Andy Burnham’s message of hope will defeat Reform if Labour delivers the New Deal for Working People in full, says JOANNE THOMAS
THE trade union movement faces a choice this autumn, at the TUC Congress. In principle, it should be a straightforward one — does the movement support the policy of the Tory government?
If the matter were about economic or social policy it would be simple — no, never. However, it concerns the war in Ukraine.
As so often, behind policy votes larger issues are stirring. In this case, it is whether or not the working class has its own approach, its own attitude, on international questions, or whether class independence is basically a domestic socio-economic question, and when it comes to war and peace ruling class direction is to be accepted.
JOHN McINALLY sees little chance of change at Westminster, and calls on the left to get serious about building a real alternative
The defence secretary’s resignation reveals not a split over principle but a dispute over pace of military spending, as Britain’s political Establishment unites behind deeper Nato commitments, argues NICK WRIGHT
Washington plays innocent bystander while pouring weapons and intelligence into Ukraine, just as it enables the Gaza genocide — but every US escalation leaves Ukraine weaker than the neutrality deal rejected in 2022, argue MEDEA BENJAMIN and NICOLAS JS DAVIES


