£1.20 Weekend edition Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 Morning Star Incorporating the Daily Worker For peace and socialism www.morningstaronline.co.uk DIRTY SECRETS OF THE P10

As Tories cut benefi ts across Britain for festive season, people are protesting for the ending of Theresa May’s disastrous universal credit mess UNITE RALLIES TO STOP GRINCH RUINING XMAS

by Peter Lazenby benefi t cuts and delayed payments have been driven to using foodbanks to survive. CHRISTMAS has been cancelled for The government has admitted that hundreds of thousands of families the universal credit claimants’ hel- claiming universal credit, but dem- pline will be closed for most of the onstrators up and down the country Christmas period, making life even will take to the streets today to more diffi cult for those needing demand action. advice and emergency help. Trade unionists and campaigners Many activists will run town-cen- will turn out in more than 70 towns tre stalls today to provide some of and cities across Britain, accusing the current half a million victims of the government of “abolishing Christ- the scheme with help and advice. mas” for victims of its benefi ts fi asco. Unite Community head Liane The day of action, organised by Groves said: “Despite knowing that Unite Community — part of Britain’s universal credit causes serious prob- biggest trade union — is aimed at lems for those claiming it, the gov- putting pressure on the government ernment is ploughing ahead regard- to “stop and fi x” universal credit less while claimants are descending before even more families are forced into debt, relying on foodbanks and to turn to foodbanks and cut back on getting into rent arrears and, in many heating their homes this Christmas. cases, are being evicted from their Dr PAUL MURDIN Cities targeted today will include homes. Leeds, Oxford, Bristol, Belfast, Liv- “In order to claim universal credit, introduces his erpool, Manchester, Cardiff, Newcas- claimants need an internet connec- tle and London. tion, which many simply can’t afford. spectacular This year, one million victims of Turn to page 2 new book on humanity’s quest to understand the RICHARD BURGON LEARN TO BE A UNION HERO universe Labour’s a threat to be proud of: p12 Bringing together youth organisers: p13 CULTURE: p17 Morning Star 2 NEWS HOME Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

PORN AT WORK COURTS Green allies rush to defend Compensation him from blue images claim due for data leak by Lamiat Sabin Morrisons staff Parliamentary Reporter ALLIES of Cabinet minister by Felicity Collier found guilty of fraud, after Damian Green rushed to his securing unauthorised defence yesterday after a access to computer retired Scotland Yard detec- THOUSANDS of employ- material and disclosing tive said thousands of porno- ees at Morrisons are due personal data, and was graphic images were found on compensation for the jailed for eight years. the Tory MP’s work computer. “upset and distress” His motive appeared to Neil Lewis told the BBC that caused by a huge data have been a grudge he was “shocked” at the vol- breach after a landmark following accusations he ume of material found during High Court ruling yester- had been dealing legal a raid on Mr Green’s Westmin- day. highs at work. ster office in 2008. The supermarket chain Judge Mr Justice He stressed that none of the had denied liability in the Langstaff ruled that images was “extreme,” but case brought by current Morrisons was vicariously analysis of the computer sug- and former staff. liable, as primary liability gested that they had been Disgruntled ex- had not been established. viewed “extensively” over employee Andrew Skelton JMW solicitor Nick three months, sometimes for stole data which included McAleenan, acting for the hours at a time. the salary and bank details 5,518 former and current “The computer was in Mr HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM: Damian Green leaving his house in Kent yesterday of nearly 100,000 staff. staff, said: “The High Green’s office, on his desk, The security breach Court has ruled that logged in, his account, his he had decided to back up alle- Brexit Secretary David “blacken the name of a serving occurred in 2014 when Morrisons was legally name,” said Mr Lewis. gations made by his former Davis has accused former Cabinet minister.” senior internal auditor Mr responsible for the data “In between browsing por- boss, then Met assistant com- police officers of seeking to Mr Green, who was shadow Skelton leaked the payroll leak. nography, he was sending missioner Bob Quick, after Mr besmirch the First Secretary immigration minister, was data. “We welcome the emails from his account, his Green, who is effectively of State’s name. arrested in 2008 after obtaining He posted names, judgement and believe that personal account, reading Prime Minister Theresa May’s The Evening Standard leaked Whitehall documents addresses, bank account it is a landmark decision, documents … it was ridiculous deputy, accused him of carry- reported that Mr Davis, who while Labour was in govern- details and salaries online being the first data leak to suggest anybody else could ing out a “character assassina- was shadow home secretary ment. Police searched his fam- and sent it to newspapers. class action in the UK.” have done it.” tion” in order to cause political and therefore Mr Green’s boss ily home, his constituency office Over 5,500 workers Jonathan Barnes, Mr Lewis rejected any sug- damage. at the time of the raid, had and his Commons office. brought the claim against counsel for the claimants, gestion that the material might Mr Green, who is the sub- threatened to quit if his col- The Metropolitan Police said the company, while the told Mr Justice Langstaff have been placed on the ject of a Cabinet Office inquiry league was forced out. in a statement that, as is routine ruling could open the door in October that Morrisons machine by a hacker as “very into alleged inappropriate Tory MP Andrew Mitchell in such cases, its directorate of for the other 94,000 people had already been awarded bizarre,” pointing out that behaviour towards writer Kate said it was “highly question- professional standards would affected to bring a compen- £170,000 compensation similar images had also been Maltby, has denied looking at able” and “wrong” for the investigate how the information sation claim, lawyers said. against Mr Skelton. found on Mr Green’s laptop. or downloading porn on the former police officer to use the came to be made public. In 2015, Mr Skelton was [email protected] The retired detective said work computer. material nine years later to [email protected]

FRONT PAGE UNITE RALLIES TO STOP GRINCH FROM RUINING CHRISTMAS

FROM P1: The union said that already been imposed has there are currently 505,549 soared by an average of 30 per households in Britain affected cent and landlords report a by the switch to universal massive increase in rent credit, but the number will arrears. increase by 1,513,970 this win- Universal credit is replacing ter. The figure is expected to six benefits — child tax credit, reach 5,915,290 by March housing benefit, income sup- 2022. port, income-based jobseeker’s Over 1.2 million low-paid allowance, income-related part-time workers will also be employment and support affected by the change. For the allowance, and working tax first time ever, people in work credit — and will eventually could have their benefits affect seven million of the stopped if they fail to prove to country’s worst-off house- the jobcentre that they’re holds. searching for better-paid work For details of today’s or more hours. actions, visit unitetheunion. The Trussell Trust, Brit- org/campaigning/events/stop- ain’s biggest foodbank pro- and-fix-universal-credit-day- vider, says demand in areas of-action. EMERGENCY SERVICES where universal credit has [email protected] Fallen firefighters honoured with red plaque TWO firefighters killed in the in the basement of a three- died in the line of duty that their line of duty in east London storey building on Bethnal sacrifices are not forgotten.” were honoured with a red Green Road. The union’s good causes lot- JOHN GIBSON memorial plaque yesterday. The red plaque — the tery will fund a number of Billy Faust, 36, and Adam union’s take on the English other memorial plaques across (Liverpool) Meere, 27, who died in 2004, Heritage blue plaque — was the country in the coming 2 December 1920 – 3 September 2003 are the first firefighters to be unveiled on a plinth at Museum months. Communist, fighter for peace and dedicated honoured under the Red Gardens, a short distance The Firefighters 100 Lottery Plaque Scheme, funded by the from the scene of the fire. has also raised £120,000 to supporter of the Morning Star Fire Brigades Union’s Fire- Dave Faust, Billy’s father, date for victims of the Gren- Remembering him today and always. fighters 100 Lottery. who attended the ceremony, fell Tower disaster. Mr Faust and Mr Meere lost said: “It means a lot to the fam- Tickets can be bought at Jane, John, Paul, Ralph and families their lives while tackling a fire ilies of firefighters who have firefighters100lottery.co.uk. Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 HOME NEWS 3

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE Activists join hands to save beloved HRI Hundreds expected to circle round threatened local hospital

by Peter Lazenby tary Jeremy Hunt and running helps run the twice-weekly given written assurances by Northern Reporter regular stalls in Huddersfi eld stall, warned: “The trust is the trust that the closures are town centre. already working on transfer- only temporary and are HUNDREDS of campaigners Among those taking part in ring the cardiology and respi- expected to return to HRI fol- resisting the closure of a West today’s symbolic encircling will ratory wards to Halifax. lowing the winter. Yorkshire hospital will circle be Nicola Jackson, who has seen “We are ramping up our A Hands Off HRI spokes- around the building holding fi rst-hand how vital the hospital campaign.” person said: “While the trust hands today. is for the local community. Today’s protest assembles claim these moves are only Calderdale and Huddersfi eld She told the Star: “I was at 11.30am at Lindley playing temporary, we remain scepti- NHS Trust wants to shut the treated there for breast can- fi elds, before moving around cal and especially vigilant. 400-bed Huddersfi eld Royal cer. When my daughter was the hospital. That’s why our protest has Infi rmary (HRI) including its born there, she had septicae- Previous protests have been called and why we will A&E unit, transfer most of its mia and was treated for that attracted turnouts of more be going ahead. functions to Calderdale Royal in special care. than 2,000 people. “We continue to be con- Infi rmary in neighbouring “When she was 13, she suf- As well as signing more peo- tacted by staff and patients Halifax, and replace HRI with fered a burst duodenal ulcer ple up to a petition against the who are very upset about the a smaller cottage hospital. and was treated at HRI again. closure, the campaigners are moves and some staff are even Hands Off HRI campaign- “My mother is being treated seeking a judicial review of talking of leaving their posi- ers have been protesting for at HRI for chronic obstructive the decision. tions. This is a disgraceful 20 months against the propos- pulmonary disease.” Hands Off HRI solicitors state of affairs.” FIGHTING FIT: Campaigner Nicola Jackson Pic: Joan Heath als, petitioning Health Secre- Ms Jackson, who regularly Irwin Mitchell have been [email protected]

NEWSPAPERS Scroogequest boss pockets £1m while axing journalists by Peter Lazenby regular feature that it has “Savage cuts have not been given its own festive worked in the past 10 years, hashtag of #Scroogequest. so why do they think it will REGIONAL newspaper boss A year of job losses, title turn the company’s fortunes Henry Faure Walker is pocket- closures and cuts have already around now? We strongly urge ing more than £1 million in pay taken their toll on staff, senior management to take and perks while planning to according to a group-wide matters in hand.” FUNERAL axe scores of journalists in stress survey by the National He said: “Give long-suffer- time for Christmas. Union of Journalists (NUJ). ing staff the break they so The Newsquest chief execu- The union’s chapel called desperately need and reverse Corbyn leads tributes to Carl Sargeant tive has been awarded the the cuts “relentless and piti- the strategy into one of invest- LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn Mr Corbyn who said: “I was It is understood that Mr bumper pay package while hard- less,” warning that they are ment. led tributes to Welsh Assembly honoured to attend the celebra- Sargeant took his own life four up journalists on his regional “potentially hazardous to “With no debt, the company Member Carl Sargeant yester- tion of Carl’s life. days after losing his job over titles face redundancies. health, both physically and can clearly afford this, but day after attending his funeral “It was very moving to see claims of inappropriate behav- The journalists who get to mentally.” what it can’t afford is a broken in Flintshire. such an outpouring of support iour towards women. keep their jobs have been told Newsquest NUJ group co- and demoralised workforce The 49-year-old was found from the community Carl was An inquiry into the handling there will be cuts in meagre ordinator Chris Morley said: that is driven into the ground.” dead at his home in Connah’s brought up in and proud to of his sacking will be held, overtime and anti-social hours “Newsquest is addicted to cuts Newsquest, which is part of Quay on November 7, just days represent.” along with a separate investi- pay including payments for in a way that gamblers are to US conglomerate Gannett, after being dropped from his First Minister Carwyn Jones gation over bullying claims, working bank holidays and fi xed-odds betting machines. publishes 165 regional news- role as cabinet secretary for said he stayed away to respect dating back to 2014, made by weekends. This is no strategy for the papers and 40 magazines both communities and children. the wishes of the family. Mr Sargeant. And the Newsquest Novem- short term, never mind the online and in print. ber cull has become such a long term. [email protected]

SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Ken Loach fi lm maker • INDUSTRIAL David Choquehuanca Cespedes Bolivia and ALBA • Egle Sanchez Venezuelan TSSA and RMT both plan Virgin strikes TUC • HE Teresita Vicente Cuba • Kevin Courtney NEU • Victoria Brittain journalist RAIL union TSSA said yester- TSSA leader Manuel Cortes • Chris Williamson MP • George day that its members working said: “Frankly, for the com- • for Virgin Trains on the west pany to cherry-pick drivers for Galloway Ken • EARLY BIRD coast main line will take strike a pay deal better than the rest Livingstone Diana OFFER! action extending up to the end of their staff is not only insult- Holland Unite • Ben Book before Chacko Morning Star November 14 and of January. ing but terrible management. receive a free Hugo Ticket offi ce, platform and “Nobody wants to be on • Mickey Brady MP Chavez DVD or Che supervisory staff who work on strike at Christmas time and • Julia Felmanas Guevara poster the route from Glasgow to nobody has to be if Richard Brazil • Andrew Saturday December 2, 10am PLUS Euston will begin a series of Branson stops behaving like Murray Unite • ALBORADA six 24-hour strikes on Friday Scrooge and starts treating his Congress House, Great Russell Pablo Michele FILM December 15. workers fairly and equally.” Street, London WC1B 3LS Argentinian TUC FESTIVAL The news came the day after The union has called for fellow rail union RMT that the 9 per cent increase fresh talks to resolve the dis- www.latinamerica2017.org.uk Tel. 020 7490 5715 announced strikes by its mem- awarded to train drivers pute before Christmas. bers working for Virgin Trains should be extended to other Further strikes are due on Tickets: £10 waged/£8 unwaged on the same route. Virgin workers, who have been December 22 and January 5, [email protected] Both unions are demanding offered only 3.2 per cent. 8, 26 and 29. Morning Star 4 NEWS HOME Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

COMMONS INDUSTRIAL Meat supply Anti-gerrymander workers vote 80% to strike Bill over 2nd hurdle in pay beef Khan’s bid to block government unopposed MEAT supply workers in Scotland have voted for by Lamiat Sabin the next general election pend- – moved by Labour – by 229 strike action over pay by a Parliamentary Reporter ing agreement by Commons votes to 44. majority of more than 80 and Lords. The drive to slash the per cent. A BILL that seeks to block the Mr Khan said: “I have been number of MPs was also Members of the Usdaw government’s gerrymandering in politics for decades. In this derided by a senior Tory, who union at Scotbeef, which plans to slash the number of time, I have seen trust in our claimed it would cause disrup- runs plants in East MPs was passed unopposed at political system eroded. Today, tion, increase workloads and Kilbride and Queenslie in its second reading yesterday. only 20 per cent of the UK boost government patronage. Glasgow, are planning a Labour’s Afzal Khan said trusts politicians at least to Bernard Jenkin, who series of one-day walkouts ministers’ plans to reduce the some degree. chairs the constitutional after rejecting a below- Commons’ membership from “The public already see affairs committee, told MPs: infl ation 1.7 per cent pay 650 to 600 would encourage politicians as remote, self- “I do regret my party has increase. the already widespread public interested and unaccountable. become impaled on this com- In the ballot on indus- belief that politicians are “self- The current boundary changes mitment to reduce the trial action, 81.2 per cent interested and unaccountable.” would make this worse.” number of MPs in the House backed strikes in pursuit Mr Khan, MP for Manches- Labour MP Paul Flynn, of Commons because I do not of a better offer. ter Gorton, proposed the Par- whose Newport West constitu- see colleagues from any part Scotbeef is one of liamentary Constituencies ency could disappear in the of the house hanging around Britain’s largest privately (Amendment) Bill, which will boundary changes, said that without enough to do. owned fresh meat compa- undergo further scrutiny at a the only change to the “disfi g- “I also regret all the more nies, with customers later date but faces a battle to ured electoral system” that the that this reduction will result including Aldi, Lidl, the clear the necessary hurdles Tories are pushing would give in a de facto increase in gov- Macdonald Hotel Group for it to become law. them an “advantage in num- ernment patronage relative to and Marks and Spencer. A similar proposal was bers.” the size of the house. Union divisional offi cer moved in the last parliament MPs supported a closure “If we could have a fresh Stewart Forrest said: by then Labour MP Pat Glass, motion to curtail the debate boundary review and keep 650 “Usdaw has engaged but its progress was frustrated MPs and get it done in good positively with Scotbeef by the government. time for the 2022 general elec- during the 2017 pay The fi nal recommendations Send your message tion, I would hazard a guess review, but the company of the 2018 boundary review, to the movement that the majority in this house has so far failed to make which is currently under way, [email protected] would settle for that.” an offer acceptable to our are due to be implemented at [email protected] members. “Our members have overwhelmingly backed a series of 24-hour strikes. “It is deeply regrettable that the company has Communist Party pushed our members to this point and we urge them to bring forward an of Britain offer in line with our Executive Committee members’ expectations.”

