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
Latest editorial
The great fightback against austerity has begun
So much more is at stake in the rail workers’ dispute than the livelihoods of the RMT's 80,000 members — we may well be witnessing the struggle that will end not only this government, but the austerity era itself, writes DIANE ABBOTT MP
Members of the RMT picket at the entrance to Waverley Station in Edinburgh
While pretending to seek peace, Europe is heading toward a collision course with Russia – using security guarantees, troop deployments, expropriation and censorship as tools, writes SEVIM DAGDELEN
Alba party leader KENNY MacASKILL makes some suggestions on how to save our pubs and reduce irresponsible drinking
The catastrophe unfolding in Gaza – where Palestinians are freezing to death in tents – is not a natural disaster but a calculated outcome of Israel’s ongoing blockade, aid restrictions and continued violence, argues CLAUDIA WEBBE
Opinion polls point to electoral collapse, parliamentary rebellion and a looming leadership challenge as Starmer’s Labour haemorrhages working-class support and the far right exploits the vacuum left by a hollowed-out party, says NICK WRIGHT
The long-term effects of chemical weapons such as Agent Orange mean that the impact of war lasts well beyond a ceasefire
AS THE late, great Bob Crow said: “If you fight you won’t always win. But if you don’t fight you will always lose.” Now, as current RMT general secretary Mick Lynch points out, his members accepted a wage freeze three years ago and two years ago but when they were offered zero again this year, plus far worse terms and conditions they decided enough was enough.
This sums up the experience of most workers not just over three years but ever since austerity was introduced by the Tory-led coalition in 2010. People’s budgets and their patience has been stretched to breaking point. Many just refuse to shoulder the financial burden of a crisis they did not create.
The same is true for millions of workers in the public sector including NHS workers and teachers but is also true of other transport workers and millions in the private sector. They simply cannot tolerate further attacks on their living standards.
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