TUC president and POA leader STEVE GILLAN speaks to Ben Chacko on the eve of Congress 2026
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Kernels of truth
MAT COWARD explains how to grow the tricky crop of sweetcorn
DOUG NICHOLLS welcomes a turning point at this year’s Congress, where many motions call for a co-ordinated plan to revive British industry, a perspective outlined in his new book
HOPE VIRGO of campaign Dump the Scales warns MPs voting today they should be alert to the threat legalised assisted death poses to people with eating disorders
The Together Alliance is hosting two summits, North and South, to build power and plan action against the scourge of racism peddled by the right. DANIEL KEBEDE urges mass participation
The drift toward militarisation in Europe is not inevitable, left-wing and peace movements can preserve sovereignty and prevent war, says DÁIRE HUGHES MP
Whatever differences exist among international sympathisers of the Bolivarian revolution about its current trajectory, they should unite against the imperialist power that is the source of an enforced retreat, argues ROGER D HARRIS
Trade unions need to step up and force a turn in the policies of the labour movement to effectively confront the far-right threat, argues NICK WRIGHT
SWEETCORN is, famously, one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow in the garden. Because some of its sugars turn to starches so quickly after picking, its full flavour can only ever be experienced by cooking it within minutes of taking the cob from the plant.
It is also, just as famously, difficult to grow well in the British climate, except in parts of south-east England and the Isle of Wight.
Modern “super-sweet” cultivars are much more reliable than the old varieties and stay tastier for longer, but even so, it’s always going to be a crop that requires a good amount of luck to succeed.
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