The Tories introduced the 50% strike ballot threshold to make industrial action harder. MATT WRACK argues that a Labour government has no justification for leaving it on the statute book
WOULD you give your life in the fight against fascism? Between 1936 and 1939, 526 out of 2,500 International Brigades (IB) volunteers from Britain and Ireland did just that when they lost their lives trying to defend the democratic Spanish Republic during the Spanish civil war.
Other IB volunteers survived but were captured and imprisoned by Spanish dictator Franco’s forces. Some republican prisoners were later sent to the Nazis’ Mathausen concentration camp as political prisoners during the WWII.
During the 1930s, the dangers that growing Spanish, Italian and German fascism posed were ignored by many western governments.
Driven by anti-fascism and anger at Britain’s policy of non-intervention, thousands volunteered to fight in the Spanish civil war. Historian RICHARD BAXELL reflects on their sacrifices and enduring significance
HELEN OCLEE-BROWN on keeping alive the memory and spirit of the Brigaders
ALEX GORDON applauds the leading role played by Harry Pollitt and the Communist Party in the fight against fascism in Spain and salutes the memory of the International Brigades
JIM JUMP looks forward to the International Brigade Memorial Trust AGM taking place in Belfast later this week where the spirit of solidarity will be rekindled


