Mann Up?

Britain is the only country where anyone thinks of the EU as a protector of workers' rights. Everywhere else, the EU is recognised as eroding workers' rights.

That has in fact been its effect in Britain, too. Just look at the wealth and power of the workers at the point of accession, and then look at their poverty and powerlessness today. But such is the inferiority complex of a large section of the British Left broadly defined, including the huge majority of Labour MPs.

The numbers still do not stack up. But if, perchance, Theresa May's deal did pass on the votes of John Mann and the rest of a handful of Labour MPs who were at least ostensibly concerned to "protect workers' rights", then it would be the greatest betrayal since 1931.

Yet no action would be taken against the traitors, and they would in fact be acting on behalf of most of their Honourable Friends, whose real reason for wanting toprevent a Corbyn Government, and for being determined to frustrate it when it came, would be the same as John Mann's.

Another hung Parliament is coming, and we need our people to hold the balance of power in it. It has become a local commonplace that I am on 30-30-30 with Labour and the Conservatives here at North West Durham, so that any one of us could be the First Past the Post. I will stand for this seat, if I can raise the £10,000 necessary to mount a serious campaign. Please email davidaslindsay@hotmail.com. Very many thanks.