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Latest editorial
He who transformed the cultural focus of the paper
Cliff absolutely got what good journalism is about - radical social commentary unfettered by box-ticking ideology
Cliff Cocker
JOHN GREEN relishes photography that unfolds a longstanding and poetic relationship with Leeds
A uncomfortably misogynistic authorial voice that sometimes seems to lack insight troubles FIONA O’CONNOR
MARY CONWAY is disappointed by a production that panders – if inadvertently – to Western prejudice against China
JOHN GREEN is fascinated by a history that excavates the enormous role played by agricultural workers in recent times
ALEX HALL recommends a book that places empirical evidence at the heart of understanding racism
A recognition that individually we are powerless both politically and socially is essential, writes GORDON PARSONS
TODAY’S column is a great big red salute to Morning Star arts editor Cliff Cocker, whose funeral was yesterday. He was a lovely, warm, witty Scouser and the best editor I have ever had. I couldn’t be at the ceremony because I have four gigs in the north-west this weekend but send huge solidarity and love to his family and friends and all who will be partying in his honour as he wished.
My main focus for my writing has always been my poetry and song lyrics, but I have been a freelance journalist for 40 years as well, writing for national newspapers and music publications as well as football papers and fanzines – and inevitably falling out with my editors because I rejected the strictures and structures imposed on me.
When I was asked to do a bi-monthly column for this newspaper some eight years ago I thought: this will be interesting, it needs a bit of livening up! I joined at a time of transition, not long before Ben Chacko became editor with a modernising brief.
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The bard tunes into the message crooned by the newly self-appointed masters of the universe
