PAGE 8 HORTON: ‘NEW’ PARTY, OLD TANTRUM

FOR PEACE AND SOCIALISM

ALGERIA: Military plane PAGE 12 crash kills 257PAGE peopleXX

£1 Thursday April 12 2018 Proudly owned by our readers | Incorporating the Daily Worker | Est 1930 | morningstaronline.co.uk ACADEMY

CHEATING ■ FEATURE Rodney Bickerstaff e Remembering a trade union legend JEREMY CORBYN writes on memories of his old friend Bick, a tireless campaigner for just causes. Turn to COVER-UP? page 11

Incorruptible and NEU activist sounds alarm on institutions inspirational, we were lucky to have him, says friend and fellow trade unionist BARBARA SWITZER. fl uffi ng results and hiding major failures Turn to page 10 by Conrad Landin The sensational allegation RSCs are a new class of Agency and these will be inves- in Liverpool emerged as the National Edu- Department for Education tigated.” cation Union raised the alarm (DfE) civil servants with Mr Groome told the Star over the “falsifi cation of data” huge powers over approving that there were cases of teach- AN academy chain “covered being used to infl ate grades. and intervening in academy ers being struck off “again and up” wholesale cheating by a Bob Groome, an NEU rep in schools. again” over assisting pupils school which paid profession- Norfolk, told delegates: “We’ve Mr Coulson served as the with exams and coursework. als to “point at the answers” had ... instances where schools fi rst commissioner for the “What I’m asking the union during SATs exams, a teacher hired in extra support for east of England and north-east to do is to research to fi nd out claimed yesterday. pupils during Sats examina- London. He resigned last year if this is rife across the coun- tions, in order to enhance the to become chief executive of try, or just specifi c to Norfolk,” pass rate. the West Suff olk-based Samuel he said. “In other words they’re Ward Academy Trust. The union rep said he was sitting next to the child When contacted by the Star, regularly called in to repre- and they’re pointing at the he said: “Any enquiries about sent teachers facing discipli- answers. In one particular my time as RSC need to go to nary action from their schools ■ THEATRE case, someone whistle-blew, the DfE press offi ce. I hope because kids had not made and the trust was able to cover they will say this is libellous.” “suffi cient progress” academi- she had a ticket in up the issue by removing the But a DfE spokeswoman cally. head.” said: “This is a matter for “I look at the predicted mind (Camden) Mr Groome went on to say Tim Coulson and his offi ce to grades on the evidence sheet that “through infl uence with respond to.” and I’m quite often quite Enthralling and powerful, the regional schools commis- “Any instances of cheating astounded how the grades have with a cracking cast, this is a sioner” (RSC) for the area, Tim in exams are completely unac- been infl ated in comparison to must watch play, according to Coulson (pictured), the acad- ceptable. Any allegations of the original data,” he said. CAITLÍN DOHERTY. emy trust was “able to brush malpractice should be reported Turn to page 5 Turn to page 13 everything under the carpet.” to the Standards and Testing ATL conference: p5

PAGE 3 ANTI-ARMS: PROTESTERS ‘TRYING TO STOP A GREATER EVIL’ FOUND GUILTY Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk 2 Thursday news morningstaronline April 12 2018 @m_star_online

■ INDUSTRY Retail crisis worsens as Shop Direct axes 2,000 workers by Peter Lazenby of the proposed closure and relo- Union offi cials are at the sites Northern Reporter cation of the Shop Direct sites. to advise workers. “The company has been pro- Mr Aylward added: “Today’s viding employment for fami- announcement is also a very BRITAIN’S retail industry crisis lies in the North West for many sad day for the North West as deepened yesterday with the decades and these sites have dif- Shop Direct was created from announcement of 2,000 job ferent generations of the same the merger of the iconic mail losses at online fi rm Shop Direct families working there. order and retail giants, Little- in Greater Manchester. “The impact of closures will woods and Great Universal Stores Shop workers’ union Usdaw be huge on hundreds of families, and these are the company’s last said staff were “shocked and dev- local businesses and the local remaining fulfi lment sites in the astated” at the announcement, communities. region.” which involves the closure of “We are seeking an urgent Shop Direct interim boss three Shop Direct centres near meeting with the company to Derek Harding called it a “tough Oldham and Bolton. look at the business case for the day for the business,” but he Work will be transferred to proposed closures and we will insisted the proposals are nec- an automated warehouse in the look to mobilise the support of essary to secure its future. Midlands, where the company local MPs and councillors.” [email protected] says around 500 new jobs and between 200-300 agency roles will be created. These job losses are in addi- tion to the 10,000 positions lost in Britain’s retail sector in recent months by high street names such as Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Mothercare. Toys R Us, Asda, Sainsbury, Homebase and Morrisons. Usdaw divisional offi cer Mike Aylward said: “Our members are understandably shocked and dev- astated by today’s announcement BACK IN THE DAY: Littlewoods was a familiar sight on the high street

■ TRANSPORT Scottish Tories and SNP block alliance to save East Coast

RODNEY BICKERSTAFFE of the franchise since privatisa- be kept out of Brian Souter’s by Conrad Landin tion, amounted to a “bailout” hands.” The Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Committee is deeply Scotland Editor that would save Stagecoach and Mr Souter has donated over saddened at the death of our Patron, Rodney: A kindly Virgin up to £2 billion. £2 million to the SNP. He also comrade, always encouraging and full of humour. Yesterday, Scottish Labour funded a campaign in 2000 to TORIES and nationalists have called on the SNP administra- retain the Local Government His support for a statue for Sylvia Pankhurst was as ef- rejected a plea to block a reac- tion at Holyrood to support a Act’s anti-gay section 28 as part fective as it was enthusiastic even during his illness. tionary billionaire from run- “cross-party, cross-border alli- of Scottish law. But he claims He fought tirelessly for equality and justice nationally ning the troubled InterCity East ance” for public ownership of he is not homophobic and has and internationally and leaves a great legacy - the Coast railway franchise. the route. gay friends. Brian Souter’s Stagecoach “If the Scottish government The Scottish Tories leapt to National Minimum Wage. group is the majority owner of cannot bring itself to support his defence yesterday, with a He is sorely missed and the world is a poorer place Virgin Trains East Coast, which the nationalisation of our rail- spokeman saying: “It’s very for his passing. has backed out early from the ways, it must at least agree that typical of Labour to want to stop franchise – which provides serv- Stagecoach should be barred one of Scotland’s most success- Our thoughts are with Pat and Rodney’s family. ices on the East Coast Main Line from bidding for the route ful businessmen from helping between London and Scotland again,” said Scottish Labour out the rail network.” Philippa Clark, Mary Davis, – after making losses. rural economy spokesman Colin Labour called on the SNP Megan Dobney, Barbara Switzer Labour and trade unions Smyth. to “break its silence” over the have said the rescue package, “Having mismanaged the issue, insisting that Transport the third of its kind for a holder route so badly, East Coast should Minister Humza Yousaf “can morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline news Thursday @m_star_online April 12 2018 3

n BALLOT n WEAPONS TRADE TGI Friday staff to vote FOUR FOUND GUILTY OVER on first strike over wages OBSTRUCTING ARMS FAIR TGI Friday staff are to be balloted for strike NOTORIOUS: The court heard evidence that DSEI arms fair sold weapons illegal under UK law action for the first time in the restaurant chain’s history. by Sam Tobin The Unite union accused the company, which has 83 branches FOUR protesters who obstructed in Britain, of failing to the road to a notorious arms pay the minimum wage. fair that hosted authoritarian A wave of strike bal- regimes and exhibited illegal lots will start at the TGI weapons were convicted yes‑ Friday restaurants in terday. Milton Keynes and Lon- Gary McDonald, 28, Chloe don’s Covent Garden on McKirdle, 21, Iain Oliver, 37, Wednesday next week. and Matthew Watling, 43, were Further votes will take found guilty of aggravated tres‑ place at two branches pass at Stratford magistrates’ each week. court. Unite is also conduct- They were each fined £200 ing a recruitment cam- and ordered to pay £500 pros‑ paign and will stage a ecution costs. protest outside the Cov- The quartet attached them‑ ent Garden restaurant selves with lock boxes on UNITED: Gary McDonald, Chloe McKirdle, Matthew Watling, Iain Oliver tomorrow at 6.30pm. Seagull Lane, near the Excel The strike ballots are Centre, during the Defence Mr Oliver and Mr McDonald, flict in Yemen in March 2015. “external observers,” who had the first at TGI Friday and Security Equipment Inter‑ said the defendants “were not That showed a “very clear been excluded from attending since it opened its first national (DSEI) exhibition last disrupting purely legal activi‑ link” between the start of the since 2013. restaurant in Britain, September. ties.” conflict and increased sales, said Simon Natas, defending Ms located in Birmingham, Prosecutor Michael Oatley He said there were “illegal Mr Hutcheon. McKirdle and Mr Watling, said ENDANGERED: Say hello to in 1986. described DSEI as “one of the kinds of weapons … advertised The court also heard from the combination of criminal the genital-breathing punk Unite says the com- largest defence and security and sold at the arms fair,” as Lucie Kinchen of Campaign breaches at previous fairs and turtle or, to use its official pany subjects workers shows in the world,” which well as weapons which could Against Arms Trade, who said: the absence of independent name, the Mary River turtle. to unpaid “trial shifts,” attracted “approximately 30,000 be used “in violation of inter‑ “Between 2005 and 2013, the observers gave rise to the “irre‑ This striking sea creature, with has confiscated 40 per visitors.” national humanitarian law, goods that were on sale at DSEI sistible inference” that criminal its green algae mohican and cent of staff tips to fund But he said the road was particularly in Yemen.” included illegal torture equip‑ offences occurred in 2017. multi-functional genitals, has a pay rise for kitchen also used by “people travelling He read to the court from ment, including electric shock But district judge Jane McIvor been added to the Zoological workers and topped a to other business premises” as a September 2016 select com‑ batons and leg irons as well as said there was “no evidence of Society of London’s list of list of firms “named well as residential properties. mittee report on the use of cluster munitions, all of which endangered reptiles after its criminal offences taking place” nests were violently plundered and shamed” for failing He added that “there is no evi‑ UK‑manufactured arms in are illegal under UK law.” and found the four, all of Scot‑ for the pet trade. to pay the legal mini- dence that any specific crime Yemen, which found a 30‑fold She added that all breaches land’s Faslane Peace Camp, mum wage. has been committed” at DSEI. increase in arms sales to Saudi of UK law that had been dis‑ guilty of aggravated trespass. Darryl Hutcheon, defending Arabia after the start of the con‑ covered at previous events by [email protected]

