TUC general secretary PAUL NOWAK speaks to the Morning Star’s Berny Torre about the increasing frustration the trade union movement feels at a government that promised change, but has been too slow to bring it about

THE rioting over recent weeks has a hinterland in a poisonous narrative perpetuated by Establishment party politicians. In particular, the small boats issue — culminating in a last-gasp electoral device by the Tories but sustained by the hypocrisy of the political class as a whole — gave an impetus to Nigel Farage’s electoral vehicle, Reform UK.
Anti-refugee, Islamophobic and anti-immigrant sentiment run through our monopoly media, and successive Tory governments share a poisonous politics that has made migration the issue on which much formal politics turns.
These riots drew in wide circles of people well beyond the minuscule fractions of fascists who, despite their pretensions, have little organisational reach, are thoroughly surveilled, and deeply penetrated.

US tariffs have had Von der Leyen bowing in submission, while comments from the former European Central Bank leader call for more European political integration and less individual state sovereignty. All this adds up to more pain and austerity ahead, argues NICK WRIGHT

Starmer sabotaged Labour with his second referendum campaign, mobilising a liberal backlash that sincerely felt progressive ideals were at stake — but the EU was then and is now an entity Britain should have nothing to do with, explains NICK WRIGHT

Deep disillusionment with the Westminster cross-party consensus means rupture with the status quo is on the cards – bringing not only opportunities but also dangers, says NICK WRIGHT

Holding office in local government is a poisoned chalice for a party that bases its electoral appeal around issues where it has no power whatsoever, argues NICK WRIGHT