The Renewal of Radicalism, a talk with Matthew Kidd

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Visit now

Matthew Kidd 'The renewal of radicalism: politics, identity and ideology in England, 1867-1924’

17 February 2021

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Cal Cole
Book now

As with many events scheduled to take place this year Matthew Kidd’s talk on his new book was postponed. Now, the Working Class Movement Library are thrilled to host this event via an online live stream. The Renewal of Radicalism is an account of five local case studies, examining the ideological relationship between 19th Century radicalism and the early Labour party. With case studies from Bristol, Leicester, Lincoln, Norwich and Northampton, the book offers a fresh perspective on long-running debates. Matthew Kidd will be discussing themes from the book as well as the writing process.

Working Class Movement Library is vital resource with 200 years worth of records

Matthew Kidd is a historian based in the University of Oxford’s Humanities and English departments. The Renewal of Radicalism is his second book. His writing and research often focuses on working class social politics spanning from the early 20th Century to the present with a particular interest in the Labour party.

The Working Class Movement Library is a well documented and vital resource with 200 years worth of records of ordinary men and women campaigning, organising and protesting. Based just a fifteen minute walk from the city centre, the library is a homage to those who have fought and struggled to get their voices heard.

Check out their website for more information and online activities and talks.

Where to go near The Renewal of Radicalism, a talk with Matthew Kidd

Proloco
Manchester
Restaurant
Proloco

Honest Crust’s Richard Carver and Rainy Heart’s Dan Hope join forces at Proloco, a music-led Ancoats restaurant serving 18-inch pizzas and seasonal plates.

City Centre
Restaurant
GiGi Gusto Griglia

GiGi is a lavish Italian restaurant just off Deansgate, with 1950s décor and a menu that sticks to the classics.

Blackburn
Restaurant
Northcote

Northcote’s Michelin-starred restaurant is the jewel in the crown of the Ribble Valley. We get a first look at the new autumnal menu.

Cumbria
Restaurant
Pentonbridge Inn

Pentonbridge Inn is a Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms in north Cumbria. Eight courses of bunkum-free fine dining from head chef Chris Archer.

Manchester
Restaurant
Dahlia Stereo

Dahlia Stereo is a Latin American-inspired open-fire kitchen and bar off the Northern Quarter’s Stevenson Square, with a pitch perfect soundsystem.

Balance Taproom
Manchester
Restaurant
Balance Taproom

Manchester has a glut of taprooms, and Balance Brewing’s is far and away the best. Drinks, decor, service – all a cut above.

Richard Hards ‘Strangeways’
Manchester
Gallery
Moon Grove

A Georgian front room in Rusholme houses Moon Grove, an independent gallery with an unusually ambitious international programme.

In Focus: Chinese Contemporary Art.
Manchester
Gallery
New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery

New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery opened in 2016, providing a permanent space to showcase the University of Salford Art Collection within the New Adelphi School of Arts and Media.

Cumbria
Restaurant
1863 Restaurant

1863 offers a seven-course Lake District tasting menu that overdelivers at every turn. Cumbrian ingredients, clever ideas and classical cooking techniques.

City Centre
Bar or Pub
Schofield’s Bar

Schofield’s could be Manchester’s most grown-up bar. Very precise drinks in an upmarket city centre venue. It’s not cheap, hey, but true class costs.

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Sampa’s underground space is the perfect place to learn about both her new mind-expanding dishes and vintage sherries, reimagined for the late 2020s.

What's on: Activity

Elizabeth Gaskell's House
TourManchester
The Manchester Literary Tour

On the eve of Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday, join Jonathan Schofield Tours for a stroll around the sites (and sights) of Manchester’s literary past.

From £20.00
Stockport Plaza
Until
TourManchester
Secrets of Stockport

Join Jonathan Schofield Tours and explore the fascinating stories and stunning architecture of a town on a meteoric rise.

From £20.00
Compass Festival 2026
–
FestivalsLeeds
Compass Festival 2026

With interactive encounters and live performance, Compass Festival is set to animate the city of Leeds once again this November.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre

Shakespearean tragedy, indie musical theatre, live art and beautifully strange dance-theatre – four standout picks for autumn.

Nwando Ebizie and Sidiki Dembélé wear jewel-toned clothes against a midnight blue backdrop.
Music

Returning legends, their noisy heirs and centuries-old music made new – all in our latest guide update.

Food and Drink in the North

It's autumn and time to get scheduling those hearty meals. Here's the October guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Exhibitions

It’s a good season for contemporary art fans in Manchester, with many of our favourite small galleries launching something big.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.