THE £19,170 BIG RED WALES APPEAL Councils bring just 1% of HELP BUILD BRITAIN’S empty houses back in use COMMUNIST PARTY! by Felicity Collier property that is found to be empty for longer than six Your donation will help fund: months. SOME 23,303 private proper- The Welsh government ★ New recruitment materials for the ties were empty in Wales in offers loans as an incentive to 2018 ‘Red Wedge’ recruitment 2016-17, with councils bringing convert empty properties. less than 1 per cent back into A Welsh government spokes- drive use, fi gures from Cardiff Bay man said: “These initiatives, ★ showed yesterday. operated by local authorities A giant laser projector and new The number vacant has bal- and together amounting to web-based hardware looned since 2012-13, when it over £50 million, provide home stood at 19,612, but the Welsh owners with the fi nance ★ Financial solidarity with the government said it is working required to renovate the prop- growing Young Communist League with councils to bring homes WIDE PROBLEM: Boarded erties for rent or sale.” back into use. up homes in Sterling in 2006 Chancellor Philip Hammond ★ A new central Party banner, already More empty homes have recently announced in the been brought back into use in defi ned as unfurnished and Budget that local authorities designed and commissioned recent years — 962 (4.9 per unoccupied for more than six in Britain will be able to dou- cent) in 2012-13, rising to 1,347 months, fell from around ble council taxes on empty (5.8 per cent) in the last fi nan- 300,000 in 2010 to 200,000 in properties. Please give what you can by cheque (“CPB”) or P/O to CPB (Dept. RA), Ruskin House, 23 cial year. 2016. But Labour MP Paul Coombe Rd., Croydon, London CR0 1BD, by bank transfer to Unity Trust, Communist Party of Housing charity Shelter A Shelter Cymru spokes- Sweeney warned that the move Britain, 60-83-01 no. 50725694 or online at www.communist-party.org.uk. Cymru said: “Empty homes woman said the charity is doesn’t go far enough. are a blight on the community interested in “exploring the “We need to have a punitive Celebrate the 1917 Great October Socialist Revolution and a total waste of resource. role of social landlords in rate above normal council tax with a donation to the 2017 Big Red Appeal! They attract vandalism and refurbishing and managing to actually incentivise reuse vermin.” empty homes in Wales.” of empty properties,” he said. Across Britain, the number Authorities have the power “What a joke.” offi฀[email protected]฀•฀Tel.฀(020)฀8686-1659 of long-term empty homes, to seize, renovate and lease [email protected] Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 HOME NEWS 5

SOUTHAMPTON CHILLING: Huge waves on the north-east coast at Seaham, as Britons woke up to slightly warmer temperatures and Mountains of cash forecasters said the current cold spell is ‘almost on its way out.’ for university boss plotting 75 layoff s

by Peter Lazenby the vice-chancellor’s pay and perks. UCU general secretary SOUTHAMPTON University Sally Hunt said: “Professor boss Sir Christopher Snowden Snowden was already one of was paid an incredible the best-paid vice-chancellors £433,000 last year while plot- in the UK, on a salary that had ting to sack 75 academics. been publicly questioned by Accounts released recently the universities minister. showed that the vice-chancel- “To accept this kind of pay lor was awarded the huge sum rise while saying he must axe for 2016-17, £81,000 more than 75 academic jobs because for the 10 months he worked money is tight beggars belief, the year before. as does the fact that he has Although year-on-year com- also recently advertised for an parisons are diffi cult due to executive chauffeur. the change in leadership in “Following a summer of 2015-16, this represents a 30 damaging headlines about the per cent rise in the vice-chan- abuse of pay and perks by sen- cellor’s remuneration package ior staff in universities, it is since 2014-15, when Professor almost as if vice-chancellors Don Nutbeam took home are engaged in some offensive £332,000. game to see who Lecturers’ union UCU can shock said it demon- the most.” strated once peter again how out lazenby of touch university @peoples vice-chancellors are -press.com and called for changes to the way senior pay is decided. KER-CHING: Southampton has Christopher already come under fi re Snowden from UCU for being one of the least transparent uni- versities in the country. It is one of only two universities that has refused to answer freedom of information requests from the union on

BANKING SHEFFIELD READERS & SUPPORTERS RBS staff ‘betrayed’ The Labour Party and the Struggle for Socialism

7pm Thursday Speaker: December 7 Chris Williamson by branch closures Central United Reform Labour MP, Derby North Church, Chapel Walk Nidge Ball Publicly owned bank plans to sack 1,000 workers on high streets For more information DMBC councillor email symorningstar@ Dave Berry by Peter Lazenby “This British taxpayer- priority should be serving the gmail.com Walkley Labour Party funded bank should be concen- best interests of UK customers. trating on investing in jobs “Labour will change bank A DECISION by taxpayer- here in the UK rather than cut- regulations to stop branch clo- backed Royal Bank of Scotland ting them wholesale.” sures where there is a clear (RBS) to shut 259 branches The bank is the third this impact on local communities and sack 1,000 staff was week to announce branch clo- and businesses.” STAR SUPPORTERS’ branded a “betrayal” yester- these closures mark the end sures and job cuts, following RBS insisted it was provid- day. of branch network banking. Lloyds and Yorkshire Building ing customers with “more CHRISTMAS RAFFLE The closures by the bank, “The closure of another 259 Society. ways to bank than ever which is 71 per cent publicly branches is savage and repre- Shadow city minister before,” but it added: “More 1st Prize: BMX Mountain Bike Combo Brynmawr owned after taxpayers bailed sents a betrayal of loyal staff Jonathan Reynolds said: “The and more of our customers are Ayboy with accessories. it out following the 2007-08 and customers who have sup- decision by RBS to close one choosing to do their everyday fi nancial crash, come on top ported the bank for decades. in four of its outlets is hugely banking online or on mobile.” 2nd Prize: Bottle of Havana Club Cuban rum of 500 already implemented. “Why is the government disappointing. The bank claimed that the Unite national offi cer Rob signing off this alarming “Not only will this result in number of customers using its 3rd Prize: DVD Went the Day Well, anti-fascist fi lm MacGregor said: “The Royal branch closure programme? the potential loss of 1,000 jobs branches across Britain had Bank of Scotland has decided “A decade of slashing jobs but many people depend on fallen by 40 per cent since 2014 Raffl e tickets £1 a strip, phone Dave Brown, 07956 to decimate its bank branch has done nothing to boost being able to use bank branch and mobile transactions had 302-168. Cheques made payable to Dave Brown, 4 network. morale, increase consumer facilities in person. increased by 73 per cent over Bowen Close Ty Fry Blaenafon Torfaen NP4 9NU “Now serious questions need confi dence or improve the “As the taxpayer continues to the same period. Draw is Thursday December 7 at the Imperial Hotel in Merthyr to be asked about whether bank’s performance. own 71 per cent of the bank, its [email protected] Morning Star 6 NEWS WORLD Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

MALAYSIA Trial for Kim Jong Nam’s killers takes a break for Xmas by Our Foreign Desk who appear to smear some- thing on his face. He then suf- fered seizures and was dead MALAYSIA’S high-profi le trial within two hours. of two women accused of kill- An autopsy showed the ing the estranged half brother banned VX nerve agent was of North Korean leader Kim found on and inside Mr Kim. Jong Un went into recess yes- He had severe organ damage. terday until January 22. Doctors ruled that his death Indonesian Siti Aisyah and was the result of “acute VX Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong nerve agent poisoning.” are accused of smearing a However, Mr Kim was carry- nerve agent on Kim Jong ing a dozen vials of the antidote Nam’s face in a crowded air- atropine in his bag, but without port terminal in Kuala Lumpur the syringes needed to use it. on February 13. The two young women face The two are the only sus- the death penalty if convicted, pects in custody, though pros- but, under Malaysian law, they ecutors claim four North Kore- can’t be sentenced to die if ans who have since fl ed to they didn’t have intent to kill. Pyongyang were involved. VX was found on their Prosecutors have focused on clothes and they were recorded proving the women’s guilt but rushing to wash their hands shied away from looking at any — the poison can be washed political motive. The women’s off the palm within 15 minutes. lawyers say their clients were Their lawyers claim the duped and want to shift the focus women thought they were of the trial when it resumes. playing a prank for a hidden So far, the court has heard camera show and didn’t try to that Kim Jong Nam was fl ee or discard their clothes. approached by two women, [email protected]

INDIA: Volunteers light candles to mark World Aids Day in THE EU: Kolkata yesterday Winning a progressive settlement GERMANY Strengthening workers’ rights in Britain Strengthening workers’ SPD gets ready to jump back rights in Europe A Morning Star pamphlet into bed with Merkel’s CDU by John Foster by Our Foreign Desk Price £2 + p&p By phone: (020) 8510-0815 GERMAN Social Democratic Party leader Martin Schulz U-TURN: said yesterday that his party Martin is considering backtracking on Schulz its pledge not to enter another briefs the “grand coalition” with Angela media How the trade unions, Communist Party Merkel’s conservative Chris- and the Labour movement impacted on tian Democrats, with internal discussions due to be held next British political life “This is a must read” week. (John Green — Morning Star) After his party’s disastrous result in the September 24 election, Mr Schultz had ruled Carefully researched out jumping back into bed with political biography of Ms Merkel. Much of the blame to meet Ms Merkel and Horst time pressure” and would “not new government to become Bert Ramelson — for its loss of 40 seats and one- Seehofer, leader of her Bavar- rule out any options.” even more engaged at the Communist Party’s fi fth of its vote has been pinned ian sister party, on Thursday Mr Schulz denied a report European level, including Industrial Organiser and on the past four years of coali- night for talks. in the Bild newspaper that the standing behind French Pres- Spanish civil war veteran tion government. Mr Schulz told reporters social democrats had already ident Emmanuel Macron’s who also fought in the Chancellor Merkel is short yesterday that he would dis- capitulated. push for further integration in second world war of options. After talks broke cuss all options, including sell- He said that the SPD leader- the European Union. down with the neoliberal Free ing off his party’s very ship’s decisions early in the “Berlin cannot perpetually Democratic and Green parties recently acquired principles week would be presented to answer suggestions from the she said she’d prefer another on a coalition, with SDP lead- other party members during French president with a No,” election to ruling as a minority ers on Monday. a meeting on Thursday and he said. “Germany must Available to buy from the government. Noting that his party and Ms Friday for approval. resume being a strong pro- Morning Star: £10 + £2 p&p But, following an appeal Merkel’s bloc continue to gov- Should it come to coalition European nation and not stay Call (020) 8510-0815 from President Frank-Walter ern as a caretaker govern- negotiations, Mr Schulz indi- on the sidelines.” Steinmeier, Mr Schulz agreed ment, he said: “We have no cated he would push for the [email protected] Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 WORLD NEWS 7

HONDURAS Offi cials start hand count of disputed ballot boxes No let-up in fears that election has been rigged to keep leftwinger out of offi ce by Our Foreign Desk as the vote counting has been wounded as security dragged on all week. forces tried to clear the streets. Mr Hernandez now suppos- Tooled-up riot police have HONDURAS’S Supreme Elec- edly has a lead of 46,000, but been deployed, armed with toral Tribunal began a hand few credit this as an accurate tear gas, truncheons, rubber- count yesterday of 1,031 account of the vote. The UN coated steel baton rounds and “inconsistent” ballot boxes. human rights offi ce and both water cannon. The tribunal claimed to regional and EU observers Miguel Osorio, a spokesman have fi nished counting 95 per have all criticised the electoral for the University School Hos- cent of the ballot boxes from tribunal’s conduct. pital in Tegucigalpa, said yes- last Sunday’s presidential elec- Electoral tribunal president terday that doctors there had tion. David Matamoros said on treated 10 people for gunshot But there is a widespread Thursday night that repre- wounds since the protests fear that the count, which has sentatives of the political par- began. taken far longer than in previ- ties would be present for the There was a serious ous years, is being rigged to vote counts and that no increase in internal repression deny power to left-leaning announcements would be made following the 2009 coup, with challenger Salvador Nasralla. until there was a fi nal result. many activists murdered. Three people have been People have taken to the It appears that a police killed while protesting against streets of Tegucigalpa to pro- crackdown on opposition sup- the suspected manipulation UPROAR: Nasralla supporters barricade a road yesterday test at the electoral machina- porters is already under way. and dozens more have been tions against Mr Nasralla, with Foreign journalists have hurt. in a US-backed coup when the Mr Nasralla has seen a sub- many Hondurans travelling reported being beaten up by Mr Nasralla is supported by country’s wealthy elites took stantial fi ve-point lead over to the capital to take part. police while covering protests former president Manuel fright at him tacking left- right-wing incumbent Juan National Police spokesman by Mr Nasralla’s supporters. Zelaya, who was ousted in 2009 wards. Orlando Hernandez evaporate Jair Meza said 12 people had [email protected]

SOUTH AFRICA Communists ‘victims of ballot-rigging’ in fi rst poll

SOUTH AFRICA’S electoral SACP deputy general secre- commission has ordered a par- tary Solly Mapaila alleged tial rerun of a local poll fol- earlier that there had been PHILIPPINES lowing allegations of ballot- fraud, with people bused in rigging. and deceased people regis- The commission said the tered as “special voters.” Dengue fever Metsimaholo municipal elec- “We are living in a capitalist tion would be run again in system and buying votes has vaccine ‘may Zamdela ward and there would become the order of the day,” be a probe into why ballot SACP Free State secretary papers stamped for one area Bheke Stofi le said yesterday. make disease were used in a different one. He added that he was not GUATEMALA: People carry coffi ns with the anthropologists the remains of 172 indig- Consequently, it has not yet surprised by the party’s 7 per remains of civil war victims, to place in enous Ixil Mayans killed during the 1978-82 more severe’ published offi cial results. cent result, given that the com- graves in Santa Avelina on Thursday. civil war are being buried in their commu- The election was notable for munists had only decided to After seven years of work by forensic nity in the western mountains of Guatemala. THE Philippines decided yes- being the fi rst that the South enter the contest two weeks terday to suspend its £50 million African Communist Party before. dengue vaccination programme (SACP) has contested separately Mr Stofi le said it was too — the world’s fi rst — after the from its African National Con- early to talk about potentially drug’s maker discovered it can gress (ANC) alliance partner. joining the ANC in a coalition. lead to more severe cases. WE’RE HIRING Dengvaxia, made by French pharmaceutical transnational Sanofi Pasteur, can cause PAKISTAN SUBEDITOR severe cases of dengue in the longer term among those vac- Taliban militants slaughter 12 We are seeking a subeditor to join the The successful applicant will need… cinated without having previ- production team at our busy east London ously caught the virus. ■ A fl air for the English language and newsroom from January 19. More than 730,000 state at agricultural research facility for snappy, punchy presentation school children aged nine and Regular Sunday working is required as ■ Attention to detail older in three highly endemic JIHADIST militants stormed a saying that the centre housed part of a fi ve-day 35-hour week in order ■ The ability to operate well as part Philippine regions have provincial government complex a secret intelligence offi ce. to cover the paper’s six publication days. received at least the fi rst dose for agricultural research in Provincial police chief Sala- of a small team and off er new of the vaccine since the pro- north-west Pakistan yesterday, huddin Mahsud said the attack- Wages start at circa £21,100 per annum ideas gramme began last year. killing 12 people, including stu- ers had opened fi re on the main subject to a probationary period. ■ Good knowledge of Adobe World vaccination experts dents, and wounding 35 others, gate, initially wounding two Holidays start at 28 days a year rising to Creative Suite or similar software will issue advice in just under police and rescue offi cials said. guards and two students. 30 days, plus bank holidays. ■ Tight copy-editing skills two weeks. Police and soldiers killed Mr Mahsud said three attack- ■ Sanofi said its latest fi ndings three attackers during a fi re- ers clad in women’s burqas had If you have the skills and you’re ready An interest in labour movement showed the vaccine was still fi ght and while clearing the then reached the gate in a rick- to take on a new challenge at a national and progressive issues benefi cial for those who had a complex in Peshawar, the cap- shaw and opened fi re to clear newspaper which isn’t afraid to tell it like prior dengue infection. ital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa their way to the building. it is, email [email protected] for Women and minority ethnic candidates People who catch dengue province, they said. He told reporters that six of an application pack. are particularly encouraged to apply more than once can be at risk The main Taliban militant the dead were students and of a haemorrhagic version of group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Paki- one was a guard. Six others CLOSING DATE: the disease. stan, claimed responsibility, were being identifi ed. Friday December 29 Morning Star 8 FEATURES Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