n BENEFITS n PENSIONS Non-academic staff cut no longer hide behind weasel Self-employed will be ‘left words.” Rail union RMT general sec‑ off from joining unions retary Mick Cash said successive failures on InterCity East Coast struggling’ on Universal Credit UNIVERSITY bosses in Wales yesterday. We can see that this “shame the nation that gave the have been accused of attempt‑ is an attempt to cut back on the railways to the world.” He voiced ing to cut out unions by setting hard‑won rights of university support for “calls to build a pub‑ by Sam Tobin If they earn less than the people receiving in‑work ben‑ up a private company. staff. lic and political coalition that NMW one month, their UC efits how they would cope with The University of South Wales “In effect, this will create a can end this scandal once and payment will not make up the a £100 drop in their monthly is establishing an “arm’s length” two‑tier system where, although for all.” THE GOVERNMENT needs to difference, but, if their monthly income, roughly the average company to employ non‑academic the university state that current But Mr Yousaf’s spokesman revisit Universal Credit (UC) earnings go over the NMW, amount affected households support staff. terms and conditions will apply, told the Star that he would over fears it could leave both their payment will be reduced. stand to lose. Employees of the new com‑ in fact, trade unions will have take “no lectures from Labour,” the self‑employed and those Citizens Advice says this Some 26 per cent said they pany will not be allowed to join no ability to negotiate on new accusing the party of having on in‑work benefits worse off, risks causing financial hard‑ would not be able to top up the staff pension scheme or have policies or any proposed changes. blocked options for devolving according to Citizens Advice. ship, as self‑employed workers their income through employ‑ union recognition. “It’s a clear and deliberate powers that would allow “pub‑ A Citizens Advice report, often earn different amounts ment even though they might Unions GMB and Unison are attempt to cut us out of the pic‑ lic‑sector operators to be given based on new research, has from one month to the next. need to, with a third saying this opposing the plan. ture.” a fair chance.” found that self‑employed work‑ Its analysis shows that a is because they already work Wales GMB organiser Nicola GMB is calling on the Welsh “No options … should be ers on UC could receive far less self‑employed worker who full‑time. Savage said: “We weren’t born Assembly to intervene. taken off the table, including than employees earning the earned £9,750 a year would be Citizens Advice chief execu‑ the UK government continuing same amount. £630 worse off under UC than tive Gillian Guy said the gov‑ to run the contract and return‑ It highlights issues with an employee with exactly the ernment should also review ing the appropriate profits to the minimum income floor, same circumstances. the work allowance reductions Scotland,” the spokesman said. which assumes everyone A second report found that “to ensure workers who can’t RODNEY BICKERSTAFFE But Labour’s position was wel‑ claiming UC who has been employees could also be at risk increase their income through comed by the Scottish Greens, self‑employed for a year or of financial insecurity when employment aren’t left strug‑ An inspiration to all who knew him and a whose co‑convener Patrick Har‑ more is earning the national they move to UC. gling to make ends meet.” pleasure to be around. vie MSP said: “Public transport minimum wage (NMW). Citizens Advice asked 877 [email protected] He was a tower of strength on so many occasions. should be in public hands, as Greens have long argued.” [email protected] In loving memory The Scottish Liberal Demo‑ HAVE YOUR SAY crats did not respond to a Write (up to 300 words) to... 52 Beachy Rd, London E3 2NS Cad Jones request for comment. Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk 4 Thursday news morningstaronline April 12 2018 @m_star_online n KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA Tory candidates slammed over ‘plot to spin Grenfell’ by Lamiat Sabin ers of the number of survivors number of sources. Parliamentary Reporter who have yet to be rehoused: “If true, it will be yet another “What we need to get across is damning indictment of Ken- that there are only X still left in sington and Chelsea Tories’ TORY candidates for Kensing- hotels – and they’re only there total lack of empathy and ton and Chelsea Council have basically [because] they’re milk- understanding for the survivors been reprimanded by a pub ing the system.” of the fire.” manager for being obnoxious A Kensington and Chelsea Only 89 survivors of the and allegedly plotting how to Conservatives spokesman told tower block fire on June 14 “spin” the Grenfell Tower trag- the Star that Ms Round did not – that killed at least 71 peo- edy when canvassing. have any discussions about ple – have been permanently The candidates were told off Grenfell and that allegations rehoused by the council. by the unnamed manager of concerning Mr Woodger were A Justice for Grenfell spokes- the Ladbroke Arms in Notting “categorically untrue.” woman told the Star that it Hill, west London, on Monday The spokesman claimed that “would not come as a surprise” — just a mile from the tragic the allegations of campaigning, if the allegations about candi- tower. bad language and behaviour – dates spinning the Grenfell Another manager, who did which were confirmed by the Tower tragedy for a “PR exer- not wish to be named and was manager – were false and that cise” were true. not on duty at the time, told on May 3 – to behave or be they were only told off for She added: “Discussing how the Star yesterday: “A couple of chucked off the premises. having political leaflets and to spin Grenfell would be no sur- guests complained about them A photo of the candidates at rosettes. prise as we have been so aware being intrusive. the pub was posted on Facebook Lady Victoria Borwick – who of the Conservative council’s “They were handing out and they were identified as was MP for Kensington for two general disdain and institu- leaflets and bothering other Maxwell Woodger for Queen’s years before being unseated by tional indifference towards us. people. They were also talk- Gate ward, Laura Round for 20 votes last June by Labour’s “It is not just arrogance and ing loudly among themselves Pembridge, Lloyd North for Emma Dent Coad in a historic crassness, its incompetence is and apparently the things they Earl’s Court, and Greg Ham- defeat – joined the candidates infuriating. The council has were talking about were inap- mond for Courtfield. at the pub to offer her support, spent £21 million on hotels for propriate.” It is alleged that Mr Woodger the blog also states. survivors since the fire, which She said that the manager was overheard briefing another Ms Dent Coad told the Star: is enough to build the tower on duty asked the candidates person on how to “spin” the “This is a truly shocking story three times over.” – who are seeking to be elected Grenfell tragedy by telling vot- which I have heard from a [email protected] n REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS Activists hail abortion clinic demo ban by Lamiat Sabin Councillors had spent months women that the ghosts of their taking note, that Parliament exploring ways to prevent foetuses would haunt them. itself will continue to look at this women using the clinic from suf- Those attending the clinic had issue and find a solution for the PRO-CHOICE campaigners fering “intimidation, harassment also been told: “Mummy, don’t whole of the UK.” hope that a west London coun- and distress” after local women kill me,” and had holy water Council leader Julian Bell n MEDIA MONOPOLY cil’s pioneering ban on protest organised a petition. thrown on them, he added. said the cabinet had done outside abortion clinics will Anna Veglio-White, co- “We can’t wait for the PSPO “absolutely” the right thing and set an example to other local founder of pro-choice group Sis- to come into effect so that our that it “wasn’t a debate for or Watchdog probes Trinity authorities. ter Supporter, said: “It’s pretty patients can finally access the against abortion.” Ealing Council’s cabinet incredible. We just hope we see clinic free from intimidation The PSPO, which is likely Mirror’s Express takeover voted unanimously on Tuesday the effect of this all over the and harassment after two dec- to come into force on April 23 night to allow a public spaces country.” ades,” Mr Hansen-Brevetti said. after a cooling-off period, will BRITAIN’S competition protection order (PSPO) to cre- John Hansen-Brevetti, clini- “We’re also so hopeful that be reviewed in six months, he watchdog is to probe pub- ate a safe zone outside a local cal operations manager at the this is just the beginning, that added. lisher Trinity Mirror’s £126.7 Marie Stopes clinic. clinic, said protesters had told other councils are watching and [email protected] million deal to take over the Daily Star and Express titles. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced yesterday it will CUNNINGHAM - investigate whether the MICHAEL PATRICK Mirror group’s purchase PATRICK, MICHAEL of the titles would make CUNNINGHAM Britain’s media industry less March 28th 2018 competitive. 2023 and a further £20m Shares in Trinity Mirror in shares to the privately Aged 91 years. Peacefully at home. 31st December 1926 - 28th March 2018 were up 1.7 per cent on the owned company. Reunited with his beloved wife Frances. London Stock Exchange, The takeover marks a Dearly loved father of Peter, Lorraine, with the watchdog setting major shake-up of Britain’s Catherine and Margaret. Dad. a deadline of June 7 for its media landscape, bringing Deeply missed grandfather and proud Life long comrade and party member. initial decision. together politically left-lean- great-grandfather who will forever be As part of the deal, the ing titles like the Sunday remembered in our hearts and thoughts. Daily Mirror owner will Mirror with more right-wing We will miss you and your steadfast stump up an initial £47.7 publications such as the Funeral service to be held at St Helens million to Northern & Shell, Sunday Express. Crematorium, Friday April 20th at 1pm. beliefs in a fairer society for all. the publishing firm of media Trinity Mirror will also Family flowers only but donations if baron and pornographer gain control of Daily Star desired to Merseyside Asbestos Victim Your beloved daughter Richard Desmond. Sunday, celebrity magazines Support Group (asbestosdiseases.org.uk). Lorraine xxx The initial payment will New! and Star and a 50 per All enquiries to The Co-op Funeralcare, be followed by another of cent slice of the Irish Daily Kirkby, L32 8RR. Tel: (01515) 482-908 £59m between 2020 and Star. morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline news Thursday @m_star_online April 12 2018 5

