The Guardian UK - 03 Januari 2023

From picking Charlotte Higgins Why I have
up litter to started to learn Ukrainian  Journal
guerrilla
gardening Tuesday
3 January 2023
52 acts of £2.50 €2.90
kindness From £1.85 for subscribers

 G2

‘Intolerable’ NHS crisis will last
until Easter, health leaders warn

Many patients are dying More than a dozen trusts and critical incidents needing to be government to recall parliament, “High rates of flu and Covid
needlessly over failure ambulance services have declared declared and the quality of care being while Labour blamed government
to act, says BMA chief critical incidents in recent days, with compromised,” said Matthew Taylor, “mismanagement” for creating a which have more than doubled,
soaring demand, rising flu and Covid chief executive of the NHS Confed- sense of “jeopardy” around the NHS.
Andrew Gregory cases and an overstretched workforce eration, which represents the whole ongoing issues with delayed hospi-
Health editor piling pressure on the health service. healthcare system in England, Wales Taylor said the situation had
and Northern Ireland. reached crisis point: “Some of our tal discharges which is leaving over
The crisis engulfing the NHS would But amid warnings that as many as members have said their ward
continue until Easter, health leaders 500 people a week may be dying due Ministers face growing pressure staffing numbers are now below min- 12,000 medically fit patients stuck in
warned yesterday, as senior doctors to delays in emergency care alone, to get a grip on the crisis. The British imum levels as they work hard to set
accused ministers of letting patients and oxygen for seriously ill patients Medical Association (BMA) said the up more escalation spaces to sup- hospital, and the aftershock of indus-
die needlessly through inaction. running out in parts of England, NHS government’s “deafening” silence port arrivals from ambulances, that
leaders said more chaos was expected and failure to act was a “political they have had instances where their trial action are compounding the
until April. choice” which was leading to patients oxygen cylinders have ran out tempo-
“dying unnecessarily”. rarily, and that some of their patients longer-term issues of over 130,000
“It seems likely that the next three have waited over two days for a bed.
months will be defined by further The Liberal Democrats urged the NHS vacancies, a decade-long lack

of investment in capital and an elec-

tive backlog which continues to grow

past seven million people.”

It comes as thousands more para-

medics, nurses and doctors 4 
prepare to strike over pay

Navratilova Moscow
reveals new admits big
diagnosis losses after
of cancer missile hit

John Ashdown The nine-times Pjotr Sauer
Wimbledon
Martina Navratilova said yesterday singles winner A New Year’s Day attack on a complex
Martina
she would “fight with all I have got” Navratilova in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian
said she would
after disclosing that she had been ‘fight with city of Makiivka has killed scores of
all I have got’
diagnosed with throat and breast recently mobilised troops sent by
PHOTOGRAPH:
cancers. The 66-year-old, one of the EDGAR SU/REUTERS Moscow, in one of the deadliest single

greatest tennis players of all time, strikes against Russia’s forces since

previously underwent treatment for the war began.

early-stage breast cancer in 2010 and Russia’s defence ministry, in a rare

had been cancer-free since. admission yesterday, said 63 Russian

She announced yesterday the dis- soldiers died when Ukraine hit “a

covery of the new cancers – unrelated temporary deployment facility” with

to each other. “This double whammy four US-supplied Himars missiles.

is serious but still fixable, and I’m Without claiming the strike,

hoping for a favourable outcome,” Ukraine’s military command said up

she said. “It’s going to stink for a while to 400 Russian soldiers were killed

but I will fight with all I have got.” in the city, which is in a Moscow-

Navratilova had been due to travel controlled area of Donetsk.

to Melbourne for the Australian Open Even if the total numbers are

to work as a television pundit. That lower, the strike in Makiivka would be

trip has been cancelled, said her one of the deadliest attacks involving

representative, who added that the conscripts and will add further pres-

former world No1 hoped to be able sure on Moscow’s military leaders.

to contribute to the Tennis Channel’s Daniil Bezsonov, a senior Moscow

coverage remotely. proxy official in Russian-occupied

• “Martina Navratilova 6  Donetsk, earlier said a 20 
has been diagnosed with Ukrainian missile had





• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

Inside 03/01/23 News
Four sections
every day

News and Sport Rail firms ‘in despair RMT union The Department for Transport
at government’s chief Mick rejected Lynch’s claims, and said the
On the frontline handling’ of dispute Lynch, centre, rail minister had remained in regu-
Just Stop Oil and Insulate on the picket line lar contact with all parties. It said it
Britain have doubled down Gwyn Topham Passengers have been urged to outside Euston remained committed to rail reform,
on plans for ‘civil resistance’ Transport correspondent attempt to travel only if necessary. station, London. and had taken significant steps to
Page 7 He said that the enable a deal.
Passengers face another week of The strikes will be the culmination government
Journal Outside G2 barely functioning train services as of four weeks of industrial action that was ‘out of A DfT spokesperson said: “The
Opinions and ideas railway staff start five consecutive have severely disrupted rail services their depth’ government has demonstrated it is
days of strikes, amid claims that rail over the festive period, including an being reasonable and stands ready to
 I want to hear a vision companies are “in despair” over the overtime ban ending later today. PHOTOGRAPH: facilitate a resolution to rail disputes.
for the BBC that goes government’s handling of the pay JAMES MANNING/PA It’s time the unions came to the table
beyond cut, cut, cut dispute. Mick Lynch, the general secretary and played their part as well.
Roger Bolton of the RMT union, said he believed a not give a mandate to the employers,
Page 3 Members of the National Union of deal could be reached but that minis- Network Rail and the train opera- “Inflation-matching pay increases
Rail, Maritime and Transport Work- ters had been absent since a meeting tors, that will allow this deal to be for all public sector workers would
G2 Centre pullout ers (RMT) at Network Rail and 14 in mid-December. Speaking on the resolved. cost everyone more in the long term
Features and arts train operators will go on strike for BBC Today programme yesterday, – worsening debt, fuelling inflation,
two 48-hour stoppages, the first start- Lynch said there had been “radio “They’re sitting on their hands and and costing every household an extra
Reality bites ing today and the second from Friday, silence” since the last talks before are noted by their absence from this £1,000.
Comic Rhod Gilbert tackles while train drivers in the Aslef union Christmas. scene. They keep saying that they’re
anxiety, infertility and will also strike this week, wiping out facilitating a deal. And I think it’s “Unions should step back from this
cancer in The Book of John many services on Thursday. He said: “We’ve outlined what absolutely the opposite to that.” strike action so we can start 2023 by
Page 8 we need to make progress; these are ending this damaging dispute.”
experienced people we’re dealing Lynch added: “The executives
Save up to 33% with, but the government simply will who run the industry day on day are Rail passengers have been warned
with a subscription in despair at what the government to expect significant disruption
to the Guardian is making them say in these talks.” for the rest of the week, with only
and the Observer about 20% of national rail services
Visit theguardian. The RMT leader said the union expected to run on RMT strike days,
com/paper-subs was looking for a settlement, with mostly during the hours of 7.30am
“sensible proposals”, but said the to 6.30pm.
Weather government was “out of their depth”.
Page 28 Network Rail has advised people
Lynch said policy was behind prob- to check online for updates on when
Quick crossword lems on the railway. He said: “They’ve services will run.
Back of G2 given us a structure that simply
doesn’t work: abandoned franchis- The Aslef strike on Thursday will
Cartoon ing, they’ve abandoned their latest mean even fewer trains running, with
Journal, page 4 Greater British Rail [sic]… they stum- no services at all across most of the
ble from one day to another and all 15 operators where drivers are going
Cryptic crossword they want to do is bash the unions.” on strike.
Back of Journal
He said pay was only part of the Daniel Mann, the director of indus-
Contact dispute: “This is about the way our try operations at the Rail Delivery
members are deployed, their work- Group, said: “No one wants to see
For missing sections call 0800 839 100. life balance – if we don’t defend those these strikes go ahead and we can
For individual departments, call the Guardian conditions we will end up like gig only apologise to passengers and to
switchboard: 020 3353 2000. economy workers, all the low-paid the many businesses who will be hit
For the Readers’ editor (corrections &  clarifications and vulnerable people in our society.” by this unnecessary and damaging
on specific editorial content), call 020 3353 4736 disruption.
between 10am and 1pm UK time Monday to Friday
excluding public holidays, or email “This dispute will only be resolved
[email protected]. by agreeing the long overdue reforms
Letters for publication should be sent to guardian. to working arrangements needed to
[email protected] or the address on the put the industry on a sustainable
letters page. footing, rather than unions con-
demning their members to losing
NEWSPAPERS more pay in the new year.”
SUPPORT
RECYCLING The Aslef general secretary, Mick
Whelan, said the union was “in it for
The recycled paper the long haul”, after no pay increases
c ontent of UK newspapers for some drivers in three years at a
in 2017 was 64.6% time of high inflation.

Guardian News & Media, Kings Place, 90 York Way, ‘Intolerable’ NHS crisis will last mental health care, are under huge down and talk about the pressures on
London N1 9GU. 020-3353 2000. Fax 020-7837 2114. until Easter, warn health chiefs strain.” The burden is so severe that our health service, but their silence
In Manchester: Centurion House, 129 Deansgate, it is also derailing efforts to tackle the is deafening.”
Manchester M3 3WR. Telephone Sales: 020-7611 9000. Continued from page 1 “It is disingenuous for the prime backlog of operations and surgeries
The Guardian lists links to third-party websites, but minister to talk about ‘backing the that has ballooned to seven million in The Royal College of Emergency
does not endorse them or guarantee their authenticity and conditions. Ambulance staff are NHS’ in his new year message, when England alone, Taylor added. Medicine reiterated its claim that
or accuracy. Back issues from Historic Newspapers: due to strike on 11 and 23 January, his own health secretary is failing to between 300 and 500 people were
0870-165 1470 guardian.backissuenewspapers.co.uk. while nurses will do the same on Jan- discuss how this crisis can be fixed,” NHS England is expected to report dying each week as a result of
Published by Guardian News & Media, Kings Place, uary 18 and 19. A ballot for industrial said Prof Philip Banfield, chair of the today that a record number of can- delays and problems with urgent
90 York Way, London N1 9GU, and at Centurion House, action by junior doctors in England BMA. cer patients received treatment last and emergency care, after the NHS
129 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WR. Printed at Reach will open on 9 January. The mounting year, but waiting lists were also the England chief strategy officer, Chris
Watford Limited, St Albans Road, Watford, Herts crisis comes as the UK Health Secu- The shadow health secretary, Wes longest ever. Hopson, claimed not to “recognise”
WD24 7RG; Reach Oldham Limited, Hollinwood Avenue, rity Agency (UKHSA) warned families Streeting, said it was “completely that estimate.
Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EP; Reach Saltire Ltd, about high levels of flu, Covid-19 inexplicable” that neither Sunak “The situation in the NHS is intoler-
110 Fifty Pitches Place, Glasgow G51 4EA; and by and scarlet fever as children return or Barclay “has raised their head or able and unsustainable, both for our Banfield said it was clear patients
Irish Times Print Facility, 4080 Kingswood Road, to education and childcare settings. shown their face to say exactly what patients and the hard-working staff were dying needlessly. “The govern-
Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24. No. 54,857, they are doing to grip this crisis and desperately trying to keep up with ment should deliver on its obligations
Tuesday 3 January 2023. Registered as a newspaper at “If your child is unwell and has a to support patients and those staff incredibly high levels of demand,” to the public. This is a political choice
the Post Office ISSN 0261-3077. fever, they should stay home from who are working in intolerable con- said Banfield. “The BMA has repeat- and patients are dying unnecessarily
school or nursery until they feel bet- ditions and busting a gut against the edly invited the government to sit because of that choice,” he said. “The
ter and the fever has resolved,” said most extraordinary pressures”. government must step up and take
the UKHSA chief medical adviser, ▲ Ambulance staff are due to go on immediate action. Without inter-
Prof Susan Hopkins. Although ambulance services and strike again on 11 and 23 January vention, waiting lists will continue
A&E may appear to be taking the to grow, patients will continue to suf-
Yesterday, Robert Halfon, the brunt of the tension, the whole of the fer, and staff will continue to leave.”
education minister, claimed that NHS was now under major pressure,
Rishi Sunak was treating the crisis as Taylor said. “While secondary care is Liberal Democrats health spokes-
a “top priority” but neither the prime where these challenges are perhaps person, Daisy Cooper, said: “This
minister nor his health secretary, the most visible, all parts of the NHS is a life or death situation for huge
Steve Barclay, chose to comment. including primary, community and numbers of patients. The NHS is col-
lapsing in front of our eyes whilst the
prime minister and health secretary
are nowhere to be seen.

“This is a national crisis.”

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

News 5

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: DIEGO VARA/REUTERS

‘I had to say
goodbye’: fans
bid farewell
to football
legend Pelé

Andrew Downie Football Confederation (Conme- ▲ Pelé’s widow, Marcia Aoki, tends
Santos bol). Infantino said he would ask his coffin at Santos FC’s Vila Belmiro
Fifa’s member nations to pay a spe- Stadium. Top left, a mourner with a
Thousands of mourners braved pun- hospital for a year. His cancer stopped ▲ Pelé’s son, ▼ A banner cial tribute to the three-time World replica World Cup trophy in Santos
ishing heat to pay their final tribute to responding to treatment in Novem- Edinho, front honouring Cup winner. “We will ask every coun-
the footballing legend Pelé yesterday ber and doctors said his death came right, helps Pelé near the try in the world, every federation in Santos was one thing before Pelé and
as the president of Fifa said he would as a consequence of “multiple organ carry his Vila Belmiro the world, and there are 211 countries another after.”
ask every member nation to name a failure”. father’s coffin ground. Fifa’s who are members of Fifa, to name
stadium after the recently deceased to the centre president wants one of their stadiums with the name Edson Arantes do Nascimento was
Brazilian player. Pelé’s body was kept in the hospital of the pitch at 211 stadiums of Pelé,” Infantino said. born in the town of Tres Corações
over the new year period and driven Santos FC’s named after the (Three Hearts) but was brought up
Fans lined up outside the 106-year- 50 miles to the Santos ground early stadium sporting icon “Because everywhere in the world, in Bauru, a mid-sized city 250 miles
old Vila Belmiro ground in Santos – the yesterday, where it was laid out in the children – in 20 years and 50 years inland from Santos.
city in south-eastern Brazil where middle of the pitch. PHOTOGRAPH: NELSON PHOTOGRAPH: UESLEI and 100 years from now – they need
Pelé first made his name as a star ALMEIDA/AFP/GETTY MARCELINO/REUTERS to remember Pelé. And they need to The 15-year-old was brought to the
goal-scorer in the 1950s – overnight Fans will be allowed to pass by the remember [Pelé] in a place where you port city for a trial in 1956, and after
and at about 10am mourners began coffin for 24 hours before it is taken score goals, where teams are winning impressing the coaches he quickly
filing past the coffin that had been for a private burial today. Pelé will – and maybe also losing – but where found his feet and became a fixture
placed under a shaded tent in the be laid to rest in a private service emotions are happening.” in the first team.
middle of the field. at 10am in the Memorial Necrópole
Ecumênica, a vertical cemetery with Other fans paid their own tributes, Less than two years after making
Family members, including Pelé’s space for 18,000 bodies. including with flags and fireworks, his debut for the club he was called
widow, Marcia Aoki, and sons, and members of the organised fan up for the Brazil squad that went to
Edinho and Joshua, as well as doz- Long queues formed throughout group known as the Torcida Jovem the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
ens of friends and former teammates, the day, snaking through the nar- (Young Fans) were present in the nar-
stood over the open coffin, some of row streets that surround the ground row streets outside the ground. Pelé missed the first couple of
them weeping. where Pelé played many of his more games through injury but scored
than 1,000 games for the club. “Pelé called us young fans, so six times in the last three matches,
The world’s media watched on that’s what we named ourselves,” including a double in the final against
from the main stand as, a few metres The mood was respectful but said Cosme Damião, who founded the host nation, to give Brazil their
to one side of the coffin, fans – most noisy, with the presence of dignitar- the group in 1969. “And he has meant first world title.
of them wearing shorts and many ies and politicians guaranteeing a so much to me since then, and we
of them dressed in Santos shirts – heavy police presence and helicop- became friends. Injury meant he played little part
walked by in silent tribute. ters flying overhead. when Brazil successfully defended
“Brazil was one thing before Pelé their trophy in Chile four years later,
Three sides of the 16,000-capacity Among the mourners who made and another thing after. The city of and in 1966 his skills attracted a brutal
stadium were draped with Santos their way past the barriers and approach from opponents and Brazil
flags celebrating the life of the city’s through the scrum of fans and media were eliminated at the group stage.
favourite son, and the public address were Gianni Infantino, the president
system occasionally played some of of Fifa, and Alejandro Domínguez, However, four years later he made
the songs Pelé recorded during a par- the president of the South American the most triumphant return possi-
allel career as a singer and songwriter. ble by leading what is considered
to be one of the greatest sides ever
“LONG LIVE THE KING,” said one to a record third World Cup win in
massive banner alongside others Mexico.
depicting his face and famous num-
ber 10 jersey. “I had to come and Teammate Clodoaldo lauded his
pay tribute,” said Roberto Morais, friend and repeated the oft-heard
a 67-year-old who had travelled contention that Pelé was and remains
50 miles to see Pelé for one last time. the greatest ever to play the game.
“I had to say goodbye. He was the king
– he taught the whole world.” “Pelé showed in 1970 why he was
the king,” Clodoaldo said. “The crown
Pelé died at São Paulo’s Albert Ein- was his from that moment on.”
stein hospital on Thursday afternoon
after a long illness. The former Brazil, “People who follow football know
Santos and New York Cosmos star was that young people who didn’t see
diagnosed with colon cancer in Sep- Pelé play have doubts about him,
tember 2021 and was in and out of and I am always being asked: ‘Was
he really that good?’ I tell them: if you
take a bit of every crack you admire
today, you might get close to being as
good as Pelé.”

