Scottish land up for reform

The following article was left out of the current issue (Autumn 2015) of Landworker due to a lack of space and a delay in the magazine's publishing date.  

The comments by David Cameron's landowning father-in-law Lord Astor that proposed Scottish land reforms are "a Mugabe-style land grab" have been condemned by long standing Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack.

"They are alarmist and exaggerated. Since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 we have had an ongoing debate about how use land to create economic opportunities and regenerate, in particular, some of our most fragile rural communities. Land reform is popular." 

Boyack was Minister for the Environment, Planning and Transport in the first year of the Scottish Parliament, subsequently served as Transport Minister, where she introduced free bus travel for over 60s and disabled people, and is now in her sixteenth year as an MSP. 

Sarah was a member of the Labour/Liberal Democrat Scottish coalition government that ended the historic legacy of feudal law in Scotland with the passing of the radical 2003 Land Reform Act. This provided unhindered access to open countryside and established for small communities a Community Right to Buy when a landowner put land up for sale. Crofting communities were also given the right to buy their land even without the consent of the landowner.

Crossgates Community Woodland became the first Scottish community to buy land through the first Scottish Land Fund in May 2005. Thousands of trees, a play park, pathways and tracks followed with plenty of local people using it. 

"There’s a long list of community buyouts including some that cost millions. I'm proud that Scottish Labour played a big part in this and the results have been successful with new economic opportunities and jobs being created in areas that had been starved of economic investment because they were owned by one person who perhaps didn't even live in Scotland" said Sarah.

People, of course, such as Oxfordshire's Lord Astor, a Tory Lord since 1973, who, through a Bahamas registered company, owns the 20,000-acre Tarbert Estate on the island of Jura. Astor is amongst the 432 families that own half of Scotland and although the Scots last year voted against independence that does not mean there is no appetite for continuing political reform, especially on land issues. 

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill was passed on 17 June by the Scottish Parliament. It enables certain bodies to buy abandoned buildings or neglected land. Key amendments from Labour's Alex Rowley, which were supported by organisations such as OXFAM and Barnardo's,  ensured a right of appeal for communities refused the opportunity to participate in efforts to improve public services. 

"This was a massive step forward," said Boyack, "and one Labour strongly supports. It will be important in rural communities but it also applies to urban locations. It will mean there can be action in cases where privately owned buildings, such as cinema's, have been unoccupied for over a decade and act as a blockage to community regeneration." 

In June last year the Scottish government-commissioned Land Reform Review Group (LRRG) made 62 recommendations on land ownership. Following which the SNP Government revealed plans for a Land Reform Bill that is to be debated, and almost certainly agreed as only the Tories are opposed, in Holyrood this autumn. Councils should have powers to force the sale of land and there will be an upper limit to how much land one person can own. There are also moves to scrap rates exemptions on shooting estates.  

Yet whilst Nicola Sturgeon's statement that she wants to see a "million acres of land in community ownership by 2020" is welcomed by Boyack, the Labour MSP, is concerned that proposed UK Government reductions in Scotland's budget may hit the Land Fund. "If we are going to pass legalisation then communities must be able to use it as we would not have seen the very big community purchases in Scotland without Holyrood funding. 

"I also hope we will see legislation on the position of tenants farmers (30% of Scotland remains occupied by tenants farmers; whereas most of their European counterparts are owner-occupiers of the land they farmed) as many are living in properties that would be condemned as unfit for purpose if they were in urban areas.

It is clear that we can make much better use of Scotland's land so that it benefits many more people."

Galvanising a generation

http://unitelive.org/galvanising-a-generation/

Tears for taken comrades

A slightly edited version of this article  is in the Autumn 2015 Landworker magazine 

Unite’s Debi Bell's participation in a Unite delegation to Colombia in June may have reduced her to tears - but it has also confirmed how vital international solidarity is to progressive forces in the South American Republic. 