SAFETY: A woman was rushed NEU (ATL SECTION) CONFERENCE 2018 to hospital after falling from a funfair ride in west London. The woman was at the n abortion n stress Funderpark fair in Yiewsley, West Drayton, when the inci- dent took place. Pro-choice Ambulance services were School funding crisis ‘made called just after 8pm on Tues- day and sent a team of med- motion wins ics, including from London Air Ambulance. backing of me walk out on my pupils’ Officers said inquiries into the circumstances of the fall delegates by Conrad Landin form and felt horrifically guilty. Rayner to “please accept this as are continuing. The Health in Liverpool I still do. I feared at the time my submission to your ongoing and Safety Executive has been TEACHERS resolved that I was leaving forever. consultation on the National informed. to “adopt a pro-choice “I was due to leave at the Education Service.” position” yesterday amid A TEACHER has told of her end of term for a job with the She had more scathing words fears that youngsters journey back to work — and [local authority], but two weeks for Conservative education were not able to discuss the top of her union — after before the Easter break my doc- ministers, telling them her abortions at home. “micro-management” and tor signed me off with burnout. story was “your summative The National Educa- underfunding drove her out I had a chest infection, had lost feedback.” tion Union’s ATL section of the classroom. my voice and just couldn’t put She added: “We need a com- conference endorsed a National Education Union myself through it anymore.” mitment that the National resolution saying that (NEU) co-president Niamh She said she felt “driven out Education Service will be built women and girls “still Sweeney said returning to by a toxic working and learning upon skills and knowledge. face unacceptable delays, teach a vocational subject had environment,” by “workload “Not a continuation of the threats of violence and reinforced her belief in the pressure and a micro-man- knowledge-based exam factory intimidation, inaccurate importance of a “broad and agement regime” and by “a that burns out young people and misleading informa- balanced curriculum.” testing and exam system that and teachers.” tion and unequal access But reaching tears in her sucks the love of learning out [email protected] to abortion services.” presidential speech at the of everyone.” Derby and Derbyshire union’s ATL sector conference, But Ms Sweeney suggested FOLLOW US delegate Jennifer March- Ms Sweeney told delegates: that a Labour government ON TWITTER ant said: “This is about “Four years ago, I walked out could turn the tide, telling giving students informa- of the classroom, left students Jeremy Corbyn and shadow @M_Star_Online tion so they can make mid-way through their sixth education secretary Angela their decisions.Many students come from backgrounds where it is not discussed at home or n front page discussed incorrectly.” Helen Porter from Berkshire said the motion aCaDeMY CHeating CoVer-Up? was “not asking anyone to froM p1: “Quite often this is case of a pupil who “had made data are tempting, but that’s promote abortion in their done by heads of department no progress since September ... not why we’re in the profes- schools or colleges.” under pressure from senior except in the lessons taught by sion.” But Devon delegate leadership, or in some cases the head of teaching and learn- Another Norfolk-based Trevor Cope said: “I need from colleagues who are pass- ing at the school”. teacher, tim Jefferson, warned: to stay neutral. I need to ing on the class to another Closer inspection of that “Students are being exploited, teach the facts. I do not member in order to protect teacher’s data showed “almost parents are being misinformed, need a policy dictating their own problems.” equal amounts of progress for teachers are being left in the what my opinions are.” Birmingham delegate Rod all his pupils,” Mr Bissett said. dark.” Bissett said he knew of one “The benefits of fraudulent [email protected] n transport In loving memory of CAIRELES MARTINEZ LABOUR OFFERS FREE BUS Basque child, designer and artist, who passed away recently. Rather than return to Franco’s Spain he settled in London. Love from his wife Feliciana, son Eloy TRAVEL TO YOUNG PEOPLE and friends JEREMY CORBYN: Party leader hopes policy will encourage more councils to take over services by Lamiat sabin more municipally owned bus average, children, young peo- year, research by Transport for Parliamentary Reporter companies. ple and households with chil- Quality of Life has found. MICHAEL PATRICK Launching the policy at a dren each have less disposable Shadow transport secretary visit to a sixth form college income than working-age Andy McDonald said: “For too CUNNINGHAM FREE bus travel for everyone in Derby, the party leader is households without children. long, private bus companies aged under 25 will be intro- expected to say: “Young people “Young people also tend to have run our services for profit Beloved Father to youngest Daughter Margaret, duced by the next Labour gov- deserve a break. Nearly eight be in lower-paid, more insecure not people. Father-in-Law to Tony and devoted Grandfather ernment in councils that go for years of Tory austerity have hit work, and they spend a higher “The public purse already to Katie, Sarah, Michael and Matthew. the public-sector option, Jeremy their incomes, their chance to proportion of their income on pays 42 per cent of the costs of Corbyn will pledge today. buy a house and their career travel. Giving them free bus providing local bus services, but Highly principled; a committed socialist and The policy would save around opportunities. travel will make a huge differ- deregulated private companies an advocate of all working people. 13 million young people up to “Labour wants to help young ence to their lives.” choose to run only the profitable £1,000 a year each, an estimate people make the most out of The policy would cost around services and leave councils to A charming singer, banjo player but most based on daily travel and tickets life by investing in them, which £1.4 billion a year by the end of plug the gaps left for non-prof- of all fun to be around. costing an average of £1.94. is why today we are pledging a five-year parliament and 21 itable but vital routes. Free bus travel would be the next Labour government per cent of vehicle excise duty “That’s why we’ll encourage The memories spent with you will last a offered to those whose local will provide the funds to cover revenue – forecast to be £6.7bn local authorities to take back lifetime. authorities introduce bus free bus travel for under-25s, to in 2021-22 – would be used to control of their buses so they franchising or move to public support them to travel to work, pay for it. can provide a better and more Keep smiling always! Goodnight and God bless. ownership of local bus services. to study and to visit friends. Publicly owned bus services sustainable service to young and Labour hopes that it would “Our policy provides help could achieve annual savings old alike, wherever they live.” Love you Dad xxx encourage the formation of where it is most needed. On to taxpayers of £276 million a [email protected] Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk 6 Thursday world morningstaronline April 12 2018 @m_star_online

■ SYRIA ■ MEXICO Organised Trump escalates crime ‘to tensions with blame for rise in threats to hit Syria murders’ by Our Foreign Desk ORGANISED crime is to blame for an increase in politicians being murdered US PRESIDENT Donald Trump in Mexico, according to warned Russia yesterday to “get new research. ready” for a missile attack on A report by risk consul- Syria in a dangerous escalation tancy fi rm Etelleket says of tensions in the region. organised crime groups Mr Trump made the threat were responsible for 173 of in response to allegations of a 203 attacks on politicians, chemical attack killing 70 peo- with the remaining 30 ple in Douma, near Damascus, carried out against their on Saturday. relatives. He promised to send “nice, A total of 78 murders new and smart” missiles and were reported, with warned Russia it shouldn’t be Interior Secretary Alfonso partners with “a gas-killing ani- Navarette confi rming that mal who kills his people and at least 30 candidates were enjoys it,” referring to Syrian ties “should be ruled out and Organisation for the Prohibi- among the victims. President Bashar al Assad. therefore we are ready to hold tion of Chemical Weapons Around 66 percent of the Russia has claimed the alle- negotiations.” (OPCW) to investigate claims killings occurred during an gations of a chemical attack Russian foreign ministry of a chemical attack. election campaign or in the were a “provocation” to justify spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Douma was one of the last run-up to one, leading to Western intervention. Both the questioned whether the aim of strongholds controlled by the calls for extra security for US and Britain are committed Western bombs might be “to Jaish al-Islam jihadist group those standing for offi ce. to regime change in Syria and a quickly remove the traces of and their surrender saw Mr “The number of threats future without Mr Assad. the provocation ... [so] inter- Assad resume control over the of death and intimidation And it has promised to national inspectors will have whole of eastern Ghouta. against candidates has also respond to any attacks by nothing to look for in terms of Under the terms of the sur- increased greatly, forcing shooting down missiles that evidence.” render, the jihadists released them to renounce their threaten Russian personnel There are no independent scores of civilians it had been aspirations in exchange for and to destroy the launchpads reports to verify the alleged holding hostage and hundreds not threatening their lives Russian ambassador to attack after the Syrian-Ameri- of the group’s fi ghters were or relatives in many munici- Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin can Medical Society, which only bused out of the area. palities,” the report said. warned: “If there is a strike operates in areas held by jihad- A UN security council meet- In 2016, Mexican mayors by the Americans then ... the ist opposition groups, claimed ing on Tuesday failed to gain were nearly 12 times more missiles will be downed and 500 people had been treated for approval for an inquiry into the likely to be killed than mem- even the sources from which symptoms that may indicate alleged chemical attack, with bers of the general popula- the missiles were fi red.” exposure to a chemical agent. Russia and the US vetoing each tion, according to campaign However he added that a Mr Assad has agreed to allow other’s proposals. group Justice in Mexico. dangerous escalation of hostili- access to inspectors from the [email protected]

■ UNITED STATES UNISON Eastern Region Zuckerberg refuses to budge over Facebook users’ privacy

by Our Foreign Desk The Facebook chief executive propaganda war. He told New admitted under questioning Mexico Senator Tom Uddall: RODNEY by California Democrat Anna “The most important thing I FACEBOOK boss Mark Zuck- Eshoo that he was among the care about right now is making erberg refused to give a com- 87 million Facebook users who sure no-one interferes in the BICKERSTAFFE mitment to protect the data had their details harvested. He various 2018 elections around privacy of the social media agreed that the company has a the world.” website’s users during an “moral obligation” to run a plat- Mr Zuckerberg said that Our comrade, our friend, our leader. appearance in the US Congress form that protects democracy. one of his greatest regrets was yesterday. The billionaire was accused being “too slow” to respond to In a tense second day of testi- of sticking to a prepared script claims of Russian interference True champion of peace, justice and equality. mony, Mr Zuckerberg read the as he faced further grilling in the presidential elections. same opening statement as he from 44 US senators over the “As long as there are people had at the previous day’s hear- Cambridge Analytica scandal sitting in Russia whose job it ing, claiming that British politi- In Tuesday’s marathon is to try and interfere with Never will you be forgotten cal consultancy Cambridge Ana- fi ve-hour session, Mr Zucker- elections around the world, lytica had “misused” Facebook berg vowed to fi ght election this is going to be an ongoing users’ data, despite the compa- meddling, while seeking to confl ict,” he said. ny’s terms of service appearing blame Russia for an online [email protected] to give him the right to share, sell and transfer the details. Chris Jenkinson Becky Tye He refused to pledge to HAVE YOUR SAY change all users’ default privacy Write (up to 300 words) to Regional Secretary Regional Convener settings to collect the minimum 52 Beachy Rd, London E3 2NS amount of personal data, claim- or email [email protected] ing it was “a complex issue.” morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline world Thursday @m_star_online April 12 2018 7

■ MYANMAR First soldiers jailed for killing 10 Rohingya Muslims

by Our Foreign Desk lagers and soldiers. The pair were detained and could face up to 14 years SEVEN soldiers have been in prison under Myanmar’s jailed for the killings of Offi cial Secrets Act. Their 10 Rohingya Muslim men, bail applications were the Myanmar military rejected by a Yangon court announced yesterday. yesterday and a plea to The military said the have the case dropped was soldiers had been sentenced dismissed. to 10 years in prison with Four offi cers and three hard labour for “contribut- soldiers were found guilty ing to and participating in of playing a part in the murder.” killings, according to the It is the fi rst time that military statement. soldiers and paramilitary More than 650,000 police have been implicated Rohingya Muslims have in crimes committed against been forced to fl ee Myan- the Rohingya. mar since August 2017 amid The sentencing follows allegations of genocide and the appearance of the ethnic cleansing in Rakhine bylines of Reuters journal- state. The Myanmar military ists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe and local Buddhists have Oo on a detailed report of a been accused of the torching ■ ALGERIA mass grave in the village of of villages, mass murder, Inn Din in Rakhine state. rape and torture. The report uncovered The military has consist- Military plane crash leaves 257 dead the involvement of police ently denied accusations and security personnel and of targeting civilians, A MILITARY plane carrying sol- Algiers, to a military base at There has been no offi cial quoted a retired Myanmar claiming to be carrying out diers and refugees crashed in Bechar, according to Civil defence report of survivors, but a farmer soldier who claimed to have operations against Rohingya Algeria yesterday, killing 257 spokesman Farouk Achour. claimed to have seen people helped dig the grave for 10 militants following “terror- people in the country’s worst “The plane started to rise jumping from the plane before Rohingya Muslims he said ist” attacks. ever air disaster. before falling,” an eyewitness told it crashed. Algerian TV station were killed by Buddhist vil- [email protected] The Defence Ministry said Ennahar TV. “The plane crashed Dzair claimed that fi ve people that 247 passengers and 10 on its wing fi rst and caught fi re.” were in hospital in a critical con- crew died when the II-76 plane dition. The cause of the crash is crashed in a fi eld shortly after FOLLOW US unknown, although a number take-off . of witnesses say they saw fl ames ■ BRAZIL The fl ight was travelling from ON TWITTER coming from the plane’ engines the Boufarik military base, 20 @M_Star_Online before take-off . An investiga- miles south-west of the capital tion is under way. At least 20 killed during attempted prison breakout

