As Colombia approaches presidential elections next year, the US decision to decertify the country in the war on drugs plays into the hands of its allies on the political right, writes NICK MacWILLIAM

AS much as I’d like to lay claim to being a cultured follower of Shakespeare, I’m not. I am aware, however, of some of the famous quotes from his work, and one in particular often makes me think of Jeremy Corbyn: “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
I don’t need to point out which version of greatness best relates to Corbyn, the humblest politician in Parliament.
Corbyn was often thought of as the reluctant leader. He decided to throw his hat in the ring in 2015, not to reach the next obvious rung on the ladder of career progression, or to revel in watching himself back after gruelling interviews or PMQs. He did it for us.

While Reform poses as a workers’ party, a credible left alternative rooted in working-class communities would expose their sham — and Corbyn’s stature will be crucial to its appeal, argues CHELLEY RYAN


