Preferable to Starmer he may be, but there is scant sign of a sharp political break in Burnham’s policies so far — while left challenges aren’t making much of a running either, finds ANDREW MURRAY. How can socialism be put back on the map?
“IT IS because of you that we are free and safe to celebrate this season,” Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte stated in his festive message to troops on December 20.
But most of the world feels everything but “free and safe” this Christmas, and the biblical message of the angels heralding “peace on Earth” rings extremely hollow.
For a second year running, the municipal authorities in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank will not hold traditional events.
British military spending is among the highest in the world, diverts scarce resources from far better causes and fuels international conflict. It’s time we made different choices, argues LIZ PAYNE
The catastrophe unfolding in Gaza – where Palestinians are freezing to death in tents – is not a natural disaster but a calculated outcome of Israel’s ongoing blockade, aid restrictions and continued violence, argues CLAUDIA WEBBE
The people of Palestine need our solidarity in actions not words – trade unionists must give them our full support in their darkest hour, writes DANIEL KEBEDE
COLL McCAIL assesses the revelation that Britain is now outsourcing its surveillance flights over Palestine to US mercenaries



