Monday 8 June

NATO has announced the start of large-scale military exercises near Russia’s borders. This is outright belligerence, not ‘defence’ 😠

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the more conservative of two main international labour federations, has included the United States in its Global Rights “watch list” of nations where worker rights are declining or in danger. The reason for the listing is Donald Trump and his anti-labour policies. The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), is more militant and rooted in the socialist, communist, and other progressive movements.

Tuesday 9 June

Wes J. Bryant, an analyst at the Pentagon, lost his job last year amid a purge of staff focused on mitigating civilian casualties in strikes.

What’s the difference between ‘terrorism’ and ‘counterterrorism’? It depends on who’s doing it!

Josh Simons, who resigned as MP for Makerfield to allow Andy Burnham to contest by-election, has received a legal letter on behalf of APCO, the PR firm he had paid to investigate journalists reporting on Labour Together’s undeclared political donations. He claimed that APCO investigations had “extended far beyond the contract I agreed with them.” But that account has now been refuted by the very PR firm he hired. Source: Democracy For Sale

I’ve just posted this for a second time and, judging by the responses I’m getting, it will be neither necessary nor desirable for me to post it again. People are understandably outraged and the responses are quite overwhelming, well in excess of the first time although some people have liked and reposted both times.

Revealed: How Britain weaponised terrorism laws against activists https://www.declassifieduk.org/revealed-how-britain-weaponised-terrorism-laws-against-activists/

I just attended my first online meeting of my local branch of North Yorkshire Green Party.

Wednesday 10 June

Chief prosecutor Karim Khan has been suspended from the ICC despite being cleared of misconduct by a panel of judges.

Thursday 11 June

FIFA World Cup kicks off today. The top African referee was denied entry to the USA despite having a valid visa, but FIFA have issued press accreditation to French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, sentenced a year ago in Algeria to seven years in prison for charges – entirely unfounded – of “ glorifying terrorism”. Via Reporters Without Borders. Not all football fans are equal, you need to be a white millionaire to attend a match!

Friday 12 June

 Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned over a row with Chancellor Rachel Reeves about defence spending. I’m on Reeves’ side for a change, albeit with reservations.

 Despite a huge parliamentary majority there is a remarkable instability about this administration that, if it isn’t addressed soon, could render the government paralysed by lack of leadership.

John McDonnell

This is a government in chaos, unable to govern, with no leadership, under a caretaker prime minister who’s expected to be replaced within weeks. Britain deserves better.

Zack Polanski

Sharon Graham’s response is the reason I’m no longer of a member of Unite Community. She supports Healey’s defence plan on the grounds that jobs and skills are at risk, which is utter nonsense! Skilled workers can be retrained to so build socially beneficial infrastructure instead of weapons designed to murder working class folk in another nation.

RIP David Hockney

Judge Jeremy Johnson has sentenced the Filton 4 as terrorists despite their never having been charged with, or convicted of, a terrorism offence. They have all already been incarcerated for almost 2 years without trial!

Sunday 14 June

Nigel Farage has invited trade union leaders to attend Reform UK’s annual conference and consider affiliating to his party. He insists that Reform is now “the party of the workers”, the idea that Reform can occupy the ground vacated by Labour is quite ludicrous!

The Lancet has published a petition calling for the Israeli Medical Association to be boycotted and expelled from the World Medical Association over its failure to condemn Israel’s genocide against Palestinians and the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system.

I had a terrific compliment on today’s blog about green energy, someone liked it because it opened up a topic for conversation 😊

Monday 15 June

More than 100 politicians have joined calls demanding the government halt the sale of illegal settlements in British synagogues. Jewish anti-zionists protested outside the Great Israeli Real Estate Event on Sunday. Jewish Anti-Zionist Action were joined by hundreds of other demonstrators including the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Via Morning Star

The trial of another eight of the Filton 25 has begun today at the Old Bailey. However, security are denying entry family members unless they have two forms of ID. A rule that is unprecedented. Via Huda Ammori on X.

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the Government’s proscription of Palestine Action is lawful. PA is now likely to lodge an appeal before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the mass arrests of peaceful people sitting with cardboard signs will continue.

Tuesday 16 June

Jeremy Corbyn has tabled an amendment to the Armed Forces Bill to ban the entry of foreign soldiers from countries that are subject to war crimes investigations. But the vote will only go ahead if the amendment is selected by the House of Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle. Via Declassified UK

Wednesday 17 June

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds came out against a £10 billion rescue bid, put forward by Thames Water creditors to salvage the company, following an open letter to Ofwat co-ordinated by public ownership campaigners We Own It and signed by 107 MPs demanding the government reject the deal. Bidding consortium London & Valley Water proposed injecting £10bn into debt-ridden Thames Water in return for any new fines for sewage leaks being waived for four years.

Andy Burnham argues that the UK needs a different economic model to end “40 years of neoliberalism”. We already have one, it’s called Socialism!

The puppy whose training as a guide dog I’ve been sponsoring just graduated. Well done Doris 👏👏👏

Saturday 20 June

Andy Burnham’s decisive victory in Makerfield makes it almost certain he’ll be our next prime minister, but I doubt it will make much difference – he promises change, but so did Starmer! Labour’s chances in the next general election aren’t enhanced by a change of leadership, those of us who have left the party aren’t coming back, but the possibility of a Reform government is reduced after losing three by-elections in 12 months!

Last year, the government blocked Jeremy Corbyn’s Bill demanding an independent inquiry into its complicity in genocide. Today, he’s tabled it again.