DIANE ABBOTT explodes the anti-migrant myths perpetrated by cynical politicians and an irresponsible mass media
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Organising hope: trade unions’ vital role in combating racism
JOHN CARSON looks at how trade unions can move beyond the empty flags and slogans of the employers to create real change in workplaces and communities, with reps tackling the root causes of racism and xenophobia
Demonstrators during an anti-racism protest organised by Stand Up to Racism, in George Square, Glasgow, August 10, 2024
ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the government’s proposals to further limit the right of citizens to trial by jury
As we mark the anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, JOHN WIGHT reflects on the enormity of the US decision to drop the atom bombs
For 80 years, survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings have pleaded “never again,” for anyone. But are we listening, asks Linda Pentz Gunter
Labour councillor PAUL DONOVAN wonders why the right-wing party gets so much more media attention than it seems to merit
SOLOMON HUGHES asks whether Labour ‘engaging with decision-makers’ with scandalous records of fleecing the public is really in our interests
LAST WEEK my good comrade, Adam Alarakhia, CWU’s Leicestershire Branch chair, was being interviewed by CWU Live and told quite a shocking story.
Amid the rioting and distress taking place across England and Northern Ireland, Adam said his son phoned him to ask if he could play outside on his bike, but Adam told him no, he couldn’t, the risk was just too much, too much for a father to allow his son to play outside in case something might happen to him — because he was black and because he was Muslim.
Our movement rightfully recoils at the scenes we have witnessed and the fear and tension that is being inflamed by far-right thugs. There have been demonstrations in over a dozen towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland.
In Rotherham and Tamworth in particular, violent thugs attempted to set fire to hotels hosting asylum-seekers — deliberately attacking and seeking harm on some of the most vulnerable people in our world.
Thankfully, we have not seen similar scenes here in Scotland so far, but it would be wrong for our movement to sleepwalk into Scottish exceptionalism.
While a recent ScotPulse poll found four in 10 people in Scotland wanted immigration reduced (compared to five in 10 in England) this was a 14-point increase on last year.
More from this author
Companies that forced staff to risk their lives during January’s extreme weather or face financial penalties have revealed the urgent need for enforceable safety standards beyond mere guidelines, argues JOHN CARSON
Throughout the Post Office Horizon scandal, affected workers were isolated and made to feel solely guilty for what they were accused of. We need more workers to join the trade union movement to see that, no matter what, they are not alone, says postal worker JOHN CARSON
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