Issue 1591 - 25 June 2026
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss
Sir Keir was not a total failure. He did a ‘good job’ in thoroughly marginalising the Labour left. But will Andy Burnham be any different? Unlikely, given the objective conditions, says Carla Roberts
Letters
Just conjecture; Fan fiction; Pro-western; Critical support?; Dead trans; Missed me?; Editorial note
Two letters for Andy
Can he halt long-term British decline with his Manchesterism magic? Within the confines of the present political system, can anyone? Paul Demarty examines the prospects for the ‘king of the north’
Makerfield was historic
Andy Burnham gained a sweeping victory, but it would be foolish to project the results onto the national picture. People were not only voting against Reform, but to get rid of a widely despised prime minister, writes Eddie Ford
Time is on our side
Quick decision-making is perfectly understandable during civil war conditions. But to create unity, prevent irresponsible splits and to educate the party and the working class, provision must be made for extensive debate. Mike Macnair continues to explore procedural principles
North of the border
Labour trailed far behind in Scotland’s two by-elections. The trade union movement commits to bone-headed sectionalism. As for the left nationalists, they merely serve petty bourgeois nationalism. Tam Dean Burn comments
Existential eco threat
London’s Raindance is the largest independent film festival in the UK. Launched in 1993, its 34th festival featured 197 films from around the world, including many by first-time film makers. Jim Moody looks at three which highlight the ecological impact of capitalism
Negotiations proceed in Geneva
There is little enthusiasm for the interim agreement. In Iran, hardliners wanted to keep on fighting and have, as a result, suffered from a government crackdown. But, in Israel, there is fear that Trump is putting his personal political interests first. Yassamine Mather looks at the new rhetoric coming from Washington