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John Rees

@johnwrees.bsky.social
328 followers 52 following 211 posts

Moonraker. Leveller. Socialist. Revolutionary. Author of The Leveller Revolution, Imperialism and Resistance, The Algebra of Revolution. Forthcoming The Fiery Spirits (Verso).

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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Happy to have nearly completed the draft for the second edition of A People’s History of London, due from Verso later this year!
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
My thoughts on the recent Western Marxism and the CIA spats … www.counterfire.org/article/not-...
counterfire.org
Not a Rockhill to die on
John Rees looks at a recent controversy in academic Marxism Christmas is a time for comedy specials, and this year has produced a lulu: the social-media ‘debate’ over Gabriel Rockhill’s book Who Pa...
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The Cromwell Museum @cromwellmuseum.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
Join us on Saturday 7 or Sunday 8 February for immersive theatre recreating the events of the trials of the men who executed Charles I, in the atmospheric surroundings of an historic court. Book now for 'Royal Revenge: the Trials of the Regicides' at: www.cromwellmuseum.org/events/royal...
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Had a great time giving the annual Christmas dinner lecture at Wortley Hall, the workers stately home in Yorkshire. Previously owned by the Wortley family, it’s now a trade union run co-operative. I spoke about Sir Francis Wortley, who owned the place in the English Revolution.🧵
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Following the conference, join the online rally this Monday 6:30pm to discuss making Your Party work, with a great lineup of speakers. Register on Zoom and share widely: bit.ly/4pUbcgZ
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Looking forward to introducing this…
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The Cromwell Museum @cromwellmuseum.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Just a week away from a very special evening event on 3 December when we have a rare showing of the iconic 1981 drama 'A last visitor for Mr Hugh Peter' based on the last night of the regicide & preacher, introduced by historian @johnwrees.bsky.social . Details at: cromwellmuseum.org/events/a-las...
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Important pre-conference online rally: Register on Zoom and share widely: bit.ly/44pvqqz
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Richard Warren @richardmw1653.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Well worth seeing - saw it at Levellers day in Burford.
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Looking forward to introducing this…
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
The call from the Peace conference in Paris for international demonstrations for Gaza on 29 November in French, German, Italian, and Spanish…please share far are wide….
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Looking forward to introducing a rare showing of Don Taylor’s TV drama Last Visitor for Mr Hugh Peters at the ⁦‪Cromwell Museum‬⁩ next month. share.google/RYSbpFa4nuNr...
share.google
‘A last Visitor for Mr Hugh Peter’ Screening | Cromwell
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Jackie Eales @jackieeales.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
www.worldturnedupsidedown.co.uk/product/the-... published today, a fantastic teaching resource and a super Xmas present. With contributions from @annlaurahughes.bsky.social @isminipells.bsky.social @waseemahmed98.bsky.social @denisegreany.bsky.social Richard Cust, Andy Hopper (Ed.) Oh, and me.
worldturnedupsidedown.co.uk
The civil wars in 100 objects - The World Turned Upside Down
The civil wars that took place between 1638 and 1651, and their aftermath, were the most destabilising conflicts that the British and Irish peoples have ever endured. During these times everyday peop...
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Tickets here, www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/revolution...
eventbrite.co.uk
Revolution! Confronting a world of crisis and war
A day of discussion on the political crisis, imperialism and the rise of the far right
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Book now!! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/revolution...
eventbrite.co.uk
Revolution! Confronting a world of crisis and war
A day of discussion on the political crisis, imperialism and the rise of the far right
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Great to have done this podcast on the Fiery Spirits for the really excellent World Turned Upside Down site which provides first class material on the English Revolution…. www.worldturnedupsidedown.co.uk/podcast/fier...
worldturnedupsidedown.co.uk
Fiery spirits - Protestors on the edge of civil war - The World Turned Upside Down
In the years leading up to the outbreak of Civil War, very few would have predicted that England would become a Republic. But in Parliament, one MP, Henry
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Tony Dowling @toekneedowling.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Next week hundreds of people are coming together in central London to discuss the way forward for #YourParty: www.counterfire.org/article/we-n...
counterfire.org
We need to talk about Your Party
Next week hundreds of people are coming together in central London to discuss the way forward for Your Party.
