Always Red

Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite the Union for more than a decade, is a trade unionist from Liverpool. Elected a shop steward on the Liverpool docks aged 19, he rose through the Transport and General Workers’ Union before playing an instrumental role in the creation of Unite. As its leader, he became a national political figure and a powerful influence in the Labour Party. He is a lifelong supporter of Liverpool Football Club and the author of Why You Should Be A Trade Unionist.Ricky Tomlinson is an actor, comedian, and political activist from Liverpool. Unjustly gaoled for trade union activity in 1973, he switched from building work to acting upon his release. His most iconic role came as Jim Royle in The Royle Family.

• Foreword by Ricky TomlinsonIntroductionPART ONE FROM CRADLE TO BRAVE1 A Liverpool Upbringing2 The Docks3 Militancy and Misery4 The Praetorian Guards5 Family6 Anfield, Heysel and Hillsborough7 Betrayal8 Cool Britannia9 Come Together10 Uniting UnitePART TWO FROM FALKIRK TO FINSBURY PARK11 Dealing with Miliband12 Falkirk13 The Road to Defeat14 The Rise of Jeremy Corbyn15 Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire16 The Chicken Coup17 A Close Call18 201719 Labour’s Antisemitism Crisis20 A Slow-Motion Car Crash21 The Brexit Election22 New Management23 ‘Fighting Back’ Trade Unionism

“Fascinating… A good story about the way that trade unionism can drastically change people’s lives”— The Guardian“Len McCluskey, outgoing general secretary of Unite, criticises the Labour leader in his new autobiography”— BBC News“Union firebrand Len McCluskey has launched a blistering attack on Sir Keir Starmer… In a bombshell memoir, the union baron will accuse him of an ‘anti-democratic crackdown on the Left’”— Daily Mail“Pulls no punches. An explosive account of life at the top of the Labour Party from Britain’s most important trade union leader.”— Kevin Maguire“Len’s life story is an inspiration. He lives and breathes solidarity. He is a true workers’ leader.” — Maxine Peake“Len reminds us what—and who—we’re fighting for. He knows his own mind and isn’t afraid to speak it.” — Zarah Sultana“The riveting story of a lifetime spent fighting for workers, with lessons for all of us. Len learned the value of solidarity working on the Liverpool docks and it has never left him.” — Dave Ward“An incisive political memoir with lessons for the whole left” — Morning Star“[This] account of Corbynism … is one of the most politically astute to date” — New Left Review“Len McCluskey lifts lid on secret chats with Starmer” — Express“Len McCluskey says public could see Labour leader as ‘someone who can’t be trusted’” — The Independent“Uncompromising and highly critical” — Sky News“Len McCluskey’s parting shot [against Keir Starmer] comes in a memoir, Always Red, which is set to be published on the day of Starmer’s speech at Labour’s annual conference” — The Times“Labour could go under if Sir Keir Starmer takes it too far to the Right, says Len McCluskey” — The Telegraph“Len McCluskey accuses Keir Starmer of 'breaking deal' over Corbyn's readmission to Labour” — The Mirror“The life and legacy of one of the most influential labour leaders” — Red Pepper“Full of score-settling” — The Socialist Party of Great Britain