The Mandelson scandal reveals a political settlement in which democratic choice is curtailed and the power of markets eclipses the will of voters – only the left can challenge this, writes JON TRICKETT MP
HOGMANAY, the last day of 2024, gives me the opportunity to reflect on the year gone by for my union, the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), and also our class, our struggles and achievements at home and internationally.
As I approach my 60th year, I also take time for personal reflection back over 40 or so years of activism — as a 14-year-old joining Scottish CND, as a further education college student activist, as a lifelong Labour and trade union movement activist, through the campaign for devolution, voluntary work for refugees, in the Scottish TUC and as a long-serving officer in the PCS.
This column however covers just a few key matters that stand out for me in 2024.
A past confrontation permanently shaped the methods the state will use to protect employers against any claims by their employees, writes MATT WRACK, but unions are readying to face the challenge
In part IV of a serialisation of his new book, JOHN McINALLY tells how austerity minister Francis Maude’s attempt to destroy the PCS Civil Service union totally backfired
JAMIE DRISCOLL explains how his group, Majority, plans to empower working people to empower themselves



