ASLEFJOURNAL The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen NOVEMBER 2020

Shadow Rail Minister Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi talks trains, turbans, and the post pandemic recovery

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tax fr ee savings plans for anyone who works on the railways... we don’ t mean just train drivers..! tax fr ee policies fr om 70p per day , £5 per week and £20 per month

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@RailwayEnginemens Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 GS Mick Whelan ASLEF Big questions and JOURNAL The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen ‘This government wants to take away the right to decisions to make challenge any decision’

VERY day we spend the bulk of our time trying to keep pace with the changing regulations and rules of the pandemic and the implications of political E confusion when seeking to apply them to the needs of key workers who are serving the nation and our communities. Debates are going on about circuit breakers or other full lockdowns, and Wales, as I write this, is on the brink of a full lockdown. Elsewhere, whole areas are in tier three and we have different rules crossing all borders and some services travelling through several areas. There are big questions and decisions to be made. Our children need education and young adults need to secure their future but, in my opinion, and in the opinion of many in the education unions, sending kids back to school was always likely to spread contacts, and sending hundreds of thousands of young adults to halls and shared houses was obviously fraught with risk. To then lock News people down and insist on online learning highlights this government’s failings. The government needs to go much further on job protection and furlough; l Tories to axe Union Learn in ‘sly mean move’ 4 piecemeal curfews and the rules on pubs and restaurants will do much more damage l The moment Gillian Keegan killed her career 5 and cost many more jobs and businesses than they save. If we could bail out the bankers plus Off the Rails: Sasha Swire’s diary; Boris during the crisis of 2008 then we have a duty to protect jobs in all other sectors now. Johnson’s toad; Milton Glaser’s I NY t-shirt; It is strange that , whether you voted remain or leave in the Brexit referendum, Brighton & Hove Albion; and Hannah Uttley anyone could believe that any government would put further distress on employers, jobs, our economy, and our future. Remember Boris Johnson’s ‘oven ready’ trade deal? l Train driver Jolene Miller awarded BEM 6 Whatever happened to that? Now the government says it will not adhere to l Eastleigh: close encounters of a Whiffy kind 7 international law or the promises it made in the withdrawal bill. How could any country trust us in the future? That would explain why Liam Fox, an arch advocate of leaving the l Margaret Covid breaks all the rules ‘cos I can’ 8 EU, did not even make the shortlist to head the WTO. I have the greatest respect for our armed forces but the Overseas Operations bill Features that protects those who might murder or torture with some sort of statute of limitations l Pandemic poems on London Underground 10 actually hurts those whose byword is honour and who do their duty. And the Covert Human Intelligence Sources bill will indemnify not just our armed Chris Proctor muses on a world in which 11 l forces but the police and numerous other agencies – including the taxman – from Robbie the Robot is sitting at the controls prosecution for illegal activities. Given the nefarious activities of the police during the l Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour MP for 12-13 miners’ strike of 1984-85, the blacklisting scandal, the Greenham Common peace Slough and Shadow Rail Minister, reveals protests, and numerous other industrial disputes and civil rights movements, this bill will his plans for Britain’s railway only encourage undercover officers to illegally target perfectly legal activities. I have no problem with those protecting us from terrorist attack doing certain things, within Gregor Gall on the state of the fourth estate 14 l reason, to create credibility but I hope the Lords do the right thing and reject this bad bill l David Mathieson reflects on the Spanish Civil 15 because our social democracy is under threat. This is a government that wants to take War; and Poaching the Ion Lady in a hot tub away the legal right to challenge any decision – and that is authoritarianism. Boris Johnson made a statement that we need to upskill people for the future. Regulars Then Gavin Williamson and Gillian Keegan immediately announced the end of the Union l Branch Lines 16 Learning Fund. Many Tory MPs were celebrating the end of giving unions money. Maybe they need educating about the projects which were supported additionally by many l Railway art in The Mall 17 unions. Their own figures show that for every pound spent there has been an elevenfold l Obituaries 19 benefit for the economy. We will fight and challenge this lunacy as now is not the time to dilute transferable skills – and the employers agree with us. Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 l The future funding of TfL is still under negotiation but I believe there will be a l As the nights draw in curl up with a good read 22 settlement. Curiously, the only government that decided not to fund its capital’s transport now wants to blame ridership in a pandemic on a Labour Mayor? Go figure! l On Track: Some think the US Civil War never 23 Was it not Mr Johnson who, in an act of outgoing spite, cut the monies to TfL when he ended; our Prize Crossword; Legal Services; left office as Mayor of London, and who halted the extension of the congestion charge and members’ Change of Address form into the wealthier areas? Rumour has it that the Tories now want it London-wide and to l Cover photo by Andrew Wiard take free travel away from those who have contributed all their lives, the retired and the young. These are blatantly political moves and cannot be about economic recovery. The EdiToR Mick Whelan, general secretary l dEsigNER Michael Cronin PRiNTER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE l AdvERTisiNg ASLEF removal of partners’ travel, and talk of driverless trains, will only lead to an existential Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond battle, not of our making. It did not take long for these people to show their true colours. on 020 7324 2407 or [email protected] l clAssiFiEd Ads It is twenty years since the Hatfield rail crash and we must always commemorate [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of those who died and those who were injured as well as the lives of all those impacted and that product or service by ASLEF chANgE oF AddREss Please post strive to ensure it never happens again. It was the end of Railtrack and led to the creation your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN of Network Rail who, along with Balfour Beatty, were subsequently fined. A bleak reminder that we still do not have adequate corporate manslaughter legislation in the The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: UK. Maybe it is time, instead of rushing through legislation protecting those knowingly ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN doing wrong, that we look to justice where it is needed. Please be safe and well. Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion Yours fraternally, Mick Whelan, general secretary

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News

PM urged to scrap plan We’ll meet again to axe learning at work some sunny day SLEF has and training ASLEF’s Retired Members’ Section has called on programmes, cancelled all events in the immediate future. A the including schemes to The health and welfare of members and their government to back improve people’s families is our main concern and, in the present – not scrap – the Maths, English, and circumstances, I am sure you will understand. Union Learning Fund digital skills, as well as Until we meet again (and we will meet again, in March next year. giving thousands of as soon as it is safe and practicable) stay safe GS Mick Whelan said: men and women the Mick Whelan and and keep well. ‘It is staggering – but opportunity to learn do2 Kevin lindsay Les Muir , RMS secretary perhaps not new skills. (right) condemn the surprising – that Boris Staff at decision to axe the CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED Johnson, just a week CrossCountry in Union learning Fund It is with much regret that we have decided to after announcing Plymouth did a one- cancel our annual district 4 Christmas lunch what he called day sign language west of England planned for Friday 4 December. Hope to see “exciting plans for course, learning became the first you all next year! adult skills and about the difficulties apprentice train Adrian Lunn , district council 4 secretary retraining” has faced by deaf and drivers at Virgin Trains decided to axe a key partially deaf when the company, FRATTON TRAIN CREW REUNION fund which provides commuters when in collaboration with Unfortunately, due to covid-19 restrictions, and people with lifelong travelling on the rail ASLEF Education, and for everybody’s safety, it has not been possible learning in the network. They gained an external provider, 19, every £1 invested to hold this year’s reunion. We hope to workplace. But it’s a level 1 qualification, launched a brand in the Union reschedule for next year and will keep not too late for the and learned to sign new programme. Learning Fund everyone updated. government to greetings, Sam Jones was 23 resulted in a total Gary R White , Fratton depot change its mind.’ introductions, the and working as an economic return of DO2 Kevin time and the onboard caterer £11. Lindsay, who runs weather, as well as when she applied for Kevin Lindsay ASLEF Education, how to provide the programme. She added: ‘This scheme QUOTE… said: ‘The Prime directions and travel was grateful for the – which costs a very ‘Film, at its best, is a form of public Minister promised a information. Gemma support of ASLEF small sum of money transport, a shuttle service between “skills guarantee” for Williams, one of our Education, and in the greater different places and times’ – John Berger adult learners. Some learners, used her colleagues, saying, ‘If I scheme of things – …UNQUOTE guarantee that new skills next day have any questions has provided turned out to be!’ when she was there are always thousands of men The fund, worth working a train, people willing to help and women with TWEETS OF THE MONTH £12 million a year, noticed two women me.’ another opportunity was established in signing to each other, Gavin Williamson’s to learn, and acquire 1998 and, through and was able to decision to pull the new skills, while still Proud to be the first MP to wear a the work of trade communicate while plug in March applies at work. It is poppy this year in the House of unions and our union serving them. to England. The extremely cost- Commons. It’s never too early to show learning reps, delivers And three young Labour government effective and I am support for this vital campaign to thank a range of learning people in the north- in Wales and the SNP baffled why the those who have served King, Queen, government in Tories are cutting it country and Commonwealth, as we begin Scotland are both now. Unless, of our annual period of national QUOTE… committed to course, this is an remembrance. Andrew Rosindell Tory MP @Andrew Rosindell ‘The British pub is safer than a supporting union ideological, rather supermarket aisle – yet, now, through learning in their than a practical, Trouble is that poppies haven’t gone utter foolishness, it faces oblivion’ – countries. move, aimed to hit on sale this year @Andrew Rosindell. Patrick Dardis , chief executive of According to working men and Hope you’re going to still make a donation Young’s a report published by women and the even if you are trying to be sustainable by …UNQUOTE the Department for trade union Education for 2018- movement.’ recycling last year’s version. Stella Creasy Labour MP @stellacreasy Johnson needs to get his finger out Uber self-driving car death ruling effectively means the concept of the Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s organiser on London Underground, has hit driverless car is a dead duck. out at the government’s failure to properly provide funds for the @christianwolmar Tube train service in the capital. ‘The government’s failure to provide funding for Transport for London, which is publicly- Vote for clowns you get a circus. owned, is in stark contrast to the multi-million pound handouts @dazthehammer to private sector operators and management consultants. TfL staff and Tube passengers want the government to stop playing Facebook and Twitter are not media political games and provide the resources needed to keep Finn Brennan: ‘The platforms. They’re propaganda London moving and help its economy recover from the Tories need to stop machines. New York Post @nypost pandemic.’ playing games’

