Taj Ali
@tajali1.bsky.social
Journalist and historian specialising in coverage of trade unions. Writing a book on British South Asian history.
Tommy Robinson: 'I challenge any journalist to come to Luton and find Muslims with non Muslims.'
I'm a journalist from Luton and this man is talking utter nonsense. A pleasure to work on this film, chatting to incredible people in my hometown and separating fact from fiction.
I'm a journalist from Luton and this man is talking utter nonsense. A pleasure to work on this film, chatting to incredible people in my hometown and separating fact from fiction.
September 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Tommy Robinson: 'I challenge any journalist to come to Luton and find Muslims with non Muslims.'
I'm a journalist from Luton and this man is talking utter nonsense. A pleasure to work on this film, chatting to incredible people in my hometown and separating fact from fiction.
I'm a journalist from Luton and this man is talking utter nonsense. A pleasure to work on this film, chatting to incredible people in my hometown and separating fact from fiction.
NEWS: I’ve set up an independent anti-racist reporting and monitoring organisation. We’ll document racist attacks, support victims, pressure authorities to act, and amplify the voices of smaller, more isolated Black and Asian communities across Britain.🧵
September 3, 2025 at 7:28 AM
NEWS: I’ve set up an independent anti-racist reporting and monitoring organisation. We’ll document racist attacks, support victims, pressure authorities to act, and amplify the voices of smaller, more isolated Black and Asian communities across Britain.🧵
From revolutionaries fighting for freedom to seafarers coordinating global strikes, South Asians have a rich tradition of political activism in Britain. I'll be delivering the Frow Memorial Lecture in Salford this year on this incredible history.
April 2, 2025 at 10:44 AM
From revolutionaries fighting for freedom to seafarers coordinating global strikes, South Asians have a rich tradition of political activism in Britain. I'll be delivering the Frow Memorial Lecture in Salford this year on this incredible history.
'What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo, there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys, who dance on your fingertips. Others are lions, who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr Manager.'
— Jayaben Desai, 1976-78 Grunwick strike leader
— Jayaben Desai, 1976-78 Grunwick strike leader
March 8, 2025 at 9:28 AM
'What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo, there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys, who dance on your fingertips. Others are lions, who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr Manager.'
— Jayaben Desai, 1976-78 Grunwick strike leader
— Jayaben Desai, 1976-78 Grunwick strike leader
This will not work. Parroting the far-right only strengthens the far-right. They set the agenda. They win the ideological battle. In the end, voters prefer the original to the copy. That's the story across Europe.
February 6, 2025 at 5:09 PM
This will not work. Parroting the far-right only strengthens the far-right. They set the agenda. They win the ideological battle. In the end, voters prefer the original to the copy. That's the story across Europe.
Top reasons 2024 Labour voters are abandoning the party:
1) Cuts to winter fuel payment
2) Not reduced cost of living
3) Not improved public services
4) Broken too many promises
5) Not stood up to the rich and powerful
(YouGov polling)
1) Cuts to winter fuel payment
2) Not reduced cost of living
3) Not improved public services
4) Broken too many promises
5) Not stood up to the rich and powerful
(YouGov polling)
February 5, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Top reasons 2024 Labour voters are abandoning the party:
1) Cuts to winter fuel payment
2) Not reduced cost of living
3) Not improved public services
4) Broken too many promises
5) Not stood up to the rich and powerful
(YouGov polling)
1) Cuts to winter fuel payment
2) Not reduced cost of living
3) Not improved public services
4) Broken too many promises
5) Not stood up to the rich and powerful
(YouGov polling)
Labour will never out-Farage Farage.
Across Europe, centrist parties have adopted right-wing narratives and policies. This has only strengthened the far-right. They set the agenda. They win the ideological battle. In the end, voters prefer the original not the copy.
Across Europe, centrist parties have adopted right-wing narratives and policies. This has only strengthened the far-right. They set the agenda. They win the ideological battle. In the end, voters prefer the original not the copy.
February 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Labour will never out-Farage Farage.
Across Europe, centrist parties have adopted right-wing narratives and policies. This has only strengthened the far-right. They set the agenda. They win the ideological battle. In the end, voters prefer the original not the copy.
Across Europe, centrist parties have adopted right-wing narratives and policies. This has only strengthened the far-right. They set the agenda. They win the ideological battle. In the end, voters prefer the original not the copy.
