The annual commemoration of anti-fascist volunteers who fought fascism in Spain now includes a key contribution from Italian comrades
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Truth is the first casualty of politics
The more Starmer’s government demonstrates its inability to offer real change, the more its chances of securing a second term diminish, warns MICK WHITLEY
Cartoon: Lewis Marsden
The Islamic Republic’s suddenly weakened regional position exposes the nation to grave threats from US imperialism
DONG XUE explains why US tariffs hold no significant threat to China
ANSELM ELDERGILL asks whether artificial intelligence may decide legal cases in the future, in place of human judges, and how AI could reshape the legal landscape
Like pieces on a chess board, centrist parties lose ground as they accommodate rather than challenge far-right agendas — socialists must play things better, warns MATT KERR
Yanis Varoufakis and Jeremy Corbyn laid out a roadmap for peace, justice and equality as they celebrated the legacy of inspirational socialist Tony Benn, reports LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
The NEU’s annual conference promises heated debate, with motions on international politics, curriculum reform and union amalgamation likely to provoke strong reactions and challenge the status quo, writes Education for Tomorrow editor ROBERT POOLE
IN THE early hours of July 5 2024, the scale of Labour’s landslide election victory was clear. The Tories were massacred, returning a mere 121 MPs — their worst-ever result in history. Labour returned to Westminster with a thumping majority on the scale of 1997. Sir Keir Starmer was triumphant and hailed by all and sundry as a political miracle worker.
The story was even more dramatic given the turnaround since 2019. Under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn Labour had crashed to a heavy defeat that year at the hands of Boris Johnson. Comparisons made with the 1931 election, when Labour won only 52 seats following the split in the party and the election of a national government coalition. The 2019 defeat led to Jeremy Corbyn resigning as leader of the party and all the blame was laid at his door.
While the historical parallel was a popular line with the media pundits and right-wing Labour figures at the time it was profoundly misleading.
More from this author
MICK WHITLEY recounts the 1984 shipyard occupation that led to Britain’s largest jailing of trade unionists and urges Labour to address this historic injustice 40 years on
MICK WHITLEY MP explains why he has put forward an early day motion calling on the Foreign Secretary to make himself accountable to MPs over the appalling brutality in Gaza and for an immediate suspension to arms exports to Israel
MICK WHITLEY MP is today introducing a Bill in Parliament that aims to secure a people-focused and democratic approach towards increased use of AI across the British economy
Striking to keep the Birkenhead shipyard open and save a community from devastation, 37 workers went into occupation. Outrageously, they were jailed for their legitimate action — MICK WHITLEY MP writes now is the time to clear their names
