic change to the erosion of stable employment and community institutions. Paul discusses how elements of the left have shifted toward a more middle-class, hyper-liberal worldview, often sidelining class-based concerns in favour of identity-driven politics. He reflects on the consequences of this shift for Labour’s electoral fortunes, the rise of political realignment, and the sense of alienation felt in former Labour heartlands.The discussion delves into the challenges facing today’s trade unions, including declining workplace solidarity, the impact of remote work, and the movement’s struggle to reconnect with younger workers. The discussion also highlights broader questions of belonging, national identity, economic justice, and the future direction of the labour movement.Through this candid and provocative exchange, you'll gain insight into the tensions shaping contemporary British politics and the enduring importance of class, community, and collective power in the fight for fair work and meaningful representation. Enjoy the discussion.

In this episode of We Can Work It Out, Dr. Jonathan Lord speaks with Paul Embery—trade unionist, writer, firefighter, and author of Despised: Why the Left Loathes the Working Class. Drawing on decades of frontline experience in the Fire Brigades Union and a lifetime rooted in East London’s working-class communities, Paul examines the growing cultural and political divide between the modern left and the people it once claimed to represent.The conversation explores the forces that reshaped working-class life in post-industrial Britain, from rapid demographic change to the erosion of stable employment and community institutions. Paul discusses how elements of the left have shifted toward a more middle-class, hyper-liberal worldview, often sidelining class-based concerns in favour of identity-driven politics. He reflects on the consequences of this shift for Labour’s electoral fortunes, the rise of political realignment, and the sense of alienation felt in former Labour heartlands.The discussion delves into the challenges facing today’s trade unions, including declining workplace solidarity, the impact of remote work, and the movement’s struggle to reconnect with younger workers. The discussion also highlights broader questions of belonging, national identity, economic justice, and the future direction of the labour movement.Through this candid and provocative exchange, you'll gain insight into the tensions shaping contemporary British politics and the enduring importance of class, community, and collective power in the fight for fair work and meaningful representation. Full episode available on 12/12/25. Enjoy the discussion.

In this maiden episode of 'We Can Work It Out,' Dr Jonathan Lord interviews Professor Ralph Darlington, a leading scholar in industrial relations and labor history. They explore the significant labor activism that occurred in Britain from 1910 to 1914, a period marked by unprecedented strikes and collective action among workers. Darlington discusses the role of key industries, the tensions between grassroots activists and union leadership, and the vital participation of women in labor movements. The conversation also delves into the state's response to labor unrest, highlighting the challenges faced by workers in their fight for rights and better conditions. Through this discussion, listeners gain insights into the historical context of labor struggles and their relevance to contemporary issues in workers' rights. This conversation delves into the historical context of the Labour Revolt from 1910 to 1914, exploring the political radicalisation of workers, the role of trade unions, and the emergence of alternative forms of worker power. It highlights the intersection of gender and class struggles, the influence of radical left activism, and draws parallels between historical and contemporary strike movements. The discussion emphasises the cyclical nature of industrial conflict and the lessons that contemporary unions can learn from past struggles, particularly the importance of collective mobilisation in building union strength.

In this maiden episode of 'We Can Work It Out,' Dr. Jonathan Lord interviews Professor Ralph Darlington, a leading scholar in industrial relations and labor history. They explore the significant labor activism that occurred in Britain from 1910 to 1914, a period marked by unprecedented strikes and collective action among workers. Darlington discusses the role of key industries, the tensions between grassroots activists and union leadership, and the vital participation of women in labor movements. The conversation also delves into the state's response to labor unrest, highlighting the challenges faced by workers in their fight for rights and better conditions. Through this discussion, listeners gain insights into the historical context of labor struggles and their relevance to contemporary issues in workers' rights. This conversation delves into the historical context of the Labour Revolt from 1910 to 1914, exploring the political radicalisation of workers, the role of trade unions, and the emergence of alternative forms of worker power. It highlights the intersection of gender and class struggles, the influence of radical left activism, and draws parallels between historical and contemporary strike movements. The discussion emphasises the cyclical nature of industrial conflict and the lessons that contemporary unions can learn from past struggles, particularly the importance of collective mobilisation in building union strength.

In this episode of 'We Can Work It Out,' Dr. Jonathan Lord interviews Professor Ralph Darlington, a leading scholar in industrial relations and labor history. They explore the significant labor activism that occurred in Britain from 1910 to 1914, a period marked by unprecedented strikes and collective action among workers. Darlington discusses the role of key industries, the tensions between grassroots activists and union leadership, and the vital participation of women in labor movements. The conversation also delves into the state's response to labor unrest, highlighting the challenges faced by workers in their fight for rights and better conditions. Through this discussion, listeners gain insights into the historical context of labor struggles and their relevance to contemporary issues in workers' rights. This conversation delves into the historical context of the Labour Revolt from 1910 to 1914, exploring the political radicalisation of workers, the role of trade unions, and the emergence of alternative forms of worker power. It highlights the intersection of gender and class struggles, the influence of radical left activism, and draws parallels between historical and contemporary strike movements. The discussion emphasises the cyclical nature of industrial conflict and the lessons that contemporary unions can learn from past struggles, particularly the importance of collective mobilisation in building union strength.