Letter to Hope Not Hate on events in Bradford on 12 October

From Mark Metcalf 

markcmetcalf@btinternet.com 

07952 801783 

To: Paul Mezaros,

Hope not Hate 

Reference – Scabbing 

Dear Paul,

I am a subscriber to the Hope Not Hate magazine. I have also been an active anti-fascist for all my adult life stretching back to the mid to late 70s. My support for trade unionism stretches back even further to when I was at school. I therefore write to express my deep concerns at the language you employed in events surrounding the EDL demonstration on Saturday 12 October 2013 in Bradford, which living in Halifax is literally next door to me and where I have a number of friends. 

Three years ago I was in Bradford when the EDL also organised a demonstration and there was a decent sized protest against them with a clear intent that the fascists would face physical opposition if the police attempted to allow them to march. I am sure you know this tactic, as No Platform and I believe it has historically proved to be the only effective one against fascists. I was, of the opinion, that Hope Not Hate believed that also to be the case. I think events in Bradford proved that is not so.

When I discovered that Hope Not Hate were playing a major role in organising events in Bradford on Friday 11 October I was concerned enough to write to one of your colleagues accusing your organisation of abandoning the principle of No Platform.

He was good enough to pass on my messages of concern and also to send me your replies which not only indicated that Hope Not Hate were not intent on mobilising opposition on the actual date of the EDL demonstration but were extremely critical of those who were – in particular, UAF, who I am not and never have been a member of. (Incidentally the UAF organised a peaceful protest on the 12^th of October)

This correspondence degenerated into you accusing people (in an email dated 8 October) who intended attending on 12 October of scabbing – you were actually asked to clarify that is what you meant as the word was originally spelt inaccurately and you did so. I find the use of such a word to be a disgrace in this instance, as I do not believe you cannot be aware of its significance. It is a deliberate slur and one you need in my view to retract. I appreciate you may wish to make a distinction between the UAF and others like myself, but not only do I feel you should not accuse the UAF (which includes a good number of active, decent trade unionists I am happy to work with on a number of projects) of scabbing but I feel by implication you have accused everyone there on October 12^th of scabbing. That is not something I personally will take lying down. 

The decision not to try and mobilise people to oppose the EDL in Bradford sets a very dangerous precedent in my view. It also allows the state to impose increasing restrictions on anti-fascists and just for standing on a street corner around 500 yards from the EDL I was threatened with being arrested under section 14 of the Public Order Act. On a number of occasions the police attempted to ‘kettle’ the small group of friends I was with even though it was pretty clear we were hardly a bunch of street fighters and I am now fast approaching 54 years of age. Groups of Asian youth – who rightly came out onto the streets of their hometown - were constantly harassed. Even the possibility of giving some verbal abuse to the fascists was to be denied. 

History shows that – and I am happy to demonstrate this to you if you are unfamiliar with it – the state cannot be relied upon to deal with the fascist threat. Oswald Mosley’s planned march through the east end of London in October 1936 would have gone ahead if the state and the police had had their way. Fortunately, thousands were mobilised and the fascists suffered a rout that helped defeat them long-term. 

I ask you to apologise for your use of such language. I am intending making this letter public on my blog at www.writemark.blogspot.co.uk and I am happy to make available all correspondence on this, including any reply you may wish to make. The issue is too serious to just leave it. 

In disgust,

Mark Metcalf

UNIVERSAL CREDIT it is not

Self-employed people running small land-based businesses face losing out when Universal Credit begins to replace the Tax Credits system, including housing benefit, from October onwards.

Those on low income are going to be subject to the ‘minimum income floor’, where they will be deemed to be earning the equivalent of the minimum wage - for working 35 hours a week - of £938.82 a month If someone earns less than this then they will have to make up the shortfall themselves. Writing in The Land magazine, Cathy Ashley, outlined that ‘A beekeeper losing 60% of his bees due to poor weather claimed Tax Credits, but under Universal Credit this safety will not exist. Those in need will be the very people penalised for earning too little.’

Meantime, with only 23 of 601 Jobcentres located in rural areas, the problems all claimants face in accessing what will be a wholly internet-based application system (only in exceptional circumstances will face-to-face applications be allowed) for Universal Credit is worrying many rural organisations. 

According to Sioned Hughes, policy director at Community Housing Cymru, a majority of their tenants are not online and the figure rises even further in rural Powys, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. Adding to the problems that claimants are facing is that the radical changes are being introduced when funding cuts have reduced the number of charitable centres, which help claimants apply for benefits.

