
XENOPHOBIA and militarism will be the defining themes of the incoming Netherlands coalition government, with a four-party agreement struck today.
The far-right Party of Freedom headed by Islamophobic rabble-rouser Geert Wilders will be the biggest party in the new government, though it is not yet clear who will be prime minister, a post Mr Wilders has agreed not to seek.
But the “Hope, Courage and Pride” agreement sets out policies the next administration — formed with the conservative VVD of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the traditionalist New Social Contract and the agrarian-nationalist Farmer-Citizen Movement — will pursue.

Ben Chacko talks to RMT leader EDDIE DEMPSEY about how the key to fixing broken Britain lies in collective sectoral bargaining, restoring unions’ ability to take solidarity strike action and bringing about the much-vaunted ‘wave of insourcing’

Incoming Usdaw general secretary JOANNE THOMAS talks to Ben Chacko about workers’ rights, Labour and how to arrest the decline of the high street

Durham Miners’ Association general secretary ALAN MARDGHUM speaks to Ben Chacko ahead of Gala Day 2025