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

THIS week’s budget should be judged by one key issue — whether it improves the living standards of the vast majority of people in this country. On that, it clearly failed.
Over the coming months, the poorest families will receive a £20 per week universal credit cut plunging half a million people, including 200,000 children, into poverty just as unemployment is expected to rise.
Key workers will be hit by ongoing real terms pay cuts despite their heroics throughout this crisis. While one million lower-paid workers will be forced into paying income tax as a result of stealth taxes imposed in the budget.

RICHARD BURGON MP points to the recent relative success of widespread opposition to the Labour leadership’s regressive policies as the blueprint for exacting the changes required to build a fairer society

In his May Day message for the Morning Star, RICHARD BURGON says the call for peace, equality and socialism has never been more relevant

