Ben Smoke
Labour's internal war over rule changes is merely a distraction
Daily dispatch — The second day of Labour Conference saw the passing of a radical Green New Deal motion, Starmer coming out against nationalisation and a big win for the leadership − but at what cost?
Written by: Ben Smoke
Inside the tensions brewing around the Labour conference
Daily dispatch — Controversial proposed rule changes for electing new leaders and attempts to block Labour for a Green New Deal have made for a fraught start to Labour’s annual Conference.
Written by: Ben Smoke
The UK’s callous government is leaving people homeless
Broken system — A new investigation reveals that people in dire financial straits are losing their homes in a matter of minutes because of a legal system that has failed to account for the catastrophic impact of the pandemic.
Written by: Ben Smoke
We must honour the lives lost at the hands of police
Say Their Names — In the last 31 years, 1796 people have died in police custody or following contact with the police. Say Their Names is a new series, guest edited by Micha Frazer-Carroll, uncovering the stories and struggles for justice behind these devastating statistics.
Written by: Micha Frazer-Carroll, additional reporting by Ben Smoke and Vuyokazi Mtukela
Students gather to demand climate education reform
Teach the future — Following the IPCC report issuing its most severe warning on climate yet, students from across the country came together outside the Department of Education to demand urgent action over a curriculum which is failing to address the current crisis.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Vietnamese migrants are set to face cruel deportation flight
Callous system — Campaigners are calling on the government to stop a deportation flight carrying up to 22 migrants and to bring an end to the continued criminalisation of those seeking help and refuge.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Prisoners on the devastating reality of life in lockdown
Breaking point — Inmates describe the conditions inside the UK’s prisons amid the pandemic, shedding light on the Criminal Justice System’s deepening crisis.
Written by: Ben Smoke
The surf brand fighting for the future of the ocean
In partnership with Finisterre — With ocean health declining rapidly, Finisterre is calling on world leaders to usher in a decade of global action and bringing activists together to inspire meaningful change.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Zarah Sultana is fighting for a better, bolder world
The time is now — Elected in 2019 at the age of just 26, the MP for Coventry South has spent her short time in Parliament establishing herself as one of the British Left’s next great hopes, standing tall as a frequent and vocal scourge of the status quo. But how did she arrive here?
Written by: Ben Smoke
Is it too late to ‘Kill the Bill’?
Time to act — While the authoritarian policing bill is almost certainly going to be passed, now isn’t the time to give up the fight, writes Politics Editor, Ben Smoke.
Written by: Ben Smoke