On Saturday 3 February 2024, historian and political activist Edward Palmer Thompson would have turned 100 – had he not passed away in 1993. Meanwhile, the year 2023 also marked the 60^th anniversary of the publication of Thompson’s magnum opus, The Making of the English Working Class, commemorated by a set of essays broadcast on Radio Three.

The responses to the Radio Three essays demonstrates that there is still significant interest in Thompson’s work. Indeed, during our times of economic insecurity, with large firms making vast profits on the backs of a working class that is tentatively relearning what it means to struggle and organize collectively, and in a context where the political class appears remote from and uninterested in the rhythms and challenges of working class life, Thompson’s work might seem as relevant now than it ever has.

In this context Calderdale TUC, with support from the Society for the Study of Labour History, Yorkshire CND and the Independent Working Class Education Network, is organising a free one-day event in Halifax on Saturday 3 February to discuss Thompson’s historical and political work, and explore the extent to which it continues to provide a resource to think about history and politics today. Speakers will explore Thompson’s work in the context of the academic study of labour history, trade union activity and peace movement politics, as well as some who will share personal reflections and reminiscences of Thompson.

E.P. Thompson lived for 17 years in Halifax with his wife, Dorothy, and the town and its local environs shaped in important ways the political and historical work that both of them undertook. Halifax is thus an appropriate place for us to gather and reflect to mark E.P. Thompson’s 100^th birthday. Further details about the event can be found online, and we encourage all who are interested to book tickets to our event here: https://buytickets.at/calderdaletuc/1097983