Morning Star Editorial: The far right has now won a significant victory against asylum-seekers
Police officers outside the former Bell Hotel in Epping, July 31, 2025MONDAY’S High Court decision, that asylum-seekers must be removed from the Bell Hotel in Epping, has been correctly described by Stand Up to Racism co-convener Sabby Dhalu as a “terrible concession to racist protests organised by fascists.”
The injunction granted to Epping Forest District Council was on the basis that hotel owner Somani Hotels Ltd was in breach of planning rules since the Bell was no longer strictly a hotel.
But, during the court proceedings, the council’s legal team focused on claims that the presence of asylum-seekers at the hotel posed safety risks to children attending nearby schools and contributed to local unrest.
Protests, and anti-racist counter-protests, have been held near the hotel following an allegation — not yet proved in court — that a then-resident of the hotel attempted to kiss a local teenage girl.
Those fascist-organised protests, playing on whipped-up concerns of local residents, show an uncanny resemblance to lynch mobs by segregationists in the Southern states of the US in the past. And whether the allegation is true or not, targeting all the residents in the hotel is a racist act.
So fascist-organised protests rule the streets, OK? Anti-racist campaigners will need to be vigilant. As Dhalu added, the decision “will embolden the far right and encourage yet more protests to close down more hotels housing refugees.”
And that is precisely what has been happening since the judgment. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has hailed the court decision as a “victory,” indicating that the 12 councils where Reform is the largest party will “do everything in their power to follow Epping’s lead.” Tory-controlled Broxbourne council is also considering taking similar action.
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Government policies have effectively abandoned people fleeing war and persecution. We need safe routes for asylum-seekers to reach Britain, together with a compassionate approach to housing, the opportunity to work and fair, rapid decisions on their asylum applications.
But we must also stand up to the far right and the fascists, including via the “March against Fascism — Stand up to Tommy Robinson” in London on September 13.
Government urged to drop ‘parasitic’ private contracts as rail fares set to soar
People using a ticket machine at Waterloo train station in LondonTHE government was urged to ditch “parasitic” private contracts today after it emerged that regulated train fares in England could soar by 5.8 per cent next year.
This year fares went up 4.6 per cent — one point higher than last July’s retail prices index (RPI).
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The government is set to renationalise all train operators by 2027 and integrate them into Great British Railways, a new public body which will also oversee rail infrastructure.
However GBR will continue to lease rolling stock, carriages and locomotives, from private firms. Outsourced contracts, such as those for cleaning staff, are also set to remain.
A spokesperson for rail union RMT said: “Our analysis shows that £720 million is extracted each year from our railways through rolling stock leasing, outsourcing and subcontracting.
“Eliminating that profiteering would allow fares to be cut by 6.5 per cent.
“The government has an opportunity under GBR to remove these parasitic contracts that drain resources from the network and instead offer real value for money for passengers through public ownership.”
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Original article at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/government-urged-drop-parasitic-private-contracts-rail-fares-set-soar
‘Education must remain a beacon of hope, dignity, and solidarity’
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/education-must-remain-beacon-hope-dignity-and-solidarity
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) hold a rally outside the National Education Union (NEU) in London as strike action is taken by sixth form college teachers, November 28, 2024TEACHING unions have hit out at “shamefully cruel” far-right attempts to make migrant children feel unwelcome in school.
More than 400 trade unionists slammed bigots for protesting outside of schools that work with the Schools of Sanctuary scheme.
The refugee charity has supported dozens to become welcoming places for all children, including newcomer children.
They have been targeted by the far right following online misinformation over five-year-olds being asked to write Valentine’s cards to asylum-seekers as part of the scheme.
Leading members of the National Education Union (NEU), NASUWT teachers’ union and University and College Union (UCU) are among those who signed the open letter to media editors.
It says: “We reject the divisive and dangerous rhetoric of the far right, and we believe the calls to protest against Schools of Sanctuary are not only wrong but shamefully cruel.
“These protests target some of the most vulnerable children in our society, seeking to make them feel unwelcome in the very places that should offer them hope.
“Such actions do nothing to improve our communities and everything to spread fear and hatred. As educators, we stand united in our commitment to safe, inclusive schools where every child — regardless of origin — can thrive.”
It adds: “In a world where too many children experience loss and trauma, the message that they are safe, valued, and part of our community is not only morally right but educationally vital.
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Article continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/education-must-remain-beacon-hope-dignity-and-solidarity
Terror charge against Kneecap rapper should be thrown out, court told
Belfast musician Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is accused of displaying Hezbollah flag at gig
The criminal case against the Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh should be thrown out, a court has heard.
Ó hAnnaidh, who performs with the band under the stage name Mo Chara, will have to wait until 26 September, when the chief magistrate, Paul Goldspring, will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case.
The Belfast musician was greeted by hundreds of supporters as he arrived at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday for a three-hour hearing.
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During the hearing on Wednesday, his defence team argued the case should be thrown out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought.
Brenda Campbell KC told the court the attorney general had not given permission for the case to be brought against the defendant when police informed him he was to face a terror charge on 21 May. She said consent was given the following day, but that meant the charge fell outside the six-month timeframe in which criminal charges against a defendant can be brought.
The prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant’s first court appearance and that permission did not need to be sought in order to bring a criminal charge.
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dizzy: I can anticipate Mo Chara appealing if it comes to that. It’s almost as ridiculous as people charged under terrorism laws for holding a placard! It’s widely accepted that it’ s the UK government that needs to be charged and prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