4 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 News

off the Rails

SASHA SWIRE , whose Diary of an MP’s Wife has caused quite a stir among the blue-rinsed ladies of the shires, has reminded many of the value of sitting down and making a note at the end of the day. Anna Herve, editorial director at Mishal husain (right) wonders whether the minister (left) will dump Harper Fiction, reckons the best political her adviser (just out of shot) before the Prime Minister dumps her diaries are written by those who are ‘well connected but on the fringes of power, as you, as a government Duff Cooper, Harold Nicolson, Alan Clark and Sasha Swire minister, can’t answer Minister: ‘I don’t were. They must write well, be brilliant and engaging, but that question?’ maybe thwarted and unfulfilled. Nothing sharpens the pen ‘I’m sorry, I can’t like an ego without sufficient outlet and a good diarist answer that question. know the rules’ needs an excess of what Graham Greene famously referred I’m sure there are to as that “splinter of ice” in the soul.’ HE good could meet in pub many people who could’, she says news for gardens, Keegan SASHA does give good quote. She recalls T through clenched Gillian could only admit: ‘No, BORIS JOHNSON , then in full-on ‘Remain’ teeth, adding, Keegan, Parliamentary I’m sorry, I can’t clarify mode, texting David Cameron that he desperately, ‘But I Under Secretary of that.’ She begins to thinks Brexit will be ‘crushed like the toad don’t represent the State for look, desperately, at beneath the harrow’. And she dismisses north-east.’ Apprenticeships and her political adviser, Dominic Cummings – Little Dom – as ‘one of She looks daggers Skills, is that her car who is sitting in the those odd amoebas you find in jars in school science labs’. crash of an interview studio next to her, but, at her SpAd, and splutters, ‘Yes, and, and on Today on Tuesday unfortunately, she MILTON GLASER , the graphic designer, so, they, they, they, it 29 September wasn’t doesn’t know the who died on his 91st birthday on 26 will be laid out, and it – quite – the most answer, either. June, created the I NY logo, arguably will be clear, to ❤ embarrassing effort by Mishal, dryly but the most widely imitated motif of the everybody, in those a government damningly, says, ‘You post-war age. New York in the early areas, they will be minister live on air. don’t know the 1970s had a serious image problem, communicated, erm, That honour is answer to that with litter, graffiti, and crime on the rise, and, in a bid to very clearly, what they reserved for Chloe question?’ revive the tourist trade, the state department of commerce are, yes, it’s happening Smith, the hapless Keegan, devised a marketing strategy around the slogan ‘I love New tonight…’ junior Treasury troll embarrassed, says: ‘No, York’. Milton, born in the Bronx to Hungarian Jewish Gillian Keegan’s who, in 2012, sent I don’t know the immigrants, came up with the idea of replacing the word career died at that onto Newsnight by the answer to that ‘love’ with a heart. But he didn’t make a cent from I NY, or moment. Kevin ❤ Chancellor, George question but, you its many imitations, as he did the work pro bono . Osborne, to defend know, I’m sure they Maguire, associate editor of the Daily his U-turn on fuel [people in the north- BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION Mirror , tweeted: ‘How duty, was duly east] can find out the have, somewhat cheekily, can the government monstered, over the answer to that applied to the Intellectual justify virus fines of up longest eight minutes question.’ At this point Property Office to trademark to £10,000 when even of her life, by Jeremy she gesticulates the word ‘Albion’. The club Johnson and his Paxman; a humiliation furiously at her adviser claims it’s ‘to protect ministers are confused that effectively ended who is desperately supporters from fake merchandise’ – ie, to persuade fans to and don’t know the her political career. trying – and failing – cough up at the club shop. The problem is that several other constantly changing The bad news is to find the answer on association football teams – West Brom, Stirling, and Burton lockdown laws they that Keegan shouldn’t her iPad. all spring to mind – also trade as Albion, as does Plymouth impose?’ look for promotion in Mishal, politely but Albion rugby football club. And, as this wicked image on Keegan’s abject the next government firmly, presses the WeAreBrighton.com shows, the word, meaning England, or performance – reshuffle. point. ‘How do you Britain, has been around since the sixth century BC, long audible on Radio 4 Asked by Mishal expect people to keep before the team that plays at the Amex. So, as Neil Reid, and BBC Sounds, and Husain if people in the up to date with the head of news in W1A would say, ‘Good luck with that…’ north-east of England latest rules when even visible via the BBC News website and HANNAH UTTLEY , a business reporter at 500 CLUB: William Brooks, with number 93, YouTube – went down the Sunday Telegraph , is in no doubt about won the October draw, scooping the Retired badly in Downing the way forward for Britain post-Brexit and Members’ Section jackpot of £488. Street. ‘Gillian was, at pandemic. ‘French employment laws are least, honest,’ said one quite tough and, therefore, the ability to of Dominic’s minions hire and fire people is much lower. In the QUOTE… hopefully. ‘The trouble UK, because it’s easier to fire people, it’s ‘Britain needs a statesman – not a larky is, she’s not very easier to hire people, which means labour is more flexible.’ schoolboy’ – Judith Woods , Daily bright, and couldn’t Which, she thinks, is good. Until, perhaps, the Torygraph Telegraph see the danger of decides to be a little more flexible with its workforce… …UNQUOTE admitting she didn’t know…’

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 5 News Driver awarded BEM

OLENE Miller, of crisis, with the system struggling Darlington branch, who to cope, and the government – in J drives trains for the shape of ‘Lockdown’ Johnson, Northern, and who worked ‘Hopeless’ Hancock, and ‘Air’ selflessly as a paramedic – as well Jenrick – coming up short, Jolene as a train driver – during the first was driving trains one week, and wave of the coronavirus earlier working at the sharp end in this year, has been awarded one hospital the next. of Britain’s highest civilian She triaged patients, as they honours. arrived by ambulance in the She is to get a British Empire accident & emergency Medal – which is awarded in department at Darlington recognition of service to the Memorial Hospital, enabling them Jolene Miller had two key worker roles – in the driver’s cab and in A&E community – for her services to to get the most appropriate care, the NHS during the pandemic. and the crews to get back out on stop her doing something?’ Speaking to Mishal Husain on the road. Jolene, who went back to work QUOTE… Today on Radio 4 on Saturday 10 ‘It was quite tiring, and full-time as a driver in June, was ‘Christianity is a October, Jolene, who lives in stressful, at times, but keeping the proud to be awarded a BEM, but is left-wing religion that Stockton-on-Tees, County jobs separate was fine. When I keen to play down the part she very right-wing people Durham, explained: ‘I used to be a went to work as a driver, it was played. ‘It was nothing special, it inexplicably love; while paramedic – I worked for the going back to normal, it was was something perfectly normal. Islam is a right-wing North-East Ambulance Service different; and I wasn’t working in And I tried to keep myself and my religion that very from 2006 until I left to become a A&E every single day as those family safe. left-wing people train driver two-and-a-half years who are there on the front line ‘There are a lot of people I inexplicably love’ ago – and, as train services were now are doing.’ know working in the NHS, and – stand-up comedian being reduced, because of the Her husband – who is also a fighting coronavirus day in, day Ahir Shah pandemic, I volunteered to go train driver – was asked, ‘Why are out, while I just spent a few back and help.’ you letting her do it?’ and he dryly months working back in a hospital. …UNQUOTE At the height of the covid-19 replied, ‘Have you ever tried to I just wanted to use the skills I had.’ Dulce et decorum est… Victorian values Rail journeys in the UK fell to levels not seen ASLEF’s 2020 poppy made by the Co- since the mid-19th century in the first badge, honouring operative Women’s quarter of 2020, with passenger numbers those who lost their Guild in 1933 and falling off a cliff and dropping by 90% on the lives on active service then by the Peace previous year. for their country, is Pledge Union for the New figures from the Office of Rail and available in two No More War Road reveal that 35 million journeys were versions: a traditional movement. £6 (inc taken from April to June, down by more than red poppy, worn p&p) each with all 400 million on last year. The last time since 1921 to proceeds to this numbers were this low was 150 years ago …pro patria mori: our badges in red and white commemorate those year’s Royal British back in the 1870s. The quarter began with who died in the Great Legion poppy appeal. please order through have a problem, then people ordered not to go out by Boris War, and a white Because of the your branch please just email ‘Lockdown’ Johnson, but restrictions were pacifist poppy, first coronavirus crisis, secretary; but if you [email protected] eased in May, with some commuters beginning to return to work amidst a muddle of mixed messages from the government. ORACLE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST BIG TECH Most journeys during the period were in Tim O’Reilly, founder of O’Reilly Media, venture London and the south-east of England. capitalist, and the ‘Oracle of Silicon Valley’, says Big EHOs finger Cummings Passenger revenue fell from £2.7 billion in Tech – Amazon, Facebook, and Google – have lost Environmental health officers – who the first quarter of 2019 to £184 million in their way. ‘We have an economy optimised for used to be known as public health 2020 . stock growth and that is a cardinal sin that needs inspectors – responsible for to be fixed’, said Tim. ‘If you fix that you’ll fix a lot of protecting public health say it has FINED FOR STANDING TOO CLOSE TO problems, because growth demands short-term been impossible to enforce legislation THE EDGE DESPITE WARNING profit over long-term purpose’. since the Prime Minister’s chief Damian Luczynski, was fined £50 – with a £34 adviser, Dominic Cummings, broke victim surcharge and £135 costs – at STEPHENSON’S HERITAGE GETS A ROCKET lockdown, lied about it, and refused Birmingham magistrates’ court last month A 180-year-old viaduct at Todmorden, in to resign earlier this year. ‘People after admitting a charge of trespassing in Lancashire, designed by George Stephenson, is to don’t take the restrictions seriously proximity to the railway. Luczynski, 38, ‘was get a £3.7 million restoration. The Grade II listed and say if Cummings can get away under the influence of alcohol’ and ignored Gauxholme viaduct, which spans the Rochdale with it, so can I. He completely warnings from station staff to step back as a canal, was built in 1840. It will be grit-blasted to undermined the government’s train approached Erdington station on Friday bare metal for structural repairs, deep cleaned, attempts to tackle the coronavirus.’ 7 August. The driver was alerted and forced to then painted back to its Victorian splendour. bring the service to a halt.

6 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 News Close encounters of a Whiffy kind

HIFFY the skog is half hedgehog, half skunk, which ‘makes him a very W smelly, very prickly, but sweet natured’ little beast who lives in, ahem, Pongville and is famous for his stinky tail. He’s the creation of author, artist, and illustrator Charlie Bayliss, who lives in Hampshire, and, as well as having five children, and five grandchildren (‘so far’), who all enjoy her wonderful illustrated stories, is married to Keith Bayliss, a freight driver who works out of Eastleigh with Freightliner Heavy Haul, and is vice-chair of ASLEF’s Eastleigh 069 branch. ‘I’m immensely proud of her,’ says Keith. ‘Charlie’s illustrations are hand-drawn and then hand-painted in watercolour and, although I’m here”. Suddenly there was a green flash of light biased, I think they are superb.’ which shot across the sky, followed by a loud spiky (the christmas tree, not the driver and Charlie, who studied at Winchester School thud!’ the artist) and that’s Whiffy the skog of Art, whose alumni include James Castle, Out of the mangled spaceship – ‘I must Stephen Chambers, Mary Fairburn, and Brian have taken a wrong turn at Saturn and got a smell’ – who pals up with an alien who, ‘with Eno, has written, illustrated, and published two bit lost’ – steps a funny little alien and the no nose, couldn’t smell his pong’, will reassure children’s books featuring Whiffy. unlikely couple enjoy a series of children – and their parents – who are Whiffy No Pong , published in 2015, proved (mis)adventures as Whiffy tries to help Gnop struggling to make friends. so popular she has just published a sequel, return to planet Silage. Whiffy’s Close Encounter , which begins: ‘Whiffy It’s perfect for primary school kids, the l Whiffy’s Close Encounter is available to buy was staring out of the window with a glum illustrations are a delight, and the story – ‘Poor for you, your children or your grandchildren look on his face. “I’m so bored,” said Whiffy with Whiffy didn’t have any friends, not because to enjoy for £6.95 (plus £2.65 p&p) from a sigh. “Nothing exciting ever happens around he’s bad, because no one could stand the www.charliebayliss.co.uk

it wanted to build. This is the future calling ‘Lockdown’ Johnson And that’s what we’re doing now.’ A hydrogen-powered needs history lesson Trouble is, train has been run on ‘Lockdown’ Johnson the main line for the Boris Johnson’s himself, Winston doesn’t know his first time in another speech to the Churchill. ‘In the history very well. step towards the UK’s Conservative Party’s depths of the Because, in 1945, target of net zero virtual conference in Second World War, Britain decided it emissions by 2050. October fell, in 1942, when just didn’t want the post- Trials of the predictably, rather about everything war new Jerusalem HydroFlex, with a flat. had gone wrong, the to be built by the £750,000 grant from henry and the h-bombs on Britain’s main line He plundered, as government Tories – and gave the Department for Professor Stephen Grant Shapps, usual, the memory sketched out a Labour a landslide Transport, follow two Jarvis, head of Secretary of State for of the man on whom vision of the post- election victory years of Engineering and Transport, said: ‘I’m he likes to model war new Jerusalem instead. development work Physical Sciences at delighted that, by Birmingham Birmingham. ‘We’re through our plans to University. Unlike looking forward to build back better, Fox on the box in Britain diesel trains, delivering this we’re embracing the Andrew Neil, the opinionated one-time editor of The Economist and the hydrogen trains do ground-breaking power of hydrogen Sunday Times , and a former presenter of political programmes on the not emit harmful technology, ensuring and the more BBC, is to present the flagship evening show on a new right-wing rolling gases, instead using a cleaner future for sustainable, greener news channel. GB News, which expects to be carried by Sky and Virgin, hydrogen and our railways.’ forms of transport it as well as available on Freeview, is to launch next year as a British oxygen to produce GS Mick Whelan will bring.’ version of Fox News in the States. Journalists approached to work for electricity, water, and said: ‘We welcome The university is the new company, which will be chaired by Neil, say it has been pitched heat. green technology, now developing a to them ‘as a right-wing alternative to the Beeb’. ‘Successful main new technology, and hydrogen and line testing is a major new trains, but not as battery-powered milestone and a clear a bolt-on solution to module that can be QUOTE… demonstration of the the problem of 30- fitted underneath the ‘The PM might want to reconsider his absence. From where I sat, important role year-old rolling stock train, which would the school prefect [Rishi Sunak] made a rather good audition for hydrogen has to play unless the driver’s allow more space for the role of head boy.’ – Madeline Grant , Daily Telegraph in the UK’s rail cab is repurposed, passengers in the …UNQUOTE industry,’ said too.’ carriages.