■ SOUTH AFRICA AT LEAST 20 people were gations found that prisoners killed during an attempted also had weapons inside the mass breakout at a prison in prison. Brazil yesterday. A guard was killed in the Fighting began inside the attack along with 19 pris- SA COMMUNISTS CALL FOR Santa Izabel Prison Complex oners and their accomplices in the northern Brazilian helping from the outside. city of Belem when an armed Four other guards were group outside the jail used injured in the fi ghting. explosives to try to break the Brazil has more than prisoners free. 726,000 people locked up in ACTION AGAINST ISRAEL Brazil’s state security serv- its violent and overcrowded ice said that prison guards prisons, more than double PALESTINE BLOODSHED: Tel Aviv accused of violating international law following killings were battling with people the total capacity, and riots inside and outside the jail over poor conditions are by Our Foreign Desk ruling ANC to implement the tions began on March 30 to com- Israel’s Prime Minister Ben- and authorities are trying to commonplace. decision with immediate eff ect. memorate the 42nd anniversary jamin Netanyahu cancelled a establish whether any pris- In early 2017, a violent The SACP said: “The regime of Land Day when six unarmed UN-negotiated agreement after oners escaped. uprising in a prison in the URGENT action must be taken appears to believe that no matter Palestinian citizens of Israel a mere six hours last week which In a statement it con- Brazilian Amazon saw 56 against “apartheid” Israel, what its leaders and repressive were killed in 1976 by Israeli would have given the migrants fi rmed the use of explosives people killed, with some South African communists said machinery do, they will face no forces during protests against temporary status in the country. against one of the prison bodies decapitated and yesterday, accusing Tel Aviv of consequences for their atrocities. the expropriation of Palestinian He has since vowed to use walls and said early investi- burned. violating international law “The apartheid regime of land by the government. “all options ... to remove the with “absolute impunity.” Israel is protected by imperial During the Great Return infi ltrators.” The South African Commu- powers, and United States in the March demonstrators marched The SACP pledged to join nist Party (SACP) welcomed main. However, there is another by an illegal border fence when civil society groups and other the government decision to power, the power of progressive Israeli snipers opened fi re, kill- actions in solidarity with Pal- “immediately and uncondi- governments and peace-loving ing 17 and injuring around 1,400. estine. Laugh along tionally downgrade the South people across the world that can Israel and South Africa have “South Africa’s position African embassy in Israel to a hold Israel accountable.” been at loggerheads over con- should be clear on the streets, with Marx liaison offi ce,” which was made The SACP released yesterday’s troversial Israeli plans to deport in our political resolutions I’ll have the last laugh yet! last week after the shooting of statement after Israeli snipers African migrants, off ering and in government. The time Karl Marx cartoon and caricatures unarmed Palestinian protesters shot and killed more than 30 them money and a plane ticket for statements is over and the An ideal present for the Marx at the Great Return March. Palestinians and injured over to leave and threatening them time for action is well overdue,” bicentenary. £11.49 including p&p However, it expressed con- 1,500 since a week last Friday. with jail if they remained in its statement concluded. [email protected] cheques to PPPS, 52 Beachy Road, London E2 2NS, phone cern over delays and urged the The Palestinian demonstra- the country after March 2018. (020) 8510-0815 or online at shop.morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk 8 Thursday features morningstaronline April 12 2018 @m_star_online Star comment A US-Russia clash in Syrian skies is unlikely to be contained there

THINGS have come to a pretty pass when Turkey poses as the voice of moderation over the conflict in Syria, but Prime Minister Binali Yildirim’s “healing wounds” comments merit attention. Ankara has itself been no slouch in causing Syria’s wounds, having initially worked with Saudi Arabia and Qatar to arm, train and provide entry into Syria for every jihadist outfit, including Isis and al-Qaida affiliates. Its obsessive hostility to Kurdish self-determination in Turkey and Syria has served to justify backing Isis when it tried to drive the Kurds from Kobane and send- ing its own armed forces to occupy the Afrin canton of northern Syria’s Aleppo province. The regime of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan under- stands, however, that direct confrontation between the Russian and US air forces in the skies over Syria is unlikely to be contained there. Moscow’s threat to shoot down missiles directed at targets in Syria and to target the “source of the missiles” could have implications for Turkey, especially its Nato air base at Diyarbakir. Ankara has distanced itself from the US in recent years — or possibly been distanced by Washington — as its erstwhile friends ignored its pleas not to ally themselves with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which not only stood firm against Isis at Kobane but drove the jihadists out of much of northern and eastern Syria. Assorted renega In response the Erdogan government has rebuilt rela- tions with Russia that were at rock bottom after Turkish fighters shot down a Russian Su-24 warplane over the Syrian-Turkish border area in 2015. Both snubbed by Washington, they have eased travel restrictions, normalised trade ties and started military begin to clutch at s co-operation, with Moscow agreeing to sell Ankara its advanced S-400 anti-aircraft missile defence system. Russia has said and done nothing about the Turkish HE announcement occupation of Afrin and expulsion of the YPG. that a possible BERNADETTE HORTON ridicules the ide More significantly, the same applies to the US, despite new “centrist” its recent close co-operation with the Kurds, using YPG political party troops as its military cutting edge against Isis in Syria Tis about to be party intended to split the Labour vote b as it did previously in Iraq before remaining silent in formed, backed the face of Baghdad, first, and then Ankara dislodging by multimillionaire LoveFilm its allies. founder Simon Franks and require a proper political riposte Donald Trump won the presidency partially through bankrolled by other wealthy his assurance that his administration would not repeat donors, is raising eyebrows in likely tough on welfare too — lionaires club, home for the ally setting foot in one and the blood-soaked overseas adventures in Iraq and Afghan- the right-wing media but not we call it social security in the moneyed rich to toast with dining at the best restaurants istan. He stated earlier this month that he would soon fooling any working class peo- Labour Party — the disastrous champagne watered-down themselves. bring home all US forces in Syria. ple at all. sort of policies we had under neoliberal “socialism.” All the while they will be This position was put on hold under pressure from “SDP2” has long been on Ed Miliband’s leadership that Their aim is simple — split intent on pointing at Corbyn the State Department and Pentagon, but it confirms the the drawing board since Tony failed to get Labour elected as the Labour vote and make and smearing his name, letting lack of public support for GIs being sent to war when Blair departed and once Jeremy the electorate simply couldn’t the Labour Party unelectable Theresa May and her cronies the US is under no direct security threat. Corbyn became leader of the tell Labour apart from the Con- under Corbyn or any Corbyn off the hook. Labour Party in 2015, there servatives and earned us the heir in future. Their mates will be the were reports of certain MPs unwelcome nickname of being This pink Tory Party will sit right-wing media barons cur- needing a “spiritual home” Blue Labour. and debate how to bring Labour rently doing their utmost to There is a similar lack of desire for overseas conflicts for their views. It’s been clearly obvious down, how to stop Corbyn and destroy the Labour Party in in France and Britain, which is why recent involvement The likes of Tristram Hunt from day one of Corbyn’s lead- how to feather their own nests print everyday. by the Nato forces has been restricted to aerial bom- who stepped down as MP and ership that certain Labour MPs — a retirement home for the I have seen these neoliberals bardment while proxy ground troops risk their lives took a directorship at the don’t back him and refuse to tired and redundant neolib- up close as they masquerade in combat. Albert and Victoria museum allow a Corbyn-led Labour eral politics of Progress — but currently as Labour MPs. They This meets the requirement of both brass hats and the rather than knuckle down Party to potentially govern. their interests will not lie in are personally power mad, hand-wringing “we have to do something” B-52 liberals to get a Labour government Every time the party sees a calling out rancid Tory policies quite frankly. whose consciences are always salved by bombing raids, elected and current Barrow- surge in membership, a surge or ensuring Theresa May is not Their air of superiority over irrespective of civilian “collateral damage.” In-Furness Labour MP John in participation of grassroots re-elected. working class lives is tangible. Sending warplanes into Syria’s Russia-defended air- Woodcock who seems hell- campaigning, these MPs work This new party is not inter- Their own constituency space — or firing missiles from outside its borders — bent on doing whatever he can at undermining everything ested in working-class lives members and electorate are will be no picnic. to ensure a Labour government ordinary members are doing. blighted by Tory austerity. inconsequential as long as they It won’t assist in investigating the truth behind the is never elected with Corbyn as For them it is all about This party will go back to get their own way and, if they poison gas allegations made by the Jaish al-Islam jihadists leader, are the likely suspects personal power and climb- the future to what it knows don’t, they throw their toys out and lapped up avidly by the Nato powers and mass media. for a move to this new party. ing their own career ladders. best, cosying up to big busi- the pram. Nor will it help the long-suffering Syrian people, whose Unsurprisingly, the possible It isn’t and never was about ness and the Alan Sugars of Reportedly this new party welfare is supposedly paramount for all concerned. new party has Tory donors too. improving the lot of working this world, telling working has been in development for Bombing plans should be halted and full assistance Apparently the party ideol- class lives. class people what is best for us a year. If it gets off the ground, given to prioritising scientific evidence over assertions ogy will borrow policies from Let’s make no mistake. as they swan round in Saville we must be ready to tackle it to expose the reality of what happened in Douma. both Labour and the Tories and This new party is being set Row suits, pontificating about as it will undoubtedly have the be tough on immigration and up as their own personal mil- foodbank use while never actu- mainstream media behind it morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Thursday @m_star_online features April 12 2018 9 The struggle for peace amid the 1918 war carnage JOHN ELLISON reviews the events of April 1918