Debi, who sits on the Unite national food drink and tobacco sector committee, is the unions East Midlands region rep within Sainsburys, where she has worked for 24 years as a commercial assistant. 

Along with eight other Unite activists, Debi travelled to Columbia to discover why it is the most dangerous place anywhere for trade unionists and human rights defenders and how Justice for Columbia is providing essential international support that has led to some improvements. 

The trip coincided with the rural workers union, FENSUAGRO's, 11th annual conference in Bogota and whose 415 delegates had part of their travel costs paid by the agricultural sector of their sister union, UNITE. 

FENSUAGRO has around 80,000 members, but has lost around 1,500 who have been murdered. 

Union vice-president Huber Ballesteros and over 100 other members are in jail, often without any charges against them. The union helped lead the 2013 mass strike that mobilised over a million people on street protests against the devastating impact of free-trade agreements, privatisation and inequality-driven poverty. 

The Unite delegation later met human rights and prisoners support groups as well as trade unionists from the private and public sectors. Debi was subsequently amongst the guests of the Mothers of Soacha, whose sons were killed by paramilitary forces including two 19 year olds studying as engineers. “My son is studying engineering and is 19. I was tears.” 

There was additional upset in Cauca when Debi listened to a young farmer who the paramilitaries had targeted for assassination after they told him, without any evidence, they considered him a member of the FARC rebels, who have been fighting the government for fifty years. "His family had lived on the land he owned for generations and as he did not want to appear a coward he was staying put. I don't know if he remains alive. 

“He told his tale because he wants to alert people from abroad and believes that international pressure and solidarity is vital in creating the conditions for ending human rights abuses in Columbia.

"Paramilitaries gain financial rewards, including holidays, for killing peasant farmers and young Columbian males they declare as terrorists. Foreign multinationals, particularly companies involved in oil exploration, benefit by being able to appropriate land that becomes vacant," she added.  

Having familiarised herself with the situation in Columbia, Debi was part of the Unite delegation that met the British Ambassador in Bogota and then had meetings with the High Commissioner and Ministry of Defence from the Columbian Government. 

“We presented them with our findings. This included the desire from everyone we met for the Government to respond positively to any fresh FARC ceasefire, which has since been announced and welcomed by 29 British MPs from four different parties after the Columbian Government said they would also be taking steps to de-escalate the armed conflict.

“I felt we were listened to. I certainly hope so and the Columbian Ambassador has agreed to meet us when he visits Britain and that will be an opportunity to see if progress is being made. 

“But there is still plenty to do. I would appeal to all Unite branches to affiliate to Justice for Columbia, which is doing marvellous work,” said Debi, who is happy to speak about her Columbian visit at Unite branch meetings across the East Midlands. 

'We Are United: The Story of MUDSA' - a documentary commissioned to celebrate the organisation's 25th anniversary

Issued by MUDSA

Press release - New book and documentary film launched 

MUDSA is the oldest disabled supporters association in the world and is 25 years old this year. 

We have celebrated by putting together a MUDSA 25th anniversary book, which is enclosed, charting our achievements and ongoing ambitions. 

The book looks back to why and how MUDSA was formed including, of course, the vital role played by Phil Downs MBE. It illustrates how we have worked with the club - during a period of massive expansion at Old Trafford - to ensure improved facilities for disabled fans. It shows how disabled fans have democratically decided that they prefer in the main to be seated next to one another at Old Trafford. 

The book fondly remembers the marvellous trips abroad to European Cup finals, particularly Barcelona in 1999 and Moscow in 2008. The launch of the Ability Suite in 2003 is celebrated and for those that don’t know we issued a 10th anniversary book on this in 2013 and it remains available online at http://www.mudsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/abilitysuite10.pdf

There is a marvellous selection of photographs new and old - many thanks to Julie and Jackie Hall in particular on this - and the book is packed with interviews with members, some of whom are sadly no longer with us. The book also includes interviews with former Manchester United  captains Gary Neville and Steve Bruce and they demonstrate a mutual respect and genuine friendship. Finally, the book highlights how important MUDSA is in the lives of many disabled fans. 

