Skip to main content
Gifts from The Morning Star
How this year’s silly season turned nasty
Much of the news this summer wasn’t so much silly as it was downright unpleasant and sinister, writes CHRIS WILLIAMSON

Without a Labour leadership contest to occupy the minds of the chattering classes, July and August returned to the traditional “silly season.”

That was only to be expected, but this year’s was one of the silliest I can remember and on occasions it wasn’t simply silly, it was downright unpleasant and sinister, too.

What surprised me was that I was the target for much of this twaddle. The old “reds under the bed” guff was dusted off for another outing, malicious accusations of sexism and anti-semitism were thrown around like confetti, while some MPs behaved like medieval feudal barons.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
STOKING CONFLICT: US soldiers load pallets of weapons and ex
Opinion / 3 March 2023
3 March 2023
Arguing that the war has always been a proxy war between Nato and Russia, CHRIS WILLIAMSON argues that opposing the US-led imperialist alliance is key to avoiding a global conflagration
Chris Williamson
Opinion / 22 September 2022
22 September 2022
Announcing his intention to join the rival Socialist Labour Party established by Arthur Scargill in 1996, CHRIS WILLIAMSON argues that the time is now right to advocate a mass vote for parties that run against Starmer's Labour from the left
Features / 8 July 2021
8 July 2021
Questions remain unanswered over the government-funded Integrity Initiative. What have ministers got to hide, asks CHRIS WILLIAMSON
Features / 22 October 2020
22 October 2020
Of all the mainstream media, it is the institution priding itself on its liberal values and progressive heritage that has carried the worst betrayal against the whistleblower of the century. It must listen to our protests now — before it is too late, writes CHRIS WILLIAMSON
Similar stories
A ballot box arriving during the count for the Blackpool South by-election at Blackpool Sports Centre, Blackpool, May 2, 2024
Features / 19 July 2025
19 July 2025

In the run-up to the Communist Party congress in November ROB GRIFFITHS outlines a few ideas regarding its participation in the elections of May 2026

Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre) takes part pro-Palestine march in central London, organised by a number of groups under the Palestine Coalition banner, March 15, 2025
Britain / 13 May 2025
13 May 2025
Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South, (centre) on a TSSA pic
Britain / 23 January 2025
23 January 2025
Features / 1 October 2024
1 October 2024
LINDA PENTZ GUNTER argues the former Labour leader’s invitation to the inauguration of Claudia Sheinbaum, the nation's first Jewish president, contrasted with Starmer’s absence, exposes the hollow nature of the infamous smears