Needling for change: the surprisingly political history of knitting

When Labour MP Deborah Russell was spotted knitting during parliament’s question time last week, she was joining a rich and meaningful political tradition. Stephen John Taylor explains. From fistfights in the corridors to tractors driven up its front steps, New Zealand’s…

Ana Fernandez/Getty Images From fistfights in the corridors to tractors driven up its front steps, New Zealand’s parliament has seen plenty of odd and unruly behaviour by sitting MPs. But a few other controversies have involved something slightly less rowdy: knitting. In the…