There is a free Universal Credit and the Self Employed briefing paper available by emailing cathyj.ashley@googlemail.com or send a SAE to 10 Magdalene Close, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5TQ 

Wales fights on to protect Agricultural Wages Board

It appears the heartlessness of the coalition Government towards those workers who harvest our food knows no bounds. Not content with scrapping the protection of the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) for English workers the Con-Dem’s are intent on blocking moves by the Welsh Assembly to set-up a Welsh AWB to safeguard pay and conditions for more than 13,000 farm workers.

The Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly have voted to retain their AWB’s and earlier this year workers in both countries were awarded an annual pay increase.

So when the UK government formally abolished (from 1 October) the England and Wales AWB the Welsh Assembly passed the Agricultural Sector (Wales) Bill to give Welsh Ministers powers to establish their own board. Without one then Welsh farmworkers will join their English counterparts in being paid less than those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Alun Davies said the bill, “would help ensure a prosperous future for Welsh agriculture, encourage new entrants into the industry and help retain important skills.” Support for retaining the board was said to be “vital” by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

The Bill though has been now blocked by Dominic Grieve, the Attorney General, on grounds that it was not within the Assembly’s legislative competence. It will now be left to the Supreme Court to rule in December whether it can become law or not.

By including the AWB abolition in the enterprise and regulatory bill the UK government had aimed to avoid a debate or vote on something which they themselves have calculated will result in a loss of £24 million a year for farmworkers. It was left to Labour’s Mary Creagh to use one of the opposition days to ensure there was anything approaching a proper parliamentary debate. Although 215 MPs voted to retain the board they were outvoted by the Tories and Liberal Democrats. It means that more than 90 years of protection has ended. The result is that 150,000 rural workers are going to be left to negotiate their own pay and conditions including overtime rates, holiday entitlement, flexible worker grades and sick pay schemes.

Gary (which is not his real name as he does not want to place his friends in danger of being sacked/disciplined) is a former Home Counties farmworker who had to quit the agricultural industry after he was poisoned by organophosphates. He believes “it will be almost impossible for the many farmworkers I know to negotiate with their employers, many of whom treat them terribly.

“Farmworkers are often called in during their holidays to do spraying, they are asked to do jobs which they are not properly trained to do and being off work sick is viewed with great suspicion.

“All too often the isolated nature of the work means that a falling out with an employer involves moving houses and schools. Even workers not in tied houses will accept their lot rather than upset their employers. A very good friend recently visited a solicitor after being threatened with the sack. Although it was clear his employer was acting illegally he was so scared of what might happen if he complained that he left without daring to obtain legal representation.

“I believe the National Farmers Union (NFU), this time in conjunction with the large UK food manufacturers; have once again used their considerable influence over the Government to increase the profits of their own members by removing the AWB. The NFU might find they struggle to find dedicated workers capable of operating and maintaining increasingly expensive and complex machinery and livestock systems.

“The NFU doesn’t deserve a decent caring workforce and rather than scrapping the AWB the government should be ensuring that part of the massive public subsidies that farmers get from Europe is allocated for better pay for farmworkers.” 

New regulations on ammonium nitrate

Marking out the dangers

New regulations on marking ammonium nitrate mixture sites have been introduced. Under the Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites or NAMOS) Regulations it will become a requirement to inform the local enforcing authority for health and safety (either the HSE or local authority) and the fire and rescue service (FRS) of any site with over 25 tonnes or more of the dangerous substance.

There is a further requirement for the FRS to be informed if the site holds more than 150 tonnes. Relevant ammonium nitrate fixtures are defined as when the nitrogen content exceeds 15.75% of the weight of any mixture.

The use of ammonium nitrate fertiliser is considered safe when stored properly, but can explode at high temperatures and when it reacts with other substances. There have been a number of high-profile disasters involving ammonium nitrate including in West Texas in April this year when an explosion killed 15 people there. The West Fertilizer Company had stored 270 tonnes of mixture on site.

The HSE has a self-help checklist for the storage and handling of ammonium nitrate fertiliser that requires checking to see if the building it is stored in is combustible, contains other flammable liquids or combustible materials such as straw or hay. Are housekeeping standards up to date? Act now if you have concerns and want to be sure your name is not on the list of those killed in the agricultural industry as one thing is for sure, this government doesn’t care either way. 

Support the Forestry Commission Unions

The Forestry Commission has provided Great Britain with a lush rich tapestry of woods and forests that have been enjoyed by the public since 1919. Now, the Forestry Commission (FC) Trades Unions (FCTU) have launched a campaign to see the organisation go beyond 100 years and to secure its future.

