The Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire: Resisting Thatcherism in 1980s Sheffield

On Saturday 21st October, Sheffield Transformed is hosting a workshop that will explore how left-wing activists and politicians in 1980s Sheffield attempted to resist the dominance of Thatcherism and implement their own political ideas.

During the 1980s, the term ‘Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire’ was coined to describe the region’s left-wing political culture. With contributions from historians and local campaigners, this workshop will examine the left-wing, trade union, feminist, and anti-racist activism that made up the Socialist Republic.

Through presentations and group discussion, we’ll examine the extent to which there was a concerted and successful attempt to build a left-wing alternative to Thatcherite ideology in Sheffield. We’ll discuss what we can learn from this pivotal period in political history and how we can apply it to our present situation.