MUDSA would like to author Mark Metcalf, photographer Mark Harvey and designer Jamie Leeming for making this book possible.   

'We Are United: The Story of MUDSA' - a documentary commissioned to celebrate the organisation's 25th anniversary - premieres on Manchester United TV Channel MUTV on Thursday next week (November 12).

Produced and directed by independent filmmaker John Gubba, the one hour special tells the story of Mudsa through the eyes of its inspirational leader Phil Downs MBE and a strong supporting cast including Chas Banks, Stephanie Bisceglia, Kevin Peek and eight years-old Alex Nield.

Said Gubba: "I have cried more than once filming and watching some gut-wrenching scenes. We took Phil Downs back to the gymnasium at Hendon Police Training Academy where he broke his neck as an 18-year-old in the mid seventies. It was the first time Phil had been back in that room. 

"When young Alex Nield was born with cerebral palsy, his parents were told he would never walk or talk. Watching him learn to walk has been another emotional experience. In this film I have focused on the incredible abilities and achievements of a remarkable group of characters. And I hope that viewers will have a better understanding of what Mudsa is all about by sharing their stories."

Sir Alex Ferguson, whose PA Lyn Laffin helped get Mudsa started back in 1989, contributes some fascinating insights and talks passionately about the achievements of the organisation. There are also appearances by Wayne Rooney, David de Gea, Juan Mata, Bryan Robson, Martin Buchan and David Gill. 

Further information from Mark Metcalf on 07952 801783 and markcmetcalf@me.com

Further information from John Gubba on 07802 482602 and john@vsitv.net 

Please contact MUDSA on 0161 868 8552 to discuss the book and/or documentary film.

MUDSA is happy to facilitate visits by journalists and political representatives to Old Trafford to view the facilities for disabled fans. 

Unite drives forward Lifelong learning

http://unitelive.org/unite-drives-forward-lifelong-learning/

Stan Mortensen - the player who scored in 12 consecutive top flight matches

Stan Mortensen - the player who scored in 12 consecutive top flight matches 

Taken from The Golden Boot: Football’s Top Scorers by Mark Metcalf and Tony Matthews and published by Amberley in 2012. 

1950-51 

Blackpool 

Goals scored: 30 (out of 79); 13 home, 17 away 

Runner-up: Jackie Lee (Derby County), 28 goals 

3^rd in Division One 

Famous for scoring a hat trick at the 1953 FA Cup Final Mortensen was the cutting edge of an exciting, entertaining forward line, in which Stanley Matthews was the outstanding talent with the Blackpool centre forward not too far behind. 

Born in South Shields, Mortensen was lucky to survive the Second World War when his Wellington Bomber crashed, killing two of the four-man crew and leaving the other with just one leg. Signed by Blackpool in 1937, he had failed to make his first-team debut and his chances of doing so looked dim when the doctors told him the crash meant he should avoid heading the ball as it could cause serious health problems. Ignoring this advice, soon afterward he played with success for the RAF side before appearing in a number of friendly games for the Seasiders. 

On the resumption of football in 1945/46, Mortensen scored on his debut away to Wrexham in the FA Cup. It was not going to be the last goal he scored in the famous competition, and in 1947-48 he scored in every round, including a blistering semi-final hat-trick to overturn a Spurs lead that lasted until the 86^th minute of the match. Then, in the final, he put Blackpool back into the lead by converting a Hughie Kelly cross, only for Matt Busby’s Manchester United to come out 4-2 winners at the end of a match many felt was the best FA Cup Final ever seen at Wembley. 