Public pressure in 2010/11 stopped the planned disposal of England’s public forest estate. (PFE) However, it has not prevented the coalition government continuing to deny the FC the resources and staff they require to maintain a much valued public service. It’s one that for just 38 pence per person per year provides harvest timber, access to spectacular landscapes, recreational, educational and welfare facilities.

The government has slashed hundreds of jobs and closed seven regional offices since 2010. Now following recommendations, made by the panel it established following its climbdown, it is moving forward with its plans to break up the current FC, which comprises FC England, FC Scotland, Forestry Research and Corporate and Shared Services.

The UK Government is working to replace - before the next election - the PFE with a  PFE Management Organisation (PFEMO), a statutorily-based Public Corporation operating at arm’s length from government but managed by their appointees. It’s a move condemned by the campaign group Save Our Woods: “Won’t this make our forests even more vulnerable to politics, asset squeezing and privatisation in the future?”

FC staff that are transferred to the PFEMO will lose their civil service status, terms and conditions, rates of pay and other benefits. It seems almost inevitable that experience and expertise will be lost and as a result the high costs of this restructuring will only result in a poorer service being offered to the public.

The functions of the Forest Services Directorate also face being limited following a separate Government review – announced in July - that concluded this was necessary. FCTU’s fear the tiny organisation that would remain would be vulnerable to a takeover or future government bonfire. Unions are also concerned that the potential loss of valuable research facilities may lead to future problems in the health of many forests. There are further concerns that cross-border functions under any future plans may not be strong enough to prevent disease.

The FCTU are lobbying DEFRA and Ministers to get them to explain why the current FC structure needs to be broken. They have issued a statement saying: “We need your assistance in this endeavour. Show your support for all the FC staff and campaign alongside us in securing the long term future of this much respected organisation.” They have launched an e-petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/53057 with the aim of securing the future of the FC beyond a century.

One of those backing them is Labour MP Dave Anderson, whose Blaydon constituency includes a number of FC sites and staff there. The former miner believes the decision by the government to send their original decision for review has strong parallels with 1992 when following a massive public outcry over planned pit closures the Major government did just the same. Thirteen weeks later they came back and closed 31 pits.

“Whilst the panel sat the FC was losing staff and its structure. As it isn’t broke then why try and fix it? I believe a future Labour Government should commit to a publicly owned arm of the forest estate. I’m convinced this would be very welcomed by thousands of ordinary folk who forced the government to backtrack in the first place. I’d urge people to sign the petition,” said Anderson.

Book review - the Assassin's Mark

The Assassin's Mark – David Ebsworth

£9.99 SilverWood Books

Dave Ebsworth - who in real-life is former TGWU regional secretary Dave McCall - has written a highly enjoyable and very descriptive novel set in the final year of the 1936-1939 Spanish Civil War. With the elected Republican government in disarray a confident General Franco has opened up the bloody battlefields along the country’s north coast to invite tourist’s to celebrate his successes and turn a blind eye to the atrocities he – and his Italian and German Allies - has committed.

Peace-loving, naïve left-wing reporter, Jack Telford, is asked by his employer to spend two weeks travelling by bus with a group of visitors that on the surface he has politically little in common with. It’s a journey of great heartbreak but also great beauty and Ebsworth brings both skilfully alive. The author provides vivid descriptions, especially of the architecture and social atmosphere, which helps transport the reader back 75 years.

Finding himself drawn to a right-wing female journalist, Telford can’t help but grow fond of many of his fellow tourists. Especially when the group is captured by Republican guerrillas and rescued by Franco’s forces in the days before a planned meeting with the general when Telford faces being betrayed.

David Ebsworth is the author of The Jacobites’ Apprentice, which was critically reviewed by the Historical Novel Society, who deemed it “worthy of a place on every historical fiction bookshelf”. For more information on Dave’s work visit www.davidebsworth.com

Rugby League World Cup and Kevin Sinfield

From the current issue of the Big Issue in the North magazine 

Kevin Sinfield is preparing intensively to lead England in the forthcoming Rugby League World Cup. But as Mark Metcalf discovers, that hasn’t stopped the Leeds star from generously giving his time to those just starting in the game

The 14th Rugby League World Cup kicks off this Saturday when the co- hosts, England and Wales, line up against Australia and Italy respectively at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Fourteen sides will take part in the competition, which Australia is favourite to win. Yet when it was last held in 2008 the New Zealanders created a major surprise by beating the Aussies 34-20 in the final at Brisbane.

Third favourites this time are England and a side led by Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield will be hoping to emulate their 1966 football and 2003 rugby union cousins by winning the World Cup for the first time. England have twice reached the final but will need to raise their game considerably to enjoy success. In 12 matches between England and Australia, the former have won once and also drawn another game. When the pair last met two years ago the Australian side won 30-8.