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

6 News

Campaigners
call for halt
to Sweden’s
‘disastrous’
wolf hunt

Helena Horton But nature organisations have had asked the state environmental strong political pressure for licensed ▲ Swedish MPs have allowed a cull
pointed out that the Swedish popu- protection agency to look again at hunting for wolves, lynx and bear. of wolves by hunters (above left), a
The biggest wolf cull in modern times lation of wolves is relatively low – in recommended population numbers. powerful lobby in the country
has begun in Sweden, causing an out- Italy there are more than 3,000. They “There is a large majority of
cry among nature organisations who have appealed against the decision, The agency had previously recom- Swedes who like wolves, even where PHOTOGRAPHS: BEATA FURSTENBERG; ALAMY
warn it could drastically harm the which they argue breaks the EU’s mended that the population should they live. In our opinion the reason
population. Bern convention on the conserva- not fall below 300, to avoid it being for these hunts is simply that there is population, the greater the impact of
tion of wildlife, but to no avail. further weakened and threatened by a demand for shooting wolves among fluctuations in genetic status.”
Yesterday, 200 hunters went to kill inbreeding. However, a majority in hunters. The hunters’ organisations
wolves in forests between Gävleborg Marie Stegard, the president of the Swedish parliament was in favour have enormous power in Sweden. It Norway shares a wolf popula-
and Dalarna, hunting from midnight the anti-hunting group Jaktkritik- of cutting the wolf population to 170, is a fact that the Swedish parliament tion with Sweden around its border,
until the sun set at 3pm. erna, said: “Wolves as top predators at the very bottom of the 170 to 270 has a hunters’ club open to members which poses further threats to the
in the food chain are a prerequisite for range that would allow the country of all parties, with a shooting gallery endangered predator. Norway and
The hunters surrounded the areas biodiversity. Killing a quarter of the to meet the requirements of the EU’s underneath the Houses of Parlia- Sweden’s wolf population – the Scan-
where the wolves have their lairs. population through hunting has neg- species and habitats directive. ment. This sounds like a joke but it’s dinavian wolf – is on the endangered
They released dogs to search out ative consequences for animals and absolutely true.” species list and are categorised as crit-
the wolves and drive them on a path nature. It’s disastrous for the entire Hunting is a hot political topic in ically endangered in Norway and
towards the waiting hunters. Yes- ecosystem. The existence of wolves Sweden, with a powerful lobby able A group of scientists from top severely endangered in Sweden. Nor-
terday the dogs had no luck, and the contributes to a richer animal and to influence politicians into allow- European universities recently wrote way’s government has put in place
hunters went home empty handed. plant life. Human survival depends ing more animals to be killed. Stegard to the journal Science, arguing that a very restrictive wolf management
on healthy ecosystems.” added: “It is obvious that there is a scientific advice for this goal had policy with a fixed population target
Over the next month hunters will not been sought and that it would of only four to six pups every year. As
be allowed to kill 75 wolves from a Anna-Caren Sätherberg, the Swed- ‘Wolves contribute to threaten an already fragmented and far as it is known, Norway is the only
population of 460, as the government ish rural affairs minister, recently told a richer animal and fragile population. country in the world that sets a max-
seeks to reduce the population den- the public broadcaster SVT: “We see plant life. Humans imum target number for a critically
sity in certain districts. that the wolf population is growing depend on them’ Benny Gäfwert, a predator expert endangered species.
every year, and with this cull we want at the WWF, said the parliament’s
“Hunting is absolutely neces- to ensure that we can get down to the Marie Stegard figure of 170 was “not based on any Campaigners in Norway are fight-
sary to slow the growth of wolves. goal set by parliament. Anti-hunt campaigner scientific facts”. ing the decision to allow such a large
The wolf pack is the largest we have cull in court, and there is a hearing
had in modern times,” said Gunnar “We can see that the level of con- “Unforeseen things can happen in next week which they hope to win.
Glöersen, the predator manager at flict has increased, and that the level wild populations, and a level of 170 is If they do, it could have ramifications
the Swedish Hunters’ Association. of acceptance has fallen,” Sätherberg far too low,” he told SVT. “We have a in Sweden, which is governed by the
said, adding that the government problem when it comes to the genet- same European laws.
ics of wolves, and the smaller the wolf

Navratilova Continued from page 1 “Both these cancers are in their Czechoslovakia, though in 2008 she
announces early stages with great outcomes. regained her Czech citizenship.
diagnosis stage one throat cancer,” read a state- Martina won’t be covering the Aus-
of breast ment. “The prognosis is good and tralian Open for Tennis Channel from Since her retirement from the sport
and throat Martina will start her treatment this their studio but hopes to be able to she has become an enthusiastic activ-
cancers month. join in from time to time by Zoom.” ist on a range of topics from human
rights to environmental issues, and
“The cancer type is HPV and this During a career that spanned from ▲ Martina Navratilova: diagnosed has been a regular and outspoken
particular type responds really well 1973 to 2006, with a hiatus between with two forms of cancer critic of Donald Trump. In 2019
to treatment. Martina noticed an 1996 and 2000, Navratilova became Navratilova fell foul of Wimbledon
enlarged lymph node in her neck the most successful female player in officials when wearing a baseball cap
during the WTA finals in Fort Worth. the Open era. bearing the legend “impeach” at the
When it didn’t go down, a biopsy was All England Club. Political messages
performed, the results came back as Her record of 59 grand-slam titles are banned at Wimbledon.
stage one throat cancer. (including 18 singles titles and 41 dou-
bles and mixed doubles trophies) One of the first openly gay play-
“At the same time as Martina was remains unmatched, as does her ers, at the Australian Open in 2020
undergoing the tests for the throat, nine Wimbledon singles champion- she took to the court to campaign for
a suspicious form was found in her ships. In all she won 167 singles and the renaming of the Margaret Court
breast, which was subsequently 177 doubles titles. Arena in Melbourne – Court, Austral-
diagnosed as cancer, completely ia’s greatest female player, is opposed
unrelated to the throat cancer. In 1975 the 18-year-old Navratilova to same-sex marriage.
defected to the US from communist

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian • 7

Stonehouse TV drama Devolution
Tale of MP who faked Corbynista’s bid for
death ‘beyond fiction’ power in north-east
Page 13 Page 17

Breast cancer patients get proton beam the patient’s breast tissue and lymph
therapy on the NHS in world-first trial nodes are located close to their heart,
or they are already at risk of heart
Andrew Gregory Prof David Sebag-Montefiore, a ▲ Kim Jones qualified for the trial while at the same time minimising problems.”
Health editor former chair of the National Can- because of a previous heart issue radiation around the heart.
cer Research Institute’s clinical and Every year in the UK about 30,000
Three breast cancer patients have translational radiotherapy research complications. As I already had an The trial will enrol 192 patients breast cancer patients receive radio-
undergone pioneering proton beam working group. issue with my heart, the trial seemed across 22 sites in the UK. Patients allo- therapy after surgery. Radiotherapy
therapy for the first time on the NHS like a great idea.” cated to receive proton beam therapy is very effective for most but there
as part of a world-first trial. Kim Jones, a school caterer from will be treated at either the Christie can be a very small risk of it leading
Ely, is the third patient to undergo Jones described the treatment, in or University College London hospi- to heart problems later in life – less
The hi-tech treatment targets proton beam therapy for breast can- which doses of high-energy charged tals, with accommodation provided than 1% of all those treated.
tumours far more precisely than cer as part of the trial on the NHS. particles from the centre of atoms, for those travelling far from home.
conventional radiotherapy, suit- She was diagnosed in February after called protons, were used to pre- The risk of heart problems later
ing patients with difficult-to-treat noticing some thickening of the skin cisely target her cancer as “superb” The trial is being led by medics, in life due to radiotherapy may be
growths in critical areas. The NHS has and painful twinges in her left breast. and “very relaxing”. scientists and researchers at the Uni- higher than 1% for a very small group.
previously used proton beam ther- versity of Cambridge, the Institute of Typically, this is because the breast
apy to treat patients with tumours in Jones, 44, was referred to Adden- Doctors involved in the trial will Cancer Research, London (ICR) and tissue and lymph nodes requiring
and around their brain or spinal cord. brooke’s hospital in Cambridge, determine whether proton beam the Royal Marsden NHS foundation radiotherapy are close to the heart,
where she had chemotherapy fol- therapy can help deliver adequate trust. or they already have heart issues or a
The trial, the first of its kind glob- lowed by a mastectomy and lymph doses of radiotherapy to the breast higher risk of heart problems.
ally, will compare proton beam node removal. She was later accepted Prof Judith Bliss, the director of
therapy with standard radiotherapy to the Parable trial, and completed the Cancer Research UK-funded The trial’s chief investigator, Prof
for patients who are deemed at higher her proton beam therapy at the Chris- clinical trials and statistics unit at Charlotte Coles, a professor of breast
risk of long-term heart problems after tie hospital in Manchester last month. the ICR, which is managing the trial, cancer clinical oncology at the Uni-
radiotherapy treatment. said: “Radiotherapy is a very effec- versity of Cambridge, said: “There is
“I felt very lucky to have the oppor- tive part of treatment for breast a small group of patients for whom
“There is untapped potential in tunity to get this treatment,” said cancer that helps to lower the risk proton beam therapy may be a better
proton beam therapy, potentially Jones. “I was told I might be suitable of cancer returning and has been option.” Patients predicted to have a
reducing the risks of side-effects to participate in the Parable trial as shown to improve survival. How- 2% or higher potential lifetime risk
following cancer treatment,” said it would potentially benefit patients ever, effectively delivering standard of heart problems from radiotherapy
with a high risk of long-term heart radiotherapy can be difficult when will be invited to take part.

Proton beam therapy has been
used in other countries to treat
breast cancer, but trial numbers have
been small and there have been no
reported trials directly comparing
proton beam therapy with standard
radiotherapy.

Climate ambulance drivers and railway over arrest and relationships over one climate protester who has taken Protesters from the activist
groups vow workers are on strike because they roadblocks” action with both XR and Just Stop group Just Stop Oil blocking traffic
to continue understand that public disruption is Oil said: “I just heard a friend, a very in central London in October
disruption vital to demand changes that govern- But since its radical start, XR has able and motivated person, say:
ments are not willing or are too scared become comparatively more moder- We’ve quit from something we’re PHOTOGRAPH: JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES
Damien Gayle to address.” ate. It has called for 100,000 people not doing.”
to take to the streets of Westminster the world’s most iconic oil paintings.
Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain In recent years, XR has led its in April, but cancelled its last series of On the other hand, over the past More than 2,000 arrests were made
have reaffirmed their commitment supporters into blockading London protests in London after the queen’s year, supporters of the Just Stop
to disruptive climate “civil resist- streets and bridges for days, smash- death. Oil campaign have smashed pet- during JSO actions and 138 of its activ-
ance” after Extinction Rebellion ing bank headquarters’ windows and rol pumps, blockaded oil terminals, ists have been held behind bars either
announced new tactics prioritising spraying fake blood on the Treasury. Recent demonstrations at private glued themselves to the streets of awaiting trial or while serving a sen-
“relationships over roadblocks”. But on Sunday, the group announced airfields led to no arrests. Trials con- London, zip-tied their necks to goal- tence this year, with 12 currently in
“we quit” as it made a new year res- tinue of XR supporters involved in posts at Premiership football matches jail, according to the group.
“It’s 2023 and XR has quit,” Just olution to “prioritise attendance direct actions over previous years. and thrown tomato soup over one of
Stop Oil said in a statement. “But it’s In a column for the anarchist news
2023, and we are barrelling down Reflecting on the announcement, website Freedom, Jan Goodey, a uni-
the highway to the loss of ordered versity lecturer currently serving a
civil society, as extreme weather six-month sentence for climbing a
impacts tens of millions. As our coun- gantry over the M25, said the house-
try becomes unrecognisable there is hold energy crisis had vindicated
now a need to face reality. Insulate Britain’s use of disruptive
tactics to demand home insulation.
“We must move from disobedi- “Words of hope and encouragement
ence into civil resistance – this is what are ineffective and irrelevant; it is
the nurses and paramedics are doing. action, resistance and solidarity that
They are on the frontline of the harm work,” he wrote.
being wreaked on us and have said
no more.” One activist who has campaigned
with both XR and Just Stop Oil said he
Insulate Britain said its supporters was conflicted about XR’s announce-
remained prepared to go to prison. ment, which may attract more
“Insulate Britain supporters remain supporters but at the risk of effective-
committed to civil resistance as ness. “My concern is our lack of time,”
the only appropriate and effective he said. “If we don’t actively, noisily
response to the reality of our situa- push for change now, later may prove
tion in 2023,” its statement said. way too late to save anything.”

“In the UK right now, nurses, James Ozden, of Social Change
Lab, said XR’s repositioning could
allow it to take advantage of aware-
ness raised by radical protests,
without being implicated in their
unpopularity.

“As Just Stop Oil continues to
organise more disruptive protests, it’s
likely we’ll see a radical flank effect:
whereby radical tactics increase sup-
port for more moderate groups, such
as Extinction Rebellion.”



Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

National 9

▼ The Duke of Sussex with Prince Windrush 75th
William and King Charles at Queen anniversary
Elizabeth’s funeral in September ‘should be a
jubilee for
PHOTOGRAPH: CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES modern Britain’

Harriet Sherwood

I would like my father and CBS News that “silence is betrayal” This year’s 75th anniversary of
brother back, says Harry while talking about the alleged fail- Windrush, the ship that brought
ure of Buckingham Palace to defend hundreds of immigrants from the
Miranda Bryant the interview with the ITV News at children, the interview will go into him and the Duchess of Sussex before Caribbean to the UK, should be a
Ten presenter Tom Bradby. “unprecedented depth and detail” they stepped down as senior royals. “diamond jubilee for modern, diverse
The Duke of Sussex has said he wants about his life inside and outside the Britain”, say campaigners.
his father and brother back during an The 90-minute programme, pro- royal family, ITV said. In a clip from the interview, to be
ITV interview due to be broadcast on duced by ITN Productions for ITV, broadcast on Sunday, Harry tells the The actor Sir Lenny Henry,
Sunday, two days before the publica- will broadcast two days before Bradby, who has known Harry for journalist Anderson Cooper: “Every Tristram Hunt, the head of the V&A,
tion of his highly anticipated memoir. Harry’s autobiography, Spare, is pub- more than 20 years, was also behind single time I’ve tried to do it privately, and Kwame Kwei-Armah, the artistic
lished on 10 January. the interview during the couple’s there have been briefings and leak- director of the Young Vic, are among
The latest intervention, expected 2019 southern Africa trip, when he ings and planting of stories against representatives of the arts, sport,
to again rock Buckingham Palace with In a series of clips cut together asked Meghan about the impact of me and my wife.” business and faith to call for the anni-
revelations of its inner workings, is with no questions heard, Harry says the pressure she was under during versary to be marked with national
one of two interviews to be broad- “it never needed to be this way” and an ITV documentary. “The family motto is ‘never com- celebrations.
cast on the same day either side of refers to “the leaking and the plant- plain, never explain’, but it’s just a
the Atlantic. ing”, before adding: “I want a family, In comments that became an early motto,” he added. “[Buckingham Pal- Windrush Day on 22 June was
not an institution.” public signal that the couple were ace] will feed or have a conversation introduced by the government in
In the other interview, with a US struggling under the intense media with a correspondent, and that corre- 2018 to encourage “communities
broadcaster, he accuses the palace He also says “they feel as though it spotlight, she said: “Thank you for spondent will literally be spoon-fed across the country to celebrate the
of failing to protect his family like is better to keep us somehow as the asking because not many people have information and write the story, and contribution of the Windrush gener-
other royal family members. The villains” and that “they have shown asked if I’m OK, but it’s a very real at the bottom of it, they will say they ation and their descendants”.
prince says “I would like to get my absolutely no willingness to recon- thing to be going through behind the have reached out to Buckingham Pal-
father back, I would like to have my cile”, although it is unclear to whom scenes.” ace for comment. But the whole story The move came a year after the
brother back” in a preview clip from he is referring. is Buckingham Palace commenting. Guardian began to uncover how hun-
In a separate interview, to be dreds of people who came to work in
Filmed in California where Harry broadcast on US television, Harry “So when we’re being told for the the UK had been wrongly detained,
lives with his wife, Meghan, the told the 60 Minutes programme on past six years, ‘we can’t put a state- deported and denied legal rights.
Duchess of Sussex and their two ment out to protect you’, but you do
it for other members of the family, This year will be a “special year
Actor Jeremy Renner ‘critical but a weather-related accident while there becomes a point when silence for Britain, a year of identity”, said
stable’ after snowplough accident plowing snow,” a spokesperson for is betrayal.” Sunder Katwala, the director of the
the Hawkeye star told the Hollywood thinktank British Future. “A corona-
Sian Cain Reporter on Sunday night. Buckingham Palace said it would tion year that ushers in a new era. One
not be commenting on either trailer. when we mark 75 years of pride in the
Jeremy Renner has been seriously ▲ Jeremy Renner owns a ranch “His family is with him and he is NHS, and 75 years of Windrush, the
injured in an accident while plough- above Lake Tahoe in Nevada receiving excellent care,” they added. Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada moun- moment which symbolises the post-
ing snow which left him in a “critical tains, in Nevada. The region was hit war migration that has shaped our
but stable condition”, a spokesper- Deadline reported that Renner was by a winter storm on New Year’s Eve society today.”
son for the actor said. airlifted to hospital. that saw 35,000 homes lose power.
Much of the US has been hit by the Special events and programmes
“We can confirm Jeremy is in The 51-year-old actor has been “blizzard of the century” over the are being planned. The V&A will host
critical but stable condition with nominated for two Academy Awards past week. On 13 December, Renner a season of displays, talks, workshops
injuries suffered after experiencing over his acting career, for his perfor- shared a photo of snow in the area on and events telling “rich, layered sto-
mances in The Hurt Locker and The Twitter, writing: “Lake Tahoe snow- ries about the Windrush generation
Town. He has become well known for fall is no joke.” and their legacies through objects
his portrayal of the superhero Clint from the V&A collection and beyond,
Barton, also known as Hawkeye, in On Instagram, he posted several showcasing artists and designers
Marvel films, and for his role in the clips of himself behind the wheel of a associated with Windrush and
Mission: Impossible film franchise. snowplough, writing on one: “Nearly exploring the impact of the Caribbean
done with sledding hill for the kids.” presence on art, design and culture
Renner owns a ranch above Lake in Britain”, said Hunt.
Renner is next set to appear
in the second season of Mayor of Henry’s one-man play, August in
Kingstown, which begins airing in England, about the injustices of the
two weeks. Windrush scandal, will be staged at
the Bush theatre in London, and he
has also written a six-part drama,
Three Little Birds, that will air on ITV.