Blackpool had finished the 1949/50 season disappointingly. Seemingly set for a first ever Division One title success, only one game in the last ten were won, leaving Portsmouth to come through and retain their title. Spurs had gained promotion at the end of the season, and with their ‘push and run’ tactics were expected to do well in the top flight. So a first day encounter at White Hart Lane might have been something to avoid, yet with Matthews at his best Blackpool stormed to an impressive 4-1 victory, Mortensen grabbing his first goal of the season. 

At Burnley, Mortensen was so badly injured that the referee Bill Evans suggested he leave the pitch rather than limp out the remaining 20 minutes on the left wing. Refusing, he assisted his side to a 0-0 draw but suffered by being unavailable for the next two matches. There was further disappointment when he then learned he had been overlooked at centre forward for England in their subsequent international match against Northern Ireland. England had done badly at the 1950 World Cup Finals, even losing 1-0 to the USA and the selectors had decided to take a look at a new man in Derby County’s Jack Lee. Mortensen had made his international debut in May 1947, when in a match that Matthews rated as one of the greatest he had ever played in England beat Portugal 10-0 with Mortensen grabbing four. 

Mortensen grabbed his second goal of the 1950/51 season in Blackpool’s tenth League game, yet according Clifford Greenwood in the Blackpool Evening Gazette he ‘was still that half yard slower off the mark.’ He then also played poorly against Chelsea, but with the game tied at 2-2 his non-stop effort paid off when presented with a simple chance he netted from six yards out for the winner. Continuing his bustling battling performances Mortensen managed a goal at St James’ Park but should have done better, missing two golden chances that Greenwood reported showed ‘that for now his old magic has forsaken him.’ Yet with Alan Withers coming into the side and scoring five goals in his first four matches Blackpool could afford to wait until Mortensen found his shooting boots.

When he did, he scored twice at Highbury in a 4-4 thriller. Then at home to Liverpool Allan Brown’s perfect pass set up his first and he hit ‘number two with all the old venom in the shot.’ 

With Blackpool nine points behind leaders Middlesbrough in early January, hopes of any success rested on the FA Cup. Mortensen managed four goals as Charlton and Stockport were beaten to put Blackpool. The goals seemed to kick-start his season, and at Aston Villa on February 3 1951 he was one of the away side’s three scorers in a match that had the whole crowd applauding Matthews as he left the field so wonderfully had the wing man played. Derby County then had to twice pick Mortensen’s efforts out of the net - his second a blistering free kick -  before he scored for the third consecutive game as Chelsea were beaten 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. It was an opportunist’s goal, following up when Brown’s shot got stuck in the mud. 

There was now no stopping Mortensen, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Bolton and Everton all conceding goals to make it seven consecutive league games. In between, the northeast lad had also set up a place in the FA Cup Final against Newcastle United by putting his side a goal up in the replayed semi-final with Birmingham City. ‘Keeper Gill Merrick had got both hands to his shot but the pace was simply too strong to prevent the ball rolling over the line as Blackpool advanced 2-1. 

Mortensen made it eight League games in a row when he scored at Burnden Park. It was a fierce encounter; Mortensen had deflected Bob Langton’s shot into his own net and also scored Blackpool’s goal when with two minutes left he followed up another Brown shot to give his side both points. It was his twenty-fifth League goal of the season. 

Goals number twenty-six and seven  weren’t long in the making, Stoke suffering a 3-0 defeat that could have been much greater. Away at WBA and Mortensen made it ten games in a row. He left it late, but after playing an important part in both Jackie Mudie’s goals, the Blackpool centre-forward made it 3-0 with just two minutes remaining. Ten in a row then became eleven, but with Blackpool’s players now doing their best to ensure they were fit to play at Wembley Huddersfield won much more comfortably than the 2-1 scoreline suggested. 

Next game up was Middlesbrough and Mortensen failed to score. Not that he ever had any chance of doing so as he was on England duty, earning high praise for ignoring a jaw injury to lead an ultimately unsuccessful fightback as Scotland won a fine match 3-2. 

