In the summer of 2022, the little-known leader of a small union became a ‘working-class hero’. Facing down media pundits who thought they could walk all over him, he offered a robust critique of the government and provided workers with an authentic voice. At a time when the Labour Party was unable to articulate a credible alternative to the Tories, Mick Lynch spoke for the working class.
Where did Lynch come from? How did he develop the skills and traits that make him such an effective spokesperson and leader? This book, the first biography of Lynch, explores his family and social background and his rise to the top of the RMT union, which culminated in election as General Secretary in 2021. Considering his persona and politics, this book asks what quality singles out Lynch as a working-class hero compared to other union leaders and, more broadly, what leadership means for working people and for the left.
If we want better leaders at every level, the case of Mick Lynch holds the key.
Inhoudsopgave
Introduction
1 Approaching Lynch: the framework
2 What is a ‘working-class hero’?
3 Sparks fly! Boyhood and blacklisted but back again
4 Working for the union
5 Becoming General Secretary
6 A ‘working-class hero’ is made
7 Power and participation
8 Social democracy and socialism: reform and revolution
Conclusion
Index
Over de auteur
Gregor Gall
is Visiting Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Leeds and author of
Bob Crow: Socialist, leader, fighter (2017) and
The punk rock politics of Joe Strummer (2022)
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