LEFT: A drummer marches to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ABOVE: Spanish taxi driver unions rally in Madrid, Spain, during a one-day strike against an increase in cars run by private app-centred companies like Uber Struggle on the streets The best photos from the week’s protests around the world ABOVE: Opposition Alliance supporters clash with police who fire tear gas in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Protests have grown with fears that vote counting in the presidential election is being rigged to exclude the left LEFT: Protesters against a wave of foreclosures across Greece try to avoid tear gas outside a court in Athens BELOW: Police pepper spray protesters blockading a 12,000-year-old woodland in Hambach, Germany, to stop an open-cast lignite mine Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 FEATURES 9

LESSON NOT LEARNED: Emergency services survey the damage to Grenfell Tower PUBLIC SERVICES We are all at risk thanks to the Tories’ continuing fire cuts The recent Budget showed that only Labour has a plan to restore our fire service after nearly a decade of Tory austerity, writes Diane aBBoTT MP

S WELL as holding back The National Audit Office report, England will be cut by 20 per cent own figures, with official figures for a result of fires in the home has investment in our econ- Financial Sustainability of Fire and over the 2016-20 period. 2015/2016 for example showing that increased. omy, living standards Rescue Services, found that, between In a (rejected) amendment to the 303 people died in fires, up 15 per Alongside this, there has been a and growth, it’s impor- 2011 and 2015, over 30 per cent of Tory government’s Queen’s Speech cent on the previous year. drastic reduction in fire prevention tant to also point out central funding was cut from fire and earlier in the year, and again in the Response times to all types of seri- work since 2010, with a 25 per cent that the Tories’ ideo- rescue services in England. run-up to this Budget, Labour made ous fires also rose, in some cases by drop in the number of fire risk checks logicallyA driven austerity also makes This makes a mockery of Tory clear our belief that the government as much as one minute and eight sec- carried out by fire services in Eng- us all less safe. promises to protect the front line needs to act now to protect the fire onds. land. Fire and rescue services are One example of this is the cuts to when it comes to our emergency serv- and rescue service. This is vitally important. also spending 13 per cent less time our fire and rescue service. ices. In particular, Labour is committed As Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Matt on public safety campaigns and ini- Drastic cuts since 2010 have meant In terms of the years ahead, in to recruiting at least 3,000 new front- Wrack has said, “In an emergency, tiatives. that people are being left running the February 2016, the Department for line firefighters, but the Tories are every second counts. For fire crews, This is what happens when you service on a shoestring and that the Communities and Local Government refusing to provide the necessary that means having the right number prioritise cuts before public safety UK fire and rescue service needs (DCLG) published its local govern- funding from central government to of fire engines and firefighters at the — cuts have real, human conse- urgent investment. ment settlement, with projections for ensure this. scene of an emergency as soon as pos- quences. The recent Budget was a chance central funding cuts. When it comes to our emergency sible in order to do the job profession- In the months and years ahead, we for Phillip Hammond to at least rein The figures showed that DCLG paid services, and indeed public services ally.” need to make clear the real impact in the damaging policies that have £1.089 billion in central funding to as a whole, the Tories have totally Additionally, the FBU has explained of fire and rescue service cuts on both caused this to happen. Yet instead, all the fire and rescue services in failed to understand that cuts have that cuts mean that fire engines are firefighters’ safety and that of the we are now facing a situation where, England in 2015-16, but it planned to consequences. increasingly sent out without a full public as a whole. when we have already seen the worst cut this to £864 million by 2019-20. While our firefighters do an amaz- complement of firefighters and that The government desperately needs cuts in the history of the fire service, This was a planned cut of nearly ing job, these unprecedented cuts this understaffing prevents firefight- to halt fire service cuts and increase more will be on the way as part of 21per cent. have resulted in over 11,000 firefight- ers from adopting the best profes- the number of firefighter posts. Above the continuing austerity confirmed Additionally, local government set- ers’ jobs being cut, more than 40 fire sional practices and procedures. all it needs to learn the lesson that you by Hammond’s recent Budget. tlement figures published by DCLG stations closed and dozens of fire These will all contribute to deaths can’t keep people safe on the cheap. Since 2010, the Westminster gov- earlier this year, covering just met- engines axed. that are avoidable, since a report ernment has systematically cut cen- ropolitan and combined fire authori- As a result, emergency response published by the Home Office in n You can follow Diane at www.twit- tral funding to fire and rescue serv- ties, show that planned central fund- times are at their slowest for 20 January this year confirmed that the ter.com/HackneyAbbott and www. ices across Britain. ing for fire and rescue services in years, according to the government’s number of people who have died as facebook.com/DianeAbbott. Morning Star 10 FEATURES Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

SPECIAL REPORT Scourge of bogus self-employment at the RAC

HE RAC Motoring Services Ltd, a subsidiary of RAC Ltd, not only benefits from Britain’s increasingly cas- ualised labour market and gig economy but it also keepsT its costs down by charging its direct sales agents hundreds of pounds a month to work for them. Just like Deliveroo riders, Uber drivers and McDonald’s restaurant staff, the men and women who sell the RAC’s products and services are classified as self-employed and are therefore not entitled to statutory sick, maternity or holiday pay, statu- tory minimum wage, break times, guaranteed hours or shifts. Instead of signing a contract, these individuals sign “an agreement” with the RAC to “act as [its] non-exclusive representative in an area defined by [their] sales manager…” According to one such agreement, which the Star has seen, direct sales agents agree to book at least six or 12 dates a month to sell the company’s products and services at “selected RAC sales venues” — outside super- markets, inside shopping centres, motoring events, etc. For each date they book, the agent is charged a daily venue rate which is determined by the RAC, meaning that these people begin each day owing the company money. If an agent books fewer dates than set out in the agreement in which to work at RAC sales venues, they will be charged £369 (for a six-day agree- ment) or £738 (for a 12-day agree- ment) in their following pay cheque. However, if they book the mini- mum or more, then the company will either charge the combined daily rate increasingly being used by compa- for each venue they worked that Why would anyone want to pay their nies as a means of passing on costs month or the £369/738 figure, which- and shifting risks, Newman says. ever is higher. “If you’re self-employed, that risk For example, if an agent books 13 employer to work for them? Yet that’s is all your own. And that means if venues in a month on a 12-day agree- you have an accident or are sick, ment at a cost of £10 each day, the you’re just not going to get paid. Most venue rate for that month would come exactly what’s been going on at RAC people consider that quite unfair.” to a total of £130. But since that figure Newman believes it’s very likely is lower than £738, the RAC will that a tribunal would find the RAC’s charge that agent the higher fee. Motoring Services Ltd, as a result of sales agents actually are workers. “Why would anyone want to pay “I think a judge would quickly look their employer to work for them? It behind the wording of the contract, sucks,” one of the company’s sales Britain’s increasingly casualised which expressly states they are not agents told the Star on the condition ‘employees’ or ‘workers.’ of anonymity. economy, writes KATHLEEN BARRY “When the contract is looked at “Prices for these venues fluctuate alongside the reality of the working all the time. They’re making up the arrangements it seems they would rules as they go along.” agents to begin the working day owing to work on GMB’s tribunal cases vidual would be responsible for have a reasonable claim to be workers.” There are places where direct the RAC money, under current laws the against Uber, Addison Lee, Hermes those.” One of the ways gig economy com- sales agents can work that they don’t company is doing nothing illegal. and other companies using bogus According to the government, a panies manage to classify the people have to pay for, the agent says. “The agreement clearly sets out the self-employment arrangements. person is self-employed if “they run who labour in their name as self- “But the problem is these free sites charges, and there is nothing prevent- “The law would regard the agree- their business for themselves and employed is if the person can hire are very far apart and not very good ing a company from charging a self- ment as simply a bargain that has take responsibility for its success or someone else to do their work for to work. They’re all limited. The employed contractor for services they been struck, although we know that failure.” them. places with the best footfall are at have been provided with,” says no bargaining is involved, and that If this is true then the individual The RAC agreement states: “You supermarkets, but the RAC has a Michael Newman, a partner special- the sales agent won’t have any isn’t “paid through PAYE, and they are not required to personally per- national agreement with them and so ising in discrimination and employ- choice. In a true self-employment don’t have the employment rights and form the services set out in this we have to pay to work there.” ment for the law firm Leigh Day. relationship, companies are allowed responsibilities of employees.” agreement and you may substitute As strange as it is for the direct sales The firm has worked and continues to charge for expenses and the indi- These types of contracts are any person or persons.” Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 FEATURES 11

POLITICS

age to your door and is wearing the HIS government’s dog- company’s uniform, you think this is matic commitment to neo- someone who works for that company, liberalism, despite the fact not a small independent logistics that it isn’t working, is a How long can company. phenomenon that will be “The contrast is with a truly inde- studied by future genera- pendent small business — the classic tionsT of political historians. example would be a plumber or an Perhaps it can be explained this wretched electrician, who does different jobs because Conservative MPs are still for different people at different infl uenced by the ideological training times. in their elite universities that told “Lots of these companies are reli- them the market distributes wealth ant on huge workforces that are sup- as an invisible hand. government last? posedly self-employed. This depend- Judging by last week’s Budget ence just shows you what a mockery statement and the complacent con- it is that they can classify these indi- tributions from Tory MPs in the ensu- viduals as self-employed.” ing parliamentary debate, they cer- The Tories are behaving like Workers’ rights have received plenty tainly seem to think that, as Theresa of attention in politics and the media May said during the election cam- this year. Some had hoped that the paign, nothing has changed. rogue directors of a government’s Taylor review into mod- But they are deluding themselves, ern work practices would apply pres- and it has left me wondering how sure on companies. It didn’t. And the much longer this wretched Tory gov- demolition labour movement was not impressed. ernment can possibly last. Unite general secretary Len It looks like the Chancellor’s lame McCluskey said the review did “noth- jokes and contrived cadence at the company wrestling ing to address the rampaging growth despatch box may have staved off the in forced self-employment, which has knife-wielding Tory MPs who want shot up as the government’s austerity him out. over the controls of programme bites.” But what about the substance of what Philip Hammond actually said? MB general secretary At no time during the 56 minutes he a wrecking ball, says Tim Roach called the was on his feet did he address the Taylor review “a disap- dire predicament faced by millions CHRIS WILLIAMSON pointing missed oppor- of citizens after seven long years of tunity,” adding that his party’s awful austerity agenda. “everyone can pay lip I challenged the Chancellor’s Gservice to wanting good-quality, well- approach in a speech I made in the paid work but employers could offer House of Commons a few hours after that right here and now. They simply he had sat down. choose not to.” I made it clear that his statement Institute of Employment Rights offered very little to celebrate and director Carolyn Jones said the actually represented the latest itera- review offered “only weak recom- tion of abject failure stretching back mendations that tinker with the to 2010. details but fail to deliver the whole- What this Budget showed is that sale reform we need to reverse the the government is addicted to an ide- increasing imbalance of power ology that is even questioned by between employers and workers.” former advocates like the World Bank Perhaps it’s no wonder that the and the International Monetary Fund. RAC’s non-executive chairman Rob Where was the help for low-paid Templeman was one of 100 business employees; where was the support leaders who signed an open letter in for public-sector workers; where was the Telegraph in April 2015, praising the boost for health, education and the Tories’ economic policies and local government; where was the claiming Ed Miliband’s Labour would large-scale housebuilding pro- “threaten jobs and deter investment.” gramme; where was the urgently After all, his company benefi ts might- needed cash injection for social care? ily from Tory economic policies. The investment in the nation’s The RAC is jointly owned by the infrastructure was also woefully private equity outfi t CVC Capital inadequate and the regional discrep- Partners and the Singaporean sover- ancies in government funding eign wealth fund GIC Private Ltd, remain, despite some crumbs from ments of government to wreak havoc and slash government borrowing. whose chairman is none other than the table that will benefi t the so- on the future of this country before Tory MPs chorused in grave tones Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee called Northern Powerhouse. being eventually thrown out of offi ce. about how wrong and unfair it would Hsein Loong. (In its 2017 World My own East Midlands region is a They are behaving like rogue be to leave debts for our children to Report, Human Rights Watch case in point. It has some of the low- directors of a demolition company pay off, but they have continued to However, that’s just not feasible, described his rule as “imposing a mix est rates of public investment any- wrestling over the controls of a back policies that have seen the says the sales agent, “because we of absolute political control and where in the country, receiving, for wrecking ball while simultaneously national debt almost double. have to pay well over £1,000 for their repression of dissenting voices that example, £91 investment per head in emptying the coffers by introducing Despite the government’s spec- training and other costs. was his father’s hallmark.”) railways compared to £746 in London. measures that benefi t the bankers tacular failure, these Tories continue “The only way this could work And according to its 2016 annual But the Chancellor’s perverse pri- who bankroll the Tory Party. to traduce Labour’s alternative to aus- would be if the substitute is a very report, RAC Ltd made a gross profi t orities were starkly illustrated by his The devastation to our public serv- terity, but leading economists agree trusted person, like a family member of £276 million last year. treatment of the banks compared ices is quite breathtaking. that Labour’s proposals are sensible. that you know is going to last. Oth- “Clearly they have the means to with the NHS. I understand the Institute for Fis- In the present circumstances, erwise, it’s just a wasted investment fund our service without putting all The NHS chief executive warned cal Studies has estimated that direct when the country is crying out for for us agents.” the burden of risk on site costs on the before the Budget that, without ade- funding of local government will have investment and when interest rates Newman says a tribunal judge direct sales force,” said the sales quate funding, the waiting list will fallen by 79 per cent by 2020 from are historically very low, it is tanta- would likely look at how this substitu- agent. rise to fi ve million patients within its 2010 levels. mount to an act of economic sabotage tion works in reality. “I know for a fact that our com- three or four years and the right to This is the equivalent of a slash- not to invest in the future. “You often fi nd that what is in the petitors don’t make their agents pay NHS treatment within 18 weeks will and-burn approach that a foreign Twenty-two leading economists contract doesn’t match what happens the venue fees. This agreement, have to be abolished. The extra fund- power might seek to infl ict if it was signed a letter earlier this week, stat- day-to-day for the individuals. which only came in about two years ing he has earmarked for the NHS is an enemy of Britain, but this is being ing that “increased public investment “Another crucial factor is how ago, has made an already hard job less than half the amount that experts done by a party that wraps itself in in productive activity will expand our much control the company has, and harder. say is needed to prevent a calamity. the Union Jack. nation’s income and with it government whether they provide equipment. “I’m out there every day as an Contrast Hammond’s treatment of Samuel Johnson’s famous quotation tax revenues. By so doing, public “And fi nally are they in business ambassador of the company wearing the NHS, which serves everyone, to that “patriotism is the last refuge of investment will enlarge the economic in their own account? Are the poten- their uniform. I stand there and fi eld the way he dealt with the banks in the scoundrel” is particularly apposite ‘cake’ and help bring down future debt tial subscribers clients of the indi- customer queries all day. Why? this Budget. Incredibly, he doled out for the modern Conservative Party. interest payments as a share of GDP.” viduals, or clients of RAC? This can Because I enjoy the job. a staggering £4.4 billion reduction in We were promised so much seven- A new consensus is emerging that be a far trickier question to answer. “I think it’s important for this serv- the banking levy. He effectively and-a-half years ago, when the Lib- Britain needs the steering hand of “Part of the answer involves how ice to be there for drivers. What the cocked a snook at the British people. eral Democrats fulfi lled the role of an enabling state and Labour is now the workforce is presented to the world RAC does and has been doing for over It’s not as if these measures are useful idiots by giving David Cam- offering that steering hand to get this though — when we get into an 100 years is really important. It res- strengthening our economy. They are eron the keys to 10 Downing Street. country back on its feet. Uber [taxi], do we think this is an Uber cues people when they’re in trouble; positively making matters worse. George Osborne told us back then driver, or an independent company? we’re there to keep them safe. I just Hammond, Theresa May and the we were “all in it together.” He assured ■ Chris Williamson is Labour MP “The person who delivers a pack- wanted to be treated better.” Tory Cabinet are using the instru- us that he would eliminate the defi cit for Derby North. Morning Star 12 FEATURES Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 Star POLITICS Comment Labour is a Blatant ballot fraud must be threat to condemned IMAGINE the howls of rage from Washington and its regional hirelings if an election in Venezuela had been marked by similar skulduggery to the deplorable fraud perpetrated in Honduras. poverty and Incumbent President Juan Orlando Hernandez was paraded as the favourite before polling began, but early results indicated a clear lead for his anti-corrup- tion challenger Salvador Nasralla of the Libre party. What happened next was unbelievable — the Su- AUSTERITY preme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) simply stopped releas- BRITAIN: A Trussell ing running results, leaving the contest dangling with Trust worker hands Nasralla holding a 5 per cent advantage. inequality out a food voucher Things moved rapidly, with armoured military columns rolling towards the capital Tegucigalpa as the electoral authorities claimed to have discovered a malfunction of their computers but put the count back on track. The Tory mantra of ‘trickle-down As if by magic, Nasralla’s lead was reduced and then reversed while Hernandez supporters engaged in in- timidatory “victory” celebrations even while their economics’ is a proven lie. It candidate remained officially in second place. It emerged that, during the supposed TSE computer shutdown, security mechanisms linked to the data is Labour’s plans that will transmission system had been removed and unvali- dated ballot papers were being counted. rejuvenate our economy and Who could dispute Nasralla’s assertion that the presidential election was being stolen by ballot-rigging connived at by TSE president David Matamoros? bring about security for all, Matamoros denies wrongdoing, but, in the immor- tal words of Mandy Rice-Davies: “He would, wouldn’t he?” says RICHARD BURGON He deplores street violence that has followed his tribunal’s jiggery-pokery and expects his announce- ment of the election result to be regarded as the final HIS Tuesday, I’ll be joining And make no mistake, austerity eco- word on the matter. prison officers for their “ Labour nomics aims to drive down workers’ If it was up to the US State Department and its puppet rally in Parliament against makes no share of national wealth still further. Luis Almagro, secretary general of the Organisation of the attacks on their pay. When the economy is growing — American States, Matamoros’s wish would be granted. Trade unions will have an bones about whether slowly or otherwise — but important role to play in the wages are falling, then it’s clear that HIH newT economy that a Labour govern- it – we are some at the very top are doing very ment will set about building. well out of austerity. The Honduran people were given the democratic We urgently need that new economy. a threat to As Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn right to elect their president but let themselves down The government’s Budget should be the stated in his powerful video earlier by backing the wrong candidate, so the election au- final nail in the coffin for the idea that this rigged this week, a rigged economy and Tory thorities, backed up by the military top brass, have austerity can boost living standards. tax cuts work for the same banking corrected their mistake — it’s the Latin American way But the Conservatives are ideolog- system elites that plunged the world into eco- in Washington’s backyard. ically wedded to cuts and privatisation and in nomic crisis. Wrong! That’s the way things used to play out when and so they will attempt to bulldoze Labour makes no bones about it — we US ambassadors behaved like Roman consuls in the re- forward with “business as usual” aus- government are a threat to this rigged system and, gion, secure in the knowledge that national armies, led terity for the many. in government, we will put an end to it. government and now growth has been by officers trained in the US School of the Americas, would The fact that austerity economics we will put The promises on which politicians revised down in every year of the “restore order” if people misused their ballot papers. is the enemy of the many is clearly base their advocacy of austerity eco- forecast. Cuban revolutionary leaders called their island the demonstrated by the situation in rela- an end nomics have all come to nothing. Conservative attempts to cut their way “first free country of the Americas” after they put an tion to wages. The economics of austerity has out of low growth have clearly failed. end to such anti-democratic and corrupt practices with Wages are still below 2010 levels. to it ” failed even on its own terms as pre- The Institute for Fiscal Studies has their people’s liberation in 1959. And the respected Resolution Founda- sented to the public. said that the economy will be £65bn Recent years have witnessed other uprisings in class tion has stated that wages aren’t set Nobel prize-winning US economist smaller than last March’s forecast. and national consciousness, especially since the Boli- to return to 2008 levels until 2025, Paul Krugman was right to liken aus- That’s a downgrade of nearly £1,000 varian revolution, led by Hugo Chavez, in Venezuela. meaning nearly two lost decades when terity to a medieval doctor draining for every man, woman and child in Those rising up understand that the imperialist en- it comes to pay growth. a patient’s blood, adding that when the UK. emy will stop at nothing to return to the days of US According to the TUC, the UK such leech-craft doesn’t bring the However the government may try hegemony throughout the region, whether through already ranks 103 out of 112 countries patient back to good health, in des- to wriggle, divert and distract, the fact economic pressure, financial corruption, ballot-rigging for pay growth since the financial crisis. peration the doctor drains more blood is that our economy is falling behind or, in the last resort, military coups. As socialists, we believe that the from the patient, making the patient’s that of our comparators. The Honduran people have seen their dreams of economic system should serve society, condition more and more critical. Over the course of this parliament, democracy dashed before — in 2009, their president not vice versa. In the same way, the Conservative UK economic growth is projected to Manuel Zelaya, elected just three years earlier, was How far those currently in charge government’s cuts have continued to be the lowest of all G7 countries. of our economic system have pushed fail to meet its deficit reduction tar- At the same time that the Conserva- overthrown by the military and deported to Costa Rica. against this is demonstrated by the gets. Originally, the Conservatives tive government is failing on economic US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — remember fact that the share of national income confidently declared that they would growth and failing to fulfil its targets her, the “progressive” alternative to Donald Trump? paid to workers has been falling in the eliminate the deficit by 2015, but it’s on deficit reduction, people are really — condoned the coup, revealing the shallowness of UK since the mid-1970s. currently expected to be approxi- suffering and suffering needlessly. Washington’s heralded commitment to democracy. One method the elites have used to mately £50 billion this year. The Child Poverty Action Group President Trump will be no different from Clinton achieve this unsavoury anti-worker Similarly, despite eye-watering cuts estimates that, by 2022, an extra one and will throw his weight around to persuade peoples goal is the deliberate undermining of to our public services, public-sector million children and 900,000 adults and governments in the region, including US citizens, trade unions — from Margaret Thatch- debt has soared by hundreds of billions will be living in poverty as a result of to accept this fraudulent seizure of power. er’s anti-trade union laws to the shock- since the Conservatives came to power. Conservative cuts to universal credit. Hondurans will resist and be supported by friends and-awe attacks on the National Union The Conservatives have been forced More than a million three-day emer- and neighbours. We must insist that the British govern- of Mineworkers and the more recent to admit that economic growth is the gency food supplies were given to ment too rejects this self-evident electoral coup. Trade Union Bill. lowest it has been since they got into people in crisis over the past year. Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 FEATURES 13