“It’s vital this year to celebrate the
courage of those Windrush pioneers
75 years ago, who gave up the life they
knew to seek a better one here in Brit-
ain. They paved the way for those of
us who have followed,” he said.

Kwei-Armah said: “The Windrush
embodies so many human stories – of
dreams for the future, injustice and
adversity, identity and belonging –
which have spanned generations
over the past 75 years. It’s a powerful
symbol that will inspire culture-mak-
ers throughout 2023.”

A poll carried out for the Windrush
75 network found six in 10 people
agree “Britain owes a great deal to the
Windrush generation of migrants and
should recognise their contribution
as part of our national story”.

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

10 National
Politics

Labour reveals
plan to transform
jobcentres into
hubs for training
and entrepreneurs

Jessica Elgot It said that health services should Just the job
Deputy political editor have closer connections to job sup- Locally run – and about
port and they should be data hubs for more than ticking boxes
Labour is planning a radical overhaul local market information.
of jobseeking in the UK by promising Jessica Elgot training and apprenticeships in information. Kieron Williams, the
to hand major powers to local author- Blunkett’s learning and skills construction with close ties and leader of Southwark council, said
ities and turning jobcentres into hubs report also recommends fund- A long the snowy quays funding to developers, McGovern his local authority had to in effect
for skills training and advice for ing people to study with agreed in Canada Water, said the changes would be one of build schemes such as Southwark
would-be entrepreneurs. providers and that the DWP “should south-east London, the pillars of Labour’s offer on jobs. Works, a free employment support
allow people to study full or part- the waterfront and service, in order to bridge the gap.
The party is also considering allow- time, while on benefits for an agreed sidestreets “Everywhere I go I ask people,
ing universal credit claimants to course”. are teeming with what do they think of the “The challenge we face with the
undertake far more comprehensive new developments. The buildings jobcentre? I never hear much nationally provided programmes
programmes of study and training Under the current system, there include shops and cafes – many enthusiasm, we have great is they’re not connected with the
opportunities while continuing to are limits on the ability of people advertising for full or part-time people working there but they local employment market,” he says.
claim benefits. to train and study and continue to staff. are constrained by what they are
receive universal credit. told to do in Whitehall and that’s “They don’t see where the
The policy is likely to be adopted Despite extensive gentrification wrong,” she says. “People locally opportunities are to create more
based on two key reports by the for- Many experts have cited the Southwark remains one of the most know their area best, they know employment, or the skills gaps
mer prime minister Gordon Brown requirement for people to spend deprived boroughs in England. how to help people get jobs. exist, and how you fill them.
and the former minister David Blun- a minimum amount of time each The council has faced a challenge
kett, which will be the building blocks week looking for work, which limits in how to directly link the benefits “Jobcentres are there to tick “We have a separate works
for Labour’s manifesto offer. the ability for full-time skills training of shiny new development to the boxes at the moment and that’s programme, ensuring that you’ve
or study. lives of young people growing up in not good enough. Kickstart, got a real focus on those groups
Alison McGovern, the shadow Rotherhithe or Peckham. Restart, all these national schemes of people who are most likely to
employment minister, said there was A study by the Work Foundation – we need to rethink it from the be excluded from work, getting
little engagement from the Depart- this year found many universal credit Alison McGovern, the shadow ground up and locally.” the additional support they need
ment for Work and Pensions about claimants voicing their frustration employment minister, says Labour to get into employment. What’s
how jobcentres could match the local that they were not being signposted wants to bridge that gap between A report by Gordon Brown really important there is that that’s
skills needed, and that local author- to adequate training to allow them to jobcentres and the local knowledge into devolution and democracy connected back to the community.”
ities were best placed to overhaul build and aspire towards long-term of councils and employers. said the devolution of Jobcentre
employment support. careers in sectors. Plus should mean they become a
It will involve a radical overhaul hub for local employers – open to
“To grow our economy, every place In cases where people were able to of what jobcentres offer – with those looking to upskill, re-enter
needs an economic plan,” McGovern undertake part-time training, most powers fully devolved for local the workplace later in life or after
told the Guardian. “We want to grow of those cited in the study said they authorities to decide how they childcare responsibilities, or start
the economy across the country and were still having to spend between operate rather than running from businesses, and resources for civil
make sure everybody feels the bene- 16 and 35 hours each week looking central targets and scripts. society, trade union and private
fit. You cannot do that without local for work so they could keep receiv- sector support.
places being in the lead. ing benefits. Speaking as she toured
Southwark Skills Centre, a hub for Health services should have
“At the moment, too much of McGovern, the MP for Wirral South, closer connections to job support
DWP’s policy is made in a high- said that it was self-evidently wrong and be data hubs for local market
handed way from Whitehall, whereas that people were being penalised for
we want to learn the lesson from the wanted to improve their skills.
places that do it best and make sure
every place has a really good plan for She said that top-down scripts
jobs for all its people.” delivered to work coaches from
Whitehall would never be flexible
Brown’s Commission on the enough to match local skills gaps
UK’s Future said the devolution of or help people into long-term skilled
Jobcentre Plus should mean they jobs. “My frustration is that the DWP
became a hub for local employers doesn’t engage in the conversations
– open to those looking to upskill, at all about the big initiatives that are
re-enter the workplace later in happening between councils, skills
life or after childcare responsibilities, centres or big developers. All their
or start businesses and resources for policies are set by Whitehall. The con-
civil society, trade union and private versations people have with work
sector support. coaches are all driven by Westmin-
ster,” she said.
‘We should empower
local authorities McGovern, a former councillor in
to look at what the Southwark, south London, said coun-
opportunities are cils were often already building their
… and let towns and own initiatives to try to bridge the gap
cities work it out’ locally.

Alison McGovern “It’s not the jobcentre sitting with
Shadow minister skills centres or employers working
out who might fit where. Southwark
council have created a whole new
body – Southwark Works – to back-
fill what DWP should be doing.

“We should empower local
authorities to look at what the oppor-
tunities are – every sector has labour
shortages – and let towns and cities
work it out.”

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

Labour’s Alison McGovern at ▼ Support for NHS nurses near 11
the pioneering Southwark Downing Street. Rishi Sunak wants
Skills Centre in London new laws to curb strike action spokesperson said. “This work is con-
tinuing at pace, and further details
PHOTOGRAPH: MARTIN GODWIN/THE GUARDIAN PHOTOGRAPH: LEON NEAL/GETTY IMAGES will be set out in due course.”

▲ Alison McGovern in a classroom obvious” that people should not Trade unions as teachers, Border Force or fire ser- Dave Penman, the general sec-
at Southwark Skills Centre. Labour be penalised for wanting to train for Pledge to fight vice. Ministers are also considering retary of the FDA union, which
wants jobcentres to be run locally a long-term skilled career. PM’s effort to beefing up strike laws that already represents civil servants, said that
curb strikers impose tough conditions to allow anti-strike legislation would not
PHOTOGRAPH: MARTIN GODWIN/THE GUARDIAN “People are being pushed into strikes to go ahead. Currently, strikes solve the problem of low pay that
insecure, unskilled jobs, when they Jessica Elgot are allowed only if there is a 50% turn- had caused widespread strike action
A skills report by the former could be sat in these classrooms.” out of union members. across so many sectors.
Labour minister David Blunkett Unions are expected to take legal
also recommends funding people Southwark Works functions action against anti-strike laws being But there is a higher threshold “It would be a political choice
to study with agreed providers. in much the same way as Labour prepared by Rishi Sunak amid reports for transport, health and eduction – for the prime minister, but it’s not
“The nature of the way in which hopes jobcentres could eventually the curbs will be announced when needing 40% of all eligible members going to resolve this,” he told LBC.
the [Department for Work and exist, offering support to parliament returns this month. to be in favour, not just of those vot- “Tinkering with what are already
Pensions] currently operates, anyone who drops in and with ing, and that requirement could be some of the most draconian trade
people are pressed into taking specialist support for care leavers, The legislation being looked at by extended to all sectors. union laws in western economies are
an immediate job available,” the long-term unemployed or sick, Sunak would extend plans already not going to address the fundamen-
report found. those with disabilities, announced by ministers to enforce The legislation may be introduced tal problems around this.” He added:
the homeless, families and minimum service levels on public shortly after parliament returns on “The government’s got a majority,
“Those who are being requested lone parents. transport – meaning 20% of regular Monday 9 January, though it is highly and if they can pass legislation in the
to job search for 35 hours a week rail services would need to continue unlikely to be in place before the sum- Commons and the Lords then ulti-
are self-evidently not able to access Some are already referred by during strike action. mer because of anticipated delays in mately there’s only a limited amount
training.” He said the DWP should the local jobcentre but many and the Commons as well as the House of we can do, where we think it’s unlaw-
“allow people to study full or part- in particular young people refuse That could be extended across Lords – and then the law is likely to be ful we will seek to challenge. This
time, whilst on benefits for an to engage with the jobcentre at all. the public sector to include NHS challenged by unions in court. is not going to resolve any of these
agreed course”. Almost 85% of the people who were staff including ambulances as well disputes … working people are still
supported into work were from A government spokesperson con- voting in record numbers for this.”
McGovern says it is “blindingly Black, Asian or minority ethnic MPs’ conduct firmed that Sunak was “exploring
backgrounds. ‘Whisper list’ further measures to help minimise Key figures in the government
claims trigger disruption and protect the public. believe taking swift action on strikes
Joseph, 20, who is waiting to call for reform will be a politically advantageous
take a test in one of the centre’s “Anything we bring forward will fight for the Conservatives to have
classrooms, says he came to the Jessica Elgot rightfully balance the rights of with Labour.
centre via his probation manager. workers to strike with the rights of
“I want to be a bricklayer because Calls are growing for third parties the public to get on with their daily The Labour leader, Keir Starmer,
it’s more hands-on, I’m not into to be allowed to make complaints lives and keep people safe,” the has suggested the party will not back
working in an office, but here I can to Westminster’s sexual miscon- further curbs to industrial action and
meet people who have the jobs.” duct watchdog after concerns were unions and others in parliament have his deputy, Angela Rayner, has said
reignited about parliament’s culture been warning for many years about she wants to repeal all the govern-
John White, the partnerships by a Labour MP who privately shared a dangerous culture which fails to ment’s anti-worker legislation.
director at the Skills Centre, a list of 20 MPs to avoid. address sexual misconduct.
says it prides itself on having no Labour has stopped short of back-
curriculum at all, but constantly After various sexual misconduct “It is abundantly clear that further ing many striking workers, and
evolving provision based on what and bullying scandals led to suspen- reform is needed to protect those frontbench MPs have been told not
local employers need, training sions and resignations of sitting MPs, working there. This must include to stand on picket lines.
10,000 people to date. some parliamentarians and unions excluding MPs under investigation
say they remain concerned that for sexual misconduct and must A new wave of strikes this week
“We want to make sure we witnesses cannot make complaints. also include allowing third parties to will cause mass cancellations on the
get local people into local jobs,” report complaints to the Independent rail network because of action by the
he said. “We’re speaking to Complaints to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Service.” RMT and Aslef unions. About 40,000
local places who just can’t get Complaints and Grievance Service RMT members from Network Rail and
bricklayers. And we speak to places can also be made only by those work- Charlotte Nichols, the Labour MP 14 train operating companies will
that need big tiling jobs done, and ing on the parliamentary estate or in for Warrington North, posted the list take action this week, shutting down
we know we can get local people in constituencies, not from those out- of 20 names on a WhatsApp group most rail services across the country.
trained to do the work.” side who experience bullying or for other Labour MPs before deleting
harassment from MPs. it, saying it had been sent in error, misconduct, adding: “We all know
In the yard outside, formwork according to the Mail on Sunday. and nothing is done and they con-
apprentices are working in bright Mike Clancy, the general secretary tinue to walk around and do their jobs
pink jackets and thick gloves. Some of Prospect, a leading union for staff Nichols, who was elected in 2019, – and there’s that kind of culture of
are women, part of a concerted working for parliament, said: “Trade has previously said that when she impunity on it.”
effort to get more of them into arrived in Westminster, she was given
construction jobs. Clarissa a “whisper network list” of dozens A Conservative MP told the Mail on
Destouche, 36, says: “I would not of politicians to avoid. Speaking in Sunday the list was “grossly irrespon-
have joined this course if there was November, she said some MPs were sible” and said Nichols should make a
not an initiative for women to join. notorious for their bullying or sexual complaint to the ICGS or police if she
Representation matters a lot.” had evidence. Responding on Twit-
▲ The Labour MP Charlotte Nichols ter, Nichols said: “I can’t legally make
Many of the apprentices were posted a list of names on WhatsApp a third-party report to the ICGS or
in their 30s, seeking a new career police. Am I not meant to warn others
direction. Lawrence Atkinson, 31, about conduct I’ve seen, experienced
says he had mixed feelings about or been told about that many times by
what the jobcentre had offered him. different people that it’s a clear pat-
tern of behaviour? I’m many things
“There should be a lot more but a bystander isn’t one, and while
transparency there, about Westminster is as grim as it is I won’t
what’s available, more diverse pretend otherwise.”
opportunities, different pathways.
I want to challenge myself to see She added: “What’s actually irre-
how far I can go. Here is where I can sponsible is the lack of real action to
find out what the pathways are for sort out Westminster’s sexual harass-
my career.” ment problem, which is so endemic
other MPs and staff have to be warned
Ultimately, the vision is for about some colleagues’ behaviour to
similar provision to exist for keep them safe! Wish it wasn’t this
training where there are big local way, but for now it is. So here we are.”
gaps – whether in hospitality,
agriculture, nuclear or green Three Tory MPs have the whip sus-
energy. pended because of complaints about
sexual misconduct. In July, Chris
“We’re working around Pincher, deputy chief whip under
hospitality skills because Boris Johnson, triggered the prime
we’ve had big growth in that minister’s downfall after outrage
industry,” Williams says. that Johnson had initially intended
to allow him to keep the whip after
“And we want to make sure that witnesses alleged he had groped men
not just the entry-level jobs in those at a private members’ club.
professions but the good jobs, the
hotel manager and beyond, are
within reach to people.”

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Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

National 13

MP who faked his death Five weeks later, he was arrested
Stonehouse case truth in Australia, where he had been
is ‘stranger than fiction’ joined by his lover. Stonehouse was
later sentenced at the Old Bailey
Harriet Sherwood earth that anybody would swallow ▲ Matthew ▼ John Stonehouse was a member of to seven years in prison for fraud,
it as a plotline. It’s a classic case of Macfadyen as Stonehouse Harold Wilson’s cabinet as aviation theft and deception.
T he true story of truth being stranger than fiction.” John Stonehouse surrounded by minister and postmaster general,
John Stonehouse’s and Keeley members of the but his career crashed when he was Hayes, whose biography of
entanglement with Hayes, a lawyer, saw a preview Hawes as his press after being named in 1969 as an agent of the his great-uncle, Stonehouse:
espionage and faked of the drama and read the scripts wife Barbara in released on bail Czech secret service. His problems Cabinet Minister, Fraudster, Spy,
death was far more as part of a consultation: “It says the ITV drama from Brixton were compounded by worsening was published in 2021, said the
fascinating than the it’s based on a true story, and that’s Stonehouse prison in financial troubles and an affair with TV drama misrepresented how
television drama airing this week, really as far as it goes. Most of the London in 1975 his secretary, Sheila Buckley. he became embroiled with the
according to his great-nephew peripheral characters are made up, PHOTOGRAPH: ITV Czech secret services. “The drama
Julian Hayes. and very little is factually correct.” After stealing the identities of portrays a honeytrap, but in fact
two dead men in his constituency they psychologically groomed him
Hayes, who has clear childhood The ITV show stars the real to create fake passports, over a period of time. There was no
memories of Stonehouse and the life married couple Matthew Stonehouse flew to Miami, checked sex involved… But he provided the
impact of his disappearance in Macfadyen as Stonehouse and into the Fontainebleau hotel and Czechs with information and got a
1974 on the family, said little of the Keeley Hawes as Barbara, wife went for a swim, leaving a pile lot of money from them. He knew
dramatised version was strictly of the disgraced Labour MP and of clothes on the beach. After he what he was doing.”
factual. A Czech secret services former cabinet minister at the time failed to return, he was presumed
honeytrap was substituted for the of his disappearance. The script drowned. His wife and three Stonehouse’s daughter, Julia,
real-life “slow insidious grooming” was written by John Preston, whose children were plunged into grief. dismissed the spy claims in her
of the Labour MP for Wednesbury credits include A Very English own book, John Stonehouse, My
and Walsall North, he said. Scandal about the Jeremy Thorpe Father, published in 2021. “She puts
affair, which became a TV drama his behaviour down to depression,
“If you’d written the Stonehouse starring Hugh Grant, and The Dig, breakdown and use of prescription
story as fiction, it’d be completely about the archaeological site Sutton drugs,” said Hayes.
unbelievable. There’s no way on Hoo, which was made into a 2021
film starring Ralph Fiennes and ITV said: “Based on years of
Carey Mulligan. extensive research, the writer
John Preston dramatised the
aspects that interested him most
and has created a rich, colourful
and poignant account of an
unforgettable politician.”

