JOHN McDONNELL is right to emphasise that Labour will fight for every vote in the coming Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election, just as the party must in the Copeland fight also due on February 23.
But these elections should not just be battles for the leadership or even the local parties. The entire movement needs to mobilise for Labour victories in these seats.
The former MPs Jamie Reed and Tristram Hunt are both from the right of the party, both have records of vocal opposition to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and — while boredom at having to represent ordinary voters from the back benches, with no immediate prospect of ministerial office, may have been the immediate prompt for their resignations — both would probably be gleeful if their desertions lead to embarrassing Labour defeats.
Morning Star Wales reporter DAVID NICHOLSON analyses polling for the Senedd election — and it’s bad news for Welsh Labour
Starmer sabotaged Labour with his second referendum campaign, mobilising a liberal backlash that sincerely felt progressive ideals were at stake — but the EU was then and is now an entity Britain should have nothing to do with, explains NICK WRIGHT
In the run-up to the Communist Party congress in November ROB GRIFFITHS outlines a few ideas regarding its participation in the elections of May 2026
While Reform poses as a workers’ party, a credible left alternative rooted in working-class communities would expose their sham — and Corbyn’s stature will be crucial to its appeal, argues CHELLEY RYAN


