Robinson successfully defended his school from closure, fought for the unification of the teaching unions, mentored future trade union leaders and transformed teaching at the Marx Memorial Library, writes JOHN FOSTER

IS IT possible to recognise in the present what historians will later declare to be a moment of transition from one historical period — defined according to prevailing features in politics, economics and society — to another? Are we in such a moment now?
Periodisation of historical epochs is controversial and inexact, and traditional historians have frowned upon it. Yet economists and historians have attempted to delineate distinct periods of history.
These include Eric Hobsbawm, who wrote of the long 19th century (1789-1914), and the short 20th century (1914-1989) and economist Joseph Schumpeter, who defined the “creative destruction” theory of technological change.

JOE GILL looks at research on the reasons people voted as they did last week and concludes Labour is finished unless it ditches Starmer and changes course


