AT THIS precise moment in the class struggle, a 1,000-mile round-trip is not high up on anyone’s wish list.

But our democratic governance is vitally important to the paper and it is an honour and a privilege to meet the readers and owners of the Morning Star as we tour the country for the AGMs of the People’s Press Printing Society (PPPS). Editor Ben Chacko, circulation manager Bernadette Keaveney, new business manager Jimmy Macintyre and myself will be taking a message of hope and determination to continue our support for a Corbyn-led Labour, regardless of the outcome of this election.

In the face of the most blatantly biased media onslaught ever — mainly against the person and not policies — the Morning Star’s voice is critical.

I know many of you will be out on the stump but if you can spare a couple of hours to come along to your local PPPS AGM you will receive a warm welcome. Y

our commitment and class analysis of the need for a co-operatively owned paper is what keeps us going.

But it is not just the political commitment that you can bring to the AGM. While that is, and always has been, essential to advance the cause for peace and socialism for over 87 years, we also need your thoughts on what makes our paper special and what we can do better.

The PPPS was established as a co-operative and took over ownership of the Daily Worker in 1945. We changed our name to the Morning Star in 1966.

The management committee of the PPPS has the legal responsibility to manage the business. Its role is principally one of governance rather than “hands on” management, which it delegates to a team led by the editor. The management committee sets and monitors an annual budget and gives strategic direction to the management of the paper, reflecting our shareholders’ concerns and any issues you want to raise.

In a recent survey of readers and members we unleashed a treasure trove of thoughts and information that we are currently analysing.

Over 1,200 of you told us what you think and, surprise, surprise, your favourite content type in the Morning Star is politics (84 per cent), followed by analysis (73-74 per cent). Coverage of public services and privatisation and austerity scores highly (70 per cent) while both capitalism (wealth inequality) and the socialist alternatives also strongly rated at 76 and 69 per cent respectively.

Two-thirds of readers were “especially interested” in comment and opinion. It is this and much more information that will help shape the changes editor Ben Chacko will be overseeing now as we relaunch our website and bring a fresh new look to the paper.

The election has made it crystal clear the importance of a reader-owned daily. Billionaires or oligarchs will never own us, nor can our stance be bought by business.

Our readers, both as trade union branches and as individuals, own us and hold us to account. Every reader can become a shareholder in the paper, getting involved locally with other readers and supporters to help shape its direction, content and operations.

The management committee is an open and inclusive body, accountable to our shareholders officially at our sectional annual meetings each year. Regional and national conferences of readers and supporters are also important opportunities to hear in more detail what really matters to you.

Jeremy Corbyn supports the Morning Star because he knows that the paper is a weapon in the hands of every activist and trade unionist as they go about helping educate and organise workers to achieve a better world.

That is why the paper is so special. It is part of our struggle, an organising tool in the daily fight for peace and socialism.

It’s an indispensable spark for discussion on the bus, in workplaces, on courses, at home, at the pub, in the gym, at events and anywhere the opportunity arises — wherever there is a chance of putting forward hope and a vision of an alternative not based on greed and inhumanity.

The tremendous support of comrades over the last 87 years to do that against unbelievable odds must be used to inspire this next generation who are being driven into politics because of the bleak future they now see before them.

As a young person I was with on the doorstep in Ashton said last weekend: “No Theresa May is better than a bad Theresa May.”

We have some fantastic and dedicated management committee members and I want to thank all those who will be continuing their hard work but also those retiring this year, while welcoming those joining us for the first time.

But most of all, I want to especially thank you dear reader, for everything you do to ensure we survive.