A survey circulated by a far-right-linked student group has sparked outrage, with educators, historians and veterans warning that profiling teachers for their political views echoes fascist-era practices. FEDERICA ADRIANI reports
Latest editorial
Unite's campaign to #SaveHondaSwindon is getting into gear
There is everything left to fight for in Unite's campaign to save our automotive industry, writes STEVE PREDDY
In reopening relations with China, the PM showed an uncharacteristic grasp of power, proportion and Britain’s diminished place in the world – a lesson many in Westminster still refuse to learn, says ANDREW MURRAY
Dockers from Italy, Greece and beyond will stage co-ordinated port blockades on February 6, declaring ‘we don’t work for war’ – in a call in solidarity with Palestine. ALFIO BERNABEI reports
The British Prime Minister’s Beijing visit marked the end of a long diplomatic hiatus and produced tangible, if limited, economic results, says KEITH BENNETT
Schoolchildren who joined a nationwide anti-Trump walkout learned more outside the classroom than in it but could still be penalised, reports LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
The suicide of Tamara Jade Logon after her disability benefits were wrongly withdrawn is the latest in a series of deaths in which coroners have cited DWP failings, exposing a pattern of preventable harm, says DYLAN MURPHY
ON February 18 2019, news was leaked via BBC Five Live and Sky News of Honda’s intention to close its plant in Swindon. This immediately placed in jeopardy 3,500 jobs at the car plant and a further estimated 12,000 jobs at risk within the supply chain — 1,000 of those being in Swindon, others spread across many regions of the UK.
Prior to the news leak, Honda had long been clear and unequivocal in its commitment to the long-term future and viability of its Swindon plant. There had been neither discussions with Unite, the sole recognised trade union at HUM, nor any indications of uncertainty conveyed to the workforce.
Imagine, if you can, those leaving the car plant on the day’s early shift and those coming to work on the late shift, the overwhelming sense of bewilderment, shock and anger. Calls to the company by lay and full-time officials were “batted away” by Honda until the formal announcement confirmed this devastating news.
Political Reaction
Greg Clark, secretary of state for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), addressed the House of Commons in response to the announcement. It was apparent that expressing “disappointment” with the decision, the Tory government only offered support in the form of CV writing and job club initiatives — in their normal “non-interventionist” manner.
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