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 7 News

keep Britain running. For an MP to get on a Margaret Covid train knowing she has covid-19 is both dangerous and disgraceful. She should tell people which trains she travelled on, so travels on trains those she put in danger can take appropriate measures – which is more than she did.’ SLEF called on Margaret Ferrier, the Paul Clifton of BBC South retweeted Scottish National Party MP for ASLEF’s line, and Stephen Pollard, editor of A Rutherglen & Hamilton West, to the Jewish Chronicle , and media apologise, consider her position, and reveal ‘AslEF speaks for Britain’ on MP Ferrier (left) commentator, retweeted Kevin’s comments which services she took, after she admitted adding: ‘ASLEF speaks for Britain’. travelling on trains while suffering from ‘Margaret Ferrier travelled on a train to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who called covid-19. London after taking a test for the on the SNP MP to do the right thing and Ferrier, after developing symptoms, was coronavirus, and then travelled back to resign, slipped up at a press conference on tested for coronavirus on Saturday 26 Scotland when she knew she had tested Friday 2 October when she said, ‘The first I September. She then took a train from positive,’ said Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF’s knew about Margaret Covid, er, Margaret Glasgow to London on Monday 28 organiser in Scotland. ‘So she broke the rules Ferrier, having covid was…’ September, when she should have been self- twice, which is unforgiveable, and put And she made the same mistake on isolating, having had a test, and spoke in a passengers and staff at risk, which is Monday 5 October, saying ‘The SNP didn’t debate in the House of Commons, about outrageous. know last Monday or Tuesday that Margaret coronavirus, that afternoon. ‘Rail staff have worked throughout this Covid had suspected or, then, confirmed She was told, that evening, that she had pandemic to make sure the network could covid.’ tested positive but, instead of self-isolating, serve the public. We’ve worked day in, and Twitter users mocked her slip of the took another train back to Glasgow on day out, to keep our railway as safe as tongue, with one saying: ‘Margaret Covid. Tuesday morning. possible for passengers and staff, and to OMG. This is so funny. The name will stick.’

remark. Rule E3 (2) – making a Sweet FA Ade felt ‘angry, reference to ethnic frustrated and origin, race and/or Smart motorways execs Fans, players and dehumanised’ after nationality – because choose to take the train officials of Wycombe the abuse during the words ‘were not You would be Wanderers are furious Wycombe’s play-off objectively racist’. forgiven for thinking after the Football semi-final with The Professional that the crack Association ruled that Fleetwood in June. Footballers’ Highways England highways chiefs opt a member of But the FA, which Association said it was executive team to journey by train Fleetwood Town’s staff said it was satisfied ‘disappointed’. ‘It is responsible for taxpayers’ money on who called Chairboys that the insult was clear that a white creating ‘smart rail fares in the last 12 striker Adebayo directed at the player, player with a similar motorways’ – the months. Akinfenwa a ‘fat water added it would not Ade: victim of a stature would never killing zones where Claire Mercer, who buffalo’ was not guilty charge the Fleetwood racist remark but the be described in the they removed the campaigns against of making a racist employee under FA FA refuses to act way he was.’ hard shoulder to offer ‘smart motorways’ a fourth driving lane after her husband to speed up traffic – Jason was killed on would be happy to the M1 where the Bohemian rhapsody travel on the network hard shoulder turned Jiri Menzel, who they devised into a live lane, said: died on Saturday 5 especially as they ‘The executives’ September at the claim – in the face of reliance on trains age of 82, was a all the evidence – suggests that they leading figure in the that it’s safe. have worked out Czech new wave of Not a bit of it. what most British the 1960s whose Eleven Highways motorists already best known movie, England bosses know – that the black comedy prefer to travel by removing the hard Closely Observed train when they leave shoulder turns Trains , won the best the office – and have motorways into foreign language closely observed spent £103,875 of death traps’. film Oscar in 1968. love life on the rails Based on the novel by Bohumil World War. He is his virginity. involved in much QUOTE… Hrabal, it tells of the ordered by the Nazis Milos dies a hero, bigger events. ‘Good ‘Boris’ great idea? Burn down the adventures of Milos, to ‘pay special dropping a bomb comedy should be house twice to get rid of a wasps’ nest, a young, and idle, attention to these onto a German about serious things,’ then stand in the smouldering ruins railwayman at a closely observed ammunition train, in said Jiri. ‘If you talk blaming everyone but himself for this sleepy station in trains’ – to protect a film hailed by about serious things futile catastrophe’ – Peter Hitchens , rural Bohemia them from partisans critics for revealing too seriously, you Mail on Sunday during the closing – but is much more how petty destinies end up looking …UNQUOTE stages of the Second interested in losing can be inextricably ridiculous.’

8 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 The ASLEF RMS 500 Club colleagues

The 500 Club is a fundraising venture for ASLEF’s Retired Members’ Section. conditions of Membership: Only retired and working members of ASLEF, including district councils and branches, plus permanent staff employed by ASLEF, can make an application to join the RMS 500 Club. The application form and standing order form can only be completed and submitted by the ASLEF member, or staff member.

Numbers in the draw cost £4 each per month. To begin making payments into club funds, all you have to do is complete the standing order form and return it to your bank. Alternatively, you can pay by cheque a year in advance; the cheque should be made payable to AslEF RMs 500 club . Payments need to reach the club account by 1st of every month and the draw takes place on 12th of every month – with the winning number, name, and prize printed on page 5 of the ASLEF Journal . Once you have arranged your method of payment just complete the form and return it to Peter J smith, Treasurer, RMs 500 club, 6 devonia gardens, london, N18 1AF.

The Retired Members’ Section committee would like to thank you for your support and wish you luck in the draw!

Yours fraternally, Peter J smith, treasurer, AslEF Retired Members’ section 500 club

ASLEF RMS 500 Club application form STANDIN G ORDE R M ANDA TE To ______Ban k

Name ...... Ad dress ______Address ...... ______...... ______60-83-01 ...... BANK BRANCH TIT LE ( NOT AD DRESS) SORTING C ODE N O. Ple as e p ay Uni ty Trust Ba nk Bi rmingham 08 -60 -01 ...... ’

Postcode ...... BENEFI CIA RY S N AME ACCOUN T N UM BER For th e cred it of ASL EF RMS 5 00 CLU B ACCO UNT 2 0 2 0 1 1 9 3 Telephone ...... AMOU NT IN F IGUR ES AMOU NT IN WO RDS

email ...... The su m o f £

...... DATE AN D AM OUNT OF F IRS T PA YM ENT DUE DA TE AND FR EQU ENCY Each number costs £4. You can ST Com mencing £ and th ere after e very 1 OF EVE RY MONT H purchase as many numbers as you like. I confirm that I wish to purchase ____ numbers as part of the 500 Club. DATE AN D AM OUNT OF L AST PA YM ENT *Until £ *Until you r ece ive fu rth er notice fro m m e/us in writ in g Qu otin g t he (A) I have set up my standing order (£48 and debit my/our acco unt acc ord in gly re ference per annum or £4 per month) (B) I enclose a cheque for advance Pleas e can cel any prev ious stan din g o rd er or dir ect d ebit in fav our of t he benefici ary named ab ove payment (£48 per annum). SPE CIA L INSTRU CTIO NS Delete (A) or (B) accordingly.

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Please return this coupon to: ______Peter Smith, Treasurer, RMS 500 Club, ’ 6 Devonia Gardens, London, N18 1AF Note: The Ban k will n ot underta ke t o: (i) mak e an y r eference t o Va lu e Ad ded Tax or oth er in determ inat e ele ment and the standing order mandate (ii) advis e pay er s a ddre’ ss t o b enefici ar y (iii) advis e beneficiary o f in ab ili ty t o p ay (right) to your bank (or via your (iv ) request benefici ar y s b an ker t o a dvis e b enefic iary o f r eceip t

internet bank) * De lete if n ot ap plic ab le If th e a mounts o f t he p eriod ic p ay ments v ar y, t hey sho uld b e in corp ora ted in a sc hedule overl eaf

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 9 smokebox

Now I was young and easy under the apple boughs

‘Honoured among wagons I was prince of the apple towns’. KEITH RICHMOND dons a face mask and takes a socially distanced journey of adventure on London Underground

UBE train travellers on London Underground, as well as wearing a T face mask, and not having their noses stuck under someone else’s armpit for seven crowded stops on a Central line service, have been enjoying the view from their seats. Most of those adverts for life insurance, holidays you can’t take, and TV channels nobody watches have disappeared. In their place are poems about death ( Note by Leanne leaves them up for four weeks,’ says O’Sullivan); resilience ( And if I Speak of Paradise Judith Chernaik, who now chooses by Roger Robinson); and the glory of the the poems with Imtiaz Dharker and capital ( London Fields by Michael Rosen). George Szirtes. ‘But now TfL is distributing more than 4,000 and ‘This is the time to be slow, | Lie low to the leaving them up for much longer.’ going Underground: dylan Thomas wall | Until the bitter weather passes’ – Better that, they thought, than empty space. Time to be Slow by John O’Donohue The new poems are a careful response to the pandemic as they wanted to reflect the ‘There have been poems – or lines from poems feelings of commuters suffering from feelings ‘If we become separated from each – on Tube trains for years, of course, but never of disruption, isolation, and loss. They other | this evening try to remember quite as many as there are now. particularly wanted a piece by Michael Rosen, the last time | you saw me and go back Poems on the Underground, launched at who spent seven weeks in intensive care with and wait for me there’ – Note by Aldwych station on Wednesday 29 January the coronavirus earlier this year. ‘Leanne O’Sullivan (Bloodaxe) 1986, was the idea of three friends – Gerard Benson, Judith Chernaik, and Cicely Herbert – ‘Shine the lamp on it like the fresh hope | of ‘If you remain generous, | Time will who thought ‘how pleasant it would be to morning, and keep staring at it till you come good; | And you will find your read a few lines by one’s favourite poet on the sleep’ – And if I Speak of Paradise by feet | Again on fresh pastures of Tube, instead of advertisements for mints or Roger Robinson promise’ – Time to be Slow by John temps. We were Londoners by birth, or ‘ ‘O’Donohue (Bantam) adoption, habitual users of public transport, ‘We had a very strong feeling that the times and lovers of poetry. We shared the conviction have been so difficult for everybody in all ‘The wicket falls | High fives all that poetry is a popular, living, art and that the kinds of ways,’ says Judith. ‘Although normal round | Conkers shining in their pleasures of rhythm and rhyme are part of life is starting to resume, we all know it’s very nests | Mr Softee pulls away | She makes common life’. perilous. We felt a strong sense of love to her mobile | So happy he’s Scattering poems about in public – like the responsibility. We felt the poems should ‘called’ – London Fields by Michael lovesick Orlando in As You Like It who haunts acknowledge the problem but also offer Rosen (Smokestack) the Forest of Arden hanging ‘odes upon hope.’ hawthorns and elegies on brambles; all, Her own favourite works include the ‘And if I speak of Paradise, | then I’m forsooth, deifying the name of Rosalind’ – was anonymous Medieval song Westron Wynde speaking of my grandmother | who a risk but, ‘just as we had hoped, the poems and ‘I also love an erotic Medieval lyric, I Have told me to carry it always | on my provided relief, caused smiles, and offered A Gentle Cock , with its double entendre , which person, concealed, so | no one else refreshment to the soul’ as commuters tried ‘to caused raised eyebrows at London ‘would know but me.’ – And if I Speak memorise a sonnet between Leicester Square Underground, but was finally passed as of Paradise by Roger Robinson and Hammersmith’. unobjectional. The coronavirus crisis, lockdown, and a ‘But everyone’s favourite poet is John ‘Everything changes. We plant | series of conflicting messages from Prime Keats, whose lines inspired our programme: “A trees for those born later’ Minister Boris Johnson, Health Secretary Matt thing of beauty is a joy for ever; | Its loveliness – Everything Changes by Cicely Hancock, and Transport Secretary Grant increases; it will never | Pass into nothingness; Herbert Shapps, has meant a dearth of commuters but still will keep | A bower quiet for us, and a ‘ and, consequently, a dearth of advertising as sleep | Full of sweet dreams, and health, and ‘And the broken floor tiles shine | like companies have no desire to advertise their quiet breathing…’ the finery of the poor’ – Cordón by wares to carriages of empty seats. Laura Chalar (Diálogos) ‘Usually Transport for London distributes l You can find more poems at 2,000 poetry posters across the carriages and www.poemsontheunderground.org ‘ 10 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 Firebox When robots rule the world