Sinfield is though confident of an upset. “We understand the challenges in front of us but there is a belief we have the players to do it,” he says. “We need to start well and ensure we give the Australians lots of problems in the first match.

“Beating them would be great, but New Zealand didn’t do it when the pair clashed early in 2008 and managed it in the final later. So whilst a good start is important it’s where you finish at the end that matters.”

Sinfield has form in this respect, as in 2011 and 2012 he led a Leeds side that finished in fifth place in the league to victory in the Super League play-offs that decide the rugby league title winners.

This is only the second World Cup tournament in 13 years. Australia easily won the trophy in 2000 and the crowd for the final, which was played at Old Trafford, was just 44,329 – 30,000 less than Manchester United attract for their league games there. A series of mismatches in the early stages did not help and neither did including a Lebanon side composed entirely of Australians of Lebanese heritage. A number of matches were played in regions where rugby league had hardly any previous following and crowds suffered accordingly, with Wales taking on Lebanon before just 1,497 people in Llanelli.

In 2013 the tournament organisers have taken a less experimental approach and have concentrated most matches in the northern heartlands with odd exceptions such as the game between Australia and Ireland, which takes place in Limerick.

Attracting people who have never previously seen a rugby league game is one of the objectives. World Cup communications manager Martin Johnston says: “Sales figures already mean we are guaranteed this will be the best attended World Cup ever. Pleasingly 18 per cent of our tickets have gone to people who have never bought a ticket for rugby league before.”

Sinfield feels newcomers will “enjoy watching the games, especially as in the 13 years since the World Cup last took place in Britain the gap between top and bottom has narrowed. I have little doubt there will be a couple of upsets as there are lesser fancied teams with some players who play their club rugby at the highest levels of the game. England must make sure we are not amongst one of the upsets.”

In addition to playing Australia, England play Ireland and Fiji in the group stages. Eight sides will then compete in the quarter-finals.

In 2008, Sinfield was a member of the England side trounced 52-4 by Australia. It was a dark, depressing day. In the aftermath the England rugby league set-up was restructured by new coach Steve McNamara, with training camps throughout the year and a “Knights” squad to shadow the first team.

Sinfield believes the outcome “is the best environment I have been part of internationally. People have sacrificed a lot and we hope to reap the rewards. I am very proud to captain my country, but the squad also includes a number of other leaders.”

The squad includes three Burgess brothers – Sam and younger twins George and Tom. A fourth, Luke, almost also made it. All play for the same club: the Rabbitohs of south Sydney.

The Wigan star Sam Tomkins has just joined a growing list of English players moving south by joining the New Zealand Warriors of the Australian National Rugby League (NRL). His salary is rumoured to be £400,000 a year, double what a top player might earn in England.

Rugby league followers in this country are worried about the long- term impact that the loss of stars such as the Burgess brothers and Tomkins will have on the game’s long-term future. Johnston was guarded when asked if England needed to win the World Cup to ensure that Super League retains its priority amongst players born here. “The world’s best players are split between Super League and the Australian NRL. England look very well prepared for the World Cup and have a chance of winning it.”

Whether or not England can capture the trophy when the final takes place at Old Trafford on
30 November, Sinfield is convinced that judging its success must include making a profit.
“We are a professional sport and must make money to pay people properly and ensure there is re- investment in the game at every level. We need to attract good attendances and produce a product that entertains those watching in the grounds and on television.”

Sinfield has previously expressed an interest in becoming a club chief executive when he retires from playing and is doing a masters degree in sports business. His busy schedule has not though prevented him continuing to charm anyone he meets. Talking to a volunteer at Bradford Northern last weekend I was told that on meeting a couple of talented rugby-mad youngsters a few days earlier the England captain had taken them to a local café to discuss their long-term ambitions, leaving with a promise to keep in touch. Here’s hoping the good guy really does come first on 30 November.

Tries as they might

Fourteen teams will compete in the competition, with Italy and the US both making their first appearance. Only two of the entrants – Australia (nine wins) and New Zealand (one) – have previously captured the trophy, although before England and Wales entered separately Great Britain were victorious in 1954, 1960 and 1972. England would appear to be the only side capable of stopping Australia or New Zealand – the last winners in 2008 – of capturing the trophy. The tournament starts on 26 October and games take place all across the north.