PriL 1918 began on meant some delegates arrived commented in his diary: “He not go on’… COME OUT FOr Easter Monday, 12 very late. This was a united did not know his case… Ll G’s PEACE.” days into the Ger- anti-war and anti-capitalist oratorical effects very poor — Scotland Yard’s answer DESPERATE TIMES: (Left Aman offensive on conference. like a Lyceum melodrama.” came on the 22nd. Six police to right) Sandra Khadhouri, the Western Front. A letter from russian ambas- A fresh German attack came officers arrived with a cart at James Clarke and James Twelve days of mass slaughter sador Maxim Litvinov, working on April 9. Enemy forces, said the Streatham premises of the Torrance at the launch of on both sides. from home again after eviction the war cabinet record, had paper’s new printer. They broke the Renew political party Militarily, the British sector, from his Victoria Street office, “got into our front line system up the printing machinery and at the Queen Elizabeth II having been pushed back above “conveying cordial greetings everywhere” between the Lys took it away together with Conference Centre the join with the French army from socialist russia,” was read and another river and there paper supplies, confiscating in London some 40 miles across a long sec- to the delegates. were further advances next some £500-worth of equipment tor, had stabilised. This conference debated day. — equivalent to £33,000 today. The longer-term aims of the whether or not the BSP should On the 12th came Field- Joan Beauchamp, the Tri- rulers of Germany and Britain remain affiliated to the Labour Marshal Haig’s “Backs to the bunal’s publisher, was visited remained hidden from most Party. On the one hand, John wall” message. “Every position too. She admitted being the people. Maclean, who had been must be held to the last man,” publisher but refused to iden- Germany’s elite, having so appointed Soviet consul in it insisted. Field-marshals were tify the current editor, who far a tiny empire, sought to January, replacing Joe Fineberg naturally exempted from this was another peace heroine, dislodge the much stronger who, russian in origin, had requirement. Lydia Smith. world imperial positions of been acting as Litvinov’s sec- On the 16th the new “Man- Despite these vicissitudes, the ruling groups of Britain retary, argued that non-affili- slaughter” Bill came into force. the paper was able to appear as and France, while Britain and ation would isolate the party The following Sunday in ire- one sheet on the 25th, headed France sought to sustain and from the broader currents of land a pledge against conscrip- “HErE WE ArE AGAiN,” but extend their own colonial the labour movement. tion was taken solemnly by from this time on, the print- dominance. The reverse on the Western large congregations in roman ing location was a close secret The British Socialist Party Front certainly caused the war Catholic churches. and circulation was down to paper The Call on April 4 cabinet much alarmed debate. Earlier, the Workers’ Dread- around 2,000. described the German offen- Prime Minister Lloyd nought, edited by Sylvia Pan- The Workers’ Dreadnought sive as “a gamble,” declaring George, who was contemptu- khurst, contained an article also suffered a direct police ades that “the counters in the game ous of the military competence by Maud Gonne McBride, the onslaught on its print machin- are the millions of fair, strong, of Field-Marshal Haig, told his widow of John McBride, one of ery but managed to find beautiful human beings, our colleagues on April 6: “i can- the Easter rising’s executed another printer. fellow workers…” not tell you what happened … leaders. These attempts to suppress War propaganda — power- there was widespread chaos … it contained a powerful peace movement activities in ful as it continued to be — did the 5th Army has practically warning against the imposi- London were supplemented not deter a peace march from disappeared. There are only tion of conscription in ireland. by another in Glasgow. On the h at straws taking place in Leicester over some remnants of it still in The suppression of the rising 15th John Maclean was arrested the Easter weekend before the the line.” with summary executions had and committed for trial with- independent Labour Party’s There was no publicity for stimulated, not cowed, the out bail. it was alleged that annual conference. the estimates of casualties independence movement. he had carried on Bolshevik ea of the new political The Leicester Daily Mail had from the start of the offensive “ireland is awake today,” she propaganda in various places. encouraged in its columns an to April 6 presented to the war wrote, “as i have never known His trial was set for May. angry public response to this cabinet on the 10th. The cal- before, awake and burning for More German attacks, com- but warns that it will parade, but the organisers culation of killed, wounded freedom.” mencing on April 24, led to War went ahead and no “patriotic” and missing combined, was in Government anxiety about Cabinet fears on the 30th — physical punishment followed. excess of 112,000, comprised of the situation in France did which were absurd, especially At the front of the proces- more than 10,000 dead, around not prevent development of considering the pouring into and possibly bankrolling some sion on the Sunday was a band, 50,000 wounded and more than a small-scale incursion into France of large numbers of US of its activity. followed by Socialist Sunday 50,000 missing, including pris- russia. troops — that, if French chan- We cannot sit back and allow School children, bearing a oners. nel ports were reached, Britain another ruling elite, alongside wide banner between them. resistance among engineers n April 5 around might be invaded. the Tories, to hoodwink the The Labour Leader’s report and others to the extension of 50 British troops The government and its “ working class into thinking went on: “Many other little flag conscription imposed early in and 200 Japanese press allies and agents could be It’s been clear the “centrist” route is right bearers followed, their flags’ the year had now faded because Odisembarked at expected to suppress the peace, for Britain. words striking home to the of the military crisis, which Vladivostok, a and therefore the socialist, Corbyn is already attacked onlookers’ heads. ‘i want my now emboldened the govern- fact reported in the press four movement, ever more viciously. from day one daily and the attacks on him daddy’, ‘They’ve taken our dad- ment to introduce fresh emer- days later. Yet the anti-war movement personally will increase, but dies’, ‘Why can’t daddy come gency legislation directing a A week later the war cabi- pressed on, seeking to broad- we must remain as strong as home’, ‘We want peace.’” fuller “comb-out” of men into net settled on sending a second cast evidence of the secret trea- of Corbyn’s he is and call out these pink Adults marched too and a the army. small cruiser to Murmansk ties previously made by allied Tories for what they are — self- large gathering in the town On April 9 Lloyd George in north russia. On the 19th governments and exposed by leadership that serving, self-righteous, bogus hall congratulated “the work- introduced the new Bill. As it approved the dispatch of a the Bolshevik government the politicians who stand for no- ers of russia” for “their stand well as allowing existing cruiser to Archangel “to protect previous November, but little certain Labour one but themselves. made for social and economic exemptions to be cancelled Allied interests.” noticed in the mainstream The Labour Party has seen a freedom … and their exposure by proclamation, men up to Of this the public were not press. new dawn under Corbyn — a of capitalist imperialism by the the age of 50 — and even 55 told, while Britain’s agent in During April the Glasgow- MPs refuse to man who passionately respects publication of the secret trea- if with special qualifications russia, Bruce Lockhart, was based Socialist Labour Party’s the rights of ordinary people ties.” — would be called up, though now establishing contact with monthly The Socialist produced back him and to live good-quality lives where iLP leaders Philip Snow- mainly for home defence, and anti-Bolshevik groups and sup- a special “Socialist war map” decent housing, a wage you den and ramsay MacDonald, the men of ireland were to be porting Allied military inter- highlighting the bonus territo- can live on without worrying however, were unwilling to conscripted too. vention to bring down the ries to be awarded to victorious refuse to allow a about paying your bills, an demand a “socialist peace,” The Bill had the backing of Lenin government. allied countries in despicable NHS and education system preferring to place faith in Labour war cabinet member in Britain, press jingoism imperial deals, while the Union Corbyn-led fit for purpose are the high recent signs of increased Estab- George Barnes. was directed towards peace of Democratic Control, in an standards of a future Labour lishment interest in negotia- Lloyd George spoke for two activists, but the No Conscrip- edition of 4,000 copies, pub- government. tion. hours and sat down, said the tion Fellowship’s Tribunal lished in full The Secret Trea- Labour Party to We have a Labour Party that The BSP had held its own New Statesman, “after a hor- remained outspoken. On April ties and Understandings. works for the majority. This conference over the Easter ribly creaking peroration.” 11 its columns called out: “STOP Maclean’s pamphlet, The potentially govern new party will only work for weekend in Leeds, though Novelist Arnold Bennett, THE WAr… in all countries War after the War, was avail- the elite few. the shortage of civilian trains who observed the session, the peoples must say ‘We will able too for two pence. Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk 10 Thursday features morningstaronline April 12 2018 @m_star_online

Rodney Bickerstaffe memorial Paying tribute to an incorruptible giant of trade unionism

ODAY we cel- by Barbara Switzer principles that he held dear conference of 2000 to ensure ebrate Rodney throughout his life and is a pensions are uprated in line B i c k e r s t a f f e lesson to us all. with earnings or prices and his contri- Following the merger that whichever is higher. Tbutions to the see campaigns through no created Unison he worked He stood down in 2005 movement. Rod- matter what obstacles were tirelessly to develop the but did not stop there. He ney, known as “Bick” to his put in the way. growing and effective organ- carried on working here and friends and colleagues, was a There are many notable isation it is today. internationally with solidar- champion of the movement occasions that we could His great sense of humour ity organisations and much whose dedication to the well- recall, but space is limited. and shared laughter with more. being of his members and One of immense importance colleagues and friends To sum up, by far Rod- beyond knew no bounds. and worth remembering spurred him on to the great ney’s greatest achievement He was an inspiration to always was his response dur- success he achieved, not to following the development everyone he worked with. He ing the “winter of discontent” mention the encouragement of Unison was securing the was incorruptible. to the question, “What about this gave to many others. statutory national minimum Throughout his working the dignity of the dead?” Rodney retired as general wage, in spite of tremendous life, beginning with NUPE Rodney replied: “What secretary of Unison in 2001. opposition. His principles, and then Unison, his aim and about the dignity of the liv- He didn’t stop there. He dedication and determina- determination, often with ing?” which sums up the succeeded Jack Jones as tion shone through in eve- opposition, was to improve president of the National rything he did, says it all. the lives of countless Pensioners Convention and, people. with his usual determina- ■ Barbara Switzer is former dep- It often required tion, he moved the success- uty general secretary of Tass, now great patience ful resolution, albeit contro- part of Unite, and longtime friend and dedication to versial, at the Labour Party of Rodney Bickerstaffe. ‘Let’s have no more ‘buts’ today’ – how the battle for the national minimum wage was won The Star reprints here Rodney Bickerstaffe’s landmark speech to Nupe conference, moving a composite motion on low pay, on Wednesday September 3 1986

T IS make your the same breath deny hope to those masses of our brothers doubt, some reservations, I mind up time. It those who toil amid exploita- and sisters. respect the points that have has been a long tion in Thatcher’s Britain. Already there has been sup- been made, but I believe most hard struggle, a Let’s have no talk about port for the idea of a legal mini- of them can be answered. Ilong hard road, but moonlighters who only need mum safety net, a wage below Few now argue the devil here we are at last low pay for 40-50 hours work which no employer shall be take the hindmost line. Some on the brink of an his- because they have other jobs allowed to exploit any fellow more seriously think that the toric decision, not just to go to afterwards in order to human being in the last quar- statutory national minimum for the working poor in make up a living wage. ter of the 20th century, here in wage is a stalking horse for our society but for the You all know the problem. Britain, one of the 20 richest old-fashioned wage restraint. trade union move- It is not new. It has been nations in the world. That is not so. ment as well, with us this century past and The Women’s TUC, the Wales We do not advocate a policy I need no-one to beyond. TUC, the Scottish TUC and, of that goes back to the unaccept- talk to me about You meet the working poor course, last October, the Labour able face of a wages policy. A being patient just every day of your life. They are Party conference all endorsed statutory national minimum a little longer. your brothers and sisters. We the idea of a statutory mini- is, of course, an intervention I need no-one to expect Thatcher to walk past mum wage. but not against trade unions, try to find another them, ignore them, spurn I can hear some of the contri- not against collective bargain- excuse for doing them, but not us — not the butions later on already. “Well, ing. It is against unscrupulous nothing for the trade union movement. yes, this is a very emotional employers who, week after week, eight million low-paid in We have tried in vain over subject. Well, yes, we are all month after month, are driving our society. the years to eradicate poverty for the low-paid but, but, but…” our people into the ground. Cartoon: Ken Gill Don’t talk to me about jus- pay, but now slowly and surely Well, let’s have no “buts” today. Some say: “What about my tice, equality, fraternity and in the tide is turning in favour of To my friends who have some differential?” morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline features Thursday @m_star_online April 12 2018 11