CHRIS PROCTOR worked for the CWU, and then ASLEF, where he helped the GS put together the Journal each month, as well as handling press and publicity for the union. He has also written for The Guardian , The Times , the New Statesman and Tribune and Robbie the Robot at the controls of Fireball XL5 these days amuses fellow hacks with his ‘And Finally’ with flight engineer Matt Matic, captain steve column in the NUJ’s magazine The Journalist . Here, Zodiac, and dr venus (above) and I, Robot by with a nod to Ned Ludd, he advances the cause of a isaac Asimov: ‘Man-like machines rule the world! Society for the Preservation of Jobs Fascinating tales of a strange tomorrow’

E BRITS are fond of our past. We’ve offered her a job. got preservation societies for It’s not only the Sophies who suffer. W wooden canal boats, church roofs, Families and dependents go down with her. But suppose they get railway lines, fairground organs, ancient And because she’s got no money, she can’t their way and robots monuments, and villages greens: to mention spend any money; so more jobs go in retail but a few. What we lack is a Society for the and manufacturing. As poverty rises, people do all the work. Who’s Preservation of Jobs. become more desperate, so crime goes up. going to buy what they If we think we’re going to lose panda bears, The world becomes a little more anxious and a we leap to the defence of the bamboo guzzler. lot less safe. produce? Not human But we’re not all that bothered about jobs And it’s getting worse. The Office for beings, clearly: because we becoming extinct. We’re more into trivia. For National Statistics says 700,000 jobs have been instance, we don’t have a Job Appreciation lost since the plague began in March, with the won’t have any Day, but we do put days aside each year to 16 to 24 age group (that’s Sophie’s) being the money celebrate yoga, sourdough, and kissing. We worst hit. assign a fortnight to cherish spring cleaning (oddly enough, in September) and a full REPLACING PEOPLE WITH MACHINES month to mark our affection for organic FOR ROLLING STOCK MAINTENANCE humans, Robot B can be programmed to like products. So how do our captains of industry react? Well, whatever’s on offer. Humans frequently fail to Last month, in October, we had a special they re-double their efforts – to get rid of more buy what they are told. Take fashion, for week to appreciate curry and five days to jobs. ‘example. This year’s colours are flame scarlet, salute pyjamas; Boot the Suit was this year’s In our own industry we find companies Biscay green and classic blue. But, despite this, slogan, as we were urged to wear our night- bragging about an exciting ‘new initiative’ in an alarming number of mortals can still be attire in the street. The US featured a national rolling stock maintenance. A £2 million seen parading around wearing brown or black Name Your Car day on the second; and investigation to replace ‘traditional’ methods – which are last year’s shades. You wouldn’t National Noodle Day on the sixth coincided of ‘visual inspections’ by ‘advanced monitoring have that problem with Robot B. neatly with a rally of Evangelicals for Trump. systems’. That is, machines instead of people. More job extinction. HELL-BENT ON CREATING A BRIGHT IT’S PROGRESS, YOU KNOW. NO, IT’S And then there are the wild-eyed maniacs FUTURE FOR ROBBIE THE ROBOT NOT. IT’S SHORTSIGHTED STUPIDITY wanting driverless trains. Not to mention ticket Never mind the humans, our society is hell- We are active, and imaginative, when we offices. Gone but not forgotten. bent on creating a bright future for artificial consider irrelevancies, but when it comes to We have all bought into the myopic notion intelligence. We stand hel’pless in Post Offices something central to our well-being, like job that the only way to be ‘efficient’ or ‘productive’ that look like slot-machine halls, we queue to extinction, we go strangely quiet. We shake is to junk jobs. What we really need, we are pay a bit of tin for our groceries, and we accept our heads. There is nothing we can do about it. told, is to develop more ‘artificial intelligence’. customer care from a metallic voice-box. ‘It’s progress, you know.’ Robots are the answer. They can do our jobs We should gather in our multitudes to No, it’s not. It’s shortsighted stupidity. without insisting on holidays; and, rather than protest every time a job is in peril, enraged at Unemployment destroys people’s lives. It wages, they are content with a squirt of oil and this threat to our income, our children, and our doesn’t just make people poor. It also makes a slap of paint. future. We should rally in our thousands to them pariahs. We destroy jobs and then But suppose they get their way and robots shame any vindictive job cutter. We should condemn people for not working. do all the work. Who’s going to buy what they oppose the loss of jobs with the venom that is Anyone out of work is a scrounger and a produce? Not human beings, clearly: because shown to anyone planning to develop our slacker – like Sophie Parsons, who told her we won’t have any money. In economic terms, local church, cull our badgers, or concrete over story to Good Morning Scotland last month. the human race will be redundant. our village green. Made redundant in March, this idler has The obvious solution is to replace our entire Sod preserving parsonages, historical farm applied for 100 jobs. Fewer than one species with Robot B, designed to buy the buildings, Old Palace stately home, and application in ten was acknowledged. No one items produced by Robot A. Unlike faddy wallpaper. Let’s preserve jobs!

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 11 Agenda Tan Dhesi talks turbans, trains, and transport

Exclusive: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi was appointed as the new Shadow Rail Minister by Labour Party leader Keir Starmer in April. Here, in his first major interview since he took on the brief, he tells KEITH RICHMOND about his plans Tan – the first sikh to be elected to the Mother of for rail to play a key part at the heart of Photos: Andrew Wiard Labour’s project to build a better Britain – predecessor, Rachael Maskell, who spent two- with a greener economy for the 21st and-a-half years working with Andy McDonald. century – after the coronavirus crisis ‘Andy and his team did a lot of great work, and published the GB Rail document, a blueprint of MILE, they say, and the world smiles Labour’s vision for the future of the railway in with you; moan, and you moan alone. Britain, and we had a very good handover.’ S Some people walk in and light up a room while others cast a long, dark, shadow. I HAD THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the Labour MP for The government has an 80 seat majority, and Slough since 2017, smiles a lot. And his Labour has spent the last eleven months enthusiasm is infectious. assuming there will not be another general He has ideas, he has beliefs, and he has election for four years – although plummeting enthusiasm. And those characteristics are polls and the muddles and mistakes Boris contagious. Spend an hour in his uplifting Johnson has made over covid-19 makes that company and you, too, will be convinced that rather less likely now – with Tan and the the Labour Party, after the next election, will be transport team concentrating ‘on how we come back in government and rebuilding Britain after out of the covid crisis, holding the government the ravages of Tory austerity and the coronavirus to account, and planning for the future’. crisis. Getting rail right, he thinks, is vital for the Tan, 42, like Jim McMahon, the Shadow country ‘in an age of climate crisis’ adding: ‘The Transport Secretary, in his interview with us efficiency and better value for money for the government might not go the full four years, (Journal , July), is clear about where Labour will passenger and for the taxpayer.’ given its shambolic response to the coronavirus go with rail. ‘We will end the failed Tory franchise crisis. The Williams rail review? Well, they kicked system. We have Labour values, and we know we TWENTY YEARS IN THE BUILDING TRADE the can on that. We are in favour of major will achieve the best possible outcomes for Tan likes to look, listen, and learn and, although infrastructure spend and we are committed to people, for passengers, on rail, by bringing our he cheerfully admits, ‘I’ve never been a train HS2, which was conceived by the last Labour railway back into public ownership. That was in driver’ he has worked in the railway industry. government, and is not so much about high Keir’s manifesto as well. With a nod in the direction of Bruce Springsteen speed as about increasing capacity and freeing on The River – ‘I got a job working construction’ – up pathways for freight. A UNIFIED RAILWAY OFFERS MORE Tan spent 20 years in the building trade, working ‘We haven’t harnessed the full potential of rail EFFICIENCY AND BETTER VALUE at stations such as Birmingham New Street and for freight – we need to follow Scotland – ‘Public service – and taking people off the road London Bridge, so he knows Network Rail because there needs to be 2-3% increase in the and onto rail – is at the heart of our vision. We processes and procedures inside out. level of freight on our railway. need proper investment – not just in the short- Which is why he was pleased – if a little ‘And we need to address the skills gap – there term but in the medium- and long-term as well – surprised – when Keir rang and offered him the will be a shortage within the rail industry in the and we need to spread the transport spend gig. ‘I was not expecting the call,’ he admits. ‘I coming decade so we need to invest in young across the country. backed Lisa Nandy in the leadership election, people and get more women involved in our ‘Accessibility is very important – making our and was serving on the Defence Select workforce.’ stations and trains accessible for people who Committee,’ but, as a socialist, a long-time Although Tan was born, and brought up in his have disabilities – and decarbonisation is very member of the Labour Party, and team player, he formative years, in Britain – in Slough in important, too. In our green industrial revolution jumped at the chance. Berkshire – he spent four years at primary school document the very first line is our commitment ‘It’s very enjoyable to be working with Jim in Punjab – ‘most Sikhs come from Punjab’ – in to a sustainable and affordable integrated public McMahon and the rest of the team,’ he says, northern India. transport system. A unified railway offers more quick to pay tribute to the work done by his ‘I’ve been around a bit,’ he smiles. Tan has a

12 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 Tanmanjeet singh dhesi

mum at the petrol pump. They were immigrants, has always believed in investing for the future. who didn’t have a great deal, and the Labour ‘We are concerned about the ballooning cost of Party was their home. The Tories, and others, HS2 – we need clarity and transparency – were whipping up anti-immigrant feeling, because otherwise we will lose public support stoking up racial tensions, cosying up to an and confidence in this project. Unfortunately the apartheid government in South Africa, and management of HS2 has been under successive calling Nelson Mandela a terrorist, while Labour incompetent Tory governments who have stood up for decency and values.’ provided inadequate governance. ‘But there will be a net carbon benefit for the FIRST TURBANED SIKH IN PARLIAMENT environment – mitigation measures for Tan has been a member of the Labour Party for a replanting and reforesting more than make up long time – ‘since the end of uni’ – although his what we lose in woodland.’ aim in life was not to become an MP but ‘to Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi is married to follow in my parents’ footsteps, and set up a Manveen – they have two little boys – and is not small construction business. Dad got a van, and only the first Sikh to be elected to Westminster, a few tools, mum did the paperwork, and they but ‘the first turbaned Sikh to be elected an MP ran their small firm from the garage of our in Europe, and I fully appreciate the level of house. Mum did the bookkeeping while dad expectation, as a member of the Sikh went out and looked for work.’ community, and there are 30 million around the He set up his own construction business in world, for someone who looks like them. I am Scotland, to the west of Edinburgh, and ran it for fully aware of what that places on my shoulders.’ three years there. ‘Construction took me His powerful ten minute maiden speech everywhere, along the central belt, and in the which he made in the House of Commons in July 2017 (and which you can find on YouTube) Parliaments – at the Palace of Westminster. Highlands, Scotland is a wonderful place, with explains what’s important to him – his socialism, wonderful people.’ When his dad was made redundant by Ford, his internationalism, and his values. his parents moved to Gravesham, in Kent, and the constituency Labour Party asked Tan, as a SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR EVERYONE young activist, to stand for the council – ‘they ‘When I was young, I saw the labour movement didn’t have many people wishing to be on anti-fascism marches and that had an candidates,’ he says, self-deprecatingly – and he enormous impression on the communities for served as a councillor for ten years. whom they were marching. Racism exists in all Politics, he thinks, is about people and his walks of life. There is good and bad in all belief in the importance of transport – in communities – there is no one people that has a particular, the railway – was underlined when he monopoly – but what we have to do is work with asked Teresa May, in his first Prime Minister’s like-minded people to create an inclusive and Question, in 2017, about the western rail link to accepting society that values social justice for Heathrow, a project close to his heart. everyone. ‘It’s important to get people to travel by rail to ‘I experienced racism, in my school days; the major airport – it’s not just a Slough thing! – there was a time when someone tried to pull off and it would enable 20% of the UK population to my turban, but I didn’t let that scar me in a be within one interchange of Heathrow airport, negative way, and there were teachers and drastically cut travel time, and give a boost of friends who were supportive. And I want to £800 million to the local economy.’ commend ASLEF on your work around BLM and Cost-benefit analysis is important, and Labour the fight for a better, more just, society.’ LFACT FILE passion for languages and speaks eight – n TANMANJEET SINGH DHESI was born at Slough, in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, French, German, Italian, and Berkshire, in 1978 and educated at schools in India Latin, as well as English – and believes that going and Britain. to school in India, as well as England, ‘enabled n He studied Maths & Management at University me to have the best of both worlds. Those four College, London; Applied Statistics at Keble College, years helped me understand internationalism, Oxford; and did an MPhil in History & Politics at and wider cultural aspects, with people from Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. different parts of the word. n Tan was elected, as a councillor for Northfleet North, to Gravesham borough THEY DIDN’T HAVE MANY PEOPLE council, in Kent, in 2007. He was a councillor for 10 years, mayor in 2011, and ‘Politics and religion and society were constantly chair of the CLP. discussed in our household. My grandfather was n He was encouraged to stand in Gravesham at the general election in May 2015 – a head teacher, and a committed socialist, and 98% of local party members voted for Tan as candidate –and polled 15,114 after he emigrated from Punjab, and became a votes, finishing second to the incumbent Tory, Adam Holloway. supply teacher in England, because teaching n Tan was chosen from more than 100 candidates to contest Slough for Labour at was his passion, we had long debates around the general election in June 2017. He won the seat with 34,170 votes, 62.9% of politics and theology, and he had a major impact those cast, a majority of 16,998 over Tory Mark Vivis. on my thinking. ‘Both my parents had very humble n He was re-elected in 2019 with 29,421 votes, a handsome majority of 13,640 beginnings, and were very left-leaning, dad in over Kanwal Toor Gill for the Tories. the Ford factory at Langley, near Slough, and

