My offer to subscribers

Here's what you can expect to get from Jim Knight's Substack.

Feb 11, 2024

There's nothing complicated about my offer: I will produce analysis and commentary on British trade unions, left wing politics, and labour issues from a working class and materialist perspective.

While I intend to produce content that is practically or theoretically useful for trade unionists and activists, I am under no illusions about the significance of my project and I am mainly writing for my own intellectual development and enjoyment. That is not to say that I don’t know my stuff about unions, I do.

I take seriously the notions that without investigation there is no right to speak, and everything that exists must be subject to ruthless criticism. I also do not believe that socialist thought is the preserve of an elite cadre of intellectuals and it is for all of us to engage in.

As a trade unionist, I hold dear the phrase that an 'injury to one is an injury to all', and as a socialist, I commit myself to a non-sectarian and comradely approach to discourse in this moment of extreme atomisation.

Prior to working in public service I trained and freelanced as a journalist (and some habits die hard), so I try to write with accuracy and simplicity, although, I do have an appreciation for more complex language if it adds value or it can't be avoided.

For UNISON members of the Water, Environment and Transport service group, I will use this page to report back from the service group executive if I am elected to the Environment Agencies Male seat. I hope I get the opportunity to represent you. To find out why I'm standing, click here.

Finally, I want to offer my sincere thanks to you, the reader, as well as those comrades and friends who encouraged me to start putting my thoughts to paper again. If you enjoy my writing and perspective, I also encourage you to engage with the projects I am affiliated with or support and are listed below.

Yours in solidarity,
Comrade Jim