ODNEY BICK- DEDICATION: Miners’ leader ERSTAFFE was Arthur Scargill congratulates an outstanding Unison general secretary trade unionist, Rodney Bickerstaffe after his Thank you to my old a great socialist speech on the minimum wage R and a commit- debate to TUC Congress in 1996 ted internationalist as well as a warm and fun loving friend. I have never forgotten speak- ing at a 100,000-strong rally at the opening of the World Social friend, ‘Bick,’ for doing Forum in Mumbai in 2004. It was a huge affair with speakers from across the world such as Arundhati Roy, Shirin Ebadi and Mustafa Barghouti, but as I started to speak, I what was right noticed a hand frantically wav- ing at me from the back of the crowd. As this waving limb got JEREMY CORBYN pays tribute to the late Rodney closer to the stage, I realised that it belonged to somebody with horn-rimmed glasses and Bickerstaffe, former general secretary of Unison a beaming grin that was so warm and friendly that it could only have belonged to one per- son, Rodney Bickerstaffe. Rodney always had an incredible knack of turning up everywhere, where you least expected him, but wherever he appeared, it was always to stand up for a just cause that he believed in, which in this case was the rights of both trade unions and the continually oppressed Dalit people. I first met Rodney in 1974 To those I say: “The price of when we were both officials a living wage for the lowest for the National Union of Public paid need never be a pay cut Employees. I was an officer in for anybody else. We fight as London representing education hard as any for a fair rate for and health workers and Rodney everybody’s job, but, if we hon- became the national officer for estly believe the trade union health, leading us through the and labour movement’s claim 1982 NHS pay dispute. that the lowest should be raised He became general sec- towards the average to ensure retary of NUPE just as I was a decent life, then of course it being selected to fight Isling- impacts on all of us. ton North for Labour. He came We understand that. We to campaign for me there, just know that. It is a challenge as he did in every subsequent we reach out to if we believe election that occurred up until in our roots. 2017 when he was unable to. If we are saying we do not Indeed, despite being a gen- really want to help the poor, we eral secretary of a major union, just want to tear-jerk every now he would always campaign on and again, well, let them say so. polling day in Lewisham where Let’s forget a minimum wage he lived, turning up at 7am to by law, let’s forget collective drive residents to the polling bargaining, because they all station. That was Rodney, he impact on us, don’t they? got stuck in and he got stuff You tell them, you look them done. in the eye: “Differentials? I under- After succeeding Alan Fisher stand the point, but the people I as general secretary of NUPE am talking about do not know and its merged successor Uni- differentials. They want clothes son, Rodney led the union wage won the argument, pion of the Traveller commu- Dalit Solidarity Network and and shoes, food and shelter and, that was the most socially and however, convincing both the nity in Britain, who still face the Anti-Apartheid Movement. yes, occasionally the chance of a racially diverse union, with the TUC and the Labour Party of considerable discrimination, His output as a trade unionist holiday. And why not? greatest proportion of women its merits. instead of being provided with and political campaigner was For those who argue that members, in Britain. This led directly to its intro- appropriate sites and education prodigious and it was based in the working poor can receive a As general secretary, he sat “ duction by the last Labour gov- which Rodney believed they his genuine love for his fellow tax or social security handout, on general council of the TUC, ernment, an enormous contri- deserved. human beings and an unnerv- I refuse to accept that is good allowing him to push forward Despite being bution to raising the wages of He was also a great supporter ing belief that a fairer society trade unionism. one of the great causes of his those who suffer the lowest pay of the anti-austerity movement was possible. The labourer is worthy of his life and of his trade union, a in our society. at a time when many believed Rodney, thank you for always or her hire and, so far as I am statutory minimum wage. leader of a union, After retiring as general sec- that austerity was an economic being guided by what was right concerned, we should not be The idea of a national mini- retary of Unison in 2001, Rod- necessity and not the political and not just what was easy, the subsidising low-pay employers. mum wage for working peo- he would always ney told me that he was going choice that we now know it to time and energy you gave to We are not into the politics ple is now accepted across the to dedicate himself to other be. supporting causes great and of greed and, if some stand up entire labour movement and campaign on causes both here and across Rodney’s socialism did not small, your unnerving support and curse us, there are mil- even further afield, but at the the globe. stop at national barriers how- of Doncaster Rovers and your lions that will stand up and time it was bitterly opposed by He spent four years as presi- ever. He had a genuine commit- consistent good humour and bless you. Today I move Com- many in the unions who saw polling day in dent of the National Pension- ment to internationalism and grace which made me proud posite 12. it as an infringement on free ers Convention, building on his at various times was president to be your comrade and your Composite 12 was carried collective bargaining and wage Lewisham where previous work for pensions to of War on Want and the Pal- friend. For 4,146,000 differentials. be linked with earnings and estine Solidarity Campaign, Against 3,671,000 Rodney and other comrades prices. Solidar Global Network, as ■ Jeremy Corbyn is leader of the Majority 475,000 who believed in a minimum he lived He was a consistent cham- well as being a patron of the Labour Party. Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk Thursday morningstaronline 12 April 12 2018 info | entertainment @m_star_online

WEATHER OUTLOOK Fighting Fund days 18left TODAY NEXT FEW DAYS Rain, drizzle and hill fog Cold, wet and breezy YOU’VE RAISED: WE NEED: across many eastern in the northeast on and some central areas. Friday; drier and brighter Brighter spells in the elsewhere. Generally south. Scattered heavy warmer over the week- £6,110 £11,890 showers in places. end with sunshine and Fine and sunny across scattered heavy show- Shetland and northwest ers. Windier in the west Scotland. on Sunday. I WAS listening to Mark Zuck- I wondered, and was it a wel- wick dispute. Shropshire RSG send more, don’t worry all gifts erberg on the radio testifying come sign that the government weren’t far behind with £150. are appreciated and needed. before senators and was sur- was bringing its monitoring of us Joe Neil from Lanark and Betty Part of Facebook’s mission prised that he didn’t seem to back in-house and privatisation of Tebbs who would have been 100 statement is to “bring the world CONTACT US know what was going on in services were being rolled back? on April 10 were remembered closer together” but with sup- his business, it seems that one Another bumper day yes- in a fi tting manner with dona- port from Winnipeg in Canada can become a multibillionaire terday with £834 bringing our tions to their paper. Thanks go and from Leipzig in Germany in GENERAL ENQUIRIES CIRCULATION without knowing very much. monthly total to £6,110. A gen- to all who donated and if you’re memory of Dawn it could be the William Rust House Bernadette Keaveney The report that followed was erous £250 arrived courtesy of having diffi culty getting the Morning Star’s too! 52 Beachy Road, [email protected] an announcement that GCHQ Bristol, Bath and Gloucester RSG paper get in touch with Bernie With us a third of the way London E3 2NS was expanding and opening raised at a performance of “We in circulation as I’m sure she’ll through the month we are bang [email protected] CAMPAIGNS an offi ce in Manchester. Could are the Lions Mr Manager” the be able to sort out any problem. on target to hit £18,000 if you (020) 8510-0815 Calvin Tucker these two events be connected, excellent play about the Grun- A pensioner wishes they could keep this up. (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm) [email protected]

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DAILY SUDOKU (easy) TV preview with Ann Douglas

Alamet’s crosswordsare fi endish fun on Saturday

Yesterday’s sudoku

Solution tomorrow… RAZZLE DAZZLE: Amiens Cathedral light show on Civilisations (9pm BBC2) QUIZMASTER with William Sitwell There goes that Simon Schama, off round Pic: ceridwen/Creative Commons TODAY’S QUESTIONS the world, chasing the next big thrill 1 Which well-known British jazz SIMON SCHAMA works him- Order (10pm BBC4) is a four- Health, a pretty unremittingly musician, who died in 2008, self up into a froth of ecstasy episode drama series written by grim view of the state of the originally worked at Port as he traipses about the world GF Newman and directed by Les NHS. Perhaps he should have Talbot steelworks? in search of “radiance” for Blair under the watchful eye of another look now. tonight’s Civilisations fi lm producer Tony Garnett. April 6 1978’s Radio Times 2 What animal appears on the (9pm BBC2). You’ll know Garnett’s work: listing described Law and fl ag of Hertfordshire? Schama takes in France, he had a long association with Order: “Four fi lms about the Italy, Spain, Germany, Japan Ken Loach, producing Up the law: those who keep it, those 3 Which English-speaking and back to Italy. If travelling Junction, Cathy Come Home, who break it and those who country’s national anthem does broaden the mind, it’s a Kes, Days of Hope and more live off it.” begins: “O Land of the Free by wonder Schama’s mind can fi t along the way. The fi rst episode, A Detec- the Carib Sea?” on my little screen. Political and social aware- tive’s Tale, features Derek Mar- The second episode of Putin, ness are a trademark of Blair’s tin as a bent London copper Russia and the West (9pm BBC4) work, too, from Play for Today eager, perhaps too eager, to nail YESTERDAY’S ANSWERS is a must-watch. Among the in the mid-1970s to 2001’s fi lm the villain in his sights. I don’t joys in store are an interview about 1981’s Irish republican think it will ruin your enjoy- 1. The Poplar rates rebellion mural in parrot or lily-fl owered? Tulips with former Ukrainian presi- hunger strike in the Maze ment to reveal that next week London (pictured) was painted in the fi rst 3. The chief character in which Jane Austen dent Leonid Kuchma. Prison titled H3. we meet said villain and, blow year of which decade of the 20th century? work is saved from starvation by a man But tonight’s telly highlight On Newman’s bulky CV is me, it turns out to be Peter Dean The 1990s called St John Rivers? Jane Eyre fi rst saw the light of day in 1978, a memorable early Channel — Pete Beale from EastEnders. 2. Which spring fl owers can be Darwin, tucked away on BBC2. Law and 4 drama series, The Nation’s Who’d have thought it! morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Thursday @m_star_online culture April 12 2018 13

Matt Coward investigates crime fiction Four murders most foul, but hugely entertaining

lind Defence (Little Vere discover there’s a lot more the globe. in for a male colleague of medicine and she tage by Isis while on a humani- Brown, £16.99) is the to both accused and victim But there’s a puzzle — no when he vanishes from doesn’t spare us the tarian mission to Syria and second book in John than was immediately appar- demands are made and no his duties on board a details of the morgue, nobody cares about the elderly BFairfax’s series about ent. Could their loathsome cli- terrorist group claims respon- seamen’s hospital ship the dissecting room or vicar’s fate, except his son. a convicted murderer who ent be innocent after all? sibility or is even suspected moored in the London the wards. It’s a pungent So Jonas, entirely unprepared becomes a London barrister A good mystery, meaty court- of involvement. If it isn’t an docks. and absorbing piece of by experience or temperament, and, if anything, it’s even bet- room drama, the ongoing puz- attack, what else could it be? It quickly becomes social history, with an is going to have to become a ter than the first. zle of Benson’s own history and This is a compelling techno- apparent that Jem amateur detective you’ll field agent for the first and last This time, William Benson some knowledgeable assaults thriller, which asks a pointed isn’t the only one with be glad to follow. time in his life, while staying is reunited with instructing on the Tories’ policy of justice philosophical question, do we secrets to keep aboard the old Jonas has a thoroughly one step ahead of Mossad, the solicitor Tess de Vere to defend on the cheap add up to a great create weapons to match our vessel. Why would ambitious white-collar backroom job at CIA, Hezbollah, Isis itself and a hopeless murder case. read. enemies or enemies to doctors choose to work British intelligence in his own employers. A young woman fled her A massive power cut match our weapons? in such a hopeless place? Beside The Syrian Sea Superbly written and life in Dover to escape in Stockholm looks like Victorian apothecary And what is the connec- by James Wolff (Bit- plotted, both subtle and her bullying boyfriend a terrorist act in Acts Jem Flockhart has lived tion with the desperate ter Lemon Press, £13- aware in its politics, only to die in a rented Of Vanishing by Fredrik her whole life in male young woman found 99). He’s that sort of funny and exciting, room in London, with T Olsson (Sphere, £8.99), disguise in The Blood by dead nearby? chap — good at detail, Wolff’s debut is also the boyfriend’s DNA all especially when intelli- ES Thomson (Constable, You’ll need a strong socially awkward, the most surprising and over the place. gence operatives link it £14.99), so it’s only natu- stomach for this one. rather repressed until genuine novel about But Benson and de so similar events around ral that she should stand Thomson is a historian his father’s taken hos- love you’ll read all year.