CREATIVE: Young trade unionists discuss their ideas at the #Time2Shine event

TRADE UNION EDUCATION Young workers shaping the new world of work TRISH LAVELLE reports on #Time2Shine – an initiative sponsored by the CWU which aims to build a new future for trade unionism

HIS week saw the piloting of a new programme that aims to bring together leading young trade union activists from across the labour move- Tment to consider how we are going to meet the challenges posed to unions by austerity, automation and precarious work. The Communication Workers Union, which was the principal sponsor of the #Time2Shine event, has long been call- ing for a new movement-wide approach to reasserting trade union values in JAM TODAY: society and reaching out more effec- Dave Ward plays tively to workers in insecure work, to the guitar the bogus self-employed and to plat- form-based working in the so-called gig economy. all quite different there were common cinctly, saying: “We need to fight for This sickening state of affairs exists Not only is this approach correct The event, which was held at the themes running through the event. three things — a voice for workers, a as the mirror image of the tax givea- morally, it’s correct economically too. GFTU headquarters in Loughborough, First, the need to better harness and work-life balance and decent pay.” ways for the super-rich and corpora- A Labour government will invest in was attended by 16 young trade union- apply new technology for our cam- Finally, we need to link our work tions that will cost more than £70bn building the high-wage, high-skill ists from eight very different unions, paigns, communications, representa- more and better with the new Corbyn- to the public purse over the rest of this industries that we all need to secure which included the GMB, Unite, POA, tion and organisation, while maintain- era left politics, bringing in the young parliament. an economy that works for the many Bectu, Prospect, the NEU, Advance, ing the very important tradition of and new political activists to trade The Tory mantra of “trickle-down not the few. the Artists Union England and the face-to-face trade union engagement union activism as well. economics” is a proven lie. For many, Public investment in the UK econ- CWU. in the community and in the work- This view was echoed strongly by work no longer delivers a route out of omy is the lowest in the entire OECD The event was also developed as a place. Unite Community rep Daragh O Neill, poverty. The majority of people in group of advanced economies and is tribute to the life and work of the late As CWU delegate Jimi Brown said, who said: “We are seeing a race to the poverty in the UK are people in work. ahead of only Greece and Portugal. Roger Poole, a former Nupe officer and “Google won’t give you the answers bottom to a low-pay economy with an Three million people now work in inse- Labour will transform that situation Acas official. to everything. There is no app that will increase in precarious work and work- cure jobs, with no guaranteed hours. with a £250bn investment programme Delegates heard from a number of make your working life better and ers without a voice in their communi- This has to change. Under a Labour through our national transformation expert speakers on subjects as diverse fight for your rights in the workplace. ties.” government, it will change. Labour fund to deliver both the physical and as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, “We’ve got to use technology, but CWU general secretary Dave Ward has a vision to rebuild our economy digital infrastructure needed for a trade union campaigns and media and we’ve got to embrace it in a different told delegates: “You have given me so that it works in the interests of the modern economy. the current challenges and opportuni- way and it’s got to be tied to the trade great confidence and optimism for the many not the few. Those who run a rigged system ties for the wider labour movement. union movement, to trade unions look- future of our movement and your job Labour has a vision to tackle the seem to see this as a threat to the con- But the main emphasis was on those ing after your rights at work.” is to keep challenging us and keep housing crisis, to properly fund our tinuation of their current, rotten way present developing their own solutions Second, we need to work to avoid coming up with innovative, new ideas NHS, to ensure quality education and of doing things. It is. and ideas. fragmentation across the movement and keep fighting.” to help those forced into homelessness Labour is proud to be a threat to Through making short videos and and unions need to work together to Christine Miller, one of the dele- and poverty by measures like univer- poverty, inequality and the policy of detailed presentations, the group came develop a common manifesto for work- gates from the POA, summed the event sal credit. holding back working people and their up with really new and innovative con- ers. up perfectly, saying: “We are not But the change we are determined families. That’s what our party was cepts, including a retelling of Charlie We need to plan and campaign robots. You are the unions.” to achieve in government goes beyond created to be and that’s what we are and the Chocolate Factory that saw a around the potential impact on jobs, even that. now. worker upskilled through and by his workers and communities of the n Trish Lavelle is CWU head of educa- We in the anti-austerity movement union so that he could retain decent Fourth Industrial Revolution and the tion and training. If you or your union have long argued that the state needs n Richard Burgon is Labour MP for employment carrying out maintenance increased automation of life and work. would like to get involved in a future to invest in order to secure a better Leeds East and shadow secretary of work on the robots. Anita Wright, a young worker from #Time2Shine event please get in touch economic future. state for justice. Although the proposed solutions were the postal industry, summed it up suc- by emailing [email protected]. Morning Star 14 FEATURES Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

LATIN AMERICA Lenin by name but not by deed OLIVER VARGAS looks at the ideological diff erences behind the present political turmoil in Ecuador

ENSIONS within the gov- very sheep that cam- erning Aliawithin the gov- paigned for him this year erning Alianza Pais party — and Correa denounced have reached a new high Moreno as a “wolf in sheep’s as ex-president Rafael Cor- clothing” who “is ruling Trea returns to the country from Bel- with the right.” gium, where he lives now, vowing An Alianza Pais confer- to fi ght “traitors,” namely the current ence tomorrow in the president — Correa’s former vice- coastal province of Esmer- president Lenin Moreno. aldas is expected to ratify Correa, with the support of the the leadership’s decision Alianza Pais leadership, accuses to expel Moreno as party Moreno of betraying the socialist leader amid anger over a gains of the 10-year citizens’ revolu- number of his policies tion by cosying up to big business that are returning Ecua- and the right-wing media that Correa dor to the neoliberal era. spent so long fi ghting. These include hold- This follows months of fi ery rhet- ing secret meetings oric between them as Moreno called with disgraced Trump Correa’s supporters “sheep” — the campaign manager Paul Manafort, with- drawing Ecuador’s solidarity with Vene- zuela and reversing among the worst in Moreno may have wider support Correa’s tax rises and the region, was rec- from conservatives and the mid- regulations on large landowners, ognised as the most dle class now, he has clearly lost which the Ecuadorean Communist effective and effi - the support of Alianza Pais that Party has denounced as “losing con- cient. overwhelmingly endorses the trol of fi nancial speculation.” Correa proved progressive and socialist Moreno is also seen to be purging himself ready to changes of the Correa period. state institutions of Correa support- fi ght imperialism as ers to the left of his own. he survived a right- KNIFE-EDGE: A supporter Ecuador was a success story of wing coup attempt in welcomes the return of Rafael “Socialism of the 21st century” in 2010, expelled US Correa holding up a belt, Latin America. After years of eco- military bases and “correa” in Spanish, Correa nomic crisis, Correa was swept to allied himself with meets with neighbourhood power by the country’s social move- Venezuela, Bolivia leaders in the capital Quito ments. and Cuba as part of last Wednesday and, outside He cancelled the country’s foreign the Latin Ameri- the meeting, a girl holds a debt and put Ecuador on a path of can left. banner “The active citizen prosperity as extreme poverty was W h i l e revolution” before his reduced by nearly 50 per cent. Pub- meeting with local leaders lic services in education and health- in Quito care, previously ranked by the Inter American Development Bank as

The pick of the box for This week’s TV the next seven days

this is actually talking about how cash spent on Film Documentary security in Syria is funnelled to dodgy hardliners. Monday Saturday Saturday The Art That Made Mexico, 9pm BBC4 Gorillas in the Mist, 9pm Sony Channel Can We Live with Robots? 7pm C4 First in a new series examining the movements Sigourney Weaver plays the remarkable scientist You’ve got to hand it to Akram Khan for an which inspired the development of Mexico’s Dian Fossey, whose work on primate behaviour optimistic outlook as he suggests robot warfare unique cultural form. helped to change the way we see the natural world. might mean fewer human casualties. It’s an odd dance-dystopia mash-up, but interesting. Wednesday Monday Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Sunday Blue Planet II, 8pm BBC1 9pm National Geographic 9pm Sony Channel Following the scientist’s tragic and heroic tale. Gorgeously constructed martial-arts epic from Coastlines are the theme of Sunday’s showing, Ang Lee. Bizarrely Lee also directed The Hulk. exhibiting the complex interplay of environments. Thursday Monday Drama Brokeback Mountain, 5.40pm Sky Jihadis You Pay For: Panorama, Wednesday Select 7.30pm BBC1 Peaky Blinders, 9pm BBC2 Odd titular homage to Daily Mail front pages aside, Groundbreaking cowboy romance. It’s been a good Brum so far this season and with Tom Hardy back in play, can only get more so. Tuesday TUESDAY: David Jason’s Secret Service 9pm More4 Extraordinary Teens: My Gay Life, OK I get that David Jason was a national treasure. You don’t need to keep bringing it up, and it doesn’t change the trouble Entertainment 10pm C4 What There’s something strange about following that mainstream telly is incapable of properly critiquing the Sunday someone’s video diary from the age of 11, to miss secret service and always ends up as a hagiography. Robot Wars, 8pm BBC2 seeing the incredibly personal laid bare. But TUESDAY: Motherland 10pm BBC2 The battle royale they’ve been promising arrives Billy’s story off ers powerful insights into the I’m reliably informed that people like middle-class mum Anne do tonight, with 10 bots on stage at once with the journey so many young gay people travel. actually exist in real life. This is extremely disheartening information. winner being last mech standing. Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 FEATURES 15

WORKING-CLASS HEROES: (From left to right) Robert Somerville, Bob Fulton (sitting), John Keenan, Stuart Barrie, John Gillies, Felipe Bustos Sierra and (below) Commanders of the Republic of Chile (from left) John Keenan, Robert Somerville and Bob Fulton at the medal ceremony in Glasgow