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Jonathan Healey @jonathanhealey.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Johns Lilburne and Lambert becoming relevant again.
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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Anniversary today of Edgehill in 1642 - first major battle of the British civil wars. Interesting to think that those there can have had absolutely no conception of what they were about to be a part of: Three civil wars, regicide and the birth of several new ideologies.
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Keep Our NHS Public @keepournhspublic.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Tired of the toxic anti-migrant rhetoric dominating politics? Know our NHS wouldn’t survive without migrants? Then join us, with @zackpolanski.bsky.social , @zarahsultana.bsky.social & many others to stand up for compassion and truth. REGISTER: bit.ly/MigrantsNotT...
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Looking forward to speaking to the 6th form at Camden School for girls in December…but even before that it’s A+ to whoever wrote this intro…
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Very grateful to John McDonnell MP for this very thoughtful and generous review of The Fiery Spirits in the House of Commons magazine…
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Zarah Sultana MP @zarahsultana.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
We must sever all diplomatic ties with the genocidal apartheid state of Israel immediately. Expel the ambassador. Close the embassy. As apartheid South Africa was isolated, so too must Israel be — a pariah state. We’ll march until Palestine is free, from the river to the sea.
Zarah on the stage at the Palestine demonstration infront of a large crowd in Whitehall
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
So true…
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Jeremy Corbyn @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
An electric evening in Liverpool — the heart of solidarity, unity and hope. An amazing reception for @zarahsultana.bsky.social, Liverpool Community Independents and local campaigners. We are building a mass movement up and down the country. Be part of it at yourparty.uk.
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Jeremy Corbyn @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Real patriotism isn’t about bashing migrants or minorities. It’s about caring enough to ensure nobody is homeless, hungry or left behind. My piece for @thelondonstandard.bsky.social. www.standard.co.uk/comment/jere...
standard.co.uk
Keir Starmer is a plastic patriot just like Nigel Farage
Reform and Labour can wrap themselves in as many union jacks as they want — this is what my country means to me, by Jeremy Corbyn
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Naomi Baker @drnaomibaker.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
One of the most daring theological works of the C17th, published by Elizabeth Avery in 1647. It reconsiders every mainstream Protestant teaching about the apocalypse, and caused her to be denounced as a heretic, including by her own brother. I tell Avery’s story in Voices of Thunder #earlymodern
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The Cromwell Museum @cromwellmuseum.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
The Cromwell Museum Trust is looking for new trustees who are between the ages of 18-30! If you're interested, we are holding a free info session on Thurs 2 Oct at the Cromwell Museum - drop in between 4-6pm to meet us and find out more. www.cromwellmuseum.org/about-us/bec...
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Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament @cnduk.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
📢 10 days to go! Labour Party Conference has called for an arms embargo on Israel - join us on the streets to demand that Keir Starmer's government finally ends its support for Israel's genocide in Gaza. ⏲️Assemble 12 noon 📍Central London, route TBA!
All to London for Palestine. 10 days to go. Saturday 11 October. End the genocide. Stop arming Israel. Stop starving Gaza. 12 noon Central London
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 01/10/2025
Published this month: 'Atlantic Isles: Travel and Identity in the British and Irish West, 1880–1940', by Gareth Roddy bit.ly/48Hkjfu The next in the Society's 'New Historical Perspectives' book series, available from 30 October: Open Access and paperback print @uolpress.bsky.social #Skystorians
Cover of new Royal Historical Society monograph published on 30 October 2025: 'Atlantic Isles: Travel and Identity in the British and Irish West, 1880–1940' by Gareth Roddy
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Many thanks to the University of Essex for granting me a Visiting Fellowship for the next three years. Especially grateful to Michael Bailey for promoting my candidate. Looking forward to speaking about The Fiery Spirits next month & to working on the sequel at the university…
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Jeremy Corbyn @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Labour is reaping what it has sown. My piece for @the-independent.com on the need for a real alternative. www.independent.co.uk/voices/jerem...