One week later, and for his twelfth League game in a row, Mortensen was again on the Blackpool scoresheet as Sheffield Wednesday won 3-1 at Hillsborough. It was his thirtieth of the season, a brilliant effort but one he might well have traded for just one match winning effort at Wembley, but playing poorly Blackpool lost 2-0 to two Jackie Milburn goals for Newcastle United. Consolation for one of the losing side, captain Harry Johnston, came in the form of the Football Writer’s Association Footballer of the Year Award. 

Mortensen was, of course, to gain his FA Cup winners medal just two seasons later when, inspired by Matthews, Blackpool recovered from being 3-1 down to Bolton to win 4-3. Mortensen by scoring a hat trick became the first, and to date, only player to achieve the feat at a Wembley FA Cup Final.  

Mortensen also suffered further Wembley disappointment in 1953, playing alongside three of his Blackpool team-mates as Hungary crushed the home side 6-3. It was to prove his final international match, leaving him with 25 caps and 23 goals. After leaving Blackpool in 1955 Mortensen played for Hull, Blackpool and Southport before spells with Bath and Lancaster City in non-league football. Returning to Bloomfield Road as manager in 1967 he was denied promotion on goal average in 1968. He died in May 1991 and fine player that he was it is entirely appropriate that a statue of him has been erected outside Blackpool’s ground. 

Tommy Lawton described Mortensen as "the most dangerous attacker of his day. With that curious, energetic run he burst open more defences than any other man of his time, and I don't think I know a player who was faster off the mark than this Blackpool Bombshell was. Knocks and injuries meant nothing to Morty."

Song remains the same for Lullaby

Taken from Big Issue in the North magazine dated October 19-25 2015 

Charity report on air pollution not published 

The Lullaby Trust, which aims to prevent unexpected deaths in infancy, has refused to give a publication date for research into air pollution although its initial findings were reported to donors last September. 

Presenting those findings, lead researcher Dr Ian Litchfield of Birmingham University said the research “indicated ambient air pollutants, particularly PM10 and NO2, were associated with increased Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) mortality”. 

The study, which was centred on the West Midlands, was aimed at examining
the occurrence of SIDS and short-term variations in air pollution for PM10 particulate matter, ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen as well as its components NO and NO2. “PM10” refers to particles to up to 10 micrometers in size. 

Extensive research 

Shrewsbury’s Michael Ryan first became concerned about air pollution after he lost two of his children, one at age 14 weeks, and considered that their deaths may have been the result of having lived downwind of an incinerator. 

His extensive research, using electoral ward statistics from the Office of National Statistics, led him to claim that infant mortality levels, which dropped to an all-time low of 3.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013, are above average in wards downwind of incinerators. 

Ryan was key in forcing Public Health England (PHE) into conducting a study into the impact of incinerator emissions on babies’ and children’s health. This was first promised in 2003 but began in 2012. Preliminary results were expected in March 2014 but it is now hoped that the findings will be published next year. 

Ryan said: “The Lullaby Trust report mirrors the PHE study in that it is delayed and also doesn’t look at nanoparticles less than PM2.5, which, unlike the bigger PM10, can penetrate deepest into the lungs. The trust should also have examined not just SIDS but all infant deaths as the former is around a quarter of the larger total of 2,686 in 2013. 

‘Confidential’ 

“My research and that of prominent scientists dating back decades and in many different countries challenges the view that deprivation, poor parenting and cultural practices are the only reasons for infant mortality. 

Sadly, I fear that too many organisations are willing to ignore this work.” 

A Lullaby Trust spokesperson said the final report is “confidential to us.. it could still be some time until it is published”. 

The spokesperson added: “We are not aware of Michael Ryan’s research. But when our report is published we will get our scientific advisors to review it before taking into account whether we should include his findings in our recommendations – as we do for all potential risk factors. 

“As far as we are aware there is currently no conclusive evidence for a link between SIDS and air pollution.”