'Star' strike marks Marx anniversary

MARXIST journalists at the Morning Star have hit upon a novel way of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Communist Manifesto this Tuesday. They are going on strike.

Incensed by the alleged nepotism of Mary Rosser, the first lady of British communism and chief executive of the paper, they intend to stay out until she rescinds the promotion of her son-in-law from deputy editor to editor.

The walkout appears to be by far the most noteworthy communist event this week and arguably this decade. And if the strike continues for more than a few days, the anniversary of the manifesto could be marked by the closure of Britain's only solidly left-wing daily newspaper. The Star's grip on solvency is weak at the best of times.

What may be the last edition of the paper, formerly the Daily Worker, will contain an article on the manifesto written by Tish Newland of the Marx Memorial Library.

At the news of all this, Marx may well be undertaking a series of revolutions in his grave at Highgate cemetery; which itself will receive a discreet little delegation on Tuesday from the Communist Party of Britain.

Present will be Richard Maybin and Rob Griffiths, chairman and general secretary respectively of the CPB. Mr Griffiths was recently made general secretary in succession to Michael Hicks, Ms Rosser's husband. Mr Hicks was voted out by members of the party's central committee including John Haylett, the previous editor of the Star, who has been suspended by Ms Rosser.

Some journalists at the paper allege that the events at the party and at the paper are connected.

At a time of great historical moment, it seems that the communists are more concerned with bourgeois family intrigue than dialectical materialism.