The attacks on black academics are well-funded and relentless, writes DIANE ABBOTT, and they need to be fearlessly resisted by all concerned
IN MAY 2014, the Green Party was in celebration mode. In that year’s local elections, the Greens made 18 net gains. At the time, this was the party’s second most successful set of local elections in its history.
Twelve months later, the 2015 general election would see over one million people vote Green, more than at any election before or since. While record-breaking, that election was bittersweet.
The Greens only managed to retain their sole MP, failing to make further inroads. And within months the position of the Greens as the only mainstream party offering a left-wing diagnosis of the crises facing the country was thrown into doubt by the arrival of Jeremy Corbyn, the most radical leader the Labour Party has ever elected.
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?
The new Scottish Parliament looks set to continue a cycle of managerial tinkering while public services face the axe, writes STEPHEN LOW
This by-election could plausibly see both Reform and Labour defeated — but splitting the left insurgent vote would put that at risk, argues CHRIS WILLIAMSON
Now at 115,000 members and in some polls level with Labour in terms of public support, CHRIS JARVIS looks at the factors behind the rapid rise of the Greens, internal and external