What is less known about this election is the role Labour candidate Gordon-Walker played in sowing the seeds of his own demise by providing legitimacy to his opponent’s arguments on migration.
Instead of dismantling the moral panic, he allowed his opponent to dictate the agenda.
Instead of dismantling the moral panic, he allowed his opponent to dictate the agenda.
December 18, 2024 at 5:10 PM
What is less known about this election is the role Labour candidate Gordon-Walker played in sowing the seeds of his own demise by providing legitimacy to his opponent’s arguments on migration.
Instead of dismantling the moral panic, he allowed his opponent to dictate the agenda.
Instead of dismantling the moral panic, he allowed his opponent to dictate the agenda.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the most racist election campaign in British history.
In 1964, Conservative candidate Peter Griffiths won in Smethwick with the vile slogan, “If you want a n***** for a neighbour, vote Labour.”
60 years on, how much has really changed? 🧵
In 1964, Conservative candidate Peter Griffiths won in Smethwick with the vile slogan, “If you want a n***** for a neighbour, vote Labour.”
60 years on, how much has really changed? 🧵
December 18, 2024 at 5:10 PM
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the most racist election campaign in British history.
In 1964, Conservative candidate Peter Griffiths won in Smethwick with the vile slogan, “If you want a n***** for a neighbour, vote Labour.”
60 years on, how much has really changed? 🧵
In 1964, Conservative candidate Peter Griffiths won in Smethwick with the vile slogan, “If you want a n***** for a neighbour, vote Labour.”
60 years on, how much has really changed? 🧵
Vauxhall workers in Luton are holding a two-day protest over Stellantis’ plans to shut its profitable electric van factory, putting more than 1,100 jobs at risk.
A number of lorries have turned around this morning, refusing to assist plant removal.
A number of lorries have turned around this morning, refusing to assist plant removal.
December 17, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Vauxhall workers in Luton are holding a two-day protest over Stellantis’ plans to shut its profitable electric van factory, putting more than 1,100 jobs at risk.
A number of lorries have turned around this morning, refusing to assist plant removal.
A number of lorries have turned around this morning, refusing to assist plant removal.
Vauxhall workers will hold a two-day protest and a rally over the company’s plans to shut its profitable electric van factory.
🗓Tuesday 17 Dec & Wednesday 18 Dec
⏰️ 8am to 4pm
📣 Rally 12 noon on Tue 17 Dec
📍 Gate 1, Vauxhall (IBC Luton), Kimpton Road, Luton, LU2 0JX
🗓Tuesday 17 Dec & Wednesday 18 Dec
⏰️ 8am to 4pm
📣 Rally 12 noon on Tue 17 Dec
📍 Gate 1, Vauxhall (IBC Luton), Kimpton Road, Luton, LU2 0JX
December 16, 2024 at 7:42 PM
Vauxhall workers will hold a two-day protest and a rally over the company’s plans to shut its profitable electric van factory.
🗓Tuesday 17 Dec & Wednesday 18 Dec
⏰️ 8am to 4pm
📣 Rally 12 noon on Tue 17 Dec
📍 Gate 1, Vauxhall (IBC Luton), Kimpton Road, Luton, LU2 0JX
🗓Tuesday 17 Dec & Wednesday 18 Dec
⏰️ 8am to 4pm
📣 Rally 12 noon on Tue 17 Dec
📍 Gate 1, Vauxhall (IBC Luton), Kimpton Road, Luton, LU2 0JX
Benjamin Zephaniah on his refusal to accept an OBE.
'No way Mr Blair, no way Mrs Queen. I am profoundly anti-empire.'
Today marks one year since he passed away. A man of integrity. Rest in power.
'No way Mr Blair, no way Mrs Queen. I am profoundly anti-empire.'
Today marks one year since he passed away. A man of integrity. Rest in power.
December 7, 2024 at 9:31 AM
Benjamin Zephaniah on his refusal to accept an OBE.
'No way Mr Blair, no way Mrs Queen. I am profoundly anti-empire.'
Today marks one year since he passed away. A man of integrity. Rest in power.
'No way Mr Blair, no way Mrs Queen. I am profoundly anti-empire.'
Today marks one year since he passed away. A man of integrity. Rest in power.
Great event on Islamophobia at the Indian Workers' Association HQ in Handsworth. It was from this very poor Black and Asian community that thousands of pounds were raised to support striking miners in 1984. Funds and food were sent to miners across the Midlands and South Wales.
