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
THE first weeks of 2018 have brought some significant victories for housing campaigners. Concerted opposition to estate demolitions, privatisation and profiteering have won important battles, if not the war.
There’s also some hope for improving the situation for super-exploited private renters (in the shape of a parliamentary Bill sponsored by Karen Buck MP).
Meanwhile, the scale and urgency of the housing crisis is shaping the argument on the future of the Labour Party and a possible Labour government.
LOTTE COLLETT welcomes the arrival of a new party for the left, a vehicle for councils to finally fight for progressive policies on housing, green spaces and public facilities, rather than administering cuts and misery from central government
GLYN ROBBINS celebrates how tenant-led campaigning forced the government to drop Pay to Stay, fixed-term tenancies and council home sell-offs under Cameron — but warns that Labour’s faith in private developers will require renewed resistance