n MUSIC REVIEW n THEATRE REVIEW Soul disentangling Telling theatrical intervention free jazz from US Irreversible Entanglements ist Kurt Neuringer, bassist in a pressing public debate Cafe Oto Luke Stewart, drummer Tch- London E8 eser Holmes and trumpeter HHHHI Aquiles Navarro, formed after meeting at a Musicians CAITLÍN DOHERTY is enthralled by a play about the issues Against Police Brutality gig in FREE jazz collective Irrevers- the US, put on following the of pregnancy, motherhood, abortion in contemporary Ireland ible Entanglements have police shooting of 28-year-old been whipping up a storm black father Akai Gurley. with their eponymous debut At Hackney’s finest venue breathtakingly performed by a talented cast of four women album/EP, a fiercely political for all that is avant-garde, indictment against police Ayewa proves that she’s no she had a ticket in mind brutality, racism and much less a force of nature live than Etcetera Theatre Camden, more besides. she sounds on record. London The centrepiece of this won- Above the skilfully per- HHHHH derfully eclectic ensemble is formed freeform jazz she spoken word poet and activist hollers: “I wanna know what Camae Ayewa, best known for made you give a shit” and SPArTAN SET her experimental solo project later talks of leaving the city, in the black box Moor Mother. country and planet. A seem- theatre above The Her protest lyrics, a nod ing reference to Afrofutur- Oxford Arms in to the Southern Gothic, fre- ism, with one of its many ACamden is trans- quently shine a damning doctrines imagining a bet- formed into a spotlight on the struggle ter place for black people on classroom in Ireland through the against racism in post-slavery another planet. skill of a four-woman cast and US and its shameful past that In another line she asks the the evocative language of writer is no less resonant in Europe packed cafe: ”Did you vote for and director Fiona O’Connor. and beyond. the Queen ... did you vote for The text mixes classroom “Since the Southern flag corruption?” Gaelic with figures of Greek came down ain’t nothing A mesmerising final piece, myth to conjure a landscape in left except jails and burning where the band is joined by which pregnancy is condemned churches,” she says on Chi- support act Pat Thomas on as divine retribution. Pandora cago to Texas. piano, is an extraordinary meets Mary, Electra transforms “And all them cotton fields sight to see with the brass into Bridget. picked bare. All them cotton section playing as intensely Though the abstract nature fields and lifetime of picking, as humanely possible while of the work means we move we disappear we disappear. Ayewa resorts to mixing between historical times, the Right under the watchful eyes recorded loops. focus of the stories told here is of those who rape us in jail As with many nights at this directly on a contemporary issue cells at night. We disappear.” venue, the audience leave as — the violent and traumatic Unsurprisingly the quar- if purged. consequences of the 8th amend- to be called Mary, much to the I was particularly moved by repeated use of a doll — tet, completed by saxophon- WILL STONE ment to the Irish Constitution, frustration of the nuns — while O’Connor’s decision to include besides chairs and a school added in 1983, which effectively the absence from the class reg- the narrative of an older woman, robe, the only piece of set dress- outlaws abortion in the republic ister of Ann Lovett, the 15-year- already struggling to manage ing — seems cliched at first, but of Ireland. old girl who died along with mothering responsibilities for then one remembers that those Names play a crucial role in her baby after giving birth in her existing children. seeking terminations are often this piece, animating for the a Longford grotto in secret in Conversations around abor- barely out of their own girlhood. largely Irish audience the mem- 1984, is one of many abrupt tion often portray the decision The simple imagery of dolls, ory of those who have suffered losses chronicled by the play. to end a pregnancy as anathema prams, bridal dresses and thick- and often died as a result of this O’Connor weaves lives to motherhood, but O’Connor ening bodies under school uni- barbaric piece of legislation. together with poetic deftness reminds us that for some who forms contrasts with the com- An hysteric fun is had with and the cast are skilfully syn- choose this path the work of plex and lonely path before each the practice of renaming women chronised as a chorus from motherhood already dominates of these characters, whose sto- sent to work in the Magdalene which different stories radiate their social and economic exist- ries are the reality lived today Laundries — they all choose and blend. ence. by citizens of Ireland. Morning Star morningstaronline.co.uk 14 Thursday letters morningstaronline April 12 2018 @m_star_online

■ HISTORY ■ PALESTINE Don’t ignore reality Stop the spread of anti- of massacre in Gaza communist ‘fake news’ I AGREE with WJ Casey’s let- violence in the workplace, in ter (M Star April 10) that being domestic situations and in the against the horrendous vio- world as a whole. OFTEN anti-communist com- successes over 100 years of lence, for instance in Gaza, The confusion then dimin- mentators craftily distort the European communist parties. is quite diff erent from being ishes real debate on what the history and theory of com- I shall leave it to the reader anti-semitic. causes of violence are and munism and then use their to search out the history of There seems to be so much working towards a more peace- distortions to attack com- the communists’ pleadings to confusion on the whole issue ful world, as so many benefi t munism’s real history and the Labour Party for united and this confusion is used to from the disaster of war and theory. Unfortunately, John action to fight fascism and disempower those who try to violence. We need to work Green seems to have fallen build socialism, and of Clem- stand up against violence in towards a much clearer debate for some of these distortions ent Attlee’s secret Informa- that country, neighbouring on the issue of promoting non- in his review of the book tion Research Department countries, and in the world. violence and, more than ever, Communism and Democracy which generated anti-com- It is used as a smokescreen by this is needed now. (M Star April 5). munist fake news. this government and many GAVIN ROBINSON So some aspects of Russian In claiming the demise of others to hide the real issue of London SW17 society and it’s economy were the socialist bloc, John has “backward” before 1917, but overlooked China where the it was in the West that the lessons from Marxism and FLEEING: An evil creed of fascism devel- history are being used today injured Palestinian oped, and it was “advanced” to build the basis for social- is rushed to safety Germany which set out to ism. Is it suggested that the murder whole racial and Chinese revert to bourgeois social groups. Russia had democracy and see their equal male and female suf- country disintegrate and frage long before both Britain fall prey to the vultures of and France. Incidentally, Trot- imperialism? skyism was defeated through RECOMMENDED READING: Lenin’s State and Revolution Communists have no need the democratic structures of to act as penitents and deny the Soviet Communist Party, do not, dismiss bourgeois ter three in Lenin’s State and their history, they should including in Lenin’s time, democracy, nor representa- Revolution; the various pro- challenge the crafty falsifiers well before the purges of tive institutions or the elec- grammes over the years of the and purveyors of half-truths. the 1930s. tive principle. I suggest John British Communist Party, and BRYN ROWLANDS Communists have not, and looks up section three of chap- for him to study the electoral Malmesbury

GRAHAM STEVENSON ■ CHEMICAL ATTACK explores the Star archives

HAVE YOUR SAY 80 YEARS AGO TODAY... How can bombing Syria help? Write (up to 300 words) to [email protected] IT seems likely that, in a matter contradicting herself with talk of crime, particularly heinous in light or by post: 52 Beachy Rd, Ultimatum from Labour candidate of a day or two, the US, France the need to punish Assad. Donald of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. London E3 2NS and Britain will have launched a Trump does not know what hap- As a UK citizen, I call on our THE Daily Worker conscious that the cheer- military assault on Syria to punish pened. “If they are innocent,” he politicians and the media who ■ of April 13 1938 ing audiences here in the President Assad for using chemical says, “why won’t they allow people are gung ho for bombing Syria reported a call made by north are made up largely weapons. to go in and prove it?” to answer the following question Warmongering an up-and-coming Labour of men in the shipyards This is in spite of the fact that The Russian ambassador to the posed by the Daily Mail – “will candidate for the constitu- and engineering shops it has not been established that a UN says the OPCW is welcome to launching more cruise mis- ency of Newcastle Central. working night and day to chemical weapons attack occured, visit the area under Syrian and Rus- siles into this maelstrom really Westerners are the “If we of the Labour move- provide the government or if it did, who was responsible. sian protection. Attacking Assad improve the situation?” ment and the trade unions with arms.” Theresa May says we need to inves- without proof, and no clear idea BRENDAN O’BRIEN biggest hypocrites are sincere in our expres- In recognising the tigate while, at the same time, of the consequences, will be a war London N21 sions of horror at the mur- Worker as “the chief I have the late great Tony Benn der of Spanish democracy instrument of political ringing in my ears (“odiousshh by Chamberlain, we can truth and enlightenment hypocrishy”) when witnessing stop that murder tomor- in Britain today,” Wilkes the sickening spectacle of war- row,” said Lyall Wilkes called for an ultimatum to monger Trump and his obedi- in an exclusive interview the government to provide ent robotic poodle Theresa May, with the paper. arms for Spain or face the bursting into a collective fi t of One of the youngest labour movement’s actions moral indignation about the parliamentary candidates, to “paralyse the country recent alleged chemical weap- Wilkes was secretary of with a general strike.” ons outrage in Syria. the Oxford Union, chair- Having won the Newcastle In this age of geopolitical man of the Oxford Uni- upon Tyne Central seat in spin, fake news and “strate- versity Labour Club, and the 1945 general election, gic positionings,” none of us editor of a book of essays Wilkes left politics in 1951 know the truth about this on war and peace, entitled to become a noted barris- alleged attack. But one thing Would I Fight, which ter and judge, dying forty we know is that it’s “odious had attracted consider- years later. hypocrisy” of the highest order able attention. “For the when these Western warmon- past month, I have been gers and supreme exponents of speaking on platforms You can doublespeak start pontifi cating with local and national read editions of about weapons of destruction. leaders denouncing the the Daily Worker SEAT OF POWER: Security Council members vote for an investigation into use of chemical weapons in Syria These military industrial (1930-45) Chamberlain govern- and Morning complex-loving Western leaders Star (200 0-today) ment as a pro-fascist , online at are a disgrace to world peace; danger to democracy, mstar.link/DWMSarchive and psychologist Abe Maslow’s and the one government A little more conversation, a little less action, is needed iconic quote that “when your standing between the Ten days’ access costs SO when President Assad of victory and gases his own sia has been warning about only tool is a hammer, the just Spanish people and the £5.99 and a has practically won the war people, risking a devastating a false fl ag attack involving world becomes a nail” could help the French desire to year is £72 in Syria, and the US is alleg- US response that would give chemical weapons by Isis etc, well have been written to send … I have been acutely edly about to withdraw from the jihadis a much-needed is it? describe them. the country, he supposedly means of support? PHIL BRAND DR RICHARD HOUSE snatches defeat from the jaws I mean, it is not as if Rus- London SW17 Stroud morningstaronline.co.uk Morning Star morningstaronline Thursday @m_star_online sport April 12 2018 15

■ WOMEN’S BOXING MOUNTAIN CLIMBING: Nepalese veteran Sherpa guide Kami Rita (right) is Whiteside’s luck sees about to attempt a record- breaking 22nd summit of Mount Everest. Rita, 48 — posing with his boxer guarenteed at wife Lhakpa Jungmu Sherpa (left), 45, in their rented apartment in Kathmandu, least a bronze medal Nepal — is one of just three people to scale Mount Ever- by Our Sports Desk Nicola Adams and only the dou- est 21 times. ble Olympic champion’s decision “My goal is to reach the to turn professional in 2016 summit of Everest at least LISA WHITESIDE can stake a fi nally aff orded Whiteside the 25 times,” he said in Kath- legitimate claim to being Brit- big stage she intends to relish. mandu before heading back ain’s unluckiest boxer and her A clearly emotional White- to the mountain for what he run of ill fortune almost contin- side said: “All I have been saying hopes will mark a record- ued in her women’s fl yweight to myself both in the gym and breaking climb. bout against India’s Pinki Rani in the ring is that it’s defi nitely, “I want to set a new record at the Gold Coast Common- fi nally my time. not just for myself but wealth Games yesterday. “I’ve had a lot of bad luck in for my family, the Sherpa The Preston 32-year-old my career. people and for my country, scraped a split decision win “Even when I came home Nepal.” to guarantee at least a bronze from the World Championships medal after a performance with a silver medal, that was on which appeared to be more a split decision and everybody dominant than the score sug- said I should have been coming gested and which marked her home as the world champion. belated international debut on “When they announced that ■ MEN’S FOOTBALL the big stage. it was a split decision tonight, I Despite winning world med- thought: ‘I’ve been there. But I als in 2012 and 2014, Whiteside got the decision and all I intend has been largely forced to fi ght to do now is move on and claim Liverpool brush past the her career in the shadows of that gold.”

