Head of education, campaigns and organising for the General Federation of Trade Unions HENRY FOWLER explains why it is launching a fund to support trades councils and give them access to a new range of courses and resources
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It’s ‘Tyne to assemble’ as Newcastle builds grassroots democracy
ANYA COOK reports from the Newcastle citizens’ assembly, where over 240 people gathered to create a people’s manifesto ahead of next year’s local elections – part of former mayor Jamie Driscoll’s Majority movement
BUZZ IN THE ROOM: Progressives gather in the Discovery Museum, Newcastle, Sunday May 18
While working people face austerity, arms companies enjoy massive government contracts, writes ARTHUR WEST, exposing how politicians exaggerate the Russian threat to justify spending on a sector that has the lowest employment multiplier
While claiming to target fraud, Labour’s snooping Bill strips benefit recipients of privacy rights and presumption of innocence, writes CLAUDIA WEBBE, warning that algorithms with up to 25 per cent error rates could wrongfully investigate and harass millions of vulnerable people
Real security comes from having a secure base at home — Keir Starmer’s reckless and renegade decision to get Britain deeper into the proxy war against Russia is as dangerous as it is wasteful, writes SALLY SPIERS
The plan is to stigmatise and destabilise South Africa in preparation for breaking it up while creating a confused and highly racialised atmosphere around immigration in the US to aid in denying rights to non-white refugees, explains EMILE SCHEPERS
ALAN SIMPSON warns that Starmer’s triangulation strategy will fail just as New Labour’s did, with each rightward move by Labour pushing Tories further right
From the 1917 Balfour Declaration to today’s F-35 sales, Britain’s historical responsibility has now evolved into support for the present-day outright genocide. But our solidarity movement is growing too, writes BEN JAMAL
“OVER 240 people in a room in Newcastle for politics. When was the last time that happened indoors in Newcastle?” asks Tony Pierre, rhetorically, of course, for this event co-organiser and Jamie Driscoll’s networker-in-chief knows the answer.
Hosted by Majority and supported by Assemble, a Newcastle citizens’ assembly held at the Discovery Museum on Sunday May 18, attracted people from across north-east England to help develop a people’s manifesto for Newcastle, ahead of the all-out elections in the city next year.
Excitement in the room was palpable, with opening speeches from former North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll, Assemble co-founder Molly Shelton and introduced by Majority member, former Northumberland council candidate, Karen Weech. There was also support from local organisations and campaign groups who attended with stalls.
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