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
LET ME be clear. I have never had a love affair with Joe Biden. Not that kind of love affair. But politically, like many on the left, I’ve been willing to check his name at the ballot box while overlooking a few of his political shortcomings because, so we told ourselves, Biden is at heart a decent human being.
At first, as Israel’s genocidal retaliation for the October 7 Hamas attacks continued, I remained reluctantly in the camp willing to vote for Biden in November. However tightly one might have to hold one’s nose, it was imperative to preserve our democracy and keep Donald Trump out of the White House. In the meantime, surely Biden would step up and stop the bloodshed in Gaza.
That was then. This is now.
Starmer’s decision to recognise Palestine only as long as Israel continues to massacre its inhabitants has been met with outrage, writes LINDA PENTZ GUNTER