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 13 Platform Remote control

GREGOR GALL , an affiliate research associate at Glasgow University, and editor of the Scottish Left Review , is hard at work on a book about the music and politics of Joe Strummer and The Clash. Here he analyses the state of the fourth estate

HE Extinction Rebellion blockade of Extinction Rebellion protesters blockaded Rupert Murdoch’s News corp print sites in Britain Rupert Murdoch’s printing plants in T Hertfordshire, on Merseyside, and at and other media organisations. By hook and and quick and cheap for the owners of local Motherwell made the news in September. The by crook, they pay little or nothing to reuse papers and a brilliant opportunity for firms to presses print The Sun and The Times – which content from these organisations on their own get their line across without paying for an Murdoch owns – as well as several papers he sites and platforms. Sometimes they feature advert. Many news stories and features now doesn’t such as the Daily Telegraph , Daily Mail snippets like the opening paragraph from an read like advertorials. and Evening Standard . XR took the action item. Sometimes they offer limited free access Some local papers have pretty much given because, it said, these newspapers were failing to the full item. In a few countries, such as up on covering local issues, using syndicated to report on climate change. Newspapers Belgium, Germany and Spain, the government material, as the number of journalists is cut made it late to newsagents, leading to reduced has tried to make them pay properly for the again and again. sales and customer choice. The response, from content they use. The linguistically perceptive will have critics, was swift. noticed the common usage of the term The Sun said the blockade was an ‘attack on CUTTING AND PASTING IS A WAY OF ‘content’ rather than ‘news’ when describing all the free press’ while Boris Johnson said: ‘A LIFE FOR PAPERS IN THE PROVINCES this phenomenon. That is deliberate. ‘News’ free press is vital in holding the government Google, and the others, use other people’s has connotations with reporting on serious and other powerful institutions to account. It is content to drive traffic to their sites which events in a serious way. By contrast, ‘content’ completely unacceptable to seek to limit the allows them to charge ever-increasing rates for increasingly concerns the ‘fluff’ of a celebrity public’s access to news in this way.’ Home advertising and other services. The result has obsessed world and the ‘flotsam and jetsam’ of Secretary Priti Patel waded in by calling the XR been that an increasing number of people do comment masquerading as fact. action an ‘attack on democracy’. not go to newspapers for news but have really No longer can we really talk about the press simple syndication feeds deliver their and the media, especially at local level, being WHEN WAS FREE PRESS EVER FREE? (customised) news – or take it off platforms the fourth estate that is, quoting Boris Many on the left of the political spectrum, if like Twitter. Johnson again, ‘vital in holding the having little sympathy with XR and its tactics, In response, newspapers have provided government and other powerful institutions especially after the group’s bizarre ‘climate free content online to counter free content to account’. emergency’ attack on Tube trains, the clean elsewhere (even when that content is This is why the National Union of green transport of the future, last year, will sometimes their own). They also want to Journalists has encouraged its members to have raised their eyebrows at Tories jumping attract traffic to their sites to generate stand up to the press barons through forceful on the ‘free press’ bandwagon. advertising revenue. action. The latest example is journalists at Despite the presence of free newspapers Only The Times and Financial Times have Bullivant Media, which owns local newspapers such as the Metro and Evening Standard , the successfully found a way to use a paywall to throughout the West Midlands, taking strike press has rarely been ‘free’. Historically, you persuade readers to pay for their content. The action in August and September against have always needed an awful lot of money to Guardian has gone down a different route – to compulsory redundancies and non-journalist own a paper so the press is – and has always maintain free content, it has built a network of staff doing journalism work. been – largely in the hands of the very rich. readers who promise to regularly donate And it gives them a chance to propagate news money. TIME TO TAX THE TECHS AT GOOGLE and views that defend their own vested The impact of this process of ‘free-ification’ The NUJ has, since 2016, led the way on interests. has hit the provincial press particularly hard. campaigning to tax the techs of Google, That may matter less now, in 2020, with the Having already cut back on journalistic Yahoo, and MSN. It advocates a 6% tax – not decline of newspaper sales and the rise of capacity to cope with the challenge of the 2% the Tories reluctantly agreed in June – alternative media. In a rather ironic inversion freesheets in the 1980s and 1990s, the not just to tax the tech giants more fairly but of the typical left critique, the more pressing provincial press is often unable to report to fund properly resourced and independent problem today is that content is so freely properly on local news, events and politics. journalists as part of a news recovery plan. available it is leading to a collapse of serious Papers in the regions – whether morning, Only then – sorry to quote Johnson again – journalism. evening, or weekly – now cheerfully will we have a media capable of reporting on The likes of Google, Yahoo, and MSN regurgitate press releases from PR companies ‘issues critical for the future of our country, increasingly act as global aggregators of the keen on getting coverage for their clients. including the fight against climate change’ in a existing output of newspapers, news agencies, Cutting and pasting, without checking, is nice full, fair, and balanced way.

14 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 cuttings

Carve, friends, from stone Poaching the Ion and dream in the Alhambra Lady in a hot tub AIL Sheehy, journalist – for DAVID MATHIESON pays tribute to the newspapers such as the Herald courage and the sacrifice of the G Tribune and magazines such as International Brigades in their fight Cosmopolitan , New York and Vanity Fair – against fascism in Spain and points up and author – her pop psychology books the lessons from the1930s for today on the menopause made the midlife crisis fashionable – died on 24 August. Gail enjoyed writing profiles of politicians and N THE summer of earned a reputation for extracting 1936 sections of the damaging confidences from people who, I Spanish military frankly, should have known better. organized a coup to oust the The iB volunteers: ‘They went Her article about Margaret Thatcher, socialist Republican because their open eyes published in Vanity Fair in 1989, opened government in Madrid. The could see no other way’ with the words ‘President Mitterrand says rebellion failed, however, and Britain’s Prime Minister “has eyes like all the more remarkable given instead of a quick regime Caligula and the mouth of Marilyn the lack of resources and change, Spain was plunged Monroe”,’ and attracted much attention preparation. A few had fought into a bloody civil war which with its claim that she liked to visit in the Great War of 1914-18 lasted for nearly three years. ‘Madame, as we’ll call her’, who ‘practices but most were little prepared Hitler and Mussolini sent the ancient Hindu health system of to do battle with the well- troops and armaments to Ayurveda’. support the insurgents, led by equipped professionals of the General Franco, whilst, on the Wehrmacht . In their brief gail sheehy other side, thousands of training one British volunteer famously described volunteers from more than 50 cheerfully recorded that they Us vice-president different countries flooded never wasted any dan Quayle as a into Spain, determined to wounded, missing, or dead ammunition ‘because we ‘dumb blond… a defend the democratically- were not always properly were never given any’. Clifford sunshine boy of elected government of the recorded, let alone decently quotes another volunteer questionable Spanish Republic. buried. A moving description who recalled the antiquated intellect and no Most of the volunteers of children playing, years after and dirty rifle he was issued great ambition’ the war had finished, with the as having a bore not much joined the International The PM would, said Gail, pop round to skulls of volunteers who had different to that of a 17th Brigades and two excellent a flat in the London suburbs where died fighting outside a town century musket. new books tell their complex ‘Madame’ would ‘poach her in a hot tub in southern Spain is one of From their different story. Giles Tremlett is a and then, literally, electrify her’ by turning the most memorable. perspectives, the conclusion Madrid-based journalist and the ampage up to 0.3 on the baffle plates But neither does Tremlett of both books is a message The International Brigades: lining the bath in order ‘to recharge the shy away from unpalatable highly relevant today. They Fascism, Freedom and the nervous system and release blocked truths about some of the are a timely reminder of the Spanish Civil War energy’. volunteers who survived. need to stand up against (Bloomsbury, £21) is the fruit The price of admission was ‘a thousand Several who fought heroically nationalism, racism, and of much delving through dollars’ worth of natural flower oils’ and against fascism in Spain rampant xenophobia which archives in Spain and beyond. ‘after an hour’s electrification Madame returned home to countries in are, again, on the march. The In the chaos of war would rub down the Prime Minister’s central and eastern Europe memorial to the British IB accurate records were not tingling body with natural oils’. Of course. where, subsequently, they volunteers, erected by the always kept as people came Gail concluded, apparently with a took leading roles in Labour-controlled Greater and went, sometimes straight face: ‘There is nothing sybaritic oppressive communist London Council, declares: through official channels, about Mrs Thatcher's sessions in the regimes after 1945. ‘They went because their sometimes not (think of Syria electrical tub. It’s the equivalent of Alex Clifford also offers a open eyes could see no other in our own time). plugging in one’s battery recharger detailed account of the war, way’. Both these books Nevertheless, Tremlett overnight.’ Perhaps. But the profile through the lens of a military explain, vividly, what manages to thread a prompted the Daily Mail to write an historian, in his richly committed anti-fascists were compelling tale from article headlined The Ion Lady and caused illustrated book Fighting for prepared to do and their sometimes conflicting one cabinet minister to mutter, after a Spain: The International heroic example should accounts which he tells in 52 particularly difficult meeting, that ‘she Brigades in the Civil War 1936- strengthen our resolve to short and easy to read must have had the full 240 volts this 39 (Pen & Sword, £20). combat those same chapters. morning’. The volunteers’ valour was poisonous forces today. Frequently hampered by Bernard Ingham, Thatcher’s press poor leadership, inadequate secretary, said: ‘I knew it was a mistake to training, shoddy equipment, let this woman in’. But Charles Moore l DAVID MATHIESON was a special adviser to and dreadful rations, the noted in his three-volume biography of Robin Cook. He is the author of Frontline sheer courage and the Prime Minister that ‘the most determination of the Madrid: A Guide to Battlefield Sites of the surprising thing about the story was that international volunteers is all Spanish Civil War and the organizer of Civil War it was true’. the more astonishing. IB tours in Spain via www.spanishsites.org Keith Richmond casualties were many and the