INTERNATIONALISM

FIRST met Robert Somerville at his Motherwell tower block fl at fi ve years ago this month. I had known of the story of the The Scots who downed workers at Rolls Royce East Kil- bride for decades but found out Itheir names only recently. Robert and his fellow shop stewards led one of the longest and most effi cient boy- cotts against the Augusto Pinochet Pinochet’s war planes dictatorship in Chile, although it has taken fi ve years to fi nd out how much they accomplished. FELIPE BUSTOS SIERRA tells the extraordinary story of working-class From 1974 to 1978, they refused to repair and return Avon jet engines international solidarity that has inspired his documentary Nae Pasaran from the Chilean air force. These engines had powered the Somerville and John Keenan were hidden by the Pinochet propaganda Hawker Hunter jets that bombed the representatives, backed Bob’s deci- machine. Moneda Palace in Santiago on Sep- sion which was supported by the Based on our research, the Chil- tember 11 1973 and put an end to the Amalgamated Engineering Union ean ambassador bestowed, in 2015, fi rst left-wing democracy in Latin (AEU) executive. on three of the workers the highest America. No jobs were lost and, after a year honour given to foreigners by the The Chilean military-led coup and of deliberation with the manage- government of Chile. The Scottish the death of President Salvador ment, the Chilean engines were pensioners became Commanders of Allende marked the beginning of 17 loosely assembled, put into crates the Republic of Chile. years of dictatorship, systematic and left to rust in the yard. The long- Finally, earlier this year, we dis- human rights abuse and press cen- est boycott in the history of Chilean covered the lost engines in Chile and sorship. The National Commission solidarity had begun. managed to bring one back to Scot- on Political Imprisonment and Tor- On the August 26 1978 at 2am, two land. It’ll be returned next year to ture and the Truth and Reconcilia- lorries and an iron crane with fake East Kilbride as a monument to the tion Commission have estimated that licence plates from an fi ctional trans- workers’ solidarity. there were around 30,000 victims of port company were let into the yard While we have reached our goals, human rights abuses in Chile, with and took away the engines. The work- including hearing the true impact 27,255 tortured and 2,279 executed. ers were told soon after that the of the boycott straight from the Six months after the coup, aero- engines were back in Chile and mouth of one of Pinochet’s last sur- engine inspector Bob Fulton, nick- already in service. It was the last viving generals, our goals have in named “Tank commander” for his they heard about the matter, with the end taken us well beyond our years as a WWII tank mechanic, little indication as to whether they’d fi nancial resources. noticed the job sheets for the fi rst had any impact. We are currently running a fund- Chilean engine on his desk. With the The “blacking of Chilean engines raising campaign to allow us to com- help of his colleague Stuart Barrie by Scottish workers” had become one ferent — memories over the last fi ve Pasaran (They Shall Not Pass) — an plete the documentary. they alerted anyone working on Chil- of the old myths of the Chile solidar- years. investigation into the true impact of It concludes on December 20 2017. ean engines: “These engines are ity movement shared at solidarity At the end of our initial meetings, the boycott. We would be grateful for any con- blacked. We’ll not work on them.” events throughout the 1970s and ‘80s, they each had the same question, “Do The fi lm, for the fi rst time, tribution made. By the end of the day, eight well beyond the time of the engines’ you think we can still fi nd the includes interviews with Chileans engines of the Chilean air force were disappearance. engines?” who crossed paths with the engines, ■ Felipe Bustos Sierra is a Chilean found throughout the factory and Robert, John, Bob and Stuart have For the last fi ve years, I have for better or worse, and provides fi lmmaker, born in exile in Belgium work on them stopped. told me this story in their own words, researched and fi lmed in Britain and painstakingly documented evidence and now living in Scotland. To The works committee, of which from their own — at times, very dif- Chile a documentary called Nae that the boycott was a triumph kept donate visit www.naepasaran.com Morning Star 16 CULTURE Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

PREVIEW DIARY Arts ahead Singing loud for Brighton and good causes And what a night it was — old the poor, homeless and vulnerable stopped singing, there was total punk (me), young rappers, poets and under threat due to govern- silence. Wonderfully clever and Star critics cherry-pick some of the and comedians together. I was ment cuts in the voluntary sector. whimsical rapper/songwriter three times the age of most of The discussion with Ken was Gecko will hopefully be pleased best on off er in the weeks to come those present — but of course age riveting. This centre must stay to know that, while pins could be is irrelevant and it was yet another open. It is desperately needed by heard dropping all over Old Traf- ★ LONDON EXHIBITION example of how the spoken word its local community. ford, I turned one of his lyrics into Rose Wylie: Quack Quack OST cliches have a basis scene has exploded gloriously in And then on Friday to Darwen a very quiet football chant: Serpentine Sackler in fact and the one the last few years. — fi rst time I’d ever set foot in that “Sshhh! It’s a library!” Gallery which says that people The performance standard was Lancashire town — for a gig which You’ll hear more about Gecko West Carriage Drive in the north of England very high, especially Isaiah Hull, was quite literally a piss-up in the in my music round-up in a couple London W2 areM more extrovert and friendly a young poet with words of excep- outlet pub of local micro Hopstar of weeks. His new release Volcano Until February 11 than those in the south may well tional quality and a riveting stage brewery. Bridging the north-south is one of my albums of the year. 2018. Free. have an element of truth in it, presence. Loads of money was divide, the stage was adorned with And then after the match I Octogenarian Rose although if it is the case, as a loud raised. I stayed at Robert’s house a Lancashire Against Fracking extricated myself from the Old Wylie fi nds her and mouthy southerner, I’m one overnight and his pet boa constric- banner and my Brighton scarf. As Trafford traffi c just in time for inspiration through her daily encounters and a of the exceptions. tor broke my glasses — fortu- well as a great reception I got my gig at Ham & Jam Coffee Shop variety of sources, from art history, cinema, comic Whatever the merits of that nately just pound shop ready read- many good luck messages for the in Preston. Another great night. books and the natural world to news, verbal anec- observation, I certainly received ers. I love snakes and am always following day’s match. Tonight sees the launch of the dotes, celebrity stories and sport. These might a lovely welcome everywhere I eager to cuddle them. My fault. Old Trafford. David against community buy-out scheme aiming include a scene from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, went last week. The next day, after a very enjoy- Goliath. Brighton, risen from 91st to save the lovely Greys pub in the a self-portrait eating a chocolate biscuit, an olive The gigs were planned around able cycle ride round parts of the in the league with no ground, chal- Hanover district of Brighton. I’m oil label or a football match. Instilled with wit, Brighton’s fi rst league game at Old Manchester-Rochdale canal, I did lenging the might of Man U in doing a show there at 8pm as part Wylie’s paintings are confi dent, animated and Trafford since 1983 and what an a spot at Moston Miners’ Club, their own backyard. of an all-day event. And next week energetic, proposing new perspectives on the occasion that turned out to be. next door to fan-owned FC United Challenge them we did — even I’m doing a Stand Up For Labour world and the plethora of images that make up More of that in a moment. of Manchester’s ground, as part Jose Mourinho agreed that we gig in Chingford on Thursday and, our collective cultural memory. Refreshing, potent I began last Wednesday with a of a day-long event headlined by were so unlucky losing 1-0 — the at the weekend, I’m at the Fox & and unpretentious — great for kids. benefi t show at Brewdog Manches- a question-and-answer session goal a defl ection following a dis- Goose in Hebden Bridge on Friday, serpentinegalleries.org ter, one of a series of Punk in with fi lmmaker Ken Loach. puted corner. Small Seeds, Huddersfi eld after the Drublic fundraisers for the Mus- This was another fundraiser — I was very proud, not just of our Brighton game on Saturday and a ★ GLASGOW THEATRE tard Tree homeless resettlement for Salford Unemployed & Com- team but of our fans who fi lled that benefi t for the Doncaster Women’s Cinderella project organised by a young per- munity Resource Centre, dubbed huge stadium with song. Refuge on Sunday. Citizens Theatre formance poet called Robert Ste- “the fourth emergency service” by As for Man U, their vocal sup- ■ www.attilathestockbroker.com 119 Gorbals Street venton and some of his mates. local people for its work helping port was pathetic. When we twitter.com/atilatstokbroka Glasgow, G5 November 28-December 31 2017 DANCE REVIEW FICTION REVIEW Full of silliness and usual slapstick, music and fun, how else? — this is the perfect choice for families looking for alternative festive entertain- Compelling story ment this Christmas. It’s nearly time for the A powerful meditation on Prince’s ball, etc, etc... but does her heart’s true desire lie closer to home? Dominic Hill works his of a woman’s battle trademark theatrical style to this twist on a clas- the transitory nature of life sic fairytale. Miss it at your kids’ peril. against convention www.citz.co.uk Ghost Dances Rambert Die, My Love by the stream-of-con- ★ SOUTHAMPTON AND TOURING MUSIC Alhambra Theatre by Ariana Harwicz sciousness narrative tech- Skinny Lister & Beans On Toast (Charco Press, £9.99) nique used in the past by Bradford Latin American writers The 1865 ★★★✩✩ Pic: Jane Hobson Brunswick Square such as Clarice Lispector Southampton SO14 AN OTHERWORLDLY and Diamela Eltit and the December 7 2017 HE whoops and whistles from journey through raw emo- beautiful lyricism of the the audience are more com- tions, disjointed experi- work is crafted by Harwicz Skinny Lister play in lay- monly associated with a Little ences, excruciating vio- to explore the violent and ered unison to exhilarating Mix concert than a dance pro- lence and, ultimately, mad- despairing inner battle effect — there’s no chest- duction. At their best, however, ness, Die, My Love is an played out so potently. puffi ng, narcissistic solos here — they are a proper Tthere’s something pleasingly populist outstanding novel by At times the novel, beau- collective endeavour. But it is the stunning vocals, about Rambert. Argentinian writer Ariana tifully translated from the led by Lorna Thomas and Dan Heptinstall, and The troupe’s latest mixed programme Harwicz. Spanish by Sarah Moses the choral backing that infuse rare sonic class features two crowd-pleasers, the fi rst of The unnamed protago- and Carolina Orloff, into this rapturous music, while Beans on Toast which is Itzik Galili’s A Linha Curva. nist, a young woman living reminded me of the paint- will be saving the many from media-infl icted A joyful burst of samba, its coloured in rural isolation in France, ing by surrealist artist blissful ignorance with politics of engaging and lights form a grid around which the 26 battles with the daily Dorothea Tanning,

Pic: Hudson/Creative Paul Commons lucid agit-prop immediacy Brechtian style. performers move. trappings of mother- Eine Kleine www.the1865.com The energy recreates the spirit of a hood as well as her Nachtmusik. In it a carnival street dance, with small groups complex desires and girl, whose hair fl ies ★ NEWCASTLE PHOTOGRAPHY engaged in friendly competition as they sexual fantasies. upwards as though Gordon Parks: A Choice of Weapons spur each other on to feats of even greater A seemingly happy struck by a violent Side Gallery athleticism. birthday party can gust of wind, looks 5-9 Side The four-piece live band is equally turn into a family cri- at a giant sunfl ower Newcastle upon Tyne visually magnetic, the members turning sis, an innocent trip while engaged in a NE1 their bodies into percussion instruments to the beach into a sexual never-ending battle with Until December 17 2017. as they slap, clap and chant. A multi-media piece that has dance embarrassment and a mun- unknown forces. Free. Its sensual, infectious energy is eating itself with overly self-aware jokes, dane conversation with her In Die, My Love, those replaced by something altogether more it describes “a traditional ritual” of purg- mother-in-law or her con- inner forces confront the In the struggle for refl ective in Christopher Bruce’s Ghost ing bad deeds and events on New Year’s ventional husband into the protagonist in her daily social justice Gordon Dances (pictured), which is the compa- Eve. most surreal of experi- experiences of maternal Parks’s camera ny’s most requested piece. The popular- There are moments of mild humour ences. and fi lial love and of isola- became what he ity is easy to understand, with three death when the televised presenter asks a The sense of otherness tion and trauma, struggles referred to as his weapon of choice against racism fi gures creating a ripple of frisson in their number of dancers what emotion their and physical danger is that end in near madness. and social inequalities. In March 1968, his rigid masks and ragged costumes. contorted bodies illustrate. “Pain,” dead- omnipresent, as is the The language, in all its extended documentary project on the life of an Shadowing the folk dances of their pans one dancer. “The stigma of addic- woman’s desire to free her- intricacies and splendour, African-American family became a remarkable younger and happier selves, mapped by tion,” replies another. Yet for the most self from the constraints destabilises and destroys 16-page photo feature for Life magazine. He por- melancholy pan pipes and fl utes, the piece part it feels intellectually forced, its and banalities of married preconceived ideas of trayed the Fontenelle family and others not evokes the Day of the Dead while also physical theatre lacking momentum and life and to escape to free- womanhood in what is an through journalistic scrutiny but as unique indi- being set in the shadow of the horrors of long outstaying its welcome. dom in a nearby wood — a uncanny and powerful viduals telling their own story. He stayed in con- Pinochet’s coup in Chile. It’s a frustratingly fl at note on which place real and at times novel in which the extraor- tact with the family and would later recall that A powerful meditation on the transi- to end the evening, which until that point imaginary — where mush- dinary forces at play ulti- “the truth of their suffering lay ahead and it would tory nature of life, it has an appreciation had been high on emotional impact. rooms, pine trees and stags mately leave the reader in be terrifying and sorrowful.” Now it forms the of the simple moments of happiness that Touring until May 26 2018. Box offi ce: populate a magic world of a state of bewilderment — heart of this highly recommended exhibition. are in short supply during the debut of www.rambert.org.uk. her own creation. and utter exhilaration. www.amber-online.com Ben Duke’s Goat. SUSAN DARLINGTON The rapid pace, evoked LEO BOIX Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 CULTURE 17

BOOK EXTRACT AWE-INSPIRING: (Left to right from top) Saturn (Nasa); Essay on the Astronomical and Meteorological Presages 1425, Ming Dynasty, China; Singing Suns by Shahzia Sikander, 2016; What the Transit of Venus by Wolfgang Tillmans, 2004; Several Circles by Vasily Kandinsky, 1926; Soviet heavens tell us space programme poster, 1963 about ourselves In this introduction to a magnifi cently illustrated new book, DR PAUL MURDIN ponders our place in the universe and our fascination with it HE STUDY of cosmology probed only the neighbouring heavenly comets glow in dramatic tones of gold learned more about it physically, we and exoplanets continue an objects. Objects from the solar system and red, so early and modern astro- have also come to interpret it in dif- exploration of humans’ — the Sun, Moon, planets, asteroids nomical photographs are often as ferent ways. own place in the universe and comets — therefore make up the visually arresting as they are scien- For that reason, space has long fas- that has lasted for at least bulk of the images in this book. tifi cally revealing. it is not always guaranteed that they cinated scientists, astronomers 17,000 years. Nevertheless, the larger galactic All the works included in the book will make them comprehensible. and visual artists and it remains a TUniverse: Exploring the Astronom- and cosmological scale is also well succeed in making what is not always At heart, some of the ideas related recurring subject in our society and ical World refl ects all aspects of that represented, particularly by the visible both visible and memorable and to astronomy — the size, age, and sheer culture. exploration, from the mystical and remarkable revelations from the last yet, while visual images can help to multiplicity of space — still lie at the Many of the images prove that as religious to the purely scientifi c, the 40 or so years of star formation and make astronomical ideas accessible, limit or beyond the grasp of human astronomical research continues, the aesthetic, the symbolic and even the destruction in deep space. understanding, just as did the apparent close relationship between the scien- psychological. With their fundamentally real but motion of the Sun and the shape of the tifi c and the artistic will remain as It features works by both outstand- dramatically exaggerated colourisa- stars for our ancestors millennia ago. close as it has been for the last 17,000 ing fi gures from the history of science tion, many images from the Hubble The fact that we understand more years. and leading historic and Space Telescope, such as now than in the past is not simply the contemporary artists. It the renowned Pillars of result of technological advances, ■ Dr Paul Murdin is a senior fellow also shows that astronomy Creation are as visually although clearly developments in tel- emeritus at the Institute of Astronomy, has been part of everyday striking and aesthetically escopes, spacecraft and astrophotog- Cambridge University. This article is life for centuries, from beautiful as works of art. raphy have been key. extracted from his introduction to medieval almanacs and cal- Overall, indeed, the As the books shows, there has also Universe: Exploring the Astronomical endars to 19th-century play- images collected in Uni- been a change in humans’ emotional World, published by Phaidon, price ing cards, board games and verse: Exploring the Astro- response to the universe. As we have £39.95. wall hangings. nomical World strongly Although the images contradict the idea that come from a wide range of there is a division between ★COMPETITION sources, they are all in their “scientifi c” and “artistic” own way records of the same quest depictions of space. Win a copy of Universe: Exploring the Astronomical World — that of understanding the heavens Just as tomb paintings by ancient Courtesy of Phaidon publishers, we’ve a copy of the book to give away as a prize. All you have and what they tell us about ourselves. Egyptian artists included aesthetic to do is to answer the following question: A light year is a unit of length used to express For the vast majority of history, details in a depiction of the night sky astronomical distance. How long is it in miles? Send your answer on a postcard to: Universe humans had no view of space other intended to illustrate the structure of Competition, Morning Star, 52 Beachy Road, London E3 2NS or by email to enquiries@peoples- than what they could see with the their religious beliefs and medieval press.com. Please ensure you include your full name and address with your answer. naked eye and even the fi rst telescopes depictions of recorded portentous Closing date: Monday December 18, 2017 Morning Star 18 LETTERS Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