November 23, 2024 at 6:12 PM
Great event on Islamophobia at the Indian Workers' Association HQ in Handsworth. It was from this very poor Black and Asian community that thousands of pounds were raised to support striking miners in 1984. Funds and food were sent to miners across the Midlands and South Wales.
My latest column on the erasure of South Asians from conversations about class.
hyphenonline.com/2024/11/21/b...
hyphenonline.com/2024/11/21/b...
November 23, 2024 at 10:37 AM
My latest column on the erasure of South Asians from conversations about class.
hyphenonline.com/2024/11/21/b...
hyphenonline.com/2024/11/21/b...
The first photo is from an anti-apartheid demonstration in 1982 — a year after Ditta had won her case. She worked closely with the Asian Youth Movements and supported the Bradford 12 Campaign.
November 18, 2024 at 9:53 AM
The first photo is from an anti-apartheid demonstration in 1982 — a year after Ditta had won her case. She worked closely with the Asian Youth Movements and supported the Bradford 12 Campaign.
The Government was forced to make an embarrassing U-turn. Anwar’s success inspired others to keep fighting against racist immigration legislation, and Anwar continued to speak at public meetings, exposing the prejudices of the immigration laws of the time.
November 18, 2024 at 9:53 AM
The Government was forced to make an embarrassing U-turn. Anwar’s success inspired others to keep fighting against racist immigration legislation, and Anwar continued to speak at public meetings, exposing the prejudices of the immigration laws of the time.
Despite losing her appeal and having no legal avenue left, Ditta persisted in her efforts to be reunited with her family. Her campaign gained momentum and eventually led to a documentary by Granada TV, in 1981, which proved that her children were hers through blood tests.
November 18, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Despite losing her appeal and having no legal avenue left, Ditta persisted in her efforts to be reunited with her family. Her campaign gained momentum and eventually led to a documentary by Granada TV, in 1981, which proved that her children were hers through blood tests.
In 1979, Anwar was told that her three Pakistan-born children would not be allowed to join her in the UK due to new stricter immigration laws; the Home Office said they didn’t believe Anwar’s children were hers.
November 18, 2024 at 9:53 AM
In 1979, Anwar was told that her three Pakistan-born children would not be allowed to join her in the UK due to new stricter immigration laws; the Home Office said they didn’t believe Anwar’s children were hers.
Remembering the formidable anti-racist campaigner Anwar Ditta.
A working-class Kashmiri woman, she was born in Birmingham and lived in Rochdale, sharing platforms with the likes of Tony Benn and Arthur Scargill and leading numerous anti-deportation campaigns.🧵
A working-class Kashmiri woman, she was born in Birmingham and lived in Rochdale, sharing platforms with the likes of Tony Benn and Arthur Scargill and leading numerous anti-deportation campaigns.🧵
November 18, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Remembering the formidable anti-racist campaigner Anwar Ditta.
A working-class Kashmiri woman, she was born in Birmingham and lived in Rochdale, sharing platforms with the likes of Tony Benn and Arthur Scargill and leading numerous anti-deportation campaigns.🧵
A working-class Kashmiri woman, she was born in Birmingham and lived in Rochdale, sharing platforms with the likes of Tony Benn and Arthur Scargill and leading numerous anti-deportation campaigns.🧵
'What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo, there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys, who dance on your fingertips. Others are lions, who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr Manager.'
— Jayaben Desai during the 1976 Grunwick strike
— Jayaben Desai during the 1976 Grunwick strike
November 16, 2024 at 9:33 PM
'What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo, there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys, who dance on your fingertips. Others are lions, who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr Manager.'
— Jayaben Desai during the 1976 Grunwick strike
— Jayaben Desai during the 1976 Grunwick strike
Immigrants are a convenient scapegoat for politicians who want to avoid accountability for their own failings.
November 15, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Immigrants are a convenient scapegoat for politicians who want to avoid accountability for their own failings.
On this day, in 1922, Shapurji Saklatvala was elected as the MP for Battersea North. He was Labour's first MP of colour. A communist and anti-colonialist, he was a founder member of the Workers' Welfare League and attempted to unionise Indian seafarers in Britain's port cities.
November 15, 2024 at 9:28 AM
On this day, in 1922, Shapurji Saklatvala was elected as the MP for Battersea North. He was Labour's first MP of colour. A communist and anti-colonialist, he was a founder member of the Workers' Welfare League and attempted to unionise Indian seafarers in Britain's port cities.