Politics

I’ve barely read any political theory- beyond William Morris and Trotsky!

And I still go with gut-feeling. Anti-sexist, anti-racist.

At college: I’d missed the Socialist Society’s pitch invasion at the Newcastle v Orange Free State University’s rugby match ‘67/8- I’d been stuck in the darkroom. So I bussed it up to Gosforth and ran on on my own. My godfather saw it on telly that night- me evading a bunch of burly police surrounded by static players. (“Ee, Our Si- you gave them a good run for their money!”) Four of them held me spread-eagled, face up. At least one of them explained that if I struggled then I’d dislocate my shoulder. As we passed through the players’ entrance I caught a few “Fucking Danby”s & got spat at. In the car park I heard my carriers discussing where to put me down- in the deepest, wettest pothole.

There are several other twists to this story but my favourite concerns my glasses, (Rolf Harris-style. I was later to forget to pick them up as I left a washroom beside the Golden Gate Bridge- all part of yet another tale!) In the excitement of the chase the spectacles had dropped off. The police managed to get a message to me at my student house. I could collect them from the most beautifully-named police station in the North - Pity Me.

So much for apartheid.. I don’t think I’ve changed loyalties, at all.

A militant teaching assistant friend from Co. Durham once introduced me on Facebook as “An ould leftie friend.” That’ll do.

  • Jack Cunningham in Cleator Moor Working Men's Club.

    Jack Cunningham in Cleator Moor Working Men's Club.

  • Hospital Cleaners' strike meeting - Altab Ali Park, Whitechapel. Unite is my union.

    Hospital Cleaners' strike meeting - Altab Ali Park, Whitechapel. Unite is my union.

  • Jeremy and Laura Pidcock in Carlisle. He gave me a harsh look when I whooped at his (mispronounced) paraise for our branch banner.

    Jeremy and Laura Pidcock in Carlisle. He gave me a harsh look when I whooped at his (mispronounced) paraise for our branch banner.

  • Hon. Ed Vaizey, Minister for Telecoms and Broadband Communication. Jenny Snowden, Cybermoor Co-ordinator. Rory Stewart MP Daniel Heery, Cybermoor Project Manager. Demonstrating the- non-existent- optic fibre link to Nenthead to representatives of the communiity and President Obama's office.

    Hon. Ed Vaizey, Minister for Telecoms and Broadband Communication. Jenny Snowden, Cybermoor Co-ordinator. Rory Stewart MP Daniel Heery, Cybermoor Project Manager. Demonstrating the- non-existent- optic fibre link to Nenthead to representatives of the communiity and President Obama's office.

  • Three heroes of Newcastle Unites, Shumel, Rajan and Dipu. Daniel Kebede wasn't there that day.

    Three heroes of Newcastle Unites, Shumel, Rajan and Dipu. Daniel Kebede wasn't there that day.

  • Our branch at its best- on the way to Westminster.

    Our branch at its best- on the way to Westminster.

  • After this I was told that I was 'being political' and that I would never work for Newcastle Corporation again.

    After this I was told that I was 'being political' and that I would never work for Newcastle Corporation again.

  • My friend Taj Khan- celebrating her right to cover her face- and to wear the Union Flag! Ban the Burka Day, Newcastle.

    My friend Taj Khan- celebrating her right to cover her face- and to wear the Union Flag! Ban the Burka Day, Newcastle.

  • Cleator Moor, 1975. Turf Accountant's picket.

    Cleator Moor, 1975. Turf Accountant's picket.

  • 7:84 a radical leftist theatre group, (name derived from the fact that 7% of the world own 84% of its wealth), wrote this play/theatrical experience based on the 'demolition' of the CDP & its projects by the combined forces of the Conservative Party-dominated Cumbria County Council hand in hand with the Freemasons in the town. It was performed in the Civic Centre. To the right is the late Brian Hibbard, later to be front singer in The Flying Pickets and to star in the soap opera Coronation Street.

    7:84 a radical leftist theatre group, (name derived from the fact that 7% of the world own 84% of its wealth), wrote this play/theatrical experience based on the 'demolition' of the CDP & its projects by the combined forces of the Conservative Party-dominated Cumbria County Council hand in hand with the Freemasons in the town. It was performed in the Civic Centre. To the right is the late Brian Hibbard, later to be front singer in The Flying Pickets and to star in the soap opera Coronation Street.

  • Hospital Cleaners' strike meeting - Altab Ali Park, Whitechapel. Unite is my union.

    Hospital Cleaners' strike meeting - Altab Ali Park, Whitechapel. Unite is my union.

  • Gathering before meeting with the Northeast Infidels in Byker. I'm far too shy but thanks for the offer!

    Gathering before meeting with the Northeast Infidels in Byker. I'm far too shy but thanks for the offer!

  • Getting the finger. "Ban the Burka" Grainger Street, Newcastle. "Burqa" perhaps. Many arrived, onb oth sides, wearing the niqab.

    Getting the finger. "Ban the Burka" Grainger Street, Newcastle. "Burqa" perhaps. Many arrived, onb oth sides, wearing the niqab.

  • Parish Council Politics. Following the resignations of six councillors from Alston Moor PC. I started to record their meetings as is my right as a citizen. The story evolves...

    Parish Council Politics. Following the resignations of six councillors from Alston Moor PC. I started to record their meetings as is my right as a citizen. The story evolves...

  • Andrew now Lord Lansley- then Minister for Health- discussing the fate of the old, poor and isolated in the upcoming Cumbrian winter with County Councillors and others. He seemed concerned enough but missed the point. UK Old Age Pensions are among the lowest in Europe.

    Andrew now Lord Lansley- then Minister for Health- discussing the fate of the old, poor and isolated in the upcoming Cumbrian winter with County Councillors and others. He seemed concerned enough but missed the point. UK Old Age Pensions are among the lowest in Europe.

  • Nicu Stoica Ion- member of Tyneside Roma community speakin gat the 70th anniversary of the International Declaration of Human Rights.When he first arrived in the UK he worked in a scrap yard then as a teaching assistant. Now, a Labour councillor.

    Nicu Stoica Ion- member of Tyneside Roma community speakin gat the 70th anniversary of the International Declaration of Human Rights.When he first arrived in the UK he worked in a scrap yard then as a teaching assistant. Now, a Labour councillor.

  • Cleator Moor protest at the culling of the Community Development Project in 1976- mostly at the will of Martin Brannan, chair of Cumbria's Policy & Resources Committee and one-time owner of Brannan Thermometers. Two van loads of police were standing by! Never even got their uniforms wet.

    Cleator Moor protest at the culling of the Community Development Project in 1976- mostly at the will of Martin Brannan, chair of Cumbria's Policy & Resources Committee and one-time owner of Brannan Thermometers. Two van loads of police were standing by! Never even got their uniforms wet.

  • My brother. (One -time Socialist Workers Party- stood for the young Respect Party- joined the Greens- and then came home to Jeremy Corbyn's Labour..

    My brother. (One -time Socialist Workers Party- stood for the young Respect Party- joined the Greens- and then came home to Jeremy Corbyn's Labour..

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Simon Danby - Politics