Stonehouse is available on ITVX. A
documentary, The Real Stonehouse,
is on ITV1 at 9pm on Thursday

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023
14

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

National 15

NHS trust pays widow damages 2021, found a “lack of evidence” to In brief
over man’s decomposed body explain why the opportunity to freeze
Murray’s body at 30 days was missed. Weather
Jamie Grierson foundation trust admitted it failed to ▲ Paul Murray’s widow was unable
follow internal procedures regarding to view his badly decomposed body The report said a record of the con- Met Office warns of icy
A widow received damages from an the timing of body condition checks dition of body check claimed to have conditions on UK roads
NHS trust after a mortuary allowed after Paul’s death in 2020. Lawyers died aged 64 on 20 November 2020 taken place on 23 December 2020 was
the body of her late husband to acting for the trust said the oversight and his body was taken to the mor- completed retrospectively. When the Drivers were urged to take care
decompose to the point he was occurred during the Covid-19 crisis tuary of Basingstoke and North Hampshire trust’s pathology labora- on the roads as a yellow weather
“unviewable”, the Guardian can when the mortuary was experiencing Hampshire hospital. A month later, tory manager challenged the validity warning for ice covered large
reveal. “unusually high levels of occupancy on 23 December, mortuary staff claim of the document, the mortuary team areas of the UK yesterday. The
and significant understaffing”. to have conducted a body condition said it had been completed at a later Met Office issued the alert for
Caroline Murray said she had check and found it to be “unview- date to help train a team member on Scotland, Northern Ireland and
struggled to grieve properly and suf- Caroline said: “Dealing with los- able”, but an internal investigation the process. The investigation found most of the north of England,
fered from intrusive mental images ing Paul and then dealing with all of found that this did not take place. this explanation “improbable”. warning pedestrians of the risks
of what the body of her husband, this … It’s been horrendous. I’ve been on icy pavements.
Paul, would have looked like in an having to put all the normal feelings The investigation root cause The Hampshire trust continues to
advanced state of decomposition. of grief to one side because I’ve been analysis report, conducted by a cel- insist the body check on 23 December Forecasters said the outlook
trying to get straight in my mind what lular pathology laboratory manager took place. However, even if the suggested a south-east and north-
When the body was finally released the hell had really happened.” at Queen Alexandra hospital in Ports- check did take place, the trust accepts west split would develop, as high
to the family five months after Paul’s mouth between July and September it did not act on the finding that the pressure clings on to the south,
death, the funeral directors were The couple were married for 43 body was “unviewable”. with low pressure to the north.
unable to identify him from a photo years and lived in Whitchurch, Hamp-
and advised his widow not to view shire. Paul worked for Hampshire fire Matthew Gold, who acted for the There were 15 flood warnings in
him. She was only able to identify her and rescue service and was a mem- widow, said: “Paul’s death was trau- place throughout the UK, mostly
husband over the phone when the ber of the urban search and rescue matic enough for his wife … The on the south coast and in south-
funeral director confirmed he still had team. “He was just the most won- failure by the Basingstoke and North west England. Robyn Vinter
his wife’s rosary beads in his hand. derful, caring person in the world,” Hampshire hospital to preserve Paul’s
Caroline said. “He loved the out- body resulting in it being unrecognis- Colonialism
In out-of-court settlement pro- doors, ice climbing, skiing, he was able made matters much worse.”
ceedings, Hampshire hospitals NHS the kindest person in the world.” Chagossians ‘ignored’
Alex Whitfield, chief executive at in sovereignty talks
Paul, who had Parkinson’s disease, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Founda-
tion Trust said it was “deeply sorry” Descendants of Chagos Islanders
Pecking the care it provided “fell short of the say their views are being ignored
order high standards our patients and their after Mauritius announced talks
Penguins families rightly expect”. She added: with Britain over the territory’s
watch as a “A thorough investigation took place, future. The negotiations could
member of with robust measures implemented lead to the return to Mauritius of
staff at Sea to prevent this happening again.” the islands, whose inhabitants
Life London were forcibly displaced by the UK
Aquarium more staff were needed. “I think in the 1960s and 1970s. Britain is
takes part in what’s frustrating for us is that if expected to retain rights over Diego
the annual we could see them more quickly Garcia, a military base.
new year and intervene, then the difficulties
“count and might not become as severe as they Rosy Leveque from the Chagos
clean” audit of do because they’ve had to wait,” Islanders group said: “History is
all the centre’s she added. repeating itself – the same states
fish and who treated my family like cargo
other marine A Department of Health and are once again negotiating our
animals. Social Care spokesperson said: “We future without the involvement of
are already investing £2.3bn a year the community.” Daniel Boffey
PHOTOGRAPH: into mental health services, meaning
JAMES MANNING/PA an additional 345,000 children and Scotland
young people will be able to access
Child mental health cases in serious depression or anxiety, and support by 2024 – and we’re aiming to Three deaths in fire
England rise by nearly 40% those who have eating disorders. grow the mental health workforce by at hotel in Perth
27,000 more staff by this time, too.”
Dr Elaine Lockhart, the chair of Three people died following a fire
the child and adolescent psychiatry at the New County hotel in Perth,
faculty at the Royal College of Psy- Police Scotland have confirmed.
chiatrists, said the rise in referrals Officers were called shortly before
reflected a “whole range” of ill- 5.10am yesterday. Emergency
nesses. She said “specialist services services attended (pictured below)
are needing to respond to the most and three people were confirmed
urgent and the most unwell”, includ- dead at the scene, while a number
ing youngsters who have psychosis, of others were treated for minor
suicidal thoughts and severe anxi- injuries. Hotel guests and two
ety disorder. people from a neighbouring block
of flats were evacuated.
Lockhart said targets for seeing
children urgently with eating disor- Ch Supt Phil Davison said: “Our
ders were sliding “completely” and enquiries are ongoing to establish
the full circumstances, and officers
are conducting a joint investigation
with the Scottish fire and rescue
service.” PA Media

Andrew Gregory are all fuelling a crisis that saw NHS
Health editor mental health treatment referrals
for under-18s increase to 1,169,515
The number of children in England in 2021-22.
needing treatment for serious mental
health problems has risen by 39% in In 2020-21 the figure was 839,570.
a year, official data shows. In 2019-20, there were 850,741 refer-
rals, according to analysis of official
Experts say the pandemic, social figures by PA Media.
inequality, austerity and online harm
The figures include children who
are suicidal, self-harming, suffering

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023
16

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

National ‘My differences with 17
Michael Gove are
well documented, but Pair accused
he turns up and he of murdering
answers my calls’ footballer
at nightclub
Jamie Driscoll appear in court
North of Tyne mayor

Robyn Vinter

Devolution ▲ Driscoll has been cast in the role of annexed by the North of Tyne” and Two suspects charged with the Box-
‘Last Corbynista in dealmaker in devolution talks with a admits they are “jittery” about a ing Day murder of the footballer Cody
power’ sets sights on series of Conservative ministers mayor overseeing their area. “On Fisher in a Birmingham nightclub
regional mayoralty a personal level I like Jamie,” the have appeared in court.
PHOTOGRAPH: GARY CALTON/THE GUARDIAN leader says. “I just wish he would
Josh Halliday deal last week that will see £48m reserve his comments to the Kami Carpenter, 21, and Remy Gor-
North of England correspondent a year of new money – plus devolution deal through three position he’s elected to, not the don, 22, were charged on Saturday
powers over transport, education, changes of prime minister and position he’s not elected to.” with killing Fisher, who was stabbed
O ne is a Jeremy skills, housing and regeneration four levelling up secretaries, and on the dancefloor at the Crane in
Corbyn-supporting – transferred to a region of outlasted four of the seven council Other local politicians are more Digbeth.
former nightclub 2 million people. If it passes a local leaders in place when he took office complimentary. Glen Sanderson,
bouncer who retired consultation, as expected, the less than four years ago. But in Gove the Conservative leader of The defendants spoke only to con-
as a jiu-jitsu sensei region will have its first mayor in he has found an unlikely political Northumberland council, describes firm their personal details and to
to enter politics May next year. Driscoll, described ally. He says he “gets on well” Driscoll as “an excellent honest enter pleas of not guilty to a linked
at the age of 48. The other is recently as “the last Corbynista in with the Conservative levelling up broker” who deserved full credit for charge of affray during a hearing
Michael Gove. Together, they have power”, is the lead contender for secretary: “Our political differences his role and abilities. before two magistrates at Birming-
formed an unlikely bond, aimed the £100,000-a-year role. are well documented but he turns ham crown court yesterday.
at transforming the north-east up, he answers my calls and he Driscoll left school at 16, trained
of England through a “historic” It is the sixth devolution deal answers my texts.” as an engineer, then received Carpenter, of no fixed address, and
devolution deal. signed in the last year, but it is a grant to study engineering at Gordon, of Birmingham, were not
arguably the most significant. The mayor, who chaired the Northumbria University. He joined asked to enter any plea to the mur-
Jamie Driscoll, the North of Tyne The proposed new authority, Newcastle branch of Momentum the Labour party in 1985 but it der charge. Both defendants were
mayor, may be the most influential which stretches from Berwick and accompanied Corbyn on a pre- was not until 2015 that he became ordered to reappear before a crown
Labour figure whom people outside to Gateshead, will include leadership trip to the north-east, fully involved, campaigning for court judge tomorrow. A further hear-
the region have never heard of. four constituencies that voted insists he has a closer relationship Ed Miliband in the general election ing was set for 30 January.
He was elected in May 2019, a year Conservative for the first time with cabinet members than many before championing Corbyn’s
after “reluctantly” entering politics in nearly 100 years, if ever, in local Tory politicians. What’s the leadership bid. Fisher, who played for Stratford
as a Newcastle councillor. The self- 2019: Blyth Valley, Sedgefield, secret? “You start with a bit of a Town FC, had been on a night out
proclaimed “lefty policy geek” now North West Durham and Bishop joke and banter,” he says. “If you When the role of North of Tyne with friends when he was stabbed.
heads up an authority that includes Auckland. It spans 13 other go in either shouting at people for mayor came up in late 2018, Driscoll A knife was recovered from the scene.
Newcastle, North Tyneside and seats where Labour’s five-figure being a load of Tory bastards or for says he had to be convinced to
Northumberland. But his fiefdom majorities were more than halved not giving you enough money – put himself forward. He won The nightclub's licence was sus-
may be about to get much bigger. at the last general election, when well, they’re human.” the support of trade unions and pended on Friday after accusations
many voters ditched the party over Momentum and was selected as by police of “serious management
Driscoll and Gove hailed a Brexit and Corbyn. Negotiations over a devolution Labour’s candidate. failings” on the night of the incident.
potentially “transformational” deal started in 2015 under David
Driscoll, 52, has steered the Cameron’s government but fell Now he faces another selection Fisher’s girlfriend, Jess Chatwin,
apart several times, sometimes battle, albeit this time as the paid tribute to him with a message on
acrimoniously, before finally frontrunner. Kim McGuinness, the Twitter the day after he died, writing:
coming together in recent weeks. police and crime commissioner “You didn’t deserve any of this. I’m
for Northumbria, has also been so sorry this has happened to you my
It has cast Driscoll in the role tipped to run. For now, Driscoll is baby please come home. I love you
of dealmaker, peacemaker and doing “cartwheels down the street” forever Cody Fisher.”
occasional referee. Many thought at what he calls England’s “best-
a north-east combined authority funded devolution deal”. A statement published by police
would never happen, in part and attributed to Fisher’s family
because it is a complex patchwork But he wants ministers to go said: “My family and I are asking for
of seven very different councils – further – to full fiscal devolution, privacy and respectfulness at this
and local rivalries run deep. which would allow councils to heart-breaking time.”
raise, retain and spend money
One local Labour leader locally. For that, he may have to Stratford Town postponed a match
repeatedly stresses that their wait rather longer for Gove to against Bromsgrove Sporting yester-
area is “not being taken over or return his calls. day as a mark of respect.

Fisher spent time at Bromsgrove
Sporting last season before return-
ing to Stratford Town in the summer.
The club said in a tweet: “All of us at
Bromsgrove Sporting Football Club
are deeply saddened … Cody was a
friend to many at the club and we
send our deepest condolences to his
family and loved ones.”

Birmingham City and Hull City
players observed a minute’s silence
for Fisher before their Championship
clash at St Andrew’s on Friday.

Additional reporting PA Media

The football player Cody Fisher died
after being stabbed on a night out

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

18 Eyewitness

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

Vatican City 19
The body of
Pope Emeritus Catholics
Benedict XVI, queue to pay
dressed in red respects as
papal mourning Benedict XVI
robes, lay in lies in state
state in a chapel
before being Angela Giuffrida
moved to St
Peter’s Basilica Thousands of Catholics queued at
in the Vatican the Vatican yesterday to pay their
yesterday, where respects to the former pope Benedict
nuns, Catholic XVI, with some hoping he would be
devotees, canonised as a saint.
members of
the public and Benedict died on Saturday, aged
visitors to Rome 95, and his body was transferred from
queued to pay a Vatican monastery to St Peter’s
their final Basilica on yesterday at 7am, where
respects it will lie in state for three days before
his funeral on Thursday.
PHOTOGRAPHS:
VATICAN MEDIA/ Rome officials anticipate that at
AFP/GETTY IMAGES; least 35,000 people a day – many of
GUGLIELMO them travelling from overseas – will
MANGIAPANE/ descend on the Vatican to pay their
REUTERS; respects to Benedict, who almost a
ALESSANDRA decade ago became the first pope to
BENEDETTI/CORBIS/ resign in 600 years.
GETTY IMAGES
Many of those who joined the
queue early yesterday to see Bene-
dict’s body, which has been dressed
in red papal mourning robes, were
priests and nuns who waited along-
side Catholic devotees or those who
were already visiting Rome and
wanted to pay tribute.

“The queue is moving pretty stead-
ily, and there is a calm and serene
atmosphere,” said Christopher White,
the Vatican correspondent for the
National Catholic Reporter. “Those
who were queuing for hours before
things opened up are the type of peo-
ple who really had a strong devotion
to him. For a certain type of Catholic,
Benedict had quite a draw. He had a
reputation as an intellect, scholar and
theologian, which resonated with
the more theologically minded con-
servative Catholic. Their immediate
pivot is that he is one of the greatest
minds the church has ever had, and
they have every confidence that he
will one day be a saint.”

Among the first people to enter
St Peter’s Basilica, where Benedict’s
body has been laid out on a casket
covered with a gold cloth in front of
the altar, were the Italian president,
Sergio Mattarella, and the prime min-
ister, Giorgia Meloni.

Benedict’s successor, Pope Fran-
cis, will lead the funeral mass on
Thursday before the body is buried
in the tombs beneath the basilica.

Born in Germany, Benedict led the
Catholic church for eight years before
resigning in 2013, citing a decline
in his health. He chose to be called
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI after
his abdication, instead of reverting
to Joseph Ratzinger, and continued
to live within the walls of the Vatican
and wear a white cassock.

Despite being in the background,
Benedict came forward on a variety
of issues over the past decade, often
clashing with the views of the more
liberal-minded Francis. The unusual
relationship inspired the film The
Two Popes.

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023
20

Moscow admits scores of
its troops killed in missile
attack on Russian-held city

Continued from page 1 the idea to place personnel in large conclusions,” wrote Andrey Medve-
numbers in one building, where even dev, an ultra-conservative journalist
struck a vocational school in Maki- a fool understands that even if they who is deputy chairman of Moscow’s
ivka that housed soldiers two minutes hit with artillery, there will be many city parliament. Bezsonov called for
after midnight on New Year’s Day. wounded or dead?” he wrote. the punishment of “those guilty of
the decision to use the facility. The
“A massive blow was dealt to the Commanders “couldn’t care less” Donbas has enough objects with
vocational school from American about ammunition stored in disarray strong infrastructure where you can
MLRS Himars,” Bezsonov wrote in a on the battlefield, he said. “Each mis- house army personnel.”
post on the Telegram messaging app, take has a name.”
referring to US-provided missiles. Vladlen Tatarsky, a military blog-
“There were dead and wounded; Rybar, a popular Telegram channel ger whom Putin met in the Kremlin
the exact number is still unknown.” with links to the Russian military, said in September, called for a tribunal for
yesterday as the clearing of debris the military leadership, describing
Photographs circulating on social continued that at least 70 people had Moscow’s top officers as “untrained
media show what appears to be the died and more than 100 were injured. idiots”, in a post on Telegram.
ruins of the building in Makiivka used
by the Russian army as barracks. The attack also sparked renewed Russia’s acknowledgement of
criticism among pro-invasion blog- scores of deaths in one incident was
A number of prominent Russian gers and some officials over the state almost without precedent.
pro-war bloggers and commentators of Russia’s military and the deci-
also acknowledged the attack, but sion to use civilian infrastructure to Sunday’s deadly strike came a day
suggested the number of casualties house soldiers. “Housing personnel after the Ukrainian defence minister,
was higher than the figures reported in buildings instead of housing them Oleksiy Reznikov, said the Kremlin
by the defence ministry. in shelters directly aids the enemy. was planning to close its borders and
From the situation in Makiivka it announce a second wave of mass
“In terms of the number ofvictims, is necessary to draw the toughest mobilisation in January. The Krem-
there are still no final figures, lin earlier denied there were plans
since many people are listed as ‘A blow was dealt to to launch a fresh recruitment drive.
missing (remained under the rub- the vocational school
ble). In any case, there are many from American There has been public anger from
hundreds dead and wounded,” Igor MLRS Himars’ citizens over the first wave of mobi-
Strelkov, a Russian ultra-nationalist lisation, including complaints that
commentator and former intelligence Daniil Bezsonov the conscripts were not adequately
officer, wrote on Telegram. Moscow proxy official prepared and equipped.

“What happened in Makiivka is Meanwhile, Moscow extended its
horrible,” wrote Archangel Spetznaz bombardment of Ukraine into a sec-
Z, another Russian military blogger ond day, launching several waves of
with more than 700,000 followers Russian drone attacks that targeted
on Telegram. “Who came up with infrastructure in and around Kyiv.