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch lines

PIE ON THE FIREBOX All the best, Brian Archie Smith was born and brought up in New Tredegar, same as me. I went to the secondary S BRANCH secretary with at our branch, which school, Archie to the technical college; he was A of Penzance these have been dealt with in a the one with brains! After leaving school, he last seven years, I professional and proper started his railway career as an engine cleaner would like to put on record manner, with good results for at Rhymney. my thanks to our District 7 the individuals concerned. I Whilst there he was booked two weeks at Organiser Brian Corbett. He would like to offer thanks to firing school in Aberdare with his friends Alun has attended our far-flung Brian not just from me, but and Neil. The opportunity came for one of branch, along with our EC from the branch as a whole, them to fire an engine from Hengoed to member, on many occasions for all the help he has given Aberdare. Archie got the short straw and had with up to date and detailed us, and wish him all the best the job of firing. Like all railwaymen first thing reports, not just from our own in his upcoming retirement. he did was place his pie for lunch to warm on district but within the greater Michael Butler , branch the top of the firebox. Now you know, as well industry. He has also had one secretary, GWR, district 7 organiser Brian as I do, when you hit a bad joint in the track, or two serious issues to deal Penzance 159 corbett retires next year the engine goes one way and you go the other. You can keep your balance, but a pie has ARCHIE SMITH BURIED WITH a mind of its own! Archie was putting a shovelful on when down came the pie, landing HIS OLD RAILWAY WATCH neatly on the shovel, as Archie did a perfect swing into the firebox! Goodbye pie! Arch was it is with great sadness that i report the passing of gutted and that became the topic of ex-Rhymney, severn Tunnel, Bristol Bath Road, and conversation for the rest of the day… First great Western driver Archie smith on Thursday In 1962 Archie came to Severn Tunnel and 4 June. he was 76. Archie’s funeral was held on lived in the railway hostel until his mum Doris Friday 2 october at dewstone cemetery, caldicot. came to live at Caldicot. Whilst in the hostel we despite covid-19 restrictions around 30 people all became good friends and, amongst other attended, observing social distancing protocol. things, we formed a band to pass the time. There was a long gap between Archie passing Arch played guitar and always made sure he and the funeral due to the fact that no family came was in tune. Problem was he wasn’t in tune forward to make any final arrangements. huge with the rest of us! He always liked The thanks must be given to Joanne hume of ian Watts Shadows and his favourite piece was Midnight & son, funeral directors, and Bro Tom Reece, of which was played at the end of the service. AslEF’s Newport branch, and Archie’s lifelong 1n 1987, when Severn Tunnel shut, Archie friend, who has a heart of gold! Joanne and Tom went to work in Bristol, where he finished his worked particularly hard to prevent Archie having a railway career. If he had two minutes to spare pauper’s funeral. Following the funeral, a cousin he would have his head in the Financial Times came forward; welcome news as his estate would and study stocks and shares every day! otherwise have gone to the government. Archie was much-liked by his friends and At the graveside Tom gave a brilliant eulogy railway colleagues. He’s now on his final before Archie was buried with a copy of the journey to that great engine shed in the sky. Financial Times , his favourite paper, and his old Keep the back corners up, who knows, you railway watch. here is Tom’s eulogy for Archie… rchie as a young man (top, with a may come across a pie. Safe journey mate… Bernard Kennedy , Bristol 036 branch secretary pint of ale) and with Tom (above) Tom Reece , Newport 140 branch

ANDREW GATES Thanks, brothers WE CALLED AUTOGLASS and sisters Cambridge branch is sad to report the death of York branch would like to retired driver Andrew Gates who passed away, pass its thanks to all after a short illness, on Thursday 15 October, branches who contributed to aged 80. Andy joined the railway as a cleaner our recent appeal for Bro before progressing to fireman and train driver. He Andrew Kitson, sadly lost to joined ASLEF in 1956 and remained loyal to this us in tragic circumstances. trade union, becoming a member of the RMS His wife Jess and her family when he retired. pass their thanks, too, for the Nicknamed Felix by colleagues, he was well- support of ASLEF and its liked, and a regular attendee of branch meetings railway family in these hard even after retirement. This was recognised by the times. They were branch with a presentation by DO1 Graham overwhelmed by the Morris in 2017. Andrew (Autoglass) gates with do1 graham Morris donations from branches and Andy could have the room rocking with individuals, which led to laughter with his little sayings and we will never and I will miss him so, so much and we look tears from all parties during a forget him walking into a glass door thinking it forward to having a drink in his memory when we recent call with the family. was open! When he asked why we never called an are able to meet in person. Thanks again, colleagues. ambulance, Andy Yates replied, ‘No, but we called Rest in Peace, brother. Adrian Cook , branch Autoglass’ to everybody’s laughter. The branch Martin Haylett , branch secretary, Cambridge 041 secretary, York 243

16 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 Points and crossings

HE annual exhibition of the New English Art Club at the Mall Galleries in central London, which showcases figurative T paintings, drawings, and prints from members alongside work by emerging artists, ‘informed by the visual world and personal interpretation’ features a number of railway pictures. The NEAC, which was founded in 1895 as an alternative to the Royal Academy, traces its history through artists as diverse as John Singer Sargeant, Augustus John, Walter Sickert, Stanley Spencer, Vanessa Bell, and Gwen John. More recent exhibitors include Humphrey Ocean, Anthony Green, and Anthony Eyton. The exhibition will be open to socially-distanced visitors from 11am to 5pm each day but you can see all the pictures online at the New English website at www.newenglishartclub.co.uk

Interior 16 by Andrew Newton (mixed media on canvas, 100x100cm, £3,000) ‘Abstracted space, depicting a subway interior with heightened geometric forms and shapes. The aesthetic of the work is to relate to Watching, W aiting by Paul Whitehouse the fast pace of modern life, (oil, 64x89cm, £650) isolation and a commentary on ‘Whilst waiting for my train to leave Bristol modern day routine.’ Temple Meads station, I was struck by the effect of strong, low, sunlight creating bands of light and dark, picking out two figures on the platform in very different ways. This was a stormy summer day when bright light coincided with dark clouds in the background. The figures were so different in attitude and the way they were illuminated. The train guard in a bright orange gilet was in a shaded area, watching demolition work going on in the Departures , London Waterloo by Nicholas background. The other, seated, figure was Borden (oil, 105x75cm, £5,000) absorbed in his mobile phone, oblivious to ‘One of London’s oldest purpose-built railway the activity that had caught the guard’s stations, Waterloo has served the south coast for attention. Whilst most of his body was in destinations from and to London. The painting is deep shade, the seated figure’s shoes and an attempt to capture the diversity and wealth, hands were dramatically picked out by the richness, and colourfulness of the station at the sunlight. I took several photographs to busiest times of the day. Overlooking the station capture the scene. Back in the studio, I the painting was completed over a couple of developed the composition by also months, and each time there was something new illuminating part of the waiting seated to see, and this proved a real challenge. Also it figure’s suitcase. Even the areas in deepest was my intention to produce the painting at a shade are not totally without light, and I slight distance from the general public, giving the King and Queen by Michael Kirkbride (oil, have tried to be faithful to that. I took constantly moving people and crowds a definite 130x100cm, £4,000) pleasure in the strong lines of the fences abstract quality.’ and walls in the background and Going to Tufnell Park rearranged the elements beyond the by Paul handley (oil, platform so that bright orange/ochre 27x42cm, £950) elements were repeated in a loose circle and I introduced a ramp leaning against a post. I was keen to emphasise empty space to the left of the painting, with the aim of l The NEAc annual creating a quiet, rather uneasy, atmosphere exhibition is open that seemed to fit with the stormy weather from 11 to 21 on this particular day, and the two figures November at the who, despite being in close proximity, were Mall galleries, the completely oblivious to one another.’ Mall, london, sW1.

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 17 Join the Trade Union Badge Collectors Society for FREE

TRADE UNION BADGE COLLECTORS SOCIETY Trade union badges form a central part of the rich visual culture of the labour movement that also encompasses trade union banners, emblems and ABOUT US membership cards and other The Trade Union Badge collectors society was formed in the early 1980s by ephemera. a group of union activists and officials. often taking their design from The first issue of Trade Union Badge collectors News was produced in 1984 aspects of the larger and more and has recently been relaunched. intricate union emblems of the 19th century, or illustrating the A website has also been set up at www.tubcs.wordpress.com tools of the union member’s The aims of the newsletter and society are collecting, cataloguing and trade, badges were first produced researching trade union badges and related items. by trade unions as far back as the As our late editor John hammond put it: 1870s, and by the 1890s were “i believe that this hobby of ours is one of the most fascinating ones. When routinely being issued by some i pick up a new badge or artefact, i enjoy the research in to its history and unions to new members. each book i look up gives me more and more interesting information. And i Probably the first trade union know that i am helping to preserve the past. There is a great difficulty with badge collector was Walter the historical memorabilia of this great movement disappearing as more southgate, who started and more unions merge and disappear. Many trade union leaders have collecting union ephemera as little or no time to be concerned with the history of the movement and early as 1905, and would later many interesting artefacts and memorabilia are thrown in the dustbin become one of the founders of rather than being kept for posterity. The badge collecting fraternity has the National Museum of labour helped salvage some of the best items and ensure that important items are history. available for the next generations" The collecting tradition is kept alive today by the Trade Union TUBcs members have also produced two booklets: A Guide to British Trade Badge collectors society, a UK- Union Badges and A Guide to Irish Trade Union Badges based group set up by like- The society and newsletter have been mentioned in a number of minded enthusiasts to promote a publications including: wider appreciation of trade union ASLEF Journal March 2007, K Myers, What’s behind union badges badges and ephemera, and to Paul Martin (2002) The Trade Union Badge - Material culture in Action, create a friendly environment for Aldershot, Ashgate sharing information and research land Worker Feb 1991, i. Monkton, Worn with Pride – The badge of nobility about trade union badges and labour Research Feb 1987, N. clark, Worn with Pride – Union Badges ephemera. TUc 2006 congress guide, K Myers, Badges of honour

INTERESTS (PLEASE TICK ALL INTERESTS ) NAME ...... o GENERAL TRADE UNION BADGES SPECIFIC UNION/INDUSTRY, ADDRESS ...... o o WHICH ...... o INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION BADGES o MEMBERSHIP CARDS TELEPHONE ...... o CERAMICS EMAIL ...... o OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL

UNION ...... OTHER ......

Please email your completed application form as a photo attachment to [email protected]

18 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 obituaries

IAN TURNER HUGE SUPPORT FOR THE MINERS’ STRIKES Ian Turner started his railway career at Nine collieries with care packages and, more Elms depot and moved up to Waterloo at the importantly, moral support. end of steam, around 1967. He was a true After Ian gave up the chair of the branch character, and often shared the ‘odd’ pint he would attend with Bill Golligher and, as with his good pal, and former Waterloo they would happily ‘heckle’ from the wings, driver, Bill Golligher. they were compared to Statler and Waldorf He was a staunch member of ASLEF, and from a well-known entertainment show. If would often attend both branch meetings there is such a thing as life after death, we when we had them for both shifts on the can take solace that Ian and Bill are back same day (at 11:00 and 16:00 if memory together, heckling from the wings. serves me correctly). He served as branch Ian and Budgie (see below) will both be chair for several years, and was a very much-missed at the Waterloo Nine Elms passionate member, often swaying debate reunion, and our Christmas dinner get with his humorous, but informative, rhetoric. together with the retired members but we Ian also contributed mightily to the will raise a glass, or two, to you. efforts made in support of the miners’ strikes Rest in peace fellas, you’ve earned your back in the 1980s, along with former place in the top link. Waterloo driver Dennis Pattenden, often Martin Dye , Waterloo Nine Elms 222 giving up their days off to travel up to the branch ian Turner: staunch and passionate member

ALAN ‘BUDGIE’ REDMAN BOB HAMILTON WHISTLING AWAY ENJOYED ARMY LIFE Alan ‘Budgie’ Redman, retired Waterloo driver, it is with great sadness that i report the was always a happy fella; you’d often hearing passing of ex-Manchester london Road, him whistling away to himself, hence the longsight, and Bristol Bath Road retired nickname Budgie! I can’t recall ever seeing driver Bob hamilton on 17 March. he was Budgie in a bad mood, although I was on the 88 years old. sadly, because of the covid-19 opposite shift, but I always enjoyed his restrictions, only family were able to attend company whenever I was booked to second his funeral. man him through the mid-1980s. Budgie was a Bob began his railway career at Feltham driver, initially, and moved up to Manchester london Road just before the Waterloo when Feltham closed in 1967. After outbreak of World War Two and went retiring several years ago he was often seen through the usual promotions from cleaner passing through Waterloo en route to Covent to fireman and, eventually, to driver. Garden to find deals on cheap theatre tickets like most men of his generation Bob was as he enjoyed the afternoon matinees. He was called up for national service in the mid- a true gentleman of the old school, smartly 1950s. Unlike many called up in this way turned out, clean shaven, quick-witted, and he Bob enjoyed the Army life, volunteered to always had time to pass on his experiences do extended service, and served in many and wisdom to newly-recruited members of different places around the world including the footplate. RIP Budgie, you’ve earned your the Far East. place in the top link. he eventually returned to his footplate Martin Dye , Waterloo Nine Elms 222 career back in Manchester, where he branch Budgie Redman: gentleman of the old school continued to work until 1989 when, before the end of BR, he transferred to Bristol Bath Road. his sister lived in Bristol and he wanted to be closer to her. he became active in the branch and was elected as a SAD PASSING OF BROTHER KEVIN LANCASTER local staff rep (ldc). When Bath Road was It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the passing of Brother Kevin split in 1995 he chose to move to inter city Lancaster of Feltham Electric branch, who tragically passed aged 41. He will be crosscountry. sorely missed, and we would like to extend our thoughts and sympathy to his Bob retired in 1997 after more than 50 family and friends. years in the railway industry with an Gary Weller , Strawberry Hill depot extended break for his national service. he was presented with a replica model of the Duchess of Hamilton locomotive, duly inscribed, by his local rep colleagues on JOHN ROSE PROUD UNION MEMBER crosscountry. John Rose, known as JR, joined the Underground in 1967. After This presentation was particularly time as a guard he became a motorman and travelled on the appropriate as not only did the engine Northern line. He transferred to Upminster on the District line carry Bob’s name but he also worked on it and spent the majority of his career there. A proud ASLEF union during the early part of his career. member for all his years, keen on a game of cards and, lately, golf. Bob was a single man, and lived on his A memorial plaque will be placed in the Upminster memorial own, who used to enjoy a pint after work garden. RIP JR. and the company of his workmates. Gary Jarman, health & safety rep, Edgware Road, Hammersmith & JR on his way to Bernard Kennedy , Bristol 036 branch City and Circle lines Upminster, not dallas secretary

