After years hidden away, Oldham’s memorial to six local volunteers who died fighting fascism in the Spanish civil war has been restored to public view, marking both a victory for campaigners and a renewed tribute to the town’s proud International Brigade heritage, says ROB HARGREAVES
HISTORY doesn’t repeat itself, although some of us who like studying and learning from history are sometimes guilty of thinking it. But many commentators have drawn a comparison between the present moment and the political developments of the 1960s. This comparison is valid and we should learn the era’s lessons.
In the 1960s the US was in turmoil. The civil rights movement was on the march. So too was the anti-Vietnam war movement and there was the rise of the women’s movement fight for equality.
The current situation does not exactly mirror that. But we are facing the worst global public health crisis for a century. There is, too, huge and well-founded concern about the economic impact of the crisis and what that means for jobs, for living standards, public services and the environment.
ROGER McKENZIE calls for greater support from trade unionists and the general public for female workers involved in industrial disputes
ROGER McKENZIE argues that Western powers can see the beginning of the end in the rise of the global South — and racist reactions are kicking in
DIANE ABBOTT exposes the misconceptions, rumours and downright lies perpetrated around immigration issues
DIANE ABBOTT MP argues that Labour’s proposals contained in the recent white paper won’t actually bring down immigration numbers or win support from Reform voters — but they will succeed in making politics more nasty and poisonous