‘We were left on our own’ Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr They said only about 20 out of 400 arms from an army warehouse and
How Sumy residents kept Zelenskiy, has commended Sumy’s had previous military experience formed reactive groups,” said Ihor,
invaders out of their city territorial defence several times. and coordination was conducted who along with Serhiy has now
In his New Year’s Eve address, via messaging apps and phone joined the regular army.
Isobel Koshiw forces rolled towards them. The the equivalent of the monarch’s calls, with groups in civilian cars
Sumy Sumy self-defence forces, which Christmas message in Britain, and trucks to meet the incoming “It was so chaotic that it’s even
formed for the most part on the first he singled out Sumy’s resistance Russians. difficult to describe,” said Ihor.
O n 24 February, when day of the invasion, managed to efforts, describing how ordinary “There was no coordination or
Russia invaded, hold the city for almost six weeks, residents became the “bone in the “Formally it was called territorial instructions from Kyiv or anything
there were only a despite being completely encircled. throat” of the Russians. defence forces but in reality, it like that. We made [everything] up
few dozen Ukrainian After 6 April, the Russian forces was just people who had received ourselves.”
professional soldiers were pushed out of Sumy region, Though there were only a few
in the north-eastern and most of the self-defence forces thousand civilians with rifles, a few Ihor, a council worker, took The self-defence forces had
city of Sumy, and they had no members then joined the army dozen anti-tank weapons and no up arms against Russia some handheld anti-tank weapons
command centre. That evening, where they are now serving. armed vehicles or heavy weaponry, but otherwise, they were just
those 50 or so paratroopers were by mid-March the Russians were armed with guns and molotov
ordered to leave the city – about 20 Sumy region borders Russia on scared to enter the city. cocktails, they say. Neither Serhiy
miles from the Russian border – for two sides, to the north and east. nor Ihor had body armour.
another area. Most of the police The efforts of Sumy self-defence In an alleged recording of a
force had already fled, along with forces and ordinary residents in phone call released by Ukrainian “An old man walking through the
much of the city’s leadership. and outside the city contributed to intelligence services on 16 March, city saw me and said his grandchild
the disruption of Russian supply a Russian soldier can be heard had fought and he would bring you
Sumy’s residents were left, lines, helping to prevent Russian breaking down after telling his a helmet,” said Serhiy, who said the
confused and in shock, to defend forces from surrounding the capital mother that they needed to take bulletproof vest that he found did
the city on their own as Russian and seizing control of the country’s the road through Sumy city but not have protective plates.
command centre. “not a single column of [theirs] had
survived”. One of the main factors which
saved the city, said Ihor and Serhiy,
Serhiy and Ihor, 32-year-old was the first battle, which took
council workers and close friends, place outside the city’s art college.
were among 400 Sumy residents The 50 paratroopers destroyed a
who took up arms on the first day of whole column of Russian tanks.
the invasion.
Both sides did not at first realise
Others joined in the following they were facing the army, said
days as they got over the shock. Ihor, and the Russians even got
close enough to ask the Ukrainians

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian • 21

Viva Lula Stray bullets
LGBTQ+ community Human casualties
welcomes new leader from French hunters
Page 23 Page 24

Croatia’s
leader, Andrej
Plenković,
with the EU's
Ursula von der
Leyen, marking
Croatia's entry
in the visa-free
Schengen zone

PHOTOGRAPH: DENIS
LOVROVIĆ/AFP/GETTY

for directions. The Ukrainians the victory. My girlfriends from The aftermath ‘Historic were killed and hundreds of thou-
twigged first and opened fire, the university were bringing us of a missile moment’ as sands displaced.
successfully destroying the tank boxes of molotov cocktails to the attack by Croatia enters
column, said Ihor. base. There were grandmothers Russian forces eurozone and It was the most recent country to
texting us with the locations of the in Kyiv. The opens border join the EU, in 2013. Slovenia joined
But when Serhiy and Ihor Russians. I think because of this, retaliatory in 2004, while the other parts of the
reached the paratroopers that night the city was able to withstand the attack by Shaun Walker former Yugoslavia – Serbia, Bosnia,
with the rest of their small group invasion,” said Serhiy. Ukraine may Central and eastern Europe Montenegro, North Macedonia and
of armed civilians, to their dismay, have killed correspondent Kosovo – are still in the early stages
they were leaving. After their failure to use Sumy hundreds of negotiations over accession.
city as a throughway, the Russians Croatia has adopted the euro and
“We saw their armoured vehicles PHOTOGRAPH: joined the European Union’s border- While some Croatians expressed
and we thought ‘phew’, we are not Serhiy, Ihor’s close friend, ANADOLU/GETTY less Schengen zone, two steps that fears that the switch to the euro could
alone with our rifles,” said Ihor. also defended Sumy city its prime minister said represented lead to price increases, the general
“But then they were told to leave, started to go around the city and a historic moment. mood in the country was celebratory.
and we were left on our own.” use the southern Sumy region
towns of Trostianets and Okhtyrka. “Nothing is the same after this,” “Fantastic! Phenomenal!” ran a
“People would call us from one said Andrej Plenković, promising headline in the newspaper Večernji
district and say: ‘Get down here, Oleh Anatolyvych, 57, from the that joining the euro would better list, quoting travellers who used the
there’s a battle going on,’ and then village of Krasnopoliya metres protect Croatians from financial cri- border on New Year’s Day.
someone else would ring you from the Russian border in Sumy ses, and joining the Schengen zone
because they spotted Russians region, did not have a gun when the would make travelling easier and In Zagreb, Plenković treated Von
elsewhere,” said Ihor, describing invasion started. boost tourism. der Leyen to a coffee on the city’s
how they would arrive ahead of main square, paid for in euros.
columns and set up defensive He hid in bushes along the Croatia became the 20th eurozone
positions and start shooting. highway and filmed the Russian country on Sunday, at a time when Experts say the adoption of the
columns, counting the number of inflation is high across Europe due euro will help shield Croatia’s econ-
It was this initial battle and other vehicles. He then sent the videos to rising food and fuel prices since omy at a time when inflation is
attacks mounted in the first few to his son, an officer in Trostianets: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “It is soaring worldwide. The country’s
days by the self-defence forces “In the first few days, there was a the season of new beginnings. And new euro coins feature designs
which convinced the Russians new column every two hours. They there is no place in Europe where this including the map of Croatia and the
there were lots of weapons and did not suspect me because I look is more true than here in Croatia,” inventor Nikola Tesla. The currency
regular troops in Sumy, said Serhiy. like an old man.” tweeted the European Commission was already widely used in Croatia,
“We were lucky. In reality, it was president, Ursula von der Leyen, with about 80% of bank deposits
just self-defence forces like us.” Oleksandr Nesterenko, a major- upon her arrival to mark the occasion. denominated in euros and shops and
general from Sumy who fought in restaurants in tourist areas accepting
“Everyone started working for the battles for Kyiv and Kharkiv Croatian politicians said the adop- payment in euros.
and is now overseeing his home tion of the euro and the removal of
area, said the Russians “can try” borders with neighbouring Slovenia Analysts say joining the euro is
to attempt the same but he has no and Hungary were symbolic steps likely to improve borrowing condi-
doubt they will fail. marking the endpoint of the coun- tions in Croatia, pointing out that
try’s post-independence journey. inflation in recent months has tended
“What you have to understand “We opened our doors to borderless to be higher in EU countries, such as
is that all these people who were Europe. This goes beyond eliminat- Poland and Hungary, which are out-
accountants and businessmen nine ing border controls, it is the final side the eurozone. Croatia’s inflation
months ago, now have nine months affirmation of our European iden- rate was 13.5% in November, higher
of training," he said. "We’re here tity,” said the interior minister, Davor than the 10% in the eurozone.
with more manpower, weaponry Božinović, who was at the Bregana
and we’re motivated. It won’t be border crossing with Slovenia to cel- The tourism industry accounts for
like February again.” ebrate the end of passport checks. 20% of Croatia’s GDP, and the adop-
tion of the euro as well as the end of
Croatia declared independence land border controls with Slovenia
from Yugoslavia in 1991 and fought and Hungary are expected to boost
a war to cement its existence as an visits to the country’s popular Adri-
independent state, in which 20,000 atic coastline this year.

80% Croatia becomes the 27th member
of the Schengen zone, made up of EU
Proportion of bank deposits in countries as well as Liechtenstein,
Croatia denominated in euros. The Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
country joined the EU in 2013
For some years, rights groups
have criticised Croatian authorities
for illegal pushbacks of refugees and
migrants at its border with Bosnia,
with police accused of violence and
abuse. In a report last month, Human
Rights Watch accused European
agencies of turning a blind eye to, or
even encouraging, such behaviour
in Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, all
countries which have been keen for
some years to join the Schengen zone.

Last month, a meeting of EU inte-
rior ministers rejected applications
from Romania and Bulgaria.

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

22 World

‘People will know we exist’ The race musician and sound designer from Nasa chief
to save the songs of India’s Biate tribe Bengaluru, to spend two weeks sounds alarm
with the tribe in 2018, recording at China’s
Hannah Ellis-Petersen last of the Biate able to play and ▲ Biate musicians at last month’s their music. Vinayakâ mixed a track designs on
Rajasthan make the siranda, a traditional Magnetic Fields festival in Rajasthan using the Biate recordings, but the the moon
violin crafted from wood and the project stalled when the Covid
A s he sat by a fire, dried skin of an iguana. help communities like the Biate pandemic hit and visiting the tribe Edward Helmore
deep in the forests tribe document and revive became almost impossible. New York
that cover the hills Sitting across from Darnei as their Indigenous cultures in
of Dima Hasao in he shared his grief that night five India to ensure that, in the face However, last month it was The US is locked in a space race with
Assam, a shadow of years ago were two people who of modernity, technology and revived when the Biate, as part of China and the country needs to
sadness came into did not belong to the tribe. Piyush religious conversion, they are not the Forgotten Songs Collective, “watch out” that its rival does not
the eyes of Lallura Darnei. Now in Goswami and Akshatha Shetty, erased without a trace. were invited for a residency and gain a foothold and try to dominate
his 70s, Darnei is one of the oldest a couple from Bengaluru, had performance at Magnetic Fields, lunar resources, Nasa’s top official
members of the Biate community, stumbled upon the Biate during In the past half century, India India’s best-known electronic has warned.
an ancient hill tribe in north-east a journey they were taking across has lost more than 250 languages music festival, billed alongside
India. The songs he sang around the India, documenting and living and according to Unesco the Biate global acts such as Four Tet. The assessment came from the
flames, speaking of great floods and with marginalised and tribal language is one of hundreds now Nasa administrator, Bill Nelson, a
birds that flap their wings at sunset, communities and finding ways to regarded as endangered. Biate elders, including Darnei, former astronaut and Florida sena-
dated back so many generations the bring them greater prosperity. travelled to the desert state of tor, who went on to warn that China
tribe said they were as old as time. After curious agreement by the Rajasthan to take part. It was the could eventually claim to “own” the
“This was not the first time we elders in the Biate tribe, who are the first time their music had been moon’s resource-rich areas.
But, said Darnei, when he died realised that these Indigenous gatekeepers of the songs, Goswami performed outside their forest
these songs would probably die cultures are fading away,” said invited Vinayakâ, an electronic community. For Darnei, who sang The next two years could deter-
with him, and with it the history, Goswami. “All over, we had seen and played his siranda, it was an mine which country achieves an
the knowledge, culture of the that these cultures which had overwhelming experience. “How advantage, he said. “It is a fact: we’re
Biate, would be gone. The younger thrived and sustained themselves will we know we are Biate without in a space race,” Nelson told Politico.
generation of the tribe had fallen in for hundreds, sometimes these songs?” he said. “And it is true that we better watch
love with guitar music and K-pop thousands, of years are now facing out that they don’t get to a place on
and had not learned traditional extinction. What we stand to lose is Goswami said the project’s main the moon under the guise of scien-
songs. They could not pick up the staggering.” focus was getting “this generational tific research. And it is not beyond
ancient melodies and he was the transfer of knowledge going once the realm of possibility that they
It was a realisation that would again”. They are working to record say, ‘Keep out, we’re here, this is our
form the basis of the Forgotten and archive the songs on a website, territory.’”
Songs Collective, a project to and introduce a culture syllabus in
local schools to be taught be elders. Nelson cited Chinese aggres-
sion over islands in the South China
“We are so happy to have shared Sea, where Beijing has established
our songs with the world, it gives military bases, as evidence of its ter-
me hope,” said Darnei. “At least ritorial ambition. “If you doubt that,
now when people hear these songs look at what they did with the Spratly
they will know we exist.” Islands,” he said.

PHOTOGRAPH: Four killed as helicopters collide in Australia Four people have died and three were Last year, China put up an Earth-
DAVE HUNT/EPA-EFE/ in critical condition after two helicopters collided near Sea World on Australia’s Gold Coast orbiting space station and has
SHUTTERSTOCK yesterday. The dead and critically injured were travelling in a helicopter that crashed to the mounted several lunar orbiting
ground following the collision, landing upside down. The other helicopter managed to land and sample-retrieving missions. A
near the Sea World theme park after the incident, which happened about 2pm local time. third phase of its space programme,
Passengers in that helicopter sustained minor injuries from glass shrapnel. to establish an autonomous lunar
research station near the Moon’s
south pole, is scheduled for 2025.

In December, the Chinese govern-
ment offered its vision for a crewed
lunar landing, space transportation,
infrastructure and space governance.
China has also announced the goal of
landing taikonauts on the moon by
the end of this decade.

Nasa, meanwhile, recently com-
pleted the Artemis I mission to take
pictures of the lunar surface. Future
missions are designed to establish
more activity on the moon. However,
the US is also focused on Mars.

US military leaders have also
sounded alarm over Chinese militari-
sation of space and attendant security
concerns.

“It’s entirely possible they could
catch up and surpass us,” Space Force
Lt Gen Nina Armagno said on a visit
to Australia. “The progress they’ve
made has been stunning – stunningly
fast.”

But Beijing has rejected some US
interpretations of its motives. “Outer
space is not a wrestling ground,” Liu
Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chi-
nese embassy in Washington, told
Politico.

Liu said some US officials had
“spoken irresponsibly to misrepre-
sent the normal and legitimate space
endeavors of China”.

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

World 23

Spain ups the ante on Gibraltar, wants this agreement, which is global Temperatures
saying it is set for any scenario and touches all aspects of what has soar around
to be the relationship between Spain Europe in
Ashifa Kassam Madrid from becoming the only land border sticking points: the question of who and the United Kingdom regarding ‘unheard of’
Jessica Elgot marked by a hard Brexit – Madrid and will carry out passport checks on Gibraltar, or if it does not want it.” weather event
London signed off on an agreement in travellers who arrive at the airport
Spain and the EU are prepared for all principle that championed the idea in Gibraltar. He described the proposal as “rea- Damien Gayle
possibilities – including a hard Brexit of incorporating the British territory sonable and balanced,” adding that
– when it comes to the bloc’s relation- into the EU’s Schengen area. Spain has repeatedly insisted that, Spain was “ready to sign tomorrow”. Weather records have tumbled across
ship with Gibraltar, Spain’s foreign as the sponsoring Schengen mem- He declined to provide a timeline of Europe at a disconcerting rate in the
minister has said, adding that the ball Negotiations aimed at turning ber, the responsibility should fall to how much longer Spain and the EU last few days, say meteorologists.
was now in London’s court after 11 the agreement into a formal treaty the Spanish police. The UK, however, were willing to continue negotiating.
rounds of negotiations. began in October 2021. As Spain and has pushed for the EU border agency, The warmest January day ever
the EU squared off against a UK del- Frontex, to take on the role. Officials in Gibraltar – where 96% was recorded in at least eight Euro-
“Spain doesn’t want a ‘no deal’ egation that included Gibraltarian of residents voted in 2016 to remain pean countries including Poland,
scenario,” the Spanish foreign minis- officials, they sought to steer clear Their positions are complicated by in the EU – are bracing for the worst. Denmark, the Czech Republic, the
ter, José Manuel Albares, told Europa of the centuries-old sovereignty dis- 300 years of history; despite ceding Netherlands, Belarus, Lithuania and
Press. “The government of Spain and pute between London and Madrid. Gibraltar to Britain in 1713, Spain has “The government remains firmly Latvia, according to data collated by
the EU, which is ultimately the signa- Instead, the focus was on common long sought to reclaim the territory. committed to the negotiation of a Maximiliano Herrera, a climatologist
tory on the agreement with the UK, ground such as the 15,000 workers treaty but has a duty to prepare for who tracks extreme temperatures.
are ready for any scenario.” who cross into Gibraltar each day The issue has seemingly stymied no treaty at the same time,” Joseph
from Spain and keep the economy the talks, leaving parties walking Garcia, Gibraltar’s deputy chief min- In Korbielów, Poland, the mercury
The Brexit withdrawal agreement, humming on both sides of the border. away from the latest proposal on the ister, has previously said. “This will hit 19C (66F) – a temperature the
announced on Christmas Eve 2020, table despite reports of constructive be a different world where our inter- Silesian village is more used to in May,
did not cover Gibraltar. Days later – as The drive to protect the workers’ talks and goodwill from both sides. actions with Spain and with the EU and 18 degrees above the 1C annual
the overseas territory was hours away freedom of movement, however, has will be more cumbersome, bureau- average for January. In Javorník in
also given rise to one of the proposal’s “Obviously we cannot be in this cratic and time-consuming than the Czech Republic it was 19.6C, com-
situation for ever,” said Albares. “The anything we have known before.” pared with an average of 3C for this
United Kingdom has to say clearly if it time of year.
The Foreign Office said further dis-
‘We feel free’ cussions were planned for the coming Temperatures in Vysokaje, Bela-
Brazil’s weeks and described a mid-Decem- rus, would normally hover around
scorned ber meeting between the foreign zero in January. On Sunday they
minorities secretary, James Cleverly, and his reached 16.4C, beating the country’s
cheer Lula Spanish counterpart as “productive”. previous record January high by 4.5C.

Tom Phillips ▲ Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with Elsewhere on the continent, local
Brasília a group representing the rich records were broken at thousands
diversity of Brazilian society of individual measuring stations,
T he Brazilian drag ‘I feel fabulously But as Lula arrived to take office with nearly 950 toppled in Germany
queen Salete Campari happy. Now we on Sunday, the stunning marble PHOTOGRAPH: JOEDSON ALVES/ANADOLU/GETTY alone from 31 December to 2 January,
came to toast her have a president ramp into the palace was encircled Herrera said.
country’s new era who respects by citizens representing one of the flanked by eight representatives
dressed as Marilyn diversity. Everyone world’s most socially and racially of Brazilian diversity and struggle, Northern Spain and the south of
Monroe. “I feel is welcome now’ diverse nations. including the revered Indigenous France basked in beach weather,
fabulously happy,” said the activist leader Raoni Metuktire, a disabled with 24.9C in Bilbao, its hottest
and performer as she posed for Salete “I saw trans men and women, influencer and a metalworker. ever January day, and records bro-
selfies outside Brazil’s presidential Campari transvestites, drag queens, The sash was handed to the new ken at stations in Cantabria, Asturias
palace while waiting for the disabled people … there were president by the black rubbish and the Basque region. Only Nor-
incoming president, Luiz Inácio pastors, priests and Afro-Brazilian collector and activist Aline Sousa. way, Britain, Ireland, Italy and the
Lula da Silva, to arrive. religious leaders,” said the black south-east Mediterranean posted no
favela activist Rene Silva, who “This is a historic moment,” records. “We can regard this as the
“Now Brazil’s LGBTQIA+ was among the crowd. “I saw the said Douglas Belchior, a civil rights most extreme event in European his-
community can feel free because Brazil that I know. We could see leader from the Black Coalition For tory,” Herrera said.
we have a president who respects ourselves. I felt at home.” Rights group who was there.
diversity. It’s so important. Alex Burkill, a senior meteorologist
Everyone is welcome now,” said Bolsonaro boycotted the Lula pledged to tens of at the Met Office, agreed it was an
Campari. “No one was welcome ceremony, having flown to the US thousands of supporters who extreme weather event. “It’s been
under that man,” she added on the eve of the inauguration, gathered to hear him speak: “I will extreme heat across a huge area,
of Lula’s proudly prejudiced allowing Lula to use the symbolic govern for all, looking forwards which is almost, to be honest,
predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, whose passing of the presidential sash to towards our bright shared future unheard of,” he said.
political demise has provided a emphasise his desire to build an rather than into a rear-view mirror
moment of redemption for the inclusive and tolerant nation. of division and intolerance.” Burkill said a warm air mass that
country’s marginalised minorities, developed off the west coast of Africa
as well as its black majority. Many spectators, including Silva, had travelled north-east across
wept as Lula strode up the ramp Europe from Portugal and Spain,
During Bolsonaro’s four-year pulled in by high pressure over the
reign, the presidential palace was Mediterranean. “It’s also worth not-
occupied by predominantly white ing, we had some exceptionally warm
male politicians and military weather in the south of England … I
officials, many of whom scorned think about seven sites in southern
Indigenous and traditional black England recorded their warmest ever
communities, favela residents and New Year’s Eve on record.”
civil rights activists.
Professor Bill McGuire, who has
“The minority must bow to the written on the consequences of cli-
majority,” Bolsonaro once declared. mate breakdown, said the high
temperatures were a portent of worse
to come.

