Margaret Thatcher
Chronicling radical shifts across the UK in the 70s & 80s
A new exhibitions brings together the work of photographers who documented the deep unrest of these pivotal decades.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The history of the Poll Tax and the power of direct action
Can‘t pay, won‘t pay — As a campaign calling on Britons to refuse payment of their energy bills this winter gains momentum, writer Ella Glover looks back at the victory of the mass non-payment movement that inspired it.
Written by: Ella Glover
Snapshots of London’s streets during Thatcher’s Britain
Pounding pavements — Photographer Sunil Gupta recalls taking to the streets of the capital in search of gay life and encountering an eclectic mix of characters.
Written by: Charlotte Rawlings
How Section 28 birthed today’s gay rights movement
A new book from Paul Baker traces the legislation’s tumultuous history and the lasting impact its had on LGBTQ+ activism today.
Written by: Leeza Isaeva
Gritty photos of punks, mods, and skinheads in the ‘80s
Anarchy in the UK — Photographer Yan Morvan revisits a radical moment in history, which saw the emergence of DIY subcultures and a fiercely-rebellious spirit among the UK's youth.
Written by: Miss Rosen
How to survive Boris, from the people that survived Thatcher
‘Don’t stop fighting’ — Now the dust has settled on last month’s election result, writer Emily Reynolds talks to activists from the ’80s to find out the lessons we can learn.
Written by: Emily Reynolds
Documenting life on the fringes in Thatcher’s Britain
The enemies within — In the ’80s, photographer Richard Davis moved to Hulme – a neglected corner of Manchester – where he quickly fell in with a community of artists, punks and travellers.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Ray & Liz: an exploration of family life in Thatcher’s Britain
On the breadline — In Ray & Liz, photographer turned writer-director Richard Billingham presents a tale of deprivation and loneliness set in the West Midlands – based on his own upbringing.
Written by: Josh Slater-Williams
'Great photographers need determination not talent'
Advice from Chris Killip — Photographer Chris Killip captured the North of England's deindustrialisation in a way no one else did. Now, almost three decades later, he looks back at what it takes to create images that truly record a place and time.
Written by: Biju Belinky