SOLOMON HUGHES recommends Sunjeev Sahota’s recent novel set in a trade union election campaign for its fresh approach to what unites and divides workers, but wishes the union backdrop was truer to life
CURRENT statistics on poverty in the UK make grim reading, with trying to digest the bad news exacerbated by a government minister’s “let them eat turnips” advice.
The gaffe-prone Therese Coffey, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, claimed in the Commons that food shortages were short-lived, and meanwhile we should “cherish” seasonal root vegetables.
Coming from a parliamentarian who benefits from her workplace’s heavily subsidised restaurant menus, this clearly stuck in the public’s craw.
DYLAN MURPHY reports that far from helping people back into work, the sanctions regime is inflicting unnecessary trauma on working-class families
AMANDA J QUICK warns about the ever-expanding influence of the sex industry – and the harm it unleashes on both the women involved and society collectively, especially the young
Women are a vital part of the labour movement and have much to contribute, but there’s far more to be done to make sure that our sisters’ voices are truly heard, says PHILIPA HARVEY
LYNNE WALSH reports from the Women’s Declaration International conference on feminist struggles from Britain to the Far East