“The most worrying thing about
this is that – such is the speed of
global heating – it simply isn’t a sur-
prise any longer,” he said. “It is a small
glimpse of a future that will see win-
ter reduced to a couple of months of
dreary, damp and mild weather, with
little in the way of frost, ice or snow.”

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

24 World ▼ Protests in southern France,
left, in defence of hunting, below

PHOTOGRAPHS: LIONEL BONAVENTURE/GETTY;
CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

‘We’re not wild boar’
France hunt tragedy
deepens rural divide

Kim Willsher to them and allege that they have Even Willy Schraen, outspoken A shrine to most affected by hunting, to speak
Charny-Orée-de-Puisaye killed, injured and terrified locals president of the French hunters’ Morgan Keane about how they really feel about it,”
with impunity. Hunters, in turn, federation – who insists “zero risk” in south-west Jaillard said.
O n a brisk morning at accuse critics of seeing rural France is impossible even for innocent France. He
the Étang des Regains as a kind of Disneyland, where deer bystanders in hunting – declared was killed by Official figures show hunting
in Charny-Orée- and wild boar roam free – damaging the incident “unacceptable”. a hunter who accidents have dropped in the past
de-Puisaye, shots farmers’ crops and forests. thought he was 20 years. In 2020-21, there were
ring out from the Féral, who does not deny a wild boar 80, seven of which were fatal. Last
forest. It is hunting In recent years, the divide has firing the fatal shot, is on trial for year, there were 90 accidents, eight
season and local hunt members are widened and hardened: anti-hunt manslaughter and a verdict in the PHOTOGRAPH: of them leading to deaths.
flushing out and tracking wild boar, activists – not all of them bourgeois case is due on 12 January. VALENTINE CHAPUIS/
deer and smaller game. urbanites – reject the view that AFP/GETTY IMAGES The French hunters’ federation
innocent victims such as Viard For Keane’s close friends, it is is a powerful lobby group that
A few miles away from the are an inevitable corollary of rural unthinkable that his death should we’d endured as children in the has the ear of the president,
northern Burgundy town, the tradition. French hunters have be treated as collateral damage in countryside. If we went out for a Emmanuel Macron. The director
woods lining the departmental dug in to defend the centuries-old a popular but minority pursuit. walk, my parents told me to sing or general, Nicolas Rivet – a former
road off the A6 Autoroute de pursuit, pointing out that most of “Exactly how many deaths, shout so the hunters could hear. Of French army officer – is in broad
Soleil are peppered with hunters those killed or injured are hunters. injuries and people terrified are course, we were children, so it was agreement with Schraen, only
wearing fluorescent orange jackets acceptable in the name of an a game. We would shout, ‘We are more diplomatic: “Over the last 20
and holding placards reading The death of Morgan Keane unnecessary tradition?” said one, not wild boar.’” years, we have seen a reduction
“Attention: chasse en cours” two years ago brought everything Léa Jaillard. “After Morgan died, I in the number of accidents, but
(Warning: hunt in progress). to a head. Keane, 25, was hit in remember thinking back to things Keane’s friends set up the zero accidents does not exist. The
the chest as he was cutting wood anti-hunt collective Un jour un majority are caused by hunters not
Like the road signs warning of outside his home in a village north chasseur (One Day One Hunter) respecting the safety rules.”
falling rocks, there is little passing of Toulouse when a hunter, Julien and organised a petition for a ban
hikers or motorists can do to avoid Féral, “believing he was shooting at on hunting on certain days, tighter Rivet said the federation had
them. In October 2021, Joël Viard, a boar”, shot him from a distance of security controls and tougher introduced measures to increase
67, was fatally injured when a stray 75 metres with a Remington pump- sentences for hunters who ignore security, including requiring
hunter’s bullet hit him in the neck action rifle, a court has heard. the rules. It got enough signatures hunters to wear fluorescent orange
as he drove along a motorway to force a Sénat commission to look vests and put up warning signs, and
from Rennes to Nantes. The The tragedy of errors recounted into hunt safety, to which they gave recalling hunters every 10 years to
hunter is under investigation for during Féral’s trial seemed to evidence. remind them of the rules.
manslaughter. surprise even the judge: a fatal
conjunction of an inexperienced “Our campaign has opened the Though disappointed with the
Hunting is one of France’s most hunter wielding a powerful rifle; a gate to allowing rural people, those Sénat’s response to their petition,
popular and divisive activities. hunt director incapable of saying if Jaillard believes the political and
Opponents say hunters behave as those present had paid attention to public mood towards hunting in
though the countryside belongs the safety rules; a young man shot France is changing. “Hunters say
in the chest on his own property. hunting is traditional but not all
traditions are good.”

Liver let live Ashifa Kassam to restock – and watched in awe as sevenfold. It’s crazy.” Its offering – gras would not be served in royal
The vegan Madrid another 30,000 units flew off shelves. named Fuah! – is the latest entry into a residences, while the US state of
foie gras fledgling market of plant-based alter- California and New York City have
selling out T he company laboured “We’re absolutely gobsmacked,” natives that are taking on a product both sought to ban the product.
across Spain over the recipe for said Javier Fernández, founder of that has long stirred debate: foie gras.
over a year, tweaking it Madrid startup Hello Plant Foods. It was against this backdrop
800 times. After being “Our plan was to start slowly … but In Paris, the chef Fabien Borgel that Fernández and his team
taste-tested by more we’ve just increased our production launched his vegan take – named began using cashews, coconut oil
than 150 people, the “faux gras” – two years ago, adding and beetroot extract to produce a
plant-based take on foie gras was to the plethora of recipes that have hyperrealistic plant-based version,
deemed ready for market, with a sprung up online in recent years. he said, one aimed at vegans and
modest plan to deliver 5,000 units vegetarians but also meat-eaters.
to supermarkets and speciality The vegan offerings come as the
stores for the holiday season. animal product has routinely found “There’s a hidden consumer
itself in the headlines. King Charles that loves foie. But … a photo of the
Within 12 hours of launch in mid- reportedly told animal rights ducks with the tubes sticking out of
December, they had sold out across activists in November that foie them flashes before them and they
Spain. The company scrambled don’t want it,” he said. “When they
A tray of Fuah! – Hello Plant try Fuah! their eyebrows shoot up
Foods’ plant-based foie gras and they go: ‘Madre Mia.’”

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

25

Economists warn of another best of a bad lot and avoid an out- China, US
right recession. In the past shocks of and EU all
the dotcom bust, and the GFC [Great slowing
Financial Crisis], Asia bounced back down, says
turbulent year for markets IMF head
quickly, and we expect that it can do
the same in 2023,” they said. Staff and agencies

China’s decision to relax Covid For much of the global economy,
2023 is going to be a tough year as
restrictions last month could ease the main engines of global growth
– the US, Europe and China – all expe-
global supply chain tensions, but rience weakening activity, the head
of the International Monetary Fund
Graeme Wearden financial markets. “We see major ‘Recession will result may also lead to higher demand for has warned.
stock markets plunging 25% from lev- commodities and energy, adding to
The new year is going to be
Investors should brace for another els somewhat above today’s when the from the immense inflation pressures. “tougher than the year we leave
US recession hits, but then recovering monetary tightening The Bank of England is expected behind,” the IMF managing direc-
fully by year-end 2023, assuming the tor, Kristalina Georgieva, told CBS TV.
to raise interest rates again, with the “Why? Because the three big econ-
omies – the US, EU and China – are
turbulent year in the financial mar- recession lasts only several quarters,” – but it will sow the bank rate forecast to hit 4.5% in the all slowing down simultaneously,”
kets, economists have warned as Deutsche Bank analysts said in their seeds of retracement summer, from its current 3.5%. she said.
central banks fight inflation, China 2023 World Outlook late last year.
Britain’s FTSE 100 was one of the “We expect one-third of the
world economy to be in recession.
reopens its economy after Covid A global downturn could prompt of inflation’ few major share indices to rise during Even countries that are not in reces-
2022, gaining almost 1%. Ipek Ozk- sion, it would feel like recession for
restrictions and the Ukraine war central banks to reverse some of the hundreds of millions of people,” she
added.
pushes the global economy towards hefty interest rate rises implemented ardeskaya at Swissquote predicted
In October, the IMF cut its out-
recession. in the last year. Nikolaj Schmidt, the the FTSE 100’s outperformance could look for global economic growth
in 2023, reflecting the continuing
The first half of the new year is chief international economist at Nikolaj Schmidt stretch into the new year: “If the Chi- drag from the war in Ukraine as well
as inflation pressures and the high
likely to be choppy, according to Wall the investment management firm Economist nese reopening brings along another interest rates engineered by central
banks such as the US Federal Reserve
Street predictions, after global mar- T Rowe Price, predicted major cen- bump in inflation due to higher aimed at bringing those price pres-
sures to heel.
kets suffered their biggest fall since tral banks will ease monetary policy the seeds for a substantial retrace- energy and commodity prices, the
Georgieva said that China, the
the 2008 financial crisis last year. early in the second half of 2023. ment of inflation,” Schmidt said. FTSE 100 could continue offering a world’s second-largest economy,
is likely to grow at or below global
But the US S&P 500 is still expected Schmidt said: “We see the world Analysts at the investment bank good shelter to those willing to hedge growth for the first time in 40 years
as Covid cases surge following the
to end 2023 a little higher than it plunging into a global recession in Jefferies predict a global recession against an energy-led global inflation dismantling of its ultra-strict zero-
Covid policy.
began the year. The average target 2023. The recession is going to be this year, but expect Asia could avoid to temper the negative effects.”
Moreover, a “bushfire” of expected
of 22 strategists polled by Bloomberg the result of the immense mone- an outright downturn. The region Russia’s economy is in recession. Covid infections there in the months
ahead are likely to further hit its econ-
has it ending 2023 at 4,078 points – tary tightening the central banks could benefit from a resurgence of “Having started a brutal war, Putin omy and drag on both regional and
global growth, said Georgieva, who
about 6% higher than it ended 2022. have administered over the past 12 tourism, as Chinese tourists begin to has no easy way out,” said economists travelled to China on IMF business
late last month.
Economists are looking to the US months. As a silver lining, it will sow return to travel. “Asia could be the at Berenberg bank.
Meanwhile, Georgieva said, the US
Federal Reserve to slow its interest economy is standing apart and may
avoid the outright contraction that
rate rises this year, as the outlook is likely to afflict many of the world’s
economies.
for America’s economy sours. US
The “US is most resilient,” she said,
inflation has dropped back from its and it “may avoid recession. We see
the labour market remaining quite
peak last summer, while interest strong.”

rate increases in 2022 have cooled “This is … a mixed blessing because
if the labour market is very strong, the
the housing market. Fed may have to keep interest rates
tighter for longer to bring inflation
“We believe that a period of down,” Georgieva said.

sub-trend growth is inevitable, The first week of the new year
brings a raft of key data on the US
and recession risks are high as the employment front, including Friday’s
monthly nonfarm payrolls report,
lagged effects of tighter monetary which is expected to show the US
jobless rate remained at 3.7% – near
policy work their way through the the lowest since the 1960s.

economy,” said Brian Rose, senior

US economist at UBS Global Wealth

Management.

Michael Antonelli, managing

director and market strategist at the

investment bank Baird, predicted the

Fed will “hit the pause button” in Feb-

ruary after one more rate rise. He also

expects the US stock market to make

gains during 2023.

“The stock markets all about ‘Are

things getting better or are things

getting worse?’ I think they will get

slightly better next year,” Antonelli

told Yahoo Finance Live. He added:

“I don’t think we’re getting any big

gains, but I think next year will be

somewhat positive.”

Deutsche Bank predicts economic

downturns this year, which will hit ▲ A bull arrives for a ceremony marking the opening of the stock market in Seoul yesterday PHOTOGRAPH: JUNG YEON-JE/GETTY

Firms more reluctant to borrow and almost half said that new credit Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Only
money than any time since 2008 was hard to get. one in 10 CFOs said they expected
significant supply disruption by
Gwyn Topham FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies Despite a turbulent year of rising 2024 – the most positive result for
expecting to increase borrowing in inflation and supply chain disruption 18 months. Most said they expected
The UK’s leading companies are less the next year. on top of rising interest rates, not all inflation to fall sharply to just over
inclined to borrow now than at any the sentiment among the businesses 5% in a year.
point since the financial crisis of The quarterly survey by the – including more than 50 UK-listed
2008, a survey of directors has found. accountancy firm Deloitte found companies – was negative. Ian Stewart, the chief economist
firms now more reluctant to bor- at Deloitte, said: “The most aggres-
Demand for credit is flagging row from banks or issue debt than Deloitte found that the perception sive tightening of monetary policy in
among chief financial officers, with they had been since 2008. With the of external risks to businesses, par- more than 30 years is reshaping cor-
barely a quarter of those polled at Bank of England having raised inter- ticularly inflation, had eased. porate attitudes to debt.
est rates to 3.5%, about 70% of those
questioned now rate credit as costly, Fears of disruption in supply “Not since the credit crunch have
chains, of labour shortages and even CFOs rated debt as being less attrac-
higher interest rates have also abated tive as a source of finance for their
slightly, along with concern over businesses than they do today.”
energy prices that had soared since

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

26 Business

Business view as accountancy are winning in higher prices are inevitable and
Phillip Inman the wage war, pushing the official here to stay.
figure for average earnings growth
Life is sweet for shareholders to 6.9%. Nestlé and P&G tell shareholders
and boss of Nestlé – but at what that the cost of basic raw materials
cost to workers and consumers? On the other hand, profitability continues to eat into profits, but
remains strong across most sectors, celebrate how their price rises have
N estlé is on course A similarly upbeat message is which invites the question, why are ▲ Mark Schneider, Nestlé’s CEO, offset those bills.
to report its best expected from Jon Moeller, chair, workers and consumers allowing is paid around £9.5m a year
profit since 2008 president and chief executive at investors to be largely untouched We know Nestlé’s Schneider,
when full-year P&G, who received a 44% pay rise by the pandemic and the fallout It’s not pay claims that are who has run the company for more
figures appear next in 2022 to $17.7m (£14.7m), when from the Ukraine war? Why accept driving up prices in Britain. It’s than five years and receives about
month. The Swiss the firm’s second-quarter results across-the-board price rises when profits. Obvious examples include £9.5m a year, is also threatened
maker of consumer favourites are announced later this month. it contributes to the worst fall in the energy companies that have by another potential cost – that
from KitKat to Nespresso coffee is living standards in a century? made huge windfall profits from workers’ salaries should keep pace
expected to shrug off the cost of Both companies have committed selling gas, electricity, diesel and with inflation. In October he said:
living crisis affecting consumers to maintaining or increasing P&G raised prices by 9% and the petrol over the past two years. They “I worry about the development
in most of its big markets to keep dividend payments and buying value of organic sales increased face a windfall tax in recognition of of wages.”
shareholders smiling in 2023. back shares to reduce the number by 7%. At Nestlé’s headquarters their profiteering. The EU has a tax
in the market and thereby increase on Lake Geneva, executives found and so does the UK. Asked what pay rise Nestlé
Its US rival Procter & Gamble, their value. that almost 90% of the organic workers enjoyed in 2022, a
which competes on several fronts sales growth of 8.5% was the result A similar one-off “war tax” on spokesperson for Nestlé declined
with Nestlé, has performed Increasing sales and maintaining of product price rises to maintain consumer goods makers would to comment.
a similar magic trick. Back in profits for shareholders appear to an underlying trading operating pose insurmountable problems,
October, the maker of Pampers be at the expense of wage rises. profit margin of around 17%. which is why consumers should Schneider was one of many
nappies said average prices Across all industries, salaries have consider a boycott. company bosses who urged central
across its product lines rose 9% increased by just 4% this year, As a reward for investors, the banks to raise interest rates in an
in the first quarter to the end of according to data covering private boss, Mark Schneider, said the Otherwise we all become effort to bring down inflation.
September, more than offsetting sector pay deals. Only the workers company was aiming to repurchase victims of marketing that tells us
a 3% fall in sales. in the financial services sector and SFr20bn (£18bn) worth of shares However, inflation is not falling
those in business services such from 2022 to 2024 and said it had quickly enough to prevent another
already bought around half to help year of sharp decline in living
bolster its share price. standards, should employers
continue to keep a tight rein on
The world’s largest consumer wage increases.
product makers are not alone:
there are similar stories across Rip-off Britain was a slogan
many industries where wages that gained traction after the 2008
are being held in check while the financial crisis when there was a
prices charged by the firm are suspicion that copycat price rises
rising, improving profitability and were pushing inflation higher
shareholder dividends. than it needed to be. It’s time for
consumer groups to dig out those
old posters and start picketing.

Help us
deliver hope

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appears to be over, attitudes towards the climate crisis are
changing and our investigative reporting continues to shed
light on corruption and expose injustice and incompetence.
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on the line, while in Russia, protestors are continually censored
and silenced.