■ COMMONWEALTH GAMES ‘best team in the world’ Youngest competitor 1 (1) Manchester City It paid off in the second half 2 (5) Liverpool when Mane drove forward, by James Nalton linking up with Salah. The Senegalese tumbled in the sets sights on the top box for what might have been LIVERPOOL progressed to the a penalty, but Salah picked up TABLE tennis prodigy bozo in her fi rst singles semifi nals of the Champions the loose ball to score the vital Anna Hursey says playing match. League after defeating a Man- away goal. for Wales in the Com- Defeat in her second chester City side Jurgen Klopp Firmino cooly added a sec- monwealth Games at the singles outing against believes is “the best team in ond off the inside of the far age of 11 has increased Malaysia’s Li Sian Alice the world.” post after Nicolas Otamendi her ambition to “get to Chang saw her exit the The visitors had an early gave away possession. the top.” competition at the group scare when Gabriel Jesus “Over two games I really Hursey, the youngest stage, but her Gold Coast opened the scoring in the sec- think we deserve to be in the athlete competing in the experience has served to ond minute to make it 3-1 on next round,” said Klopp. Gold Coast Games, repre- fuel her ambition. aggregate but held on against JUBILANT: Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino celebrates “We scored fi ve goals against sented Wales in the team “Since I came here, I a barrage of attacks in the fi rst scoring his side’s second goal against Man City Man City and conceded one. event and then in the sin- was like, ‘I wanna win’, half, scoring two goals of their These numbers are usually not gles and came away with but now I’m like, ‘I really own in the second. possible and the boys did it. two doubles wins and one wanna win’ because eve- City manager Pep Guardiola between Andy Robertson and English football in the semifi - “I really think [City] are the win in the singles. rybody’s supporting me,” believes the referee had a big Raheem Sterling. nals. They are a top team, top best team in the world at the She helped Wales reach Hursey told BBC Sport impact on the game. A Leroy Refereeing decisions aside, manager, so I would say they moment, that’s how it is, but I the quarter-fi nals of Wales. Sane goal was ruled out for both managers appreciated the deserve to be in the fi nal.” knew we can beat them. the team event, com- “I really want to get off side despite the ball arriv- quality of the opposition. Klopp switched his forward “That doesn’t make us the bining with Charlotte to the top now. It’s been ing at his feet off Liverpool’s “First of all I would say big players to push Mohamed better team, that’s football. Carey to win doubles really good, been posi- James Milner. congratulations to Liverpool Salah higher up the pitch, That’s the cool thing in the games against India and tive. It’s really good to The Catalan also believes his for going through,” added using the work rate of Sadio game that it’s still possible, Pakistan, before beating play for Wales and play side should have had a penalty Guardiola. Mane and Roberto Firmino on but it’s diffi cult and will be Uganda’s Halima Nam- good players.” following a coming together “Hopefully they can defend the wings. diffi cult in the semis as well.”

■ MEN’S FOOTBALL Fulham has automatic promotion within its sights 1 Fulham Fulham display. Reading, who ham’s unbeaten run is that both and it was this recent success a game in hand in which they 0 Reading knocked Fulham out of the January loan signings, Targett to which the Reading manager could leapfrog his side by Kaleem Aftab play-off s last season, made it and Aleksander Mitrovic, have attributed the added-time send- and ensure that their diffi cult for the Cottagers in yet to lose a game in a Fulham ing off of Leandro Bacuna for a promotion hopes rely the early stages, but the belief shirt. rash and reckless challenge on on the Welsh side slipping up. FULHAM moved into the auto- of the relegation-threatened side The signing of Targett freed Sessegnon. “It’s not important that we matic promotion spot on Tues- dropped after Johansen’s strike. Ryan Sessegnon (pictured right) Clement said: “I thought the are second. Still the situation is day night with an excellent Fulham goalkeeper Mar- to create havoc and Mitrovic’s challenge was a little bit reck- not in control. We are not think- performance against Reading. cus Bettinelli did not have to outstanding target man per- less and showed frustration ing so much about the position. A goal from Stefan Johansen make one save, as the home side formances have allowed crea- that we were not going to get [We’re] just being prepared for following a sublime low cross by carved out numerous chances tive midfi elders Johansen and the result we wanted.” the next game. left-back Matt Targett ensured with the prolifi c Mitrovic lack- Tom Cairney to excel. His opposite number Slavisa “I am always thinking about Fulham made it 20 games ing his usual clinical marks- Under the guidance of new Jokanovic downplayed the sig- short steps. I never look at what unbeaten in the Championship. manship. manager Paul Clement, Reading nifi cance of Fulham moving into has gone on before or into the It was another excellent A remarkable feature of Ful- have improved in recent games second spot, with Cardiff having future” Thursday SPORT April 12 2018 INSIDE: Sherpa goes for 22nd Mt Everest climb

■ WOMEN’S CRICKET TONIGHT’S FOOTBALL Europa League CSKA Moscow Arsenal, 8.05pm Marseille RB Leipzig, 8.05pm Red Bull Salzburg Lazio, 8.05pm FEMALE CRICKETERS WELCOME Sporting Lisbon Atletico Madrid, 8.05pm

Europa League Bradford City Shrewsbury Town, THEIR INCLUSION IN WISDEN’S 7.45pm

SPORT ON TV

■ BASEBALL: MLB, Chicago Cubs v Pittsburgh Pirates — BT Sport/ESPN CRICKETERS OF THE YEAR LIST 7.15pm, Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees — BT Sport/ESPN 12am (Fri). ■ COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Further coverage from Australia’s Gold Coast For the first time in its 129-year history, female players dominate the — BBC 2 6am and 1pm, BBC 1 9.15am and 11.45pm; diving — Eurosport 2 10am. ■ CRICKET: Indian Premier League, almanack. However players warn the sport is still rife with sexism Sunrisers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians — Sky Sports Main Event, by Our Sports Desk Sky Sports Cricket 3pm. CHAMPAIGN SUPERNOVA: England celebrate with the trophy ■ DARTS: Premier League — Sky during the ICC Women’s World Cup Final at Lord’s last summer Sports Action 7pm. ■ EQUESTRIAN: Paris World Cup — THE inclusion of three women Eurosport 2 7.30pm. in Wisden’s Cricketers of the ■ FOOTBALL: Europa League quar- Year list was celebrated as ter-final, CSKA Moscow v Arsenal — “a really huge statement” BT Sport 2 7.30pm; Europa League quarter-final, Marseille v Leipzig — eir yesterday, but the landmark Sport 1 8pm; League One, Bradford v announcement came with a Shrewsbury — Sky Sports Main Event note of caution. 7.30pm; Centenary Shield, Republic of Former England captain Ireland Under-18s v Scotland Under- 18s — eir Sport 1 1.45pm. Clare Connor said the sport ■ FORMULA ONE: Chinese Grand Prix must “keep challenging itself to first practice — Sky Sports Main Event, be better” as she acknowledged Sky Sports F1 2.45am (Fri), eir Sport cricket is not immune from the 1 2.55am (Fri). ■ GOLF: European Tour, Open de sexism issues that have plagued Espana — Sky Sports Main Event, politics, Hollywood and wider Sky Sports Golf 11am and 4pm; PGA society. Tour, RBC Heritage — Sky Sports Main Women for the first time Event and Sky Sports Golf 1pm, Sky dominate the five-player Wis- Sports Golf 6pm. ■ HORSE RACING: Grand National den list, a long-standing male- Festival — ITV and STV 2pm. dominated preserve, with ■ RUGBY LEAGUE: Super League, World Cup winners Heather Widnes v Hull FC — Sky Sports Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Arena 7.30pm; NRL, Sydney Roost- ers v South Sydney Rabbitohs — Sky Shrubsole honoured. Only two Sports Arena 10.50am. women, Claire Taylor and Char- ■ TENNIS: WTA, Claro Open Colsani- lotte Edwards, had previously tas — BT Sport 1 4pm. been included on the list since players achieved last year and and attitudes and practices as fronted across many strands of “It’s a really huge statement its 1889 inception. the role they played in Heather we know around gender equal- society. from Wisden. I’m sure it’s one Connor, who skippered her being able to lift the World Cup ity in every industry. Connor will not tolerate they thought long and hard country from 2000 to 2006, is in July, but I think it’s a won- “You only have to look at sexism standing in the way of about because it’s really putting MORNINGSTAR now the England and Wales derful acknowledgement of Hollywood and some of the women in cricket. themselves out there. ONLINE.CO.UK Cricket Board’s director of where the women’s game is in stuff that, in the last four or She said: “It’s right that it’s “The conservative option Socialist news hub women’s cricket. the cricketing consciousness.” five months, has come out of called out and it’s right that would be to have named one of She said: “The Wisden Alma- Connor knows out-of-step Westminster and the charity sport generally, and cricket the five and a bolder step would nack is very precious in our views and conduct have lin- sector.” particularly, has to keep chal- have been to name two, but FOLLOW US cricketing heritage and it’s gered within cricket, saying: The #MeToo and Time’s Up lenging itself to be better and what they’ve done is a really, a really fantastic celebration “There is everyday sexism and movements have led to behav- to be completely welcoming really bold and outspoken ges- ON TWITTER of not only what those three some unwelcome comments iours being questioned and con- and completely inclusive. ture and statement.” @M_Star_Online

■ MEN’S FOOTBALL Fifa lays out plans to gain more profit from players TODAY’S TIPS Farringdon’s Doubles BY OUR SPORTS DESK the investors underwriting The project is far from certain ASSURE guaranteed revenues of at least to succeed and is likely to face Southwell 2:30 (nap) £17.6bn, sources told the Associ- a hostile reception in Europe, AIR HORSE ONE SCANDAL-RIDDEN Fifa is plan- ated Press on Tuesday on condi- which hosts the world’s biggest Aintree 3:25 ning to team up with Saudi Ara- tion of anonymity. stars and most popular club com- bian, Chinese and US investors The Club World Cup is cur- petitions. Houseman’s Choice in a $25 billion (£17.6bn), 12-year rently a seven-team event played Fifa has put pressure on foot- BRISTOL DE MAI deal that could add two major each December and usually ball’s continental governing bod- Aintree 2:50 international tournaments to won by a European team. The ies for a quick decision. an already crowded football Champions League winner joins calendar. the five other continental club Published by the People’s Press MSTAR 2018-04-12 THU 1.0 Fifa boss Gianni Infantino (pic- champions and the host nation’s Printing Society Ltd, William Rust tured) is looking to launch an league champion. Fifa’s financial House, 52 Beachy Road, Bow, 1 5 London E3 2NS. Telephone: (020) expanded 24-team Club World report says the 2017 edition in 8510-0815. Fax: (020) 8986- Cup — played every four years Abu Dhabi earned £26 million. 5694. Email: enquiries@peoples- starting in 2021 — and a separate The second scheme, known press.com. Registered with Companies House as Morning Star global competition for national as the Nations League, would (incorporating the Daily Worker) teams every two years. replace the Confederations Cup No N5559. Printed by trade union Fifa would have a 51 per cent as Fifa’s second-tier competition labour at Trinity Mirror. stake in the joint venture with in a format yet to be decided. Thursday April 12 2018 9 770307 175244