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

FOR those of us in the labour movement, July is synonymous with two glorious celebrations of trade unionism. If you can’t be at both, you certainly have to be at one.
First comes the Durham Miners’ Gala, on the second Saturday of July, followed a week later by the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival.
These are very different occasions, with distinct histories, but they are linked by a remembrance and respect for the power of collective struggle. There’s nothing like it.