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 19 letters

Rod Smith and the BBC – day after day, day after day, we stuck. Water, complete lack of integrity water, everywhere, and all the boards did shrink; i feel compelled to contact you regarding the ‘trial by media’ of driver Brett water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink Mccullough. having watched the BBc’s

2 Reporting Scotland programme on Friday gregor gall ( Journal , Platform this is because water 21 August i was outraged at the all-too Smoke on the water England, proverbially, is a Clement Attlee’s great reforming Labour october) writes about the green and pleasant land government of 1945-1950 to engage in supply is not privatised because it rains for much of widespread nationalisation of many industries. the year. So why can’t the Private ownership, as had been proved in the preceding 50 years, was just not up to the job. predictable way in which the latest details water companies deliver for But, as we all know, water was privatised in customers? GREGOR GALL, 1989 – gas in 1986, electricity in 1990 and rail privatisation of our public an affiliate research associate at in 1996 – by the ideologically driven Tory there. This could be the Glasgow University, and editor of the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Scottish Left Review, analyses the Major who were determined to take Britain political and structural problems that back to the 19th century when everything was were (mis)represented. Rather than The saw the taps run dry this summer in private, not public, hands. Thatcher and Major felt there was no role privatised utilities and, quite rightly, for public service – only private profit – in the water case, or it could be that, in N EARLY August, South East Water UK economy. Even if it meant prices went up, companies implored its customers: ‘When it’s people lost their jobs, and the services are letting I hot and we’re all at home, and provided became poorer as a result. the taps highlighting the fact that the train was run dry particularly in the garden, water use soars…we could never have predicted this WHAT A WHEEZE! AND A CARVE UP! calls out the lack of unprecedented situation which covid-19 has these areas, it rains more, The privatisation of these industries – brought about…the problem we’re facing is brilliantly parodied in Jonathan Coe’s 1994 that at times people are using water at a faster novel What a Carve Up! – was a wonderful travelling within the speed limit, the BBc rate than we can pump it to customers’ taps. wheeze for every gangster, shyster, and [So please] let your lawns go golden…ditch capitalist as it offered dubious companies frail, the pipeage system especially. the hosepipe and be proud of your dirty car’. inspired by Arthur Daley and Del Boy an Water companies won’t adequately invest investment in the The next day, this privatised water in the infrastructure because that would the population is smaller, opportunity to buy up assets, which the company exhorted its customers to: ‘Only use taxpayer had spent decades nurturing, at a reduce their profits and, with it, their tap water for drinking, hygiene and knockdown price. dividends, their share value and their chose to lead the bulletin with the actual cooking…People in your community were Dividends, executive salaries and share executive salaries. without water yesterday as a result of very prices rose year-on-year – ker-ching! – as these They are in business not to provide a public high demand’. Conservative Party-friendly companies took service, but to make a private profit. And we all infrastructure of our And the day after that it was the same suffer. and if the pipes leak it advantage of guaranteed demand, continued message, with the company again claiming government subsidy, and cut back on Meg Hillier, Labour MP for Hackney South & that high demand – which it, apparently, investment. Shoreditch, and chair of the House of speed of the train which, to the majority of could not have foreseen, what with it being The other side of the coin of not being a Commons Public Accounts Committee, the height of the summer, and hot and sunny normal capitalist company is that the likes of warned recently that England’s taps could well pipelines, resulting in and all that – meant that ‘people in your South East Water are sensitive – albeit not run dry within 20 years – even though Britain’s doesn’t really matter community have been without water as a sensitive enough – to public pressure because weather is wet and going to get wetter with result’. they are delivering a strategic public service climate change. known as a ‘public good’. At the back of their This reminded me of the comedian, Mark viewers unfamiliar with rail operations, …AND NOT A DROP TO DRINK minds is the possibility of government Thomas, who in 1996 offered a tanker of water It was getting to the stage where South East intervention (and even renationalisation, as to Yorkshire Water as a gift from the drought- leaks and, during peak Water customers were expecting the with some rail franchises). stricken people of Ethiopia because the because there’s plenty company to start quoting those famous lines So how has South East Water tried to company was unable to supply enough water from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem The Rime square this difficult circle of making ever to customers for the same reasons. of the Ancient Mariner to them: ‘Water, water, bigger profits while being subject to political would have sounded high. everywhere, nor any drop to drink’. constraints? The answer is obvious: it starts to REGULATOR ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL Any normal capitalist company would be blame customers for over usage and so-called Where is the regulator, Ofwat, in all this? periods, shortages of over the moon – and laughing all the way to unnecessary usage in a PR battle to shield Asleep at the wheel (well, tap)? Or in thrall to more where that came the bank. High and rising demand means high itself from culpability. the companies it is supposed to regulate with and rising profits, bringing a golden This is complete subterfuge. Water a nice’n’cosy neo-liberal ‘extra-lite’ touch? opportunity to raise prices as the ‘market companies, in thrall to shareholders and the Probably both. in the more detailed report by david always knows best’ in matching supply and City, have let things get so bad that, rather While I’m not saying things are perfect in demand. than spend money on what is needed to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, it’s water to consumers. But South East Water, like other water and create an efficient service, they look for easy noticeable that provision is better and from. utility providers, is not a normal capitalist scapegoats. When outage leads to outrage, complaints are fewer. Could this have anything company. they blame customer selfishness and appeal to do with the fact that water has not been They constitute ‘natural monopolies’ to ‘community spirit’. privatised in these nations and remains part of shanks, which began with a brief summary because it is more effective and efficient, They key issue here, of course, is leakage. our public sector? More than likely. owing to high fixed capital and operating Throughout Britain, more than 3 billion litres It goes to show that public service, and not The private water costs, to have just one organisation provide of water a day are lost in leaks. That’s water private profit, must be the guiding light for the As for london and the the service. All the more so when the service is that’s been sourced, treated, and pumped but way that key and critical parts of our so strategically vital – like power or transport – never makes it through to customers’ taps. This infrastructure are run if we want a decent and to an economy and society. leakage happens because the water civil society. And that, of course, includes our of the events leading up to the derailment, This was the over-riding logic that led infrastructure is getting increasingly old and railways, too.

companies need to turn a 10 The ASLEF Journal l October 2020 south-east of England, there was an interjection by Roderick smith profit for shareholders, where it’s drier than we’d gregor gall’s deep of imperial college, london, who described and, as we all know, this believe, the need to fix Purple prose in last how he’d initially estimated the speed of results in a siphoning of these leaks is a race month’s AslEF Journal the train from footage of the wreckage, funds, which should be against time as the stated his ‘surprise’ on now finding that it used to ensure the leaks article gregor remarks climate continues to was travelling more quickly, and left the are fixed rather than upon how things seem to warm and increasingly question of ‘why’ it was doing so hanging in draining the system of its be better in scotland, hot and dry summers the air. The report went on to state that the cash flow. Wales, and Northern become the norm. official investigation would be long and Towards the end of his ireland, and wonders if Michael Reeve complex, begging the question of what possible purpose could be served by Professor smith’s comment? his video contribution was not prefaced by any introduction or qualified by any As you know The Sun – ever the usual and to defend their reputations against editorial comment. in a neat catch-22 twist, suspect – has already had to apologise for unjustified assault. it can’t be challenged as an ‘expert opinion’ its reporting of the tragedy. i doubted that Margaret Berrie since it was not described as such, but my individual complaint to the BBc could neither can it be dismissed as a personal ever achieve such a result so resolved What racism actually is opinion when it comes from such a instead to contact you in the hope that you I’ve noticed, the last couple of months, that the hallowed source. might be able to take some action. i also butt hurt foot soldiers of the gammon army, This contemptible sleight of journalistic launched a petition on change.org to end masquerading as ASLEF union members, have hand by the BBc is yet another example of the media trial but i’m afraid it lacks the managed to rage palm their keyboards into trial by media, casting a cloud of insinuated focus, and i lack the social media presence, some kind of uninformed ‘I’m not racist but…’ blame over an innocent man. As ever, the to make much of an impact! rant. Because the precious little poppets got establishment’s eagerness to preclude any The report has now been removed from all offended about the Locomotive Journal suspicion falling over management or the BBc iPlayer – on which bulletins are having a BLM-supportive cover and some maintenance finds the perfect scapegoat in apparently only available for 24 hours – but articles about racism a couple of issues ago. the working man. i watched it again and transcribed the Even going as far with their pathetic, As incensed as i was by this report, my comment from Professor smith which i uneducated, straw-clutching, not-so-closeted anger grew the next day, when i read Mrs attach for your information. it doesn’t stand racism, that these Pound Shop Baden Powells Mccullough’s heart-rending post in defence up to much scrutiny: the speed of the train and Matalan Oswald Mosleys even tried to of her late husband. i felt utterly disgusted ‘doesn't surprise’ him, yet he finds it claim that BLM was a racist organisation. that the media in general, but the BBc in ‘surprising and difficult to understand’ why I mean, you’ve got to be pretty dumb if you particular, should be allowed to add to the it was travelling at that speed. i suspect the don’t even know what racism actually is. I families’ pain and distress in this way. good professor was both itching to report attach the definition of racism for those who on his findings (as all academics do) and are a bit hard of comprehension: ‘Racism is the aware that doing so on such cursory belief that people of some races are inferior to evidence would hold him up to scorn and others, and the behaviour which is the result BRITISH RAIL TRAIN ridicule. My hope is that both he and the of this belief. Racism also refers to the aspects CREW MANUALS BBc are subject to not only scorn and of a society which prevent people of some 33056 SERIES ridicule but also condemnation and censure racial groups from having the same privileges WANTED for my for their complete lack of responsibility and and opportunities as people from other races.’ personal collection. total absence of integrity. So, as you can see, BLM cannot, by Good price paid for i realise that this unsolicited definition, be a racist organisation. They are all wanted manuals. communication from a member of the fighting to have the same privileges as we do email Tony public unconnected with your organisation as white people. I feel I also need to explain Middleton, GBRf may be the last thing you need, but i hope it what ‘white privilege’ means, but I don’t want driver, at [email protected] can contribute in some way to your work to to be typing War and Peace in the Journal . If support your members and their families, you don’t know, try Google if your hate-