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Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

Business 27

Pubs and restaurants cut opening hours as surviving and not for so many busi-
cash-strapped customers opt to stay home nesses. So we need that to come as
early as practically possible.”
Joe Middleton which may have cost the industry at or spend as much because of the locations, quite a few businesses
Joanna Partridge least £1.5bn last month alone. increased cost of living. going dark over the winter months … There have been reports the gov-
just to try and conserve cash and then ernment intends to halve financial
Pubs and restaurants face a “perfect Kate Nicholls, the chief executive “There’s no doubt quarter one is reopen when the trade comes back.” support on energy bills when the
storm” of challenges this year as cash- of UKHospitality, said businesses going to be tough,” she said. “Around current business aid scheme ends in
strapped consumers slash spending were concerned going into the first half of our members are restricting Nicholls was disappointed an March. Nicholls warned that would
and government energy bills support few months of the year, which was their opening hours, their capacity, announcement of further support coincide with the financial year end
reduces – forcing many to cut their already a quieter time for pubs and the days of the weeks that they are for businesses’ energy bills was not and the March rent quarter, heaping
opening hours. restaurants with many opting to cut opening, and this is being driven pri- made before Christmas. more pain on businesses. According
capacity by 20%. marily by staff shortages that have to a report in the Times, the chancel-
The industry faced a plethora of been exacerbated by energy costs and “Energy costs have gone from lor, Jeremy Hunt, plans to extend the
difficulties over the past 12 months, “The fear is that people will tighten the need to make sure that they can the fourth-largest cost, round about support programme by 12 months but
including soaring energy bills, staff their belts quite considerably. That’s be as profitable as they possibly can. 4% or 5% of turnover, to being the at a reduced level.
shortages, rampant food inflation when the cost of living will bite. And second-largest and 16%. That’s more
and fragile consumer confidence. you’ll see customers not going out.” “We’re hearing lots of people talk- than rent and rates combined. So Despite the difficult outlook,
ing about curbing their capacity by before you open the doors, you’ve Nicholls said there was some cause
Trade at bars, pubs and restaurants Nicholls said a survey the industry about 20%, just simply to be able got to be able to pay your energy bill.” for optimism. “The government
was further affected by rail strikes, body undertook in November indi- to match supply and demand. And appears to have stabilised the ship,
cated that one in four people were we have seen, in rural and tourist She said government support it doesn’t look as though interest rates
not planning to go out as frequently “could be the difference between are going to peak at as high a level,
it’s possible that inflation and inter-
est rates have already peaked … if we
start to turn that corner, and the econ-
omy looks as though it’s improving,
consumer spending will rebound.”

Hilton at 60
Behind the
scenes at
luxury hotel
on London’s
Park Lane

Tobi Thomas ▲ Clockwise the Galvin at panoramic views of the city. Its been the staff shortage. Many
from top: a Windows head general manager, Peter Avis, hospitality workers from the EU
H osting more than member of chef, Marc began his hospitality career as a went home during the Covid-19
200,000 guests a housekeeping Hardiman. dishwasher in Miami at 17, having pandemic. “There’s a hole in the
year, the Hilton at the Hilton Left: Peter Avis, moved there from Liverpool. “I workforce, and there is a crisis in
hotel on Park Lane on Park Lane; the restaurant’s didn’t have any formal education … recruitment,” Avis says. “But we’ve
is one of London’s the hotel general My sister got a modelling contract been developing opportunities to
landmarks. It was launderette; a manager in Miami, and I got the chance to go bring in young people who may
where the Beatles met their guru, gourmet treat; out there with her.” have otherwise not had the chance
the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in 1967. staff preparing PHOTOGRAPHS: to work in our industry, such as
Eight years later, two people lost a guest room; GRAEME ROBERTSON/ Avis took up his role at Windows those with disabilities.”
their lives and many more were THE GUARDIAN in 2020. His biggest challenge has
injured when the Hilton was rocked
by an IRA bomb, and in 2012, the
International Olympic Committee
set up residence at the hotel during
the London Games. The first
skyscraper hotel to be built in the
capital, it will celebrate 60 eventful
years this April.

Behind the £1,500-a-night rooms
and extravagant banquets is a small
army of staff who keep the vast
operation going.

Matthew Mullan, the general
manager, has worked at the Hilton
for almost 35 years, having helped
to run hotels across the world,
including in Egypt, Barbados, Malta
and Abu Dhabi, hosting prestigious
guests including Bill Clinton when
he was the US president. “He just
carries this fabulous aura … when
he walked into the lobby of the
hotel, the whole place went silent,”
Mullan recalls.

On the 28th floor, the restaurant
Galvin at Windows offers

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023
28

Weather
Tuesday 3 January 2023

UK and Ireland Noon today Forecast Around the UK

Sunny Mist Fog London Precipitation Air pollution
Low
Sunny intervals Hazy Lows and highs Low
Mostly cloudy Low
Overcast/dull 11 12 90% Low
Manchester Low
Sunny showers Low
1004 Low
Sunny and heavy showers Low
10 12 95% Low
Light showers Edinburgh Low

Rain Sleet Light 1000 78 85%
snow Belfast
Moderate
Snow showers 9 11 90%
1008 Birmingham
Heavy snow Ice 1012
Moderate 11 12 90%
Thundery rain Brighton

Thundery showers 11 90%
X Bristol
1016
Temperature,
ºC 35C Carbon 11 12 90%
30 count Cardiff
Wind speed, Windy 25
mph 20 Daily atmospheric CO2 11 12 95%
15 readings from Mauna Loa, Newcastle
10 Hawaii (ppm):
5
0 Latest
-5
-10 30 Dec 2022 419.10
-15
-20 Weekly average

25 Dec 2022 419.38 9 11 85%
Penzance
1020 02 Jan 2022 417.42

Moderate 02 Jan 2013 394.85

Pre-industrial base 280

Safe level 350 12 13 90%

Source: NOAA-ESRL

Atlantic front Weather tracker Around the world

Cold front Source: © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Times are local UK times Sun & Lighting California ended 2022 with a heavy Algiers 21 Lisbon 15
Warm front Moon up rainfall event that brought flooding Ams’dam 9 Madrid 13
Occluded front to San Francisco and surrounding Athens 15 Malaga 20
Trough areas, resulting in landslides, Auckland 24 Melb’rne 20
inundated roads and evacuation B Aires 29 Mexico C 21
High tides orders. The second highest daily Bangkok 30 Miami 28
rainfall total since records began Barcelona 15 Milan 10
Aberdeen 1107 3.7m 2324 3.8m London Bridge 1058 6.3m 2338 6.3m Belfast 1612 to 0847 in 1949 fell on New Year’s Eve in Basra 20 Mombasa 31
Avonmouth 0410 10.7m 1640 11.1m 3.5m 2140 3.6m San Francisco, with 5.46in (139mm) Beijing 3 Moscow 2
Barrow 0853 2115 Lossiemouth 0921 5.7m 1553 5.9m Birm’ham 1606 to 0817 recorded. This is more than 25% of Berlin 7 Mumbai 30
Belfast 0837 7.8m 2103 8.0m 5.9m 1448 6.0m the annual average rainfall and only Bermuda 21 N Orleans 22
Cobh 0229 3.2m 1458 3.2m Milford Haven 0327 4.4m 1311 4.4m Brighton 1607 to 0802 0.08in short of the all-time record Brussels 9 Nairobi 21
Cromer 0342 3.5m 1626 3.6m 3.1m 1545 3.3m set in November 1994. Budapest 10 New Delhi 17
Dover 0827 4.3m 2103 4.2m Newquay 0222 4.6m 1419 4.7m Bristol 1615 to 0815 C’hagen 6 New York 13
Dublin 0919 5.8m 2135 5.7m 4.7m 1513 4.7m Recent heavy rains have been Cairo 20 Oslo -6
Galway 0234 3.7m 1459 3.7m North Shields 0032 4.2m 2116 4.1m Carlisle 1556 to 0835 part of an atmospheric river event Cape Town 27 Paris 11
Greenock 0943 4.3m 2215 4.3m 7.6m 2011 7.8m – where a conveyor belt of warm, Chicago 15 Perth 34
Harwich 0845 3.1m 2123 3.2m Oban 0303 4.1m 1652 4.2m Cork 1636 to 0841 moist tropical air is able to interact Corfu 17 Prague 8
Holyhead 0800 3.5m 2016 3.5m 0.6m 1648 0.6m with and feed into mid-latitude Dakar 29 Reykjavik 1
Hull 0311 4.8m 1552 4.9m Penzance 0158 4.8m 1344 4.8m Sun rises 0805 Dublin 1619 to 0840 storm systems, greatly enhancing Dhaka 25 Rio de J 30
Leith 6.5m 1214 6.4m 3.0m 2110 3.1m Sun sets 1603 rainfall potential. Dublin 13 Rome 16
Liverpool -- -- 2056 4.8m Plymouth 0248 7.0m 2123 7.2m Moon rises 1310 Glasgow 1557 to 0847 Florence 15 Shanghai 10
0837 7.9m 8.1m Moon sets 0506 San Francisco had a dry start to Gibraltar 17 Singapore 30
Portsmouth 0849 Full Moon 6 Jan Harlech 1613 to 0828 2022, with about 20% of normal H Kong 18 Stockh’m -2
rainfall totals until early October. Harare 23 Strasb’g 11
Southport 0752 Inverness 1544 to 0857 Prior to this latest event, rainfall Helsinki 0 Sydney 26
totals since October were close to Istanbul 12 Tel Aviv 20
Stornoway 0445 London 1603 to 0805 average, meaning that despite the Jo’burg 24 Tenerife 23
wet end to December the city ended K Lumpur 31 Tokyo 8
Weymouth 0426 M’chester 1603 to 0824 2022 with only about two-thirds of K’mandu 17 Toronto 4
the annual average rainfall. Kabul 6 Vancouv’r 4
Whitby 0104 Newcastle 1551 to 0831 Kingston 30 Vienna 10
After a brief lull in the heavy Kolkata 24 Warsaw 9
Wick 0854 Forecasts and Norwich 1553 to 0806 rainfall so far this week, a new L Angeles 16 Wash’ton 18
graphics provided by atmospheric river is expected to Lagos 30 Well’ton 22
Workington 0901 AccuWeather ©2023 Penzance 1632 to 0821 hit California from tomorrow, with Lima 25 Zurich 11
further heavy rain, strong winds
and mountain snow expected.
Matt Hills Metdesk

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

Rugby union Football 29

Borthwick Ten Hag says

wields the axe in United ‘need’ to

England shake-up splash the cash

Page 31 Page 36

and president, Atul Khosla, spoke in a composed
manner to assembled journalists at Doral. Khosla
acknowledged LIV’s need for a broadcast deal. He
said a 2023 schedule would appear by the end of the
following month. Khosla said teams would be set for
this calendar year by the end of 2022.

Shortly before Christmas, it was announced that
Khosla – to many the acceptable face of LIV – had
left the organisation after just a year. “We respect
AK and his personal decision,” Norman said. Sean
Bratches lasted six months as chief commercial
officer before walking out last May. LIV’s inability
to retain experienced, externally hired sporting
executives is intriguing.

Much of the void is filled by
Performance54, a sports
marketing group which
Companies House shows has
three Saudi Arabians on their
board including Majed al-Sorour
– also a director of Newcastle
and the long-time front man

for Saudi’s golf operation. Khosla, meanwhile, is

due to appear as a witness when the case between

LIV members and the European Tour Group is called

for sporting arbitration in February. There is no

suggestion Khosla, who is due to speak in defence of

LIV players, will not give evidence but his attitude will

be interesting given the sudden and thus far opaque

nature of his exit from the rebel tour.

There remains no television contract for LIV in

either the US or the UK. A full schedule for this year is

yet to appear, with only seven tournaments listed on

the LIV website. Rumoured signings – Patrick Cantlay

and Xander Schauffele were the most high profile –

have opted to remain within the PGA Tour. If the PIF

is content to bestow millions of dollars on Pat Perez

and Peter Uilhein, fair enough, but otherwise they are

▲ Cameron Smith is going to have to throw even more exorbitant sums to
one of the big names
to join but LIV is coax big-name golfers to LIV. With every such deal,
still struggling to
force its way into the return-on-investment potential is impacted. And
mainstream
contrary to widespread belief, ROI targets do exist.
JOE SCARNICI/LIV GOLF/GETTY
If LIV remains with the cast list that exists now and
It is telling that discussion around Cristiano
Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Arabian league without a broadcast platform, it risks irrelevance. The
focuses on the player’s inexorable slide
towards footballing oblivion. Ronaldo was LIV story of 2022 was fascinating on account of the
unveiled at the end of a year in which at least
147 people had been executed in Saudi Arabia, “Will he, won’t he” narrative of players tempted by
according to the European Saudi Organisation
for Human Rights. Ronaldo’s 526 million their blank cheques. Without such a
Instagram and 106 million Twitter followers will
Trapped in a bunker now be afforded updates from Al Nassr as football It is possible narrative in 2023, will anybody care?
Saudi sportswashing obsessives debate his on-field decline. The Saudis have LIV completed its 2022 campaign
is working so well bought one of the game’s iconic figures, meaning goals there will without implementation of an anti-
there may be little and assists barely matter. Neither does the source of
point in LIV golfers Ronaldo’s weekly wage. Sportswashing works. be no LIV doping programme, which is curious
for an entity so many years and so
Ewan Murray Newcastle United’s charge into the upper echelons golfers at many dollars in the making. Insiders
of the Premier League and the hero worship afforded the Paris insist that will change this year.
to Eddie Howe as a direct consequence will be
regarded in the Kingdom as another success story. Olympics Failure to gain recognition from the
The Saudi Arabian grand prix is normalised. If Tyson official world rankings in one sense
Fury fights Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia in March,
a boxing world will shrug its shoulders. suits LIV, given it can depict the

Golf has rapidly emerged as the Saudi sporting closing of ranks by golf’s crusty status quo. Yet it has an
outlier. Anybody involved with LIV, which has
already been backed to the tune of $2bn by the Public negative impact upon golfers. Paul Casey, something
Investment Fund, speaks with absolute certainty
about a prosperous future but this entity enters 2023 of an Augusta National specialist, is not eligible for the
with questions and doubts swirling. The response,
if there is to be one, from Greg Norman and chums Masters after sliding outside of the world’s top 50. Only
will prove fascinating. LIV is suddenly in need of a
jump start. During this window when mainstream seven LIV members qualified for Augusta thanks to a
golf has essentially shut down, LIV been unable to
garner momentum. top-50 berth and, of those, the average ranking was 40.

In late October, LIV’s chief operating officer It is highly possible there will be no LIV golfers at the

Paris Olympics in 2024.

A coalition of families and survivors of the 9/11

atrocity has said it will protest outside the gates of

Augusta National due to the involvement of LIV golfers

in April’s Masters. The custodians of the tournament

will not like that. Perhaps complaints about

human-rights abuses washes over Saudi’s sporting

wing, just as it apparently does the golfers it employs

on such lucrative terms. At some point, one has to

assume all the heat, hassle and expense has to become

worth it. LIV used 2022 to disrupt golf and change

the complexion of the sport forever. Nothing that has

transpired in the off-season suggests Saudi Arabia’s

dalliances on the fairways will prove as fruitful as

elsewhere. So long as that risk lingers, golfers inside

the LIV bubble face an uncertain future.

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

30 Sport
Athletics

‘Being world champion is
a dream but the Olympics
is a much bigger deal’

The big interview the spectrum. One was complete ▲ Jake Wightman: ‘I don’t enjoy the up until Wightman’s surprising without fire. But I bet my house on
Jake Wightman disappointment and the other was training but I enjoy trying to win’ breakthrough. He believes the being clean and in Britain we have
Victory in Oregon shock and euphoria. The moment legacy of doping is a significant always been brought up to play by
launched the Scot into I had dreamed of had actually ALICIA CANTER/THE GUARDIAN factor in the lack of success for the rules. I think the main thing is
the limelight, but he has happened.” British middle-distance runners you can still beat [the dopers], even
little time to enjoy his ‘I’ve shown that I can during a period spanning almost though I’ve always looked at it with
new status as he targets His father, in his role as coach, beat the field I’ll face 40 years. “The 1990s and 2000s rose-tinted glasses and felt that
glory at Paris 2024 had sharpened Wightman’s at the Olympics were pretty tainted for Brits, people I race against are clean. But
winning mentality. “I said to my – that keeps my especially in my event, and there it’s likely that they’re not all clean.”
Donald McRae dad the day before the race that, motivation so high’ was probably a lot of cheating. It
‘because of Tokyo, I really want became unattainable for Brits to Asked if it is inevitable that some
‘I’m glad I just said: ‘Oh my to get a medal here’,” Wightman be able to mix it with [runners who of the leading 1500m runners are
God!’” Jake Wightman recalls. “In Tokyo, part of me doped] in those eras.” doping, Wightman says: “Yes. I
suggests as he remembers blowing up was because I wanted to wouldn’t want to put a percentage
his reaction when he stay with the leaders to give myself Is doping still an issue in track on it, but there must be at least two
crossed the line to win the a chance of winning the Olympics. and field? “Yes. I’ve not seen or three of the top 25. That’s just the
1500m in a stunning result But if I’d hung back I’d have had a anything obvious but there’re way the numbers in the sport work,
at the world championships five better chance of a medal. I said: ‘I always rumours about athletes like the amount of people that get
months ago. “Imagine if I’d chosen don’t want to end up trying to win and normally there’s no smoke banned. There’s also the sad reality
to say something a lot worse. In that this and get nothing.’ He was like:
moment you could say anything, ‘Yeah, but how often do you stand
couldn’t you? I could have said: on a global final start line and try
‘What the fuck?’ and that would to win the thing?’ We decided I was
have been seen again and again.” going to try.

