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
GOING back into education at 35 years of age to do an access course was never going to be easy, especially when I have two small children to look after.
So, when I was accepted as a mature student at Durham University last year, I was ecstatic and very proud of my achievements.
Of course, I had heard that Durham was one of the more elitist universities and was often asked by friends if I — a mature student from a working-class background — was sure that I’d fit in.
Durham Miners’ Association general secretary ALAN MARDGHUM speaks to Ben Chacko ahead of Gala Day 2025
MOLLIE BROWN reports on this year’s festival in honour of the ‘seven men of Jarrow’ deported to Australia for union activity 193 years ago
Ben Chacko talks to ALAN MARDGHUM of the Durham Miners Association about Reform UK‘s dangerous inroads into Durham’s long-standing Labour county council; why he cancelled his party membership; and the political class’s disconnect from working people