MEDIA EVENING STANDARD CHARITY ROW Paper review on BBC has become Osborne’s vileness is a mere frippery consistent with Toryism NOT for the fi rst time, the those trivial items had also THERE’S been a certain amount of sound BBC’s so-called review of tickled my fancy, I would and fury going on about the Evening the papers on its Breakfast not have been enabled to Standard’s annual charity drive, centred programme has made me follow it up. What a this year on feeding starving children cross. shocking waste of pro- who are, of course, starving in part On November 26 it was, I gramme time. because of cuts that paper supports. think, the most unsatisfac- Of course the big scandal The Standard, never one to join Tory tory, inadequate and is that, although half a policy dots, has been doing this sort of irritating such “review” dozen or so Tory-support- thing for years. But the spectacle of it that I have seen so far. For ing papers are “reviewed” continuing to champion austerity while me at least, a review of the every day, the Morning simultaneously posing as a saviour of the papers should provide some Star never gets a mention poor looks even worse when Gideon idea of what the national and the Guardian only Osborne is at the helm. press considers the most occasionally. The former British chancellor is, with- important news stories of CHRIS BIRCH out a shadow of a doubt, the main architect the day, and we should be London SW6 of the spiralling rise of poverty and des- shown the front-page peration in Britain, having savagely headlines so that, if we rinsed Britain’s welfare system to fund needed guidance, we’d corporation tax cuts under the guise of know which papers to clearing the government’s debts “by 2015” buy. (now extended to 2030, though they could STANDARD DEVIANCY: Evening Standard editor George Osborne On November 26 we say 2300 for all it matters at this point). were not shown a That he is now overseeing a charity older tradition of patrician aristocracy, its attendant view that the working class single front page. drive, bereft of any sense of self-exami- doesn’t see the deliberate collapsing of shouldn’t need to doff a cap fi rst, as a moral Instead a guest told nation or contrition over his previous welfare as confl ictual with the “moral evil worse than starvation and want. us which relatively destructive actions, has left a lot of people duty” of charitable giving. To them, the clearest good is in allow- unimportant stories Have your say – send a letter angrily denouncing his hypocrisy. Voluntary patrimony falls squarely in ing the very wealthy to give as and when had caught her eye and (of up to 300 words) to Tempting though this is, it misunder- line with much of the basic philosophy of desired to those worthy to receive it. had tickled her fancy. [email protected] stands how Tories think, which comes both early conservatism and modern-day It’s a repugnant, narcissistic view that or by post to 52 Beachy And we weren’t even Road, London from a drastically different place and is, neoliberalism, for much the same reason should call forth the Bastille-stormer in told which papers carried E3 2NS on its own terms, logical. — the key is in the voluntary bit. us all, but it’s not a hypocritical one. those stories. So, if one of Osborne, in common with the new tech- They give, but only on their terms, STUART ASKEW nocrats, old one nation Tories and the even regarding statutory redistribution, with London E10 STUCK FOR A GIFT TO GET SOMEONE? OR PERHAPS YOU WANT TO TREAT YOURSELF

NEW! Star One year’s The Story of The A Star torch keyring subscription to lapel badge Light the path to A Modest our e-edition Daily Worker Wear your socialism with our Proposal Can’t get the paper A unique insight into star on the highs and lows your Morning Star Mary Davis in your local shop? and Angus No problem! Get our at Britain’s only sleeve! keyrings Reid on what Or lapel! Holyrood can digital version socialist daily – told do for the instad by the paper’s fi rst people editor, Bill Rust Get all this in our Morning Star Star polo (price inc. postage) shirt Christmas bundle Quality and exclusive clothing! Have yourself a very Retail value £250 red Christmas But you pay A Bit Morning Star of a Leftie Dave Puller £150 greeting cards poetry * PLEASE SELECT M/L/XL A unique collection Get two collections WHEN ORDERING of Dave Puller’s of top designs to witty, angry, Save send to your loved poignant and playful poems ORDER FROM ENQUIRIES PEOPLESPRESS.COM ones OR CALL 020 85100815 £100!! Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 LETTERS 19

GRAHAM STEVENSON explores our online archive 80 YEARS years AGO ago… TODAY... GRAHAM STEVENSON explores our online archiveJapan of set the Morningits eyes Star’s on early Hong years Kong amidA STRIKE confl of icts500 across the island ■“boys and girls” agedJAPAN’S between 14aim and of 21, morning as Pearl at■ the invading factory Hongof William Kong, Harbour. Within two Lustythen a and British Sons, Crown Ltd. in weeks the multi-ethnic Poplar,Colony onresulted the coast in 100 of defenders of the colony permainland cent unionisation of China, was and had surrendered. Its areported pay rise in of the half Daily a penny garrison had already forWorker many of of December the workers, 2 been cut to a symbolic reported1937 as an the explicit Daily threat level in 1940, with Indian Workermade after of July Britain 23 1936. troops forming the bulk toleratedDue to theaggression success ofin of the defence. The theChina. strike it was decided front-line regiment of betweenThe suppression RW Lister, ofof the Rajputs resisted until it Transportnd“political activities has become ceased to exist; a third of increasinglyagainst Japan” collectable by Indian forces were battle designChinese classics. government casualties. ■offi Daily cials inWorker Hong (1930- Kong, Reprisals, including 45)had and prompted Morning a demand Star the execution of the (2000-present),to “take vigorous as action they surrendered was appearedagainst Chinese in print, patriots, at devastating, including http://tinyurl.com/and to expel anyone civilians, medical DWMSarchive.thought to be anti-Japa- Ten days’ personnel and a female accessnese in costssympathy.” just £5.99 air raid warden, most of andSuch a whole a precedent year is £72.had non-European ethnicity. already been set in Three-and-a-half Shanghai. The Chinese years of occupation by population of Hong Kong Japan saw Chinese far outnumbered the resistance groups wage non-Chinese population, guerilla war so fi ercely so it would be easy for that the Japanese took to the Japanese to fi nd razing villages in anti-Japanese activity. reprisal. Hong Kong In only four years the became a Special US POLITICS TAXATION battle for the city would Administrative Region of be one of the fi rst of the the People’s Republic of Pacifi c war — the same China in 1997. It’s possible It’s time to take on the accountants LABOUR MPs ■cheered on the Trump has YOUR correspondent Emma ensure that the 1 per cent do once they have fi xed the sys- CommunistThe bazaar MP for WestChristmas tradition Peters (M Star November 30) not pay their share. tem. Fife, Willie Gallacher sounds like the Tories I One wonders what their pro- I would recommend reading duringA CARTOON his “great on Communist Lanark- gone too encounter on Facebook who fessional body considers as tax campaigner Richard Mur- speech,”■ December the Daily 3 1937 shire County councillor parrot the view that it is down ethics, especially in light of phy’s blog. He calls for a gen- Workerwent with of theJuly theme 24 1936 Barney McCourt was to far for state to the government to close tax recent exposure from the eral anti-abuse principle and headlined.“The Daily Worker is open the very fi rst loopholes. Panama and Paradise Papers discovered that such a princi- TheDuring Family a 24-hourPaper!” Scottish bazaar at I RECENTLY wrote to the Star I know no individual who leaks. ple was embedded in the 1951 debate This Mr was Gallacher literally Central Halls, Bath pointing out that President employs an accountant to And of course these are the Finance Act. attackedtrue. Just “government a dozen years Street, Glasgow. Liver- Trump’s limited political abil- “avoid paying unnecessary same professionals the gov- I am sure that John McDon- misers”later, the and British called CP them pool’s bazaar meanwhile ities would not hinder his fi t tax.” We 99 per cent have no ernment is employing to make nell will restore it when he “hsurveyed its members was at Daulby Hall, the with the foreign policy and choice on how much tax we the tax laws — poachers becomes Chancellor. — over a third of them Spiritualist Church. methodology of the US mili- pay. But there are plenty of turned gamekeepers who CAROL WILCOX had at least one parent Unemployed workers’ tary/industrial/fi nancial com- accountants who are happy to eventually return to poaching Christchurch who had been involved leader Wal Hannington plex. since before the general would open proceedings However as the fake Presi- strike, making a mini- which included the Left dent continues to deliberately MARXISM mum of two-thirds Theatre and a give support to the neonazi far of the party You can “Punch & Judy right in the US and here, it is directly read editions of and a perhaps time to reconsider. related. ventrilo- Some moving on inevitable, the Daily Worker Historically to achieve its This (1930-45) quist for global objectives the US has was and the Star (200 0-today)Morning relied on the self-promoted refl ected , online at children.” myth that it is the defender of we must simply take care in the mstar.link/DWMSarchive Notting- liberty and freedom. special ham’s was While it would be unwise to TERRY McCARTHY writes — of the popular Scientifi c features Ten days’ access costs at the just depend on the US Establish- (M Star November 22) on the American monthly describe for £5.99 and a Albert Hall ment to dump Trump, it must Star’s excellent Full Marx the importance of one of the women, year is £72 Institute, be open to question within the series from Marx Memorial latest medical diagnostic tech- youth and Manchester’s the hard-core state, how long Library; he is concerned at niques. children at Chorlton it is prudent to tolerate a Com- the prospect of an updated Unfortunately, the two sep- — including Town Hall. mander-in-Chief who is rap- terminology being substi- arate writer/researchers seem fundraising for the whole There would be idly morphing into a fascist. tuted in our classic works of unaware of Engels’s principle family. Especially for the “presents for the BRIAN TOPPING Marxism. of dialectics, which is actually Daily Worker Bazaar husband, son or sweet- North Shields That is certainly a fraught fundamental to the technique festive season, where heart. Beautiful hand- process in a world that is described, and we can readers donated goods knitted work, or embroi- already hazarded by the attribute this omission to the for sale that were dery, even napery Yesterday’s political osmosis from an success of the “cold war” ide- bargains for working (household linens). “Tea Sudoku solution alien psychology: capitalism. ology and to the osmosis people. Items were sent cosies, scarves, arts and But some aspects of our clas- referred to above. to the paper’s offi ces for fancies. A beauty stall sic works are already ques- There is much that we can the national event at for the ladies. Home tionable in the light of mod- — and must — learn from a Shoreditch Town Hall — produce, jams, groceries, ern scientifi c understand- careful re-examination of the seventh annual confections.” ing. some of our “core” works, bazaar. Desperately A special sale of craft For instance, few mod- because there have been many needed were baby girls’ toys for children ern citizens would sub- scientifi c changes in detail dresses, and boys’ included Russian and scribe today to Engels’s since that core was formu- trousers in all sizes. Spanish themes — then anthropomorphism as lated. However, capitalism Ladies’ wear, jumpers, you could have a cup of described in his The Part Played by Labour continues its vicious development, as Lenin (et blouses and dresses were tea before the laden in the Transition from Ape to Man. al) have accurately foretold. also listed. journey home. However, two articles on 21st-century ROGER FLETCHER science — in a recent issue, August 2017 Chesham Morning Star 20 GOING OUT Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

