DK Renton
@davidkr.bsky.social
Barrister, historian, disease-ridden leftist. Books include The New Authoritarians, and The Story of Jenny Greenteeth. Write for LRB, Truthout, Guardian, rs21.
Shunning, Schulman writes, is arbitrary. Shunning prevents the departee from learning necessary valuable lessons. In this account, all departures are bad, even the victim of sustained physical violence, shunning the domestic home under threat of death.
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/when-confl...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/when-confl...
When Conflict -is- Abuse
[TW: discussion of intimate violence].
davidrenton590934.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Shunning, Schulman writes, is arbitrary. Shunning prevents the departee from learning necessary valuable lessons. In this account, all departures are bad, even the victim of sustained physical violence, shunning the domestic home under threat of death.
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/when-confl...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/when-confl...
Reposted by DK Renton
Ahead of @davidkr.bsky.social's book Comrade Delta, on the 2013 scandal in the Socialist Workers Party, DK Renton assesses the recent changes at the top of the party, asking 'Is it time to forgive the SWP?'
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/is-it-time...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/is-it-time...
December 13, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Ahead of @davidkr.bsky.social's book Comrade Delta, on the 2013 scandal in the Socialist Workers Party, DK Renton assesses the recent changes at the top of the party, asking 'Is it time to forgive the SWP?'
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/is-it-time...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/is-it-time...
Of the critics who were mocked, humiliated, threatened with violence, spat on, lied about, or had to watched in horror as the SWP tried to drive them out of the labour movement – to which is the party now willing to admit it did wrong? davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/is-it-time...
Is it time to forgive the SWP?
The SWP has gone public with its plans to remove four people from its central committee: Alex Callinicos, Charlie Kimber, Weyman Bennett and Mark Thomas.
davidrenton590934.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Of the critics who were mocked, humiliated, threatened with violence, spat on, lied about, or had to watched in horror as the SWP tried to drive them out of the labour movement – to which is the party now willing to admit it did wrong? davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/is-it-time...
Reposted by DK Renton
Corbyn and Sultana's new party is likely to benefit from factors for which it can claim no credit.
New from David Renton on The Lead as he considers what next for Your Party
New from David Renton on The Lead as he considers what next for Your Party
Did Your Party's conference do enough to turn the tide of its disastrous beginnings?
Corbyn and Sultana's new party is likely to benefit from factors for which it can claim no credit.
national.thelead.uk
December 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Corbyn and Sultana's new party is likely to benefit from factors for which it can claim no credit.
New from David Renton on The Lead as he considers what next for Your Party
New from David Renton on The Lead as he considers what next for Your Party
Between 1965 and 1980, dozens of the best-known musicians in Britain were collectors of Nazi regalia…
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/12/thir...
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/12/thir...
Third Reich ’n’ Roll
A new book reflects on the music industry’s disturbing obsession with Nazi aesthetics and ideology — ranging over unexpected examples of fascist fetishism, and celebrating those who challenged it.
tribunemag.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Between 1965 and 1980, dozens of the best-known musicians in Britain were collectors of Nazi regalia…
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/12/thir...
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/12/thir...
Reposted by DK Renton
DK Renton argues that David Lammy’s proposal to severely cut the number of jury trials is another authoritarian step by Labour.
revsoc21.uk/2025/11/30/i...
revsoc21.uk/2025/11/30/i...
In defence of jury trials
rs21 - revolutionary socialism in the 21st century
revsoc21.uk
November 30, 2025 at 8:43 AM
DK Renton argues that David Lammy’s proposal to severely cut the number of jury trials is another authoritarian step by Labour.
revsoc21.uk/2025/11/30/i...
revsoc21.uk/2025/11/30/i...
Reposted by DK Renton
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
In a number of towns and cities, local activists have ignored the leadership contest and pressed on with local organising. Where people have done that – as we have in Islington – we’ve enjoyed the experience
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/yes-this-w...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/yes-this-w...
Yes, this weekend’s Conference is Your Party’s last chance – but don’t assume we’ll blow it
This Saturday and Sunday, delegates will be gathering at Liverpool ACC’s conference centre to discuss the founding of a new party.
davidrenton590934.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:38 PM
In a number of towns and cities, local activists have ignored the leadership contest and pressed on with local organising. Where people have done that – as we have in Islington – we’ve enjoyed the experience
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/yes-this-w...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/yes-this-w...