20 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 classifieds contorted, ‘All Lives Matter‘ fingers can on paper, there is a cost implication, but in DARLINGTON 125th manage to type the phrase ‘What is white reality it has got to be a no-brainer in anniversary badge 1895-2020. privilege?’ into the search bar. comparison to a monetary pay rise? In this All badges individually Yes, there may well be some within the BLM weird year where businesses are failing due to numbered. £6.50 inc p&p. movement who hold anti-white views. the collapsing economy, I for one would Please contact branch secretary However, that would be ‘prejudice’, not racism, happily accept it in place of an actual pay rise. John Clark by email at [email protected] and, to be honest, who can really blame them? David Bamber , Wigan 107 branch After centuries of slaughter, subjugation, FINAL RUN by Gareth slavery, and the pillaging of their motherlands Tomkins. Painting in at the hands of the British Empire (and other Scrap the two-tier system acrylics to mark the last run of the HST on white European entities) they still suffer from i’m a driver at Fratton, Portsmouth, for 21 years. At the moment, with the rail western region. High the endemic institutional racism that plagues quality giclée prints using archival inks on fine art our society today (as made apparent by the franchise system scrapped, now would be a paper available at £50 plus p&p. Unframed. incoherent ramblings of the Lidl Yaxley- good time to sort out staff travel. have Overall size 20x16in; image size 18x14in with Lennons in the letters page of the past couple equality for all railway staff and scrap an 1in white border. Delivered in strong cardboard of issues). I mean I can see why some would unfair two tier system. tube. To order email me at [email protected]. have a distaste for white people. I know I Allan Robertson , Fratton Portsmouth Payment accepted via PayPal. probably would if I were in that position. THE KING’S CROSS STORY If you hate-fuelled, Boris-loving, KKKarens Tapadh leibh, Motherwell, by Peter Darley (The History don’t like the fact that our union stands in Press, £20) as featured on the solidarity with our BAME members, their and wider ASLEF family centre pages of the January families, their communities, and supports the I would like to thank my colleagues at Journal . Buy it direct from the BLM movement, you know where the door is, Motherwell branch for the support given to Camden Railway Heritage Trust at a discounted price of £15 inc p&p; email [email protected] or right? Society and the TU movement would be me when I was off work and to all the branches phone 020 7586 6632 for details. ‘All income from who donated to the branch appeal. I am very better off without you. sales goes to the trust,’ says Peter. Dean Forsyth , industrial relations rep, thankful that you all took the time to support Barking, C&H line me and my family when we needed it. The HANDMADE miniature actions of everyone in the ASLEF family go to driver’s keys to wear as a charm enforce my belief that we look after each other or round the neck. Solid silver When the world goes pop regardless of the company or region and that, and solid 9ct gold weighing i’ve just watched a programme on the when one of us is in need, we all step up to approximately 7 grams. Just over 2cm in length world’s growing population. it estimated it and just under 2cm width. Gold £300, silver £100 + help. This is one of the basic things we do that £7 p&p recorded delivery. Contact Brad McCarthy will be 8.5 billion by 2030 up a billion from makes our union stronger. on 07929 350146. today. Where are these people going to Dan Gallagher , Motherwell live? Where are they going to work, and CASH paid for original pre 90s what are they going to eat and drink? railway photographic slides or The vast majority are going to be in Asia Pass the port, Christopher negatives. Please contact GBRf and Africa where, in a lot of countries, the Tonbridge driver (and railwayana collector) John infrastructure is already poor. We see Waddington at [email protected] terrible scenes of people risking their lives NORWOOD depot special pin badges in rubber dinghies and the backs of trucks including Cowden 25th anniversary. to get to the UK, and other countries, to £3 each or £5 the pair (inc p&p). make a better life. Proceeds to Norwood Drivers’ Social But is this sustainable? When the terrible Club. Email Stuart Boxall at virus is brought under control, the economy [email protected] impact will bring austerity, and further cuts, GROVE PARK branch 50th leading to more pressure on the Nhs, anniversary badge. £6.50 inc p&p. education, housing, infrastructure, etc. i Contact branch secretary Ray Garland don’t know the answer but surely the Bottoms up, chris: port out, starboard home 07931 612615 or [email protected] United Nations needs to sort out a plan and AIRDRIE has produced a badge to encourage certain parts of the world to Upon hearing that chris grayling had commemorate its reopening as a reduce the rise in the population. This world secured a position at a port company Boris Johnson rang him and said, ‘Phwoar, chris, separate branch. £6.50 inc p&p. Please has finite resources. contact branch chair Ivan Wilson Nick Clarke , RMS, Queensland can one sort a mate out several flagons of a (07949 862393) for details. particularly fine 30 year old tawny, please, there’s a good chap, goes down splendidly PERTH branch badge to It’s got to be a no-brainer with a chunk or two of well-aged cheddar!’ commemorate 110 years (1908- With the current freeze on pay negotiations, he’s pocketing £100,000 a year for seven 2018). £6 plus £1 p&p. Cheques due to the covid-19 pandemic, coupled with hours work a week; that’s £275 an hour for payable to Perth branch ASLEF No 134 General. Please contact branch the increasing calls for rail nationalisation, advising a port maker, or something to do secretary Grant Murchie for details on 07412 surely now is the perfect time to push harder with ports. i could get a taste for it on 100k 453454 or [email protected] than ever for free travel rights for non- per annum. safeguarded staff across the industry? I know, Mel Thorley , Longsight BUXTON & PEAK FOREST 125 years limited edition badge 1892- 2017. £6 plus £1 p&p from branch secretary Paul Costello; email Come and join the conversation! Send letters by email to [email protected] [email protected] or by Royal Mail to the ASLEF Journal To place an advertisement please phone at 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN 020 7324 2400 or send an email to [email protected]

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 21 last Word Skweeze me ’n pleeze me

To stay safe – and sane – during the coronavirus crisis KEITH RICHMOND lapped up a savage new novel about President Trump, an elegant coffee table tribute to boat trains, a book about speedway from the perspective of the fans in the cheap seats, and a collection of covers of hits by a man they dubbed the National Elf

ARL Hiaasen has always had a sharp eye for the absurdities of life in C America. That’s why Donald Trump – or, at least, the President’s wealthy backers down in Florida, where the one-time reality TV star has a home and a country club – present an unmissable target. Hiaasen – once an investigative reporter and now a columnist on the Miami Herald who’s been knocking out bestsellers on the side for thirty-odd years – writes wonderful satires about political and moral corruption in on the write lines: Marc Bolan (well, his stovepipe hat, up in glam rock heaven); Martyn the sunshine state, and the mindless Pring; Jeff scott; and carl hiaasen, with the python that ate the President’s neighbour destruction of the Everglades, that masquerade as whodunnits. as per Slade) neglected as she is by her year, and is nowhere near as popular as it used Squeeze Me (Sphere, £18.99) is Hiaasen’s unfaithful husband. to be, but it still offers thrills that few sports 15th black comedy – and one of his very best. Hiaasen is terrific on the detail and the sly can match. If you’ve never smelt the methanol, It’s his pop at the President and the very rich, asides – ‘the hunt interrupted an unsightly or heard the klaxons, imagine four men racing very white, and very right-wing bigots who entwinement in a north wing bedroom – the anti-clockwise around an oval track on 500cc adore him. chromium-haired heiresses of two separate motorbikes with one fixed gear, and no brakes, liquor fortunes tag-teaming a dazed young sliding round the corners with a metal-plated ‘When I have a little money, I buy books; polo star from Barcelona’ – but no one voting boot on the shale, over- and under-taking at and, if I have anything left, I buy food and for Trump on 3 November will be buying this up to 70mph. clothes’ – Erasmus book. Anyone else, though, can pick up a copy, read, and enjoy. Because it’s a riot. The novel’s ‘Take a good book to bed with you; books ‘Angie Armstrong, Hiaasen’s heroine, is a feisty one sombre note is its dedication – ‘In memory don’t snore’ – Thea Dorn wildlife wrangler, summoned for an unusually of my brother Rob’ – who was one of five high fee to a fundraiser for a foundation people killed in a shooting spree by Jarrod Shalemeister Jeff Scott is a fan first, hack ‘globally committed to defeating irritable Ramos at the offices of the Capital Gazette in ‘second, but Who Gates Wins (Methanol Press, bowel syndrome’ in an expensive marquee on Annapolis, Maryland, in June 2018. £20) is not just an elegant evocation of last a manicured lawn to solve the problem of an year’s Speedway Grand Prix season – and his enormous python with a significant lump in its ‘Books are the plane, and the train, and the journeys to Warsaw, Krsko, Prague, Hallstavik, mid-section. road. They are the destination, and the Wroclaw, Malilla, Teterow, Vojens, Cardiff, and We wonder if that lump is the guest – Kiki journey. They are home’ – Anna Quindlen Torun – but also a coruscating attack on the Pew Fitzsimmons, Palm Beach socialite, ‘twice bumblers who run SGP. widowed and, like most of her friends, wealthy ‘Martyn Pring, author of Luxury Railway Travel , Angel Headed Hipster (BMG, £11.99), the beyond a need for calculation’, and one of the has turned his attentions to Boat Trains (Pen & final project of top producer Hal Willner, who Potussies, influential political fans of the Sword, £25) which includes the many services died of the coronavirus in April, is an all-star President – who’s gone missing, while Angie, taking passengers to and from the great trans- tribute to Marc Bolan and his glam rock group who doesn’t, initially, ask too many questions, Atlantic liners, in the golden age of ocean T.Rex. Nick Cave performs a poignant version wonders if she will be summoned to the travel, as well as the titular trains taking of Cosmic Dancer , and Metric’s Emily Haines a winter White House to sign an NDA not to passengers across the English Channel. hauntingly beautiful Ballrooms of Mars , while reveal that she’s seen the commander-in-chief Although Pring focuses on well-heeled Peaches, in the style of Prince, deconstructs – known to his Secret Service detail as tourists, and the more glamorous carriages Solid Gold Easy Action , Joan Jett offers a honky Mastodon – without his hair. and cabins, he also points up how railway tonk Jeepster , Lucinda Williams reckons Life’s a The mischievous First Lady – Mockingbird companies, shipping lines, and ports have Gas , U2 and Elton John tackle Get It On , King to the agents assigned to protect her – is helped move freight and mail, as well as Khan does I Love to Boogie , and Marc Almond shagging her bodyguard (‘You know how to passengers, around the world. of Soft Cell wonders Whatever Happened to skweeze me, and you know how to pleeze me,’ Speedway, like most sports, has had a lousy the Teenage Dream .

22 The ASLEF Journal l November 2020 Across down Prize crossword 1 The art of 1 Stuck fast and on Track gardening stranded (4,3,3) Prize crossword 175 by Tom Williams 7 Entry doors 2 Shy and reserved 8 Spaniels, terriers 3 Examine closely and poodles 4 Shangri-la or Virgil Caine 10 Oriental or El Dorado opium plant 5 Neat and orderly 11 To be of the 6 Scrap of cloth is the name same opinion 9 A subordinate 13 Adjusts to company? HE Civil War of 1861-1865 different conditions 12 Occurring at still casts a long shadow 15 Give to a charity irregular times T across the United States and 17 Was concerned 14 Using powers the Presidential election on Tuesday and looked after of ten 3 November between Donald Trump, 18 Royal dog? 16 To eavesdrop the Republican incumbent, and Joe 19 Hindu philosophy 18 Pond fish Biden, his Democrat rival, will be 21 The TV and radio 20 Eggs fought around the ghosts of 22 Easy-going (5-2-5) politicians such as Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, generals like Ulysses S Grant and Robert E Lee, and solution to prize crossword 174 the battles at Bull Run and Across: 1 Pisces 7 Tease 8 Ancestor 9 Irate Name...... Gettysburg. 10 Tang 12 Down 13 Safe 14 Sand 15 Moth Trump is from Florida, he’s a 17 Yank 19 Latin 20 Throttle 21 Nurse Southern Man – ‘I heard screaming Address...... 22 Roared down: 1 Plant 2 Second nature and bullwhips cracking’, as Neil Young 3 Saturn 4 Strip 5 Mad as a hatter 6 Recede likes to tell it – and has spent much of 11 God 13 Sty 14 Silent 15 Mirror 16 Enter ...... the past four years pouring petrol on 18 Knead the flames lit by the Klansmen with white robes and pointy heads who ...... Congratulations to steve Morgan , dance in front of burning crosses and of carmarthen , who was last the Confederate flag. month’s winner. The winner of this ...... Racist tweets by Trump – a serial month’s Prize Crossword will receive liar, misogynist, and tax evader – play Marks & Spencer vouchers to the to his core constituency, those who ...... value of £25. believe the Civil War never really ended or, if it did, that the wrong l You can see more of Tom Williams’s crosswords, word games and puzzles at Postcode...... side won. wordgames.co.uk

If you successfully complete this month’s Prize Crossword please send the solution by post to the Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN (or take a photo on your mobile phone of the grid and send the image to [email protected]) by Friday 13 November

ASLEF’s legal services ‘The night they drove old dixie down’ have you been sacked, or are in trouble at work, and cannot get hold of Slavery might have been officially abolished but, in the Southern states, your branch secretary, local representative or district organiser in an it made little practical difference as emergency? call our industrial relations department on 020 7324 2400 many blacks, without land or capital, (9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday or 9am to 4pm on Friday) or leave a were forced to become sharecroppers message on the answer service, or email [email protected] with a subject for the whites who used to own them, heading of ‘For the attention of the while the notorious Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in public industrial relations dept’. utilities, such as education and transport, and prevented blacks from serving on juries or testifying in court against whites. changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form And that’s just how the good ol’boys down in the Deep South liked Name...... it. They didn’t – and don’t – think that Address...... blacks should have equal rights to jobs, housing, and education. The role ...... of the police, they believe, is to keep the blacks in their place. And they will Postcode ...... Telephone...... vote for Trump as he rakes over the Branch...... Membership No...... ashes of a conflict that has never been properly resolved.

Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Keith Richmond

November 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 23