New Zealand 

The defending champions will surely make it to the final four. Coach Stephen Kearney pulled off the all-time shock of the World Cup when he inspired his side to beat Australia in the 2008 final. Two years later this success was repeated at the 2010 Rugby League Four Nations tournament. Can New Zealand now create a third upset? Playing in black, the Kiwis are sure to entertain the crowd prior to kick-off by performing the haka – the traditional Maori war dance.

Australia 

Having had their dominance ended by New Zealand in 2008 the Australians will be keen to re-assert themselves by winning the tournament for the tenth time. They have the best league in the world and in fullback Billy Slater possess arguably the greatest player in the game today and player of the tournament in 2008. Slater will line up alongside captain Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, his teammates at Melbourne Storm, current World Club Champions.

England 

First played in the tournament in 1975 and have twice lost out to Australia in the final. The Lions are ranked third in the world and coach Steve McNamara, who has chosen three brothers – Sam, George and Tom Burgess – in his squad, will be under pressure to ensure England do considerably better than in 2008 when they were thrashed 52-4 by hosts Australia.

Papua New Guinea 

Rugby league is the country’s most popular sport and many local players leaving to pursue careers in Britain, Australia and New Zealand have boosted the national side. Unlucky last time to be placed in
a group containing the three best sides in the world, there is genuine hope that they can make it to the last eight by finishing second in a group containing New Zealand, Samoa and France. Captain Paul Aiton plays his club rugby for Wakefield Trinity.

Cook Islands

Despite being able to name 24 players, head coach David Farleigh has chosen to opt for just 22 players. Three – Wigan’s Anthony Gelling, Bradford’s Keith Lulia and Zeb Taia from the Catalans Dragons – currently play in the British Super League. This will be only the second time they have appeared at the World Cup and in 2000 they lost to Wales and New Zealand before drawing with Lebanon.

Ireland

The Wolfhounds are participating in their third tournament and have included four players – Brett White, Rory Kostjasyn, James Hasson and Api Pewhairangi – from Australia’s NRL competition in their squad. They will be joined by ten players from the Super League, including winger Pat Richards, who has just ended an illustrious Wigan Warriors career on a high by scoring a try in the 30-16 defeat of Warrington in the recent Rugby League Grand Final.

Tonga 

This is the fourth time the Polynesian state has competed at rugby league’s top level. National coach
Charlie Tonga had a wayward youth and spent time in jail for assault. A chance meeting with pastor Noel Gallagher helped him rebuild his career and he later became a pastor himself. Tonga trounced Scotland 48-0 in 2008 to finish in seventh place and, with ties this time against Italy, Scotland and the Cook Islands, will surely make the quarter finals at least.

France 

Second behind England in the European rankings the French should improve on their tenth place in 2008.
The only team outside England to currently play in the Super League are Catalans Dragons and their success is boosting the popularity of rugby league. Olivier Elima will lead his country with the aim of matching second-placed finishes in 1954 and 1968, a period when France played an attacking brand of rugby that is still fondly remembered by followers of the game today.

Wales 

Wales failed to qualify for the 2008 World Cup but under coach and former player Iestyn Harris
the game has made big progress in recent seasons. Home advantage and games against the USA, Cook Islands and Italy should help the Dragons progress to the last eight. In Rhys Williams, Craig Kopczak and Elliot Kear they have some talented players.

Italy 

Possibly the weakest of the 14 sides, but captained by Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello, whose younger brother Mark is also in the squad. Watch out too for Terry Campese, the nephew of rugby union legend David Campese.

Samoa

This is the second time the Pacific Islanders have qualified for the World Cup. In addition to players from the Australian NRL and the Super League, coach Matt Parish will include at least two who play at home. Parish will also include a Samoa-based assistant as part of a long-term plan to develop rugby league in Samoa.

Fiji 

The shock successes of the 2008 tournament, finishing in fourth place. Much of that squad has now retired from playing. Petero Civoniceva, who moved to Australia and played 45 times for his adopted country, captains the side. Coach Rick Stone is confident his side will do well. He said: “Most of the players in the Australian and New Zealand squads, our boys play them week in and week out so they know how to play the big boys.”

USA 

There are just six teams in the USA Rugby League and yet no player from champions Philadelphia Fight has been selected for a squad containing 10 born in America. Much will depend on how captain Joseph Paulo, who plays in the Australian NRL for Parramatta Eels, can inspire a squad also containing his brother, Junior Paulo. Clint Newton has played for Melbourne Storm and Hull KR.

Scotland 

The Bravehearts will again largely consist of second and third-generation Scots. Danny
Brough, 2013 Man of Steel – the rugby league player of the year – will be joined by three NRL players in Kane Linnett, Peter Wallace and Matt Russell. But much will depend on the outcome of the first game against Tonga.