The lecture places the fire as the final destination in a trajectory of events from state capture leading to slow violence with necro-political consequences. I will begin by illustrating the situation pre-Grenfell through exploring the local groups resisting asset-stripping and the privatisation of public space. These groups formed the nucleus of the campaigns around Grenfell. Following this, I look into the three main organisations responsible for the components of the refurbishment which are widely believed to have escalated the fire. I draw out the ways in which their apparent relationships with the state and approach to health and safety left people in buildings they work on more and more at risk. Lastly I will look at the local organisations formed post-Grenfell and the incomplete victories which have been won so far.

Jointly organised by the Centre for Colonial and Postcolonial Studies and the Sussex Centre for Cultural Studies.

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By: Martin Wingfield
Last updated: Friday, 15 February 2019