BRISTOL: Bristol, Bath & Gloucester LEICESTER: CP branch. Contact: Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1 8JR. Very CP Branch. Meets second Wednesday of [email protected], (01780) 238-463. good food available at the bar. All READERS & the month. For details ring Mike on (0117) LIvERPOOL: Public meeting. Defend friends welcome. Admission free. 9633-164 or email bristoldistrictcpb@ People’s Korea Against US Threats and MERSEYSIDE: Merseyside Branch hotmail.co.uk. Lies! Saturday December 2 2017 at 6pm. CP. Meeting on the first Thursday of the SUPPORTERS EDINBURGH: Edinburgh Branch Meeting organised by the UK Korean month. Contact branch secretary Promote Morning Star events for free on COMMUNITY CP. Monthly branch meeting first Friendship Association. The Casa, 29 Thomas Butler for details of venue on (020) 8510-0815 or [email protected] Wednesday of each month. 6-8pm in Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BQ. [email protected] the VCR Room, Central Library, 7-9 LONDON: South East London CP. OXFORD: CP branch. Meets monthly — LISTINGS George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG. Meets monthly. www.selcp.org — all welcome. For details: 07769 557-664 or EvENTS LEEDS: CP West Yorkshire Branch. southeastlondon@communist-party. [email protected]. — SMALL ADS — Meeting 3rd Saturday of every month org.uk SHEFFIELD: South Yorkshire CP CLYDEBANK — Morning Star lar meetings soon. at 11am at the Swarthmore Centre, LONDON: CP district film and social Branch. Meets second Monday of the sale: Every Thursday from noon to LONDON — Regular readers and (020) 8510-0815 Woodhouse Square, Leeds. All get-together. 7pm Monday month. Ring Carrie on 07531 079-268 or 1pm outside Council Buildings, supporters meeting: Contact Mary [email protected] welcome. Contact 07866 479-489. December 11, The Calthorpe Arms, 252 Bryan on (0114) 2334-758. Rosebery Place. Call George on on 07719 383-322 or email london- 07511 546-085. [email protected]. COATBRIDGE — Lanarkshire MANCHESTER — Entertainer: If Readers and Supporters Morning any readers’ groups run fundraisers Star sale: Every Saturday outside and need a performer, they can al- THE RED LIST DECEMBER 2-9 Asda. Call Ronnie on 07906 195-404. ways contact Dave Puller on 07815 DUMFRIES — Morning Star sale: 006-671 or email d.puller@ntlworld. Every Saturday from noon at the com. tion of Israeli Security by Shir 11am-6pm (until 5pm on Tuesday, Uprising: Brexit And The Main- Midsteeple. New readers and sellers NORTH DEvON — Morning Star 8 SATURDAY 2 Hever until 4pm on Saturday) at Menier streaming Of The Far-Right, and welcome. Call Stuart on 07780 804- sale: Every Saturday: Contact G Sa- n3rd: 2pm at Unite, 6 Heneage Gallery (lower ground floor), 51 Julia Ebner, author of The Rage: The 561. bles on gerrard.sables@phonecoop. Latin America Conference 2017 Street West, Birmingham Southwark Street, London SE1 Vicious Circle of Islamist and Far DUMFRIES — Readers and sup- coop. n — Adelante! 4th: 6.30pm at Liverpool Guild of A display of artworks by established Right Extremism, discuss the two porters meetings: New members PAISLEY — Our Class Our Culture 9.15am at at Congress House, Students, 160 Mount Pleasant, and emerging artists based in Gaza, forms of extremism and how they welcome. Email stuart. series: Tuesday December 5 ‘Re- Great Russell Street, London WC1 Liverpool Jerusalem and New York, plus the interact. Entry £3, redeemable [email protected] for details. membering The Russian Revolution’ More than 50 speakers from across n5th: 7.30pm at Quaker Meeting powerful documentary photography against any purchase. DUNDEE — Morning Star sale: speaker John Foster 7pm at Paisley House, 10 St James’ Street, of Rich Wiles, who has been based Latin America as well as British Curry for Calais First Saturday of every month at Town Hall, Abbey Close, PAI 1JF. Sheffield in Palestine for many years. politicians, trade unionists, activists 7.30pm at Star of India, 875 High 11.30am at Brooksbank Clock, Mur- SHEFFIELD — Regular Star sales n6th: 7pm at Friends Meeting Organised by War on Want. raygate. Ring Raymond Mennie on and journalists consider the Road, London E11 pitch: Thursdays and Saturdays, House, Mount Street, Manchester 07894 901-688. resurgent right-wing offensive in the This Care4Calais winter appeal Sheffield city centre — contact region and the increasing threat of n7th: 7pm at Unite, 43-44 King EDINBURGH — Regular Morning [email protected] for more Street, Aberdeen dinner aims to raise funds for an aid US intervention. For tickets, priced 8 WEDNESDAY 6 convoy to help some of the roughly Star sale: Every Saturday at the bot- details. £10, unwaged £8, call (020) Shir Hever discusses his book on tom of the Mound, noon to 2pm. SHEFFIELD — The Labour Party how the privatisation of Israel’s 1,000 victims of war currently 7490-5715 to pay by card, send a Book event: A People’s History sleeping rough in northern France. GLASGOW — Morning Star sale: and the Struggle for Socialism. cheque to CSC c/o Unite, 33-37 security service has created a of the Russian Revolution Every Saturday, 1-4pm, at Buchanan Speakers: Chris Williamson, MP for military-security-industrial complex For tickets, priced £15, unwaged Moreland Street, London EC1V 8BB 2pm at the Working Class £10, email [email protected]. Street stall (opposite Gordon Street). Derby North, Nigel Ball, Doncaster and turned violence into a Borough Council cabinet member, or go to vicuk.org. Movement Library, 51 The Crescent, Organised by Stand up to Racism GLASGOW — Morning Star Grand commodity. and Dave Berry of Walkley Labour Salford and Care4Calais. Christmas Bazaar: Saturday De- Islamophobia and what can we Former Socialist Workers Party cember 9 at noon till 3pm (help from Party. 7pm Thursday December 7 at do about it member Neil Faulkner discusses his 10am) at the Annexe, Stewartville United Reform Church, Chapel Walk. Sheffield. To find out more, email 10.30am at the Grandstand book on the rise of the Bolsheviks Street, G11 5PE. Offers of help and SATURDAY 9 [email protected]. Community Centre, Carholme and the mass democratic character 8 goods to Jim at 07787 707-755 or Road, Lincoln of their revolution. Free entry. [email protected]. SHROPSHIRE — Regular paper Presentations and an Birmingham Christmas Concert LEICESTER — Readers and sup- sales: Call Jim 07896 976-833. exhibition seeking to The War On Terror Has Failed, 10am at Carrs Lane Church Centre, porters group: Contact Dave Wil- Email shropsmorningstar@gmail. educate the We Need a New Foreign Carrs Lane, Birmingham ford at [email protected] com. community about Policy Music and entertainment, including or (0116) 2897-975, or David Grove at SWINDON — Paper sale: Every Sat- Islamophobia, 7pm at Unison offices, Bell singalong carols from the Quinborne [email protected] or (01780) urday. If you can help, contact Pete at inform people of Street, Glasgow Choir. Enjoy a cup of tea and cake 238-463. We hope to reinstate regu- [email protected]. their rights and With speakers Murad and browse the fair trade goods on responsibility Qureshi, Stop the War sale. Entry £6 for adults, free for GROUPS’ CONTACT DETAILS to report it Coalition national chair, and under-16s. and Smina Akhtar, research Panto: Mother Goose and her AYRSHIRE — Ring Arthur 07826 127- LEICESTER — Ring (01780) 238-463 empower student at Glasgow Golden Egg — the 1806 Drury 759 or Jim 07787 707-755. them to deal University. Organised by LEIGHTON BUZZARD — Email Lane Shows [email protected] or phone with it in Glasgow Stop the War. BATH — Ring Robert 07801 700-307. 2pm at The Casa, Hope Street, 07852 838-448. future. Find BELFAST — Ring Greg Sachno on Book event: The Hippy Liverpool out more at (028) 9023-2381 ext 50764. LAMBETH — Call 07858 261-354, Trail: A History Burjesta Theatre presents the mend.org.uk. BIRMINGHAM — Email graham_ email [email protected]. Saturday 2 7pm at Housmans original Christmas panto, a truly [email protected] LONDON (WANDSWORTH) — Demonstra- Bookshop, 5 Caledonian magical story that takes you from Regular meeting: Call 07747 714-063. Road, London N1 the age of romance to the 21st BRADFORD/KEIGHLEY — Call tion: Stop the Universal credit day of action 07568 581-415. LUTON — 07713 163-078 or email Saudi/United Dr Sharif Gemie presents his century. For tickets, priced £7 for [email protected]. Arab Emirates All day across Britain history of the 1960s and ’70s adults, £5 for children, go to BRIGHTON — brightonmorning [email protected] MANCHESTER — Regular war on Yemen Demand that the Tories fix the hippy trail to Nepal, India, ticketsource.co.uk/event/206394 or meetings: Ring 07504 314-815. 1pm at the UAE problems before rolling it out Afghanistan and other points east, pay on the door. BRISTOL, BATH AND GLOUCES- embassy, 30 Princes considering in respect to the TER — Telephone (01749) 870-078. MERSEYSIDE — Meets regulary: further. See listing to find 9th-10th: John Pilger: The Gate, London SW7 counterculture, drugs, sexual CALDER vALLEY — Email geltpete @ Ring Bob on 07774 547-220 or email out more. Power of Documentary [email protected]. Protest at the Gulf coalition’s dirty liberation, tourism, pilgrimage and gmail.com. From 9.30am on Saturday and from war at this rally backed by the Arab media representation. Entry £3, NEWCASTLE — North-east 11am on Sunday at the British COvENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE — Organisation for Human Rights, redeemable against any purchase. England monthly meeting: Ring Library, 96 Euston Road, London Email [email protected] Human Rights for Yemen, the Martin on 07799 040-570 or email Film screening: Open Bethle- NW1 DARLINGTON — Ring Desmond on [email protected]. Muslim Association of Britain, hem One of the great documentary- 07951 106-204. Sheba for Democracy and Human PETERBOROUGH — Regular 8 MONDAY 4 7.30pm at David Lean Cinema, makers introduces films from across DEvON (NORTH) — Ring Gerrard meetings: Ring (01733) 262-338. Rights and the Stop the War Sables on (01271) 373-338 or email Katharine Street, Croydon his career at a two-day event. PLYMOUTH — Call 07800 508-261 or Coalition. [email protected] Rethinking Civil Rights and Leila Sansour’s film spans seven Weekend pass costs £15/£12/£10. email [email protected]. Race DUNDEE — Ring Raymond Mennie Nobel Peace Prize Party: momentous years in the life of her For full range of tickets and PONTYPRIDD — Email viv 7pm at Five Leaves Bookshop, 14a 07894 901-688. Manchester home town, revealing a city under programme, go to bl.uk/events/ Martin: [email protected]. 2pm at Friends Meeting House, Long Row, Nottingham occupation and charting the john-pilger-the-power-of-documen- DUMFRIES — Email stuart.hyslop1@ Mount Street, Manchester With Professor Richard King of the creation of a campaign for tary-series. RICHMOND & KINGSTON — hotmail.co.uk for details. Regular group: Ring (020) 8979-6091 Celebration of the International University of Nottingham, a international action to bring peace to Day of Action in support of the EASTBOURNE — Email Scott at or email [email protected]. Campaign Against Nuclear participant in the US civil rights the Middle East. Followed by a live Nobel Peace Prize [email protected]. Weapons winning the Nobel Peace movement of the 1960s. Tickets £3. Q&A with Open Bethlehem SHROPSHIRE — Regular paper 11am outside the Ministry of FORTH vALLEY — Covering Prize. With Julie Hesmondhalgh; To register, email fiveleaves. Campaign executive director Sara sales: Call 07896 976-833 or email Defence, Whitehall, London SW1 Falkirk, Sterling and Alloa: Call [email protected]. RISE! members Iris Mavraki and [email protected]. Apps. Tickets priced £8, conces- A die-in to mark the award of the Colin Finlay on 07837 305-619 or Aidan Jolly and Open Voices Choir. sions £6.50, go to ticketsource. SOUTHAMPTON — Regular 4th-9th: Bethlehem Carol Nobel Peace Prize to the Interna- email [email protected]. Free entry (expect a collection). co.uk/boxoffice/venueplan/ group: Contact Glynn Tudor, Services tional Campaign to Abolish Nuclear HARPENDEN — Email Bring food. To find out more, call WLIVMRiFkWmd. [email protected] n4th: 7pm at St James’s, 197 Weapons. For details of other events [email protected]. to get involved. (0161) 273-8283 or email gmdcnd@ Piccadilly, London W1 nationwide, go to cnduk.org/ gn.apc.org. Organised by Greater HASTINGS & SUSSEX — Email SHEFFIELD/SOUTH YORKSHIRE — n7th: 7pm at St Peter’s Methodist get-involved/events. [email protected], Manchester & District Campaign for R&S group: Call Steve 07851 753-711. Church, St Peter’s Street, 8 THURSDAY 7 07950 138-971. Nuclear Disarmament. Email [email protected] Canterbury KENT (EAST) — Call 07976 943-514, SWINDON — Paper sales: Email Stop and Fix Universal Credit n9th: 7pm at St Mary Redcliffe Solidarity with DSEI defend- [email protected]. jackobadenski@ yahoo.com. Church, Redcliffe Way, Bristol ants: court support day of action KENT (NORTH) — Email WALES (NORTH) — Regular All day at various locations With special guest speaker Sami 9am outside Stratford magistrates’ court, 389-397 High Street, [email protected] meetings: Email trevorjones.dtuc@ nationwide Awad from the Holy Land Trust and or call Ryan on 07549 733-739. hotmail.co.uk or call (01745) 822-218. music from various performers. London E15 Demand that the government fixes LANARKSHIRE — Ring Ronnie on Donations from all three services go Show support for those arrested YORKSHIRE — ryedalesocialists @ the problems with universal credit 07906 195-404. gmail.com. before rolling it out further. For to Amos Trust’s Christmas appeal at protests against the DSEI details, go to unitetheunion.org/ supporting Palestinian peace arms fair in September as they campaigning/events/stop-and-fix- activists in the West Bank and Gaza. face their plea hearings. universal-credit-day-of-action. Organised by Campaign Against CONTACT US Organised by Unite Community. Arms Trade. Tell us about your events! 8 TUESDAY 5 Book event: The Mainstream- Email redlist@ ADVERTISE HERE ing Of The Far Right peoples-press.com 8 SUNDAY 3 5th-9th: Memory Metamorpho- 7pm at Housmans Bookshop, 5 (020) 8510-0815 sis: an exhibition on Palestinian Caledonian Road, London N1 ( 3rd-7th: Book events: Privatisa- memory Paul Stocker, author of English :[email protected] Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 FEATURES 21

The Quizmaster with William Sitwell 30 days COMMIE CHEF left 1. What would you use ’star anise’ for? Test your FIGHTING 2. Which insects belong to the order Apoidea? general knowledge Cheese and 3. True or false: a riddle is a kind of sieve. with our daily quiz – and see Answers on Monday… FUND if you can beat mushroom buns The Quizmaster… HESE are great the soup on offer this week!). ■ Yesterday’s answers WITH IVAN BEAVIS served with the win- I make several variations ter soup which of them, with smoked tofu 1. Safari is to Apple what Chrome is to…? formed my recipe or sun-dried tomatoes Google (they are internet browsers) YOU’VE RAISED Tlast week, or with whatever instead of olives. 2. What was the title of the BBC WE STILL NEED your favourite soup is (or, So if you like the recipe, television programme featuring more likely in these times, do try your own experiments the jazz players George Melly (right) and John Chilton? £2,084 £15,916 Good Time George Ingredients 3. What was the title of the OUR fi rst day of the month persuade more and more Dr Who series that had to was fl ooded as usual with the into unplayable debt, some- ■ 200g/4oz hard cheese fl our, or mixture of white be abandoned after the welter of standing orders how I feel that the festive BBC crew went on strike in (such as Cheddar) and wholemeal 1979? Shada, which has that so many readers pro- season will not dispel our coarsely grated ■ 80g/3ozs butter, melted recently been re-released gramme for the fi rst day of pessimism about the rav- ■ 110g/4oz mushrooms, ■ 25cl milk with the missing bits the month plus bits and ages of capitalism. chopped small ■ 2 eggs restored pieces online from readers The fi ght will go on ■ ■ 100g black olives, 1 sachet of bicarbonate Pic: Pg champion/Creative Commons in Abingdon and Worcester against this monstrous gov- stoned and chopped of soda (usually 7g) Park. A nice way to go into ernment and the impact of into small pieces ■ freshly ground black Xmas month. its policies. ■ 300g/11oz plain white pepper to taste Of course, in today’s se- We will laugh at their sheer vere austerity climate, the incompetence as they try to Sudoku Intermediate Morning Star can only ask its match the slick EU negotia- What to do readers to do their best to tors and we will rage that we keep us going fi nancially continue to fawn to the Preheat the oven to knitting needle and if when so many of you are up tweet-obsessed bigot US 180°C/350°F/mark 4. they’re not quite cooked against it to put food on the president and full-time use- Grease about a dozen through, give them fi ve table and buy presents for less golfer. large bun cases, but keep more minutes. the family. Enjoy the weekend after more handy in case you I hope that many of you your heroic fundraising ef- need them. open bountiful advent cal- forts of last month and re- Mix the fl our, the bicarb endars, but with rapacious member that they have to set and the salt in a large bowl. landlords, creaking public the standard for future ef- In a separate bowl mix services and the deluge of forts to protect the Morning together the eggs and the mass advertising seeking to Star. milk, then add the melted butter and mix well. Add this mixture to the fl our. You can give by… Fry the mushrooms and add them to the mixture POST Payable to PPFF to: Fighting Fund, along with the stoned and 52 Beachy Road, London E3 2NS chopped olives. PHONE From 10am-5pm on (020) 8510-0815 Mix well and add the cheese and black pepper. ONLINE At morningstaronline.co.uk/support Fill each bun case about ¾ full and bake in the oven for half an hour. WEEKEND WEATHER Test with a skewer or Light rain max 7°C Solution on Monday… ABERDEEN Sat Sun Cloudy max 7°C BIRMINGHAM Sat Overcast max 7°C Crossword 1,216 set by Alamet Sun Cloudy max 9°C CARDIFF Sat Cloudy max 8°C Across Down Sun Cloudy max 10°C 1. Brew alcohol – must fan have it 2. Trash torn to pieces by Polaris EDINBURGH Sat Cloudy max 7°C immediately after eating? (2,1,4,7) (5,4) Sun Cloudy max 6°C 9. Censure helpful person on 3. To dial rector is an aff ront (5) Cloudy max 8°C strike (8) 4. Catholic peninsula I leave GLASGOW Sat 10. Carpet betrayed about club between the lines (7) Sun Cloudy max 8°C (5) 5. Fill Dickensian house with fairy LIVERPOOL Sat Cloudy max 9°C 12. Notice present to royal wings (7) Cloudy max 10°C supporter (7) 6. Attack merriment in working Sun 13. Shock heartless deserter in street (9) LONDON Sat Cloudy max 6°C hackneyed surroundings (7) 7. A fi ght is on (5) Sun Cloudy max 10°C 14. New funny turn for friend, of 8. Greeting theologian on English MANCHESTER Sat Cloudy max 6°C course (9) horse gives excited dean ulterior 16. Gardener reportedly follows, motive (6,6) Sun Cloudy max 10°C starts to grow unlimited fruit (5) 11. Artist wins part of city (12) NEWCASTLE Sat Cloudy max 6°C 18. Weary individual with energy 15. Manage to make a business Sun Sunny max 7°C lacking from each element (5) magnate fi nd deserters (9) 19. Wreck of a street trailer (9) 17. Not drinking at best inn to get NORWICH Sat Cloudy max 5°C 21. Back 16 not acceptable for a drunk (9) Sun Cloudy max 9°C returning attacker (7) 19. Number surrounding old city PLYMOUTH Sat Cloudy max 8°C 23. Spooner is able to object to have time to be underhand (7) humanity (7) 20. Six-footer not reading Sun Cloudy max 10°C 25. Note snake in vessel (1-4) textbook promoted to editor (7) SHEFFIELD Sat Cloudy max 8°C 26. Spoiled what Dennis Skinner 22. Sound of engine very Sun Partly cloudy max 9°C would never say? (8) occasionally low when turning 27. A Thames path he’d over (5) SOUTHAMPTON Sat Cloudy max 6°C constructed using cockney 24. Simple upright in part of Sun Cloudy max 10°C choppers (9,5) church (5) Outlook: There is a Native American saying befi tting this weekend: “Some- times I go about pitying myself, and all the while I am being carried across the Solution on Monday… sky by beautiful clouds.” Temperatures are up minimally to 10°C. Morning Star 22 SPORT Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017

UFC SCOTTISh FOOTbALL SAFETy ON-PITCh: Andy Rose and Callum McGregor at Fir Park on Wednseday, Questions when players were pelted Players demand with coins and other objects raised over how long action on missiles McGregor by Our Sports Desk members had been threat- ened by fans. The former Motherwell can stay idle SCOTTISH players’ union and Rangers defender leader Fraser Wishart added: “Interestingly, the UFC PRESIDENT Dana called for action yesterday only contact we received White is unsure how long to stamp out missile-throw- when the results of the Conor McGregor can keep ing after Celtic captain survey were produced was his lightweight title Scott Brown claimed he and from members of Commu- without defending it. his teammates are targeted nity Police in Glasgow who “That’s what we have to “pretty much every week.” met with us to discuss the figure out,” White told the Motherwell vowed to results and to offer Associated Press in a investigate after Brown assistance should it be Thursday night telephone reported that coins and required. interview, three days other items were thrown “Players’ views on their before UFC 218 in Detroit. onto the Fir Park pitch health and safety must be McGregor hasn’t fought during Wednesday night’s taken seriously and the in the UFC since he 1-1 draw. recent trend of throwing knocked out Eddie Wishart, chief executive coins and flares is worrying. Alvarez on November 4 of PFA Scotland, said: “Players, of course, do 2016. “Scott Brown’s comments not wish to spoil the White said he talks regarding the throwing of enjoyment of fans as their weekly with McGregor, objects at players need to singing generates the adding that he’s under be taken seriously and we atmosphere at grounds. contract to fight four more trust that the authorities There is a fine line, times for UFC. will take the appropriate however, between banter White said that McGre- action to ensure that this and abuse and our members gor, who made about $100 dangerous practice is simply ask that supporters million for boxing Floyd stopped. think about what they shout Mayweather in August, “The football pitch is a at players and the effect doesn’t have a sense of player’s place of work and it that might have on the urgency to fight because is not unreasonable for a individual. Of paramount of the money he made for player, like any other importance is to stop throw- stepping into the ring with employee, to be able to work ing objects at players Mayweather. with the knowledge that immediately. “He’s super-famous and their workplace is indeed a “Scott says he and his super-rich,” White said. safe environment, free colleagues are getting used “He’s going through what from discrimination and to it. Our members up and guys his age go through their health and safety is down the country should when they get this kind of not at risk.” not have to get used to it crazy money. You take Wishart referenced a and we cannot wait until a some time off, blow a 2016 survey showing that player is hurt before bunch of money doing 35 per cent of PFA Scotland addressing this issue.” things you never got to do. When you’ve got $100 million, you don’t need to be in a rush.”

