By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982
This week's New Statesman, in the shops tomorrow, will be guest edited by former mayor of London Ken Livingstone.
The special edition of the magazine will include:
* Jarvis Cocker writing exclusively about why he wants the next generation of Trident nuclear weapons scrapped.
* Ken indulging his passion for science fiction in an interview with one of his favourite writers - Iain Banks. Ken and Iain discuss everything from whether living space means you have to have socialism, to Banks's views on Scottish independence.
* Contributions from Vivienne Westwood, Jo Brand and Bob Stanley of the band Saint Etienne on the London music scene, and figues including Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) and Stephen Fry pick their favourite London songs.
* The New Statesman's previous guest editor Alastair Campbell takes on pro-Tory drift in the media.
* Charles Kennedy and Jon Cruddas, along with other New Statesman readers, will put their questions to Ken.
* Tony Woodley of Unite calls for higher taxes on the rich.
* Articles with international contributors will address climate change, the prospects for US cities under Obama, and Latin America.
Ken said:
"A magazine like the Statesman is more essential than ever when we face the challenge of global economic crisis and the threat of climate change, and when only progressive politics can provide the answers - or even ask the right questions. My one-off edition will try to get as many of the world's biggest issues together in one place. It will not flinch from saying why the Tories will be a disaster to why Labour must change. From Obama and US cities to whether or not you need socialism to survive in outer space, it's all here."
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F... me. OK. I'm converted to the Dark Side. I'm now a Socialist. Let's re-distribute the wealth. Put me down for £2,000 of Tony's annual wodge.
Can't wait.
Someone remind me what his salary, benefits and expenses all come to?
"Left-wing firebrand Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of the super-union Unite, was paid £122,108 in salary and benefits. His pay package represents a 30 per cent increase on the previous year, when he was paid £93,407 in salary and benefits, which include a grace-and-favour flat in London."
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213532/The-brothers-bumper-pay-deals.html#ixzz0RArgx8Nj
"Tony Woodley (Unite-TGWU) - £59,333 salary, £9,552 pension contributions, car fuel £3,360"
http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2009/01/15/while-millions-take-pay-cuts-union-leaders-rake-it
"His salary alone rose by 10 per cent to £93,815 between 2007 and 2008, compared with a public sector average of 2.8 per cent. He also received a £6,603 benefit from a cut-price union loan towards a maisonette he and Unite are buying in south London and £5,343 in car fuel benefit. Woodley told the Sunday Times: "I've got nothing to hide."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5960724/Trade-union-leaders-receive-huge-pay-rises-despite-redundancies-and-salary-cuts-among-members.html
Who wants to bet that his definition of "rich" will always be that little bit more than what he himself earns.
Alternatively perhaps he just is a turkey longing for Christmas.
;-)
Seriously - can this salary be justified while he makes calls on increased taxes on the rich -
I think you fall into that category Tony.... what ho!
sorry to go a bit off topic ( and will understand if you dont print this) the wonderful article by Hadleigh about the bnp was a breath of fresh air , Could you prehaps mention it when some minsters just put out spin , A honest policy debate like the one with Hadleigh is a positive step forwad .
It would also show that the labour goverment are listening to the labour party .
ricki