"...Telling the story of the Anti-Nazi League without giving equal weight to Rock Against Racism is like telling a version of Romeo and Juliet in which Romeo delivers his lines, while cutting Juliet’s words back to him..."
On a new history of the 70s
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/lets-put-t...
On a new history of the 70s
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/lets-put-t...
Let’s put the politics back in:
On a new history of the Anti-Nazi League
davidrenton590934.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
"...Telling the story of the Anti-Nazi League without giving equal weight to Rock Against Racism is like telling a version of Romeo and Juliet in which Romeo delivers his lines, while cutting Juliet’s words back to him..."
On a new history of the 70s
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/lets-put-t...
On a new history of the 70s
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/lets-put-t...
Reposted by DK Renton
it would probably be sorta hard for just anyone to do it *this well* because it requires you to actually be normal about trans people, but still it feels important to state for the record that WE ARE NOT HARD TO STAND UP FOR AND ANY OF THEM COULD DO IT.
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 4: Sylvia Rivera
In the 1970s, queer New Yorkers had been pushed to the margins of NYC. Our trans neighbors faced immense cruelty. But in Sylvia Rivera, they found a champion.
As we combat Trump’s politics of darkness, her legacy can light the path forward.
In the 1970s, queer New Yorkers had been pushed to the margins of NYC. Our trans neighbors faced immense cruelty. But in Sylvia Rivera, they found a champion.
As we combat Trump’s politics of darkness, her legacy can light the path forward.
October 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
it would probably be sorta hard for just anyone to do it *this well* because it requires you to actually be normal about trans people, but still it feels important to state for the record that WE ARE NOT HARD TO STAND UP FOR AND ANY OF THEM COULD DO IT.
Reposted by DK Renton
In his final article on rs21’s key political ideas, DK Renton explains why we can’t take over the state – we need to smash it to create a new world of freedom.
revsoc21.uk/2025/10/10/b...
revsoc21.uk/2025/10/10/b...
Breaking the state
rs21 - revolutionary socialism in the 21st century
revsoc21.uk
October 10, 2025 at 9:07 AM
In his final article on rs21’s key political ideas, DK Renton explains why we can’t take over the state – we need to smash it to create a new world of freedom.
revsoc21.uk/2025/10/10/b...
revsoc21.uk/2025/10/10/b...
Reposted by DK Renton
Splits, rows and even legal threats have dogged the first few months of what was supposed to be a new start for the left in Britain.
For The Lead, left-wing veteran David Renton dives into just what went wrong for Your Party🧵
For The Lead, left-wing veteran David Renton dives into just what went wrong for Your Party🧵
October 7, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Splits, rows and even legal threats have dogged the first few months of what was supposed to be a new start for the left in Britain.
For The Lead, left-wing veteran David Renton dives into just what went wrong for Your Party🧵
For The Lead, left-wing veteran David Renton dives into just what went wrong for Your Party🧵
Reposted by DK Renton
Friends and comrades made a crowdfunding page for my family.
It’s really hard to post this. I know that there are a lot of other important issues asking for money but things have gotten to the point where we need to open ourselves up to your support.
Thank you for your consideration.
It’s really hard to post this. I know that there are a lot of other important issues asking for money but things have gotten to the point where we need to open ourselves up to your support.
Thank you for your consideration.
"Help us leave safely" on FreeFunder
Click here to support "Help us leave safely" by Dara on FreeFunder!
www.freefunder.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Friends and comrades made a crowdfunding page for my family.
It’s really hard to post this. I know that there are a lot of other important issues asking for money but things have gotten to the point where we need to open ourselves up to your support.
Thank you for your consideration.
It’s really hard to post this. I know that there are a lot of other important issues asking for money but things have gotten to the point where we need to open ourselves up to your support.
Thank you for your consideration.
Reposted by DK Renton
One of many terrible parts of this is Rutgers' utter uselessness in helping Professor Bray. Rutgers isn't alone: universities are failing their community members—faculty, staff, and students alike—when it comes to doxxing and digital safety. And they've been failing them for years.
Rutgers professor moving to Europe after threats over antifa accusations
Mark Bray says threats intensified after a Turning Point USA petition accused him of promoting political violence
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
One of many terrible parts of this is Rutgers' utter uselessness in helping Professor Bray. Rutgers isn't alone: universities are failing their community members—faculty, staff, and students alike—when it comes to doxxing and digital safety. And they've been failing them for years.