independent.co.uk
Surprise, surprise – Labour is reaping what it has sown
Instead of addressing child poverty, homelessness, poor working conditions or any of the real issues impacting this country, Labour has chosen to deflect the blame and pour billions into arms, says Je...
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
When the Palestine coalition allegedly stepped 10 yards outside the police proscribed route the leaders of PSC, Stwc, and CND were arrested and charged. They still await trial. And I await the arrest of Tommy Robinson…but without holding my breath ….
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Zarah Sultana MP @zarahsultana.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Over 1,600 people have been arrested since Labour banned Palestine Action — the first time a non-violent direct action group has ever been proscribed in Britain. The UN has condemned it as “disproportionate” and “unnecessary”. Opposing genocide isn’t a crime, it’s a moral duty.
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Zarah Sultana MP @zarahsultana.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
In the past few days, Israel has bombed Doha, struck Tunis over the humanitarian flotilla headed to Gaza and assassinated Yemen’s Prime Minister. These are clear violations of international law. Which other state is allowed to commit such crimes without any consequences?
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Details and registration here: www.stopwar.org.uk/events/inter...
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@rhammersley99.bsky.social @rhammersley99.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
As I prepare a conference paper on Thomas Hollis's donations to the Library at Bern, this month's blogpost offers a vignette on Hollis's hand of friendship to Rousseau - and its consequences. www.rachelhammersley.com/new-blog/2025/8/28/thomas-hollis-and-jean-jacques-rousseau
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
Jeremy Corbyn, Lindsey German and Michael Lavalette, Almas Razakazi campaigning for Your Party at a meeting of over 500 in Preston today…
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The Cromwell Museum @cromwellmuseum.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
We're open this Bank Holiday weekend 10am - 4pm, with the chance to see our latest exhibit, which tells the story of the battle that changed British history! Discover more at: www.cromwellmuseum.org/events/cromw...
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
Terrance Stamp has gone. The quintessential east end mod, with a string of classic acting credits including Ken Loach’s Poor Cow. But also some later career greats like The Hit and The Limey.
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The Cromwell Museum @cromwellmuseum.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
As it's #WorldCalligraphyDay, our #ObjectOfTheWeek is this lovely letter from Cromwell's mother Elizabeth, written in July 1643. It's probably the only example of her handwriting and signature - which is lovely and clear (unlike the notation below it!)
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
The Palestine movement has more support than ever…which is why the state wants to criminalise it… www.counterfire.org/article/the-...
counterfire.org
The Palestine movement at the crossroads
John Rees on the new phase of resistance As the Israeli government prepares even more extensive and brutal ethnic cleansing in Gaza, a new phase of the Palestinian solidarity struggle has opened in...
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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
What strange times, when the commander of RAF Greenham Common is coming out as a liberal supporter of the right to protest
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
The government is an ass…
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
Very grateful to Ted Vallance for his generous review of The Fiery Spirits in the new Literary Review…
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Alice Hunt @alicehunt.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Thank you @stuartbj.bsky.social. What a lovely post to see - and on my birthday too! 🙂
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Stop the War Coalition @stwc.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
🚨 Route announcement 🚨 🇵🇸 National demonstration for Palestine 🗓️ Saturday 9 August 📍 Russell Square to Downing St ⏰ Noon #StopStarvingGaza #StopArmingIsrael
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John Rees @johnwrees.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
My latest Middle East Column on the new left party and the international policy challleges it faces …https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/uk-left-party-back-mass-movements-bow-establishment
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