INTERNATIONAL FOOTbALL: GERMANy St Pauli will need to up their game to pull away from the relegation zone

HAT was sup- The result took their game took place last night, to the relegation zone than posed to be a Bavarian opponents closer to just as the Star went to press, they are to the promotion favourable run safety, but going into the and it was an opportunity for playoff places and, rather of fixtures for game St Pauli would have Olaf Janssen’s side to end than looking up the table, St Pauli FC been hoping that any convinc- their six game winless streak. they are now looking over goingW into the winter break ing scoreline would go in The manager has called for their shoulders. hasn’t got off to the best of their favour. more passion from his play- “The season has shown starts. Goalkeeper Robin Him- ers in forthcoming games as how evenly balanced the They were only able to melmann summed up the they look to turn things league is,” added Janssen. draw at home to Jahn Regens- feeling in the camp. around. “We’re dealing with the burg in their first game back “We made a decent start, “At Furth we didn’t show situation with respect and following the international but after 20 minutes that was the desire to win the game at humility. break. it,” he said. all costs,” said Janssen. “No-one is wasting time It could easily have been “It’s hard to say why. “We need to have that kind looking up the table.” worse, but, having found “We obviously wanted to do of desire on the pitch, both in St Pauli entertain Duisburg themselves 2-0 down within better, but we simply can’t training and during games. and Bochum at the Millerntor 25-minutes, goals from Lasse lose 4-0. The result is a dis- “Any player who shows the in the two games before the Sobiech and Sami Allagui aster. right attitude, desire and German leagues take their rescued a point at the Mill- “We have to stand tall and determination in training is winter break and they will be erntor. give as good as we get. welcome. looking to go into this rest Next up was a trip to sec- “We need to get the game “The desire to be success- period reflecting on victories ond-bottom Greuther Furth out of our heads now and ful is the fuel for our engine.” rather than dwelling on where they fell to a hugely come back against Bielefeld.” The club are now in a situ- defeats. Pic: Stefan Robkopf/Creative Commons disappointing 4-0 defeat. The Arminia Bielefeld ation where they are closer JAMES NALTON Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 SPORT 23

RACING: YOUR GUIDE TO THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION Taking a right Royal Vacation at Newbury Our tipster casts his expert eye over the pick of the weekend’s meets

OME brilliant racing this weekend headed Farringdon’s by the Ladbrokes Tro- doubles phy Chase at New- bury at 3pm and I SATURDAY fancyS a massive run from Royal Vacation (nap). ROYAL VACATION Colin Tizzard’s charge is Newbury 3:00 (nap) probably best known for his TOWERLANDS PARK victory in last year’s Kauto Wolverhampton 7:45 Star Novices Chase at Kempton when he took advantage of SUNDAY Might Bite’s departure. APPLE’S JADE Following that run, the son Fairyhouse 1:30 (nap) of King’s Theatre slammed another of today’s rivals, Pot- DEATH DUTY ters Legend, in the Timeform Fairyhouse 2:35 Novices Chase at Cheltenham before two poor runs back at Houseman’s Prestbury Park and Sandown when he didn’t jump well but choice was considered over the top by connections. SATURDAY However, Tizzard expressed CONEYGREE himself more than happy with his comeback run at Wetherby Newbury 3:00 behind Guitar Pete over an more give in the ground, but I At Newcastle, the big race The drying ground at the SUNDAY inadequate two-and-a-half RACING can see the likes of A Genie In of the day is the Unibet Fight- Gosforth Park track is a big GOLDEN INVESTMENT miles, which should have put Abottle and Singlefarmpay- ing Fifth Hurdle at 2.10 and the plus for him. Carlisle 4:00 him spot on for this tough TIPS ment both running well over reigning Champion Hurdler At Doncaster, Just Milly assignment. with this stamina, sapping three- Buveur D’Air should see off looks the call in the 2.20 off Of course, he will need a and-a-quarter miles. the likes of former winner Irv- what looks a very fair mark, career-best effort to even go Farringdon Elsewhere on the card, Cap ing and mud-lark Flying Tiger. while I also like the look of fancied in the November Hand- close in this fabulous contest, Soleil may continue her amaz- Later on, at 3.20, the Kings Cross in the staying hur- icap but didn’t get home that but his January form at Chel- ing winning run in the opening Rehearsal Chase can go the dle at 2.55. day and the return to an arti- tenham would put him right in mares event at 12.10, while I way of Wakanda. He got back Finally, there are some good ficial surface looks spot on for the mix in what looks a wide- up in the Munster National but also have a sneaking suspicion on track on his seasonal debut prizes up for grabs under the this lightly raced four-year- open affair. has gone up appreciably in the that the well-handicapped when second to As De Mee at lights at Wolverhampton where old. Of his rivals, the Willie Mul- weights, while the latter was a Baby King can get his jumping Kelso and off a 2lbs lower mark Towerlands Park (nb) should He has been given a short lins pair Total Recall and fine ninth in the Aintree together in the valuable should go close here with per- take all the beating in the break to get over that run and Pleasant Company must be National last back end. extended two-and-three-quar- haps the hat-trick-seeking Sam extended nine-furlong handi- I know he is expected to leave respected. The former hosed American may want a bit ter-mile chase at 3.35. Red his biggest rival. cap at 7.45. He was strongly that form way behind here.

DOPING: RUSSIA ADAMANT: Russia’s Deputy Russia’s deputy prime minister claims Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko there is no state-sponsored doping by Our Sports Desk tioned for running a state- Let’s openly display all the case against Russia, who also sponsored doping programme facts. fled Moscow in November between 2011 and 2015, with “We are playing by the 2015 — had given the IOC and RUSSIAN Deputy Prime Min- recent revelations suggesting rules,” he insisted. Wada his diary, which seem- ister Vitaly Mutko accused Russians will only be allowed Mutko asked why nobody ingly corroborates his earlier Western media of “distorting to compete in Pyeongchang as was investigating the anti- testimony, the forensic testing reality” and “trampling” over neutral athletes. doping laboratory in Los the organisations have car- his nation in at a press confer- But having said he really Angeles, which recently lost ried out on Russian samples ence yesterday ahead of the wanted to talk about football, its World Anti-Doping Agency and the electronic record of 2018 football World Cup draw the ex-sports minister pro- (Wada) accreditation, or the all the tests conducted by the in Moscow. claimed Russia’s innocence allegations of doping in Nor- Moscow lab for nearly four The chairman of the World and denounced the flaws in the wegian biathlon or British years. Cup organising committee case against his country and football. Mutko, however, said: “We said he did not want to specu- doping elsewhere. When a New York Times believe in due process and the late about Tuesday’s Interna- “I’m happy to go to any journalist asked if he should presumption of innocence. tional Olympic Committee court or disciplinary commit- resign, Mutko accused the Has any of this evidence been (IOC) decision on Russian tee. There has never been any paper of “distorting reality.” validated? involvement at the 2018 Win- state-sponsored doping in The New York Times “What is this fashion for ter Olympics in South Korea. Russia,” he said. revealed last week that Dr collective punishments? The IOC is set to announce “We do not need to do that Grigory Rodchenkov — the “Let any individual caught whether Russia will be sanc- and we have never done it. main whistle-blower in the cheating be punished.” 24 Morning Star Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 Sport LONDON OLYMPIC LEGACY Weekend football Premier League Chelsea Newcastle Utd, 12.30pm Brighton Liverpool Everton Huddersfield Town Leicester City Burnley Stoke City Swansea City KHAN TO BAIL OUT Watford Tottenham Hotspur West Brom Crystal Palace Arsenal Manchester Utd, 5.30pm Championship Bolton Wanderers Barnsley Brentford Fulham Derby County Burton Albion Ipswich Town Nottingham Forest Millwall Sheffield Utd Preston North End QPR LONDON STADIUM Sheffield Wednesday Hull City Sunderland Reading Public body in charge of ground ‘took on all the risk’ and costs for conversion Bristol City Middlesbrough, 5.30pm League One by Our Sports Desk TOO BIG TO FAIL: The Bristol Rovers Rotherham Utd rebuilt former Olympic Southend Utd Oldham Athletic Stadium in east London LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan is FA Cup to take over control of the Lon- Notts County Oxford City, 12.30pm Bradford City Plymouth Argyle don Stadium, after an independ- Fleetwood Town Hereford FC ent review revealed “a cata- Forest Green Rovers Exeter City logue of errors” leading to mas- Gillingham Carlisle Utd sively increased costs during Milton Keynes Dons Maidstone Utd the stadium’s conversion after Port Vale Yeovil Town Shrewsbury Town Morecambe the London 2012 Olympics. Stevenage Swindon Town The review, published yes- terday, called the conversion a Scottish Premiership Celtic Motherwell “bungled decision that has left Hearts Hamilton Academical the taxpayer to foot an annual Partick Thistle Hibernian loss of around £20 million.” Ross County Dundee Mr Khan said: “I ordered St Johnstone Kilmarnock the review into the finances of Scottish Championship the London Stadium to under- Dundee Utd Dunfermline Athletic stand how key decisions were Livingston Falkirk made about its transformation Morton Brechin City Queen Of The South Inverness CT and why costs were allowed to St Mirren Dumbarton spiral out of control. Scottish League One “What has been presented Airdrieonians Forfar Athletic is simply staggering. Not for Arbroath Stranraer the first time, it reveals a bun- Ayr Utd Albion Rovers gled decision-making process Queen’s Park East Fife that has the previous mayor’s Raith Rovers Alloa Athletic fingerprints all over it.” Scottish League Two Mr Khan ordered the inves- Annan Athletic Elgin City tigation after learning that the Premier League side West decided to rerun the bid process ment in response to the report Berwick Rangers Stirling Albion What’s your view? Clyde Montrose bill to taxpayers for converting Ham, which have a 99-year with the taxpayer taking all the saying it will “continue to Cowdenbeath Stenhousemuir the centrepiece of the London lease on the 60,000-seat sta- risks and footing almost the devote our absolute commit- Send an email to Peterhead Edinburgh City 2012 Olympic and Paralympic dium, made a one-off contribu- whole bill. You simply couldn’t ment to London Stadium,” add- [email protected] Games into a multi-purpose tion of £15m to the conversion make it up,” Mr Khan said. ing that its first priority is All kickoffs 3pm unless noted venue had climbed to £323m. costs and pay £2.5m a year in “I am determined to put the “always to act in the best inter- London Legacy Develop- rent. The total price tag for the London Stadium on a stronger ests of our supporters.” ment Corporation (LLDC), the stadium, which also has a new financial footing and secure its The statement concluded Sport on TV body which operates the sta- roof, is estimated to be £752m long-term future, but I’m that “the stadium itself craves Eurosport 1 1pm and 6.45pm, BBC dium for the Greater London “Boris Johnson clearly pan- under no illusion that this is renewed leadership and direc- 8Saturday One 1.15pm, BBC Two England 2pm. Authority, admitted that prob- icked when faced with legal going to take time and some tion and we welcome the may- CRICKET: Australia v England, second Test — BT Sport 1 3am (Sun); India v lems with the venue’s retract- challenges about West Ham and real commitment from all or’s decision to step in and Sri Lanka, third Test — Sky Sports 8Sunday able seating were the biggest Newham’s joint bid to take own- partners to make this work.” deliver this. West Ham United Main Event 6am and 3.50am (Sun), CRICKET: Australia v England, second cause of the rise in costs. ership of the stadium and then West Ham issued a state- is firmly behind him.” Sky Sports Cricket 6am, 9.55pm and Test — BT Sport 1 3am (Mon); India v 3.50am (Sun); New Zealand v West Sri Lanka, third Test — Sky Sports Indies, first Test — Sky Sports Main Main Event 6am and 4.30am (Mon), Event 10pm. Sky Sports Cricket 6am and 3.50am FOOTBALL: Premier League, Chelsea (Mon); New Zealand v West Indies — MEN’S FOOTBALL: WORLD CUP v Newcastle — Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket 9.55pm. Sky Sports Premier League 11.30am, FOOTBALL: Premier League, Bourne- Arsenal v Manchester United — BT mouth v Southampton — Sky Sports Sport 1 5pm; Championship, Bristol Premier League 12.30pm, Sky Sports City v Middlesbrough — Sky Sports Main Event 1.15pm, Manchester City v Main Event 5.15pm; FA Cup second West Ham — Sky Sports Premier Favourable group draw for round, Notts County v Oxford City — League, Sky Sports Main Event BT Sport 1 12pm. 3.30pm; Scottish Premiership, Aber- RUGBY LEAGUE: World Cup final, deen v Rangers — Sky Sports Main Australia v England — BBC Two Eng- Event 12.30pm; Welsh Cup third land 8.30am. round, Caernarfon Town v Barry Town England’s 2018 campaign RUGBY UNION: Wales v South Africa, United — S4C 2.30pm. autumn Test — BBC One 2pm, S4C RUGBY UNION: Premiership, Harle- Gareth Southgate’s side will ment and have only lost one of Portugal and Spain in Group B 2pm; Premiership, Exeter v Bath and quins v Saracens — BT Sport 1 2.30pm; by Our Sports Desk Wasps v Leicester — BT Sport 2 Championship, London Scottish v Rich- face Tunisia in their opening their 21 matches against them. with Morocco and Iran. 1.30pm and 4.15pm; PRO14, Munster v mond — Sky Sports Action 2.45pm. game in Volgograd on June 18, Former England captain France, Australia, Peru and Ospreys — Sky Sports Action 5pm, SNOOKER: UK Championship — BBC ENGLAND were handed a a repeat of their first game in Shearer told the BBC: “I don’t Denmark make up Group C, Cheetahs v Scarlets — S4C 5.15pm. Two England 1pm, Eurosport 1 1pm favourable draw for the 2018 the 1998 World Cup in France, want to say it’s a good group with Group D perhaps the clos- SNOOKER: UK Championship — and 6.45pm. World Cup in Russia yester- when goals from Alan Shearer or a bad group because I’ve est to a so-called “group of day after being chosen to face and Paul Scholes gave England heard it so many times over death” as it contains Argentina, Published by the People’s Press MSTAR 2017-12-02 SAT 1.2 Belgium, Panama and Tunisia a 2-0 win in Marseille. the years. Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria. Printing Society Ltd, William Rust in Group G. They will then travel to “We’ve got six days of rest Brazil, Switzerland, Costa House, 52 Beachy Road, Bow, 4 8 London E3 2NS. Telephone: (020) After avoiding Argentina, Nizhny Novgorod on June 24 after our first game, which if Rica and Serbia were drawn 8510-0815. Fax: (020) 8986-5694. Brazil and Germany, England to take on Panama, with their they are worried about travel, in Group E, with defending Email: enquiries@peoples-press. were the penultimate team final group fixture against Bel- that shouldn’t be an issue.” champions Germany in Group com. Registered with Companies House as Morning Star (in- picked from Pot 2 by Diego gium on June 28 in Kalinin- Elsewhere in the draw, hosts F with Mexico, Sweden and corporating the Daily Worker) No Maradona in the draw cere- grad. Russia were placed in Group A South Korea. N5559. Printed by trade union mony in the Kremlin’s State England have never lost to alongside Saudi Arabia, Egypt Poland, Senegal, Colombia labour at Trinity Mirror. Palace. Belgium at a major tourna- and Uruguay, with neighbours and Japan make up Group H. Saturday/Sunday December 2-3 2017 9 770307 175367