"...Of all Corbyn’s many controversial friendships, the one which has the potential to cause most damage to his legacy is Karie Murphy..."
Me for @theleaduk.bsky.social
Me for @theleaduk.bsky.social
Splits, rows and even legal threats have dogged the first few months of what was supposed to be a new start for the left in Britain. Left-wing veteran David Renton dives into just what went wrong.
Can Corbyn and Sultana's Your Party move on from its troubled beginnings?
Splits, rows and even legal threats have dogged the first few months of what was supposed to be a new start for the left in Britain. Left-wing veteran David Renton dives into just what went wrong.
national.thelead.uk
October 4, 2025 at 12:27 PM
"...Of all Corbyn’s many controversial friendships, the one which has the potential to cause most damage to his legacy is Karie Murphy..."
Me for @theleaduk.bsky.social
Me for @theleaduk.bsky.social
"‘No Socialist looks on “outrages” as a virtue or thinks that violence can ever be anything but a miserable necessity,’ Eleanor Marx acknowledged. But whatever crime the Fenians had committed, there was ‘a greater criminal’: ‘the English Government’"
Me for @rs21.bsky.social on internationalism
Me for @rs21.bsky.social on internationalism
In the fourth of his series on rs21’s key political ideas, DK Renton explains why it’s vital to reject nationalism and stand with anti-imperialist struggles. revsoc21.uk/2025/10/03/t...
Thinking like an internationalist
rs21 - revolutionary socialism in the 21st century
revsoc21.uk
October 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
"‘No Socialist looks on “outrages” as a virtue or thinks that violence can ever be anything but a miserable necessity,’ Eleanor Marx acknowledged. But whatever crime the Fenians had committed, there was ‘a greater criminal’: ‘the English Government’"
Me for @rs21.bsky.social on internationalism
Me for @rs21.bsky.social on internationalism
Me for @truthout.org on the Pal Action protests
"Those arrested included nurses, Anglican priests, the former editor of the doctors’ magazine, the British Medical Journal. They waited without grumbling in the hot summer sun, ageing limbs made painful by the police’s slow processing of the crowd."
"Those arrested included nurses, Anglican priests, the former editor of the doctors’ magazine, the British Medical Journal. They waited without grumbling in the hot summer sun, ageing limbs made painful by the police’s slow processing of the crowd."
Palestine solidarity activists are gearing up for a mass protest this Saturday against the U.K. government's ban on Palestine Action — a direct action network that the British government has deemed “proscribed” under its anti-terrorism laws.
UK Gears Up for Mass Protest Against Banning of Palestine Action
More than 1,600 people have already been arrested, and 1,500 more have pledged to risk arrest Saturday in London.
truthout.org
October 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Me for @truthout.org on the Pal Action protests
"Those arrested included nurses, Anglican priests, the former editor of the doctors’ magazine, the British Medical Journal. They waited without grumbling in the hot summer sun, ageing limbs made painful by the police’s slow processing of the crowd."
"Those arrested included nurses, Anglican priests, the former editor of the doctors’ magazine, the British Medical Journal. They waited without grumbling in the hot summer sun, ageing limbs made painful by the police’s slow processing of the crowd."
