NHS

The long and bitter fight for a universal healthcare system in the UKThe NHS was launched today in 1948.

On Clement Attlee’s birthday, let’s remember how he helped to rebuild the Labour Party from bitter defeat in 1931 to stunning victory in 1945. A source of hope in our times.

Our latest tea towel design honours the late Harry Leslie Smith, one of the staunchest modern advocates for our National Health Service.

was the Minister for Health in post-war government and was responsible for the establishment of the NHS. The son of a coal miner, Bevan consistently defended social justice and the rights of working people.

The great Stephen Hawking - who died one year ago today - was a man of the left. Perhaps there's something about looking out at the stars which motivates us to want to protect our world?

- who brought the NHS into existence 70 years ago today - had a disappointing life. I don't mean this in a personal sense.

We're going to be leaving behind a lot of big radical anniversaries in 2017: the hundredth anniversary of the ; the International Brigades' first combat experience defending the in 1937; seventy years since Indian independence.But 2018 has loads more in store for us.

It's November 15th, so we just wanted to say 'happy birthday' to this Welshman named 'Nye', as he was often known, was a big-time socialist back in the middle of the last century.