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
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Ferry chaos is a national scandal
Locals have been let down by procrastination over the upgrade to Ardrossan Harbour, says KATY CLARK MSP
Staff on the bridge of the Glen Sannox ferry as it departs Brodick on Isle of Arran heading for Troon on its first official day in service. The ferry, built at the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow, was initially due to be delivered in 2018
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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
THE Ardrossan to Brodick sea crossing has been the main route from the Scottish mainland to the island of Arran for 190 years.
However since last month, no ferries have run from the Ardrossan port, due to the failure of the Scottish government to ensure upgrading work was carried out to enable the new Glen Sannox ferry to dock. This is despite this new ferry being five years late.
The new Glenn Sannox ferry has instead been using Troon harbour for the Brodick service. And the upgrading which was only necessary because of the design chosen for the two new ferries which were commissioned by Scottish government-owned CMAL and built at the publicly owned Ferguson Marine Shipyard, being agreed more than seven years ago has still not started, there has been no tendering process and the plan is still to be published.
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Mismanagement, privatisation and EU rules have strangled vital ferry services, leaving Scotland’s island communities stranded and the once-bustling ports of my youth in what feels like terminal decline, laments MATT KERR