Out next May
"Renton rescues ‘forgiveness' from the pulpit and returns it, bloodied but lucid, to history. With a barrister’s intolerance for cant and a socialist’s contempt for vicarious absolution, he shows that forgiveness with justice is radical realpolitik"
—Richard Seymour
shorturl.at/WWeS5
"Renton rescues ‘forgiveness' from the pulpit and returns it, bloodied but lucid, to history. With a barrister’s intolerance for cant and a socialist’s contempt for vicarious absolution, he shows that forgiveness with justice is radical realpolitik"
—Richard Seymour
shorturl.at/WWeS5
October 1, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Out next May
"Renton rescues ‘forgiveness' from the pulpit and returns it, bloodied but lucid, to history. With a barrister’s intolerance for cant and a socialist’s contempt for vicarious absolution, he shows that forgiveness with justice is radical realpolitik"
—Richard Seymour
shorturl.at/WWeS5
"Renton rescues ‘forgiveness' from the pulpit and returns it, bloodied but lucid, to history. With a barrister’s intolerance for cant and a socialist’s contempt for vicarious absolution, he shows that forgiveness with justice is radical realpolitik"
—Richard Seymour
shorturl.at/WWeS5
Cover reveal:
Comrade Delta The 2013 Crisis in Britain’s Largest Far-Left Party
“An honest, balanced & well-documented account of an appalling episode” Ian Birchall
"An impeccably researched reckoning with the causes of a catastrophic betrayal" Sophie Lewis
Out in July 2026
shorturl.at/emntq
Comrade Delta The 2013 Crisis in Britain’s Largest Far-Left Party
“An honest, balanced & well-documented account of an appalling episode” Ian Birchall
"An impeccably researched reckoning with the causes of a catastrophic betrayal" Sophie Lewis
Out in July 2026
shorturl.at/emntq
September 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Cover reveal:
Comrade Delta The 2013 Crisis in Britain’s Largest Far-Left Party
“An honest, balanced & well-documented account of an appalling episode” Ian Birchall
"An impeccably researched reckoning with the causes of a catastrophic betrayal" Sophie Lewis
Out in July 2026
shorturl.at/emntq
Comrade Delta The 2013 Crisis in Britain’s Largest Far-Left Party
“An honest, balanced & well-documented account of an appalling episode” Ian Birchall
"An impeccably researched reckoning with the causes of a catastrophic betrayal" Sophie Lewis
Out in July 2026
shorturl.at/emntq
How are you supposed to talk down your racist uncle if the only person he’ll listen to it’s the AI on his Android? Or the attention economy which cocoons our enemy – sending their cadres picures of crowds singing Allah is a Pedo?
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/anti-fasci...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/anti-fasci...
Anti-fascism needs culture
West Runton punks, 1979 - Syd Shelton
davidrenton590934.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:36 AM
How are you supposed to talk down your racist uncle if the only person he’ll listen to it’s the AI on his Android? Or the attention economy which cocoons our enemy – sending their cadres picures of crowds singing Allah is a Pedo?
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/anti-fasci...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/anti-fasci...
"The worst was four weeks when it spread to my mouth. It was as if some torturer-antagonist was burning my jawbone with an oxyacetaline torch. The hospital recommended I drink salt water. “Just a placebo,” the consultant told me at our next appointment
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
The End of Chemo
The picture was taken on Friday, it’s the last photograph of me in the chemo ward at UCLH.
davidrenton590934.substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:53 PM
"The worst was four weeks when it spread to my mouth. It was as if some torturer-antagonist was burning my jawbone with an oxyacetaline torch. The hospital recommended I drink salt water. “Just a placebo,” the consultant told me at our next appointment
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
A Substack from me, addressing the consequences of the Tommy Robinson movement last weekend. We probably won't see more marches on that scale this year. What will happen, though, is a huge boost of energy for Farage and Reform
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/tommy-robi...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/tommy-robi...
September 17, 2025 at 10:20 AM
A Substack from me, addressing the consequences of the Tommy Robinson movement last weekend. We probably won't see more marches on that scale this year. What will happen, though, is a huge boost of energy for Farage and Reform
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/tommy-robi...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/tommy-robi...
Me, with some worries about the signs of the re-emergence of the US street right
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/charlie-ki...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/charlie-ki...
Charlie Kirk’s death – and the return of the US street right
Wired published a good piece this week, warning that in response to the Charlie Kirk news, you’re starting to see a reemergence of the street right in the US.
davidrenton590934.substack.com
September 14, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Me, with some worries about the signs of the re-emergence of the US street right
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/charlie-ki...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/charlie-ki...
Reposted by DK Renton
My granddad's cousin went to Spain in early '37 to fight the fascists and kept a diary of his experience. One entry read that he'd been shown how to clean his rifle by another, more experienced, Englishman by the name of Eric Blair. So yeah, I think we all know what Orwell would think.
When speaking to Tommy Robinson at the far right demonstration in London today, Elon Musk wore a t-shirt saying "What would Orwell think?"
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
September 14, 2025 at 10:10 AM
My granddad's cousin went to Spain in early '37 to fight the fascists and kept a diary of his experience. One entry read that he'd been shown how to clean his rifle by another, more experienced, Englishman by the name of Eric Blair. So yeah, I think we all know what Orwell would think.
A Substack on Charlie Kirk's killer and how the story has changed about his likely politics
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/on-charlie...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/on-charlie...
On Charlie Kirk's murder - and the perils of commenting too fast
We're on day three of the response to the killing.
davidrenton590934.substack.com
September 13, 2025 at 11:43 AM
A Substack on Charlie Kirk's killer and how the story has changed about his likely politics
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/on-charlie...
davidrenton590934.substack.com/p/on-charlie...