Wightman laughs when I point “Before the race I said: ‘If I’m
out that he could have become a there at the bell, I’m going to try
permanent meme. “Exactly. Maybe to get to the front before the last
I should have.” 200m and see if I can hold on.’ The
chances are so slim but I felt good
The 28-year-old made the and when I went past them on the
shortlist for BBC Sports Personality back stretch I knew it was going
of the Year and his victory was a to be close. Jakob has never been
fleeting sensation on social media put in that position so you have no
because his father, Geoff, was idea how he’s going to react. He
the stadium commentator at the might be even stronger and breeze
World Athletics Championships in past you, but I knew I’d have given
Eugene, Oregon. Footage of Geoff myself a good shot.”
standing up while he commentated
on the final stages of the race What did Ingebrigtsen say to
with exemplary professionalism, him after the race? “He tried to
until he raised his arms after Jake explain what he should have done.
won, went viral. When he became I listened and said: ‘Yeah, maybe,
aware that his face filled the giant but you didn’t.’ He got bad press
screen Geoff said, with understated for an interview when he said
emotion: “I have to tell you why something like: ‘It’s never nice
the camera is on me. That’s my son. losing to someone inferior to you.’
I coach him. And he’s the world He beat me a month before in Oslo,
champion.” really badly, but the main thing
was that I beat him in the world’s
The achievement of Jake, final. He was actually very good to
especially in holding off the me. He kept saying: ‘You ran well.’ I
challenge of Jakob Ingebrigtsen, hope I gained some respect.”
Norway’s usually impregnable
Olympic champion, might have Wightman smiles wryly: “He
earned even more attention if didn’t lose again the rest of the
he had said something colourful season and the worst thing is that I
and profane when winning. But poked the bear and he’s never going
Wightman is realistic about the to let me get into that situation
limited reach of athletics and more again. So I have to get even better
interested in trying to articulate his and keep finishing quick.”
emotions in that giddy moment.
Ingebrigtsen’s aura was dented
“It’s surreal,” he says. “In Tokyo but, as Wightman remarks, “his
I was gutted that I couldn’t turn strength is seen as arrogance but
back the clock and do it again it’s just 100% confidence he’s going
but the race was done [after he to win every race. That’s what
finished a disappointing 10th in makes him so dangerous because
the Olympic final in August 2021]. every time he wins he gets even
At the worlds, it meant I’d done it more confident. He doesn’t have
and no one could change it. Those bad races so to beat him you have to
feelings are at opposite ends of be perfect and that’s probably why
he was a bit of a sore loser against
me. I’m sure I’ll race him again
before the worlds [in Hungary next
August] and that will be exciting.”

Steve Cram won the same
race in 1983, and Sebastian Coe
retained his Olympic title a year
later, but the British production
line of great 1500m runners dried

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

▼ Wightman reacts on winning the ’I will fight with all I have got’ 31
1500m at the world championships Navratilova diagnosed with early-stage
throat and breast cancers Page 1 expected to depart after Borthwick
ADAM WARZAWA/EPA succeeded in taking Sinfield with him
Rugby union from Leicester to Twickenham. The
appointment of Kerry, who guided
Borthwick shows the door Great Britain’s women’s hockey
to three backroom staff team to Olympic gold in 2016, came
in October and similarly his stay
Gerard Meagher ends before getting going. Cockerill
remains in place, with Martin Gleeson
that people who are cheating will would be to crack a gag that I look Steve Borthwick’s overhaul of Eng- Matt Proudfoot also continuing as attack coach,
go their whole career without being like a milkman we once had.” land’s coaching team has gathered has a new role for the time being, though further
caught. The lucky thing for me is pace with three of Eddie Jones’s in South Africa changes by Borthwick are expected.
that I don’t know anyone who’s Wightman rolls his eyes. “I’m backroom staff shown the door. The
cheating – therefore I don’t have just so used to him commentating forwards coach, Matt Proudfoot, 2021 but he stayed in position with Meanwhile, Joe Marler told the
any resentment. You always have because he did it at our school Brett Hodgson and Danny Kerry Richard Cockerill appointed as a sec- RFU’s disciplinary panel that refer-
suspicions and there will always be race days. We also used to watch have all left the England setup with ond forwards coach, allowing Proud- encing other players’ mothers was
cheating but, like I said, we can still the British champs and sit with Borthwick making his mark before foot to focus on the scrum. It was a a “go-to” line following his com-
beat anyone, clean or dirty.” him in the commentary box. So the Six Nations campaign begins move that did not work and Borth- ments made to Bristol’s Jake Heenan
when I started running at major next month. wick has wasted little time in moving that led to his two-week ban. At the
Wightman is already locked championships I was so used to him on Proudfoot, who has been made hearing, Marler accepted an RFU
into midwinter training. He is commentating that it never seemed Proudfoot is the highest-profile consultant head coach of the team charge of conduct prejudicial to
a little rueful when he says: “I weird. It meant that I’ve never had casualty and has already found nicknamed “Maties” at Stellenbosch the game for twice calling Heenan’s
always thought that, if I ever won a coach there because he’s always new employment at Stellenbosch University. The RFU’s executive mother, who is ill in hospital, a whore.
the Olympics or worlds, I’d love a been working. So I’ve become very University in South Africa. Hodgson’s director of performance rugby Conor Marler insisted he was not aware
sabbatical year. But you can’t do self-sufficient and it was also cool tenure as defence coach was one of the O’Shea said: “We are very grateful to that Heenan’s mother was unwell
that in this sport. That’s the worst because, if I’d had a stinker, he shortest in history after only assum- Matt for all he has done for England and argued his comments did not
bit because you’ve worked so hard wouldn’t have seen it as he has to ing the role after Anthony Seibold left and wish him every success in his constitute verbal abuse.
to get to that point but you then watch the front of the race. He’d following the autumn campaign. His next career move.”
have to work even harder the next have to ask me: ‘What happened, departure was signalled when the The full judgment reads: “In a
year to push on. But that’s what where did you come?’ I’d be like: Rugby Football Union confirmed It remains to be seen if Borthwick candid response to a panel member’s
I want to do so it’s definitely a ‘Good job you didn’t see it.’” the arrival of Kevin Sinfield before will replace Proudfoot or broaden question, [Marler] accepted that
different motivation.” Christmas. Danny Kerry’s tenure is Cockerill’s remit but if he opts for the this was a normal ‘go-to line’ if he
His twin brother, Sam, used to be only marginally longer as Jones’s former, he could do far worse than was trying to get a reaction when
He is typically honest one of his closest rivals at school. training coordinator. turning to Saracens’ scrum coach, “sledging or ribbing” an opponent
when he says: “I Wightman remembers once nearly Ian Peel. Jones was planning to again player. [Marler] said that he would
don’t enjoy the resorting to desperate lengths by Proudfoot’s recruitment by Jones call on the services of Marc dal Maso, not do so in the future, not least
training but I enjoy hiding Sam’s spikes before they in 2020 was seen as a coup given the French scrummaging expert he because “you never know what is
competing and raced. His conscience won out the 50-year-old was considered the temporarily appointed in 2017, before going on in other people’s family”.
trying to win. But and he returned them before his mastermind behind South Africa’s he was sacked.
to keep my hunger I train with brother had even noticed. But he scrum dominance at the 2019 World In a statement provided by Heenan,
guys that are very good at stuff smiles when suggesting that Sam, Cup. In his three years under Jones, Hodgson, who shadowed Seibold the Bristol flanker says that it was the
that I’m not. It’s not a bad thing to who is an actor now, was similarly however, Proudfoot was unable during the autumn, was always failure of the referee, Karl Dickson,
get spanked by them. We did a hill competitive when it came to to turn England’s scrum into a to act that prompted him to “lose
session and this woman asked who school plays. “When we were in consistently potent weapon – indeed his head”. Heenan said: “After being
we were. My mum said: ‘One of primary school I would never get it became a liability last year, brutally kicked on the ground by Joe Marler
them won worlds in the summer.’ a good part. One year the school exposed by the Springboks at the end the ruck before the scrum, I told him
The lady was like: ‘Which one of play was The 12 Days of Christmas of November in the defeat that forced to cut it out at the next scrum. After
you is world champion?’ When and the best part was the calling the RFU to act. a few words he said ‘your mother is
they pointed to me she said: ‘Oh, doves. There were four of them and a whore.’ I left the first time, then he
well done.’ But she’d just seen me then it went all the way down to the His job was under scrutiny in repeated it a second time to which I
running up this hill and finishing worst part, a piper, which got given looked at Karl Dickson. Karl looked at
dead last. I’m now training with a to me. It was pretty rubbish. Sam Darts PDC World Championship me, looked away and shook his head.
group [of long-distance athletes] was one of the four calling birds When I realised that he wasn’t going
who can help make sure that next and when they needed another PDC blocks out to intervene I lost my head.”
year is even better for me.” they asked him: ‘Would Jake like noise from
to be a calling bird?’ I would have Price in row Gerwyn
His father remains his coach loved it but he said: ‘No.’” over crowd Price wore
and they meet at least three times ear defenders
a week to work together. “At the Sam is staying over during Paul MacInnes during his
worlds he was happy but as soon as the Christmas break and so quarter-final
I’d finished it, he was like: ‘Right, Wightman calls him in to join our The Professional Darts Corporation is also aware of the environment in loss to Gabriel
what’s next?’ So it’s now all about conversation. They are amusing has said that Alexandra Palace’s rowdy which they are expected to perform. Clemens
what can I do to win worlds again.” and thoughtful company whether atmosphere is “part of the event” after
telling such anecdotes or reflecting the world No 1, Gerwyn Price, took to “The atmosphere is part of the LUKE WALKER/GETTY
The close bond between on life as twins and the contrasting the oche in ear defenders to block out event and is something that all
Wightman and his parents, both challenges of their different booing during his quarter-final defeat players are well used to,” a PDC The beginning of Price’s transfor-
of whom were elite runners, vocations. The brothers plan to against Gabriel Clemens on Sunday. spokesperson said. “PDC events mation into a pantomime villain is
was obvious at the world start a podcast about being twins are played under Darts Regulation believed to have occurred during a
championships. Wightman next year and, if their 10 minutes Price has said he may never return Authority rules [and] the relevant match against Anderson in 2018. The
admits he was moved because, together with me is any guide, it to the competition he won in 2021 rule is 5.17.2 - ‘No headgear… shall be final of the Grand Slam of Darts that
“generally, my dad doesn’t show will make for entertaining listening. after losing 5-1 against the German worn without permission following a year saw Price exuberantly celebrate
much emotion with my running. surprise package, but his behaviour written application from the player.’ a crucial score of 174 in the face of the
So to see that video that Kath Wightman’s primary focus, of has provoked debate over the effect a Gerwyn had sought permission Scotsman, who pushed the Welsh-
[Merry, the former GB athlete] course, is to try to retain his world raucous crowd can have over players before his third-round game against man away. Price was fined £21,500 by
filmed of him commentating was title and then chase Olympic gold at even the highest levels of the sport. Raymond van Barneveld, but opted the DRA after they said the incident
really nice. I wouldn’t have known in 2024. “To be Olympic champion not to wear them.” “drew an unprecedented number of
how he had reacted without is the one you dream of. A sad thing The PDC confirmed that Price had complaints from the public”.
seeing that. I know it was huge for is that the person on the street made a written request to wear the ear Van Barneveld is one of the elite
him, both as a dad and a coach, to doesn’t have a clue what winning defenders, a must under Darts Regu- players who have used in-ear plugs at Following his defeat, Price wrote
park that moment as the stadium the worlds means. But everyone lation Authority rules, and revealed the World Championship, alongside on Instagram: “So frustrating, you
announcer and be personal. I’d understands the Olympics. So it’s that a number of players wear in-ear Price – who used them at other points play all year round preparing for this
never seen him break the third a much bigger deal and I’ve shown plugs to block out crowd noise. But during his quarter-final – as well as one tournament. So gutted I wasn’t
wall and say anything about me as that I can beat the field I’ll face at the organisers said that every player Mervyn King and Gary Anderson. let [to] play but good luck everyone
his son. The closest he’d get to it the Olympics. That is the one thing left in. Not sure I will ever play in this
that keeps my motivation so high.” event again.” The 37-year-old subse-
quently appears to have deleted all
posts from his account.

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Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

Sport 33
Football

Cinch Scottish Premiership clear penalty, which James Tavernier Sky Bet Championship roundup Norwich appeared the more
dispatched with typical aplomb. likely to get a winner late on as
Furuhashi’s Maatsen’s double strengthens Marcelino Núñez twice went close,
late strike The resources Celtic could call Burnley’s grip at the top while Josh Sargent clipped the bar.
keeps Celtic upon to try to haul themselves back But Watford struck on the break,
in charge into the game would not be lost on Burnley strengthened their Ismaïla Sarr squaring for Bayo to
at summit Beale. Liel Abada, Jota, Giorgos position at the top of the sidefoot home. Norwich slip to
Giakoumakis and Aaron Mooy would Championship, holding on for a 11th, and are expected to appoint
Rangers 2 all be Rangers starters. Celtic’s reboot hard-fought 2-1 win at Swansea to ▲ Ian Maatsen (left) celebrates Dean Smith’s successor this week.
2 under Postecoglou has afforded them make it six wins in a row for Vincent after scoring Burnley’s first goal
Kent 47, Tavernier 53pen such options, while the Rangers Kompany’s side. Rock-bottom Wigan endured
squad has stagnated. earned Watford victory at a third 4-1 defeat in the space of
Celtic Ian Maatsen got both Burnley managerless Norwich to get their seven days as Hull moved away
The equaliser arrived when Mooy’s goals in the space of 10 first-half promotion bid back on track and from danger with victory at the DW
Maeda 5, Furuhashi 88 reverse pass found Giakoumakis, minutes, the first a free-kick in the extend the Canaries’ winless run to Stadium. Nathan Broadhead had
with the Greek’s cut-back flicking off 12th minute and a powerful strike four games. got the Latics level on the hour after
Ewan Murray the Rangers substitute Scott Wright. from distance for the second. Jacob Greaves’s opener for Hull.
Ibrox The hosts had chances to clear but
did not take them. Enter Furuhashi, Ollie Cooper pulled one back in The visitors regained the lead
Only time will tell whether Michael who slammed high into the net. Both the 27th minute but Swansea could via a deflected strike from Óscar
Beale has as much faith in the Rangers teams looked content to settle for a not find a leveller, with Burnley Estupiñán, and Tyler Smith struck
squad he inherited from Giovanni point from there. moving 14 points clear of third- twice late on as Hull pulled seven
van Bronckhorst as public utterances placed Blackburn. points clear of the bottom three.
would suggest. “We gave away two really bad
goals,” said Beale. “It is disappoint- Vakoun Bayo’s late winner Ched Evans headed in a winner
Had Beale’s men held on to the ing but there were a lot of things in the in the third minute of time added
lead which existed with 87 minutes performance that I needed to see. In on as Preston won 1-0 at Stoke.
of this scrappy Old Firm clash played, terms of a performance level, there’s PA Media
the manager would have had cause not a lot between us [and Celtic] if
to scoff at those who say major sur- we play at our level.” Many will take Barnsley (0) 0 Bolton (2) 3 Yeovil 24 5 12 7 20 22 -2 27
gery is required at Ibrox. The suspi- legitimate issue with that assessment 13,913
cion remains that Beale, now five given Celtic’s ongoing domestic dom- Results Charles 12pen Aldershot 23 8 2 13 32 39 -7 26
matches into his tenure, is playing a inance. Beale’s continual focus on Gateshead 24 4 9 11 30 40 -10 21
game of public relations; this Rangers players returning from injury to boost Bödvarsson 41, Dempsey 76
group are serial failures at domestic Rangers’ fortunes is also dangerous;
level. Beale has been brought here to managers the world over can bemoan Derby (3) 4 Accrington Stanley (0) 0 Oldham 23 5 6 12 25 39 -14 21
somehow buck that trend. the fitness status of key performers. Barkhuizen 7 46 26,816 Maidstone 26 5 6 15 30 55 -25 21
Hourihane 16
Celtic, who were well short of VAR’s only serious involvement McGoldrick 45pen Torquay 25 4 7 14 28 49 -21 19
their best for all but the opening surrounded a Celtic penalty claim. Scunthorpe 25 3 7 15 29 53 -24 16
half-hour, will claim a moral victory It seemed strange that the referee, Lincoln City (0) 1 Ipswich (0) 1
on account of Kyogo Furuhashi’s late John Beaton, was not asked to have Diamond 64pen Humphreys 81 Boreham Wood 1 Barnet 1; Gateshead 2 York 2;
equaliser. Ange Postecoglou’s team a second look at a strong handball Football Maidstone 0 Dag & Red 1; Solihull Moors 1 Wrexham 2
retain a nine-point advantage in shout against Connor Goldson. The 10,115
Scotland’s top flight, which should key problem with VAR’s arrival in
prove insurmountable for Beale and Scottish football is that all too often it SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP Sheffield Wed (2) 5 Cambridge Utd (0) 0 VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
Rangers. Furuhashi’s first goal in feels as if matches are being refereed P W D L F A GD Pts
a Glasgow derby arrived when his by someone in front of a monitor far, Windass 7 70 80 Scarborough 2 Darlington 5; Southport 2 Curzon Ashton 1
teammates looked in danger of run- far away.
ning out of ideas. Burnley 26 16 8 2 52 25 +27 56 Smith 21pen, Palmer 51 24,221 CINCH SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
There was sectarian singing, the Sheffield Utd* 25 15 5 5 43 22 +21 50 P W D L F A GD Pts
“Yet again, when it was required disruption of a minute’s silence in SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
the players found the will and char- commemoration of the 1971 Ibrox Blackburn 26 14 0 12 30 30 0 42 PW D L F A GD Pts Celtic 20 18 1 1 63 17 +46 55
acter to get a result,” said Posteco- disaster and the sight of various Watford 26 11 7 8 31 28 +3 40 5 3 35 13 +22 53 Rangers 20 14 4 2 46 20 +26 46
glou. “It would have been easy at foreign matter tossed between Leyton Orient 24 16 6 3 35 17 +18 51
2-1 to be resigned to our fate but home and away supports. Depressing 7 4 39 24 +15 46 19 9 4 6 35 30 +5 31
this group are never done.” The though it is, none of this should Middlesbrough 26 11 6 9 41 33 +8 39 Stevenage 24 15 9 5 37 25 +12 39 Hearts 20 8 2 10 33 32 +1 26
Australian said Celtic “lost our way register as a surprise. Neither should Millwall 25 11 6 8 32 26 +6 39 6 6 30 23 +7 39 Aberdeen
a little bit” but shrugged off any rea- the fact Celtic summoned the spirit Luton 25 10 9 6 31 26 +5 39 Northampton 24 13 8 7 28 25 +3 38
soning for that. “They are human to keep Rangers a safe distance away. 5 8 33 31 +2 38 18 7 5 6 21 25 -4 26
beings,” Postecoglou said. “They are Beale’s activity in the coming weeks Carlisle 24 10 4 9 30 34 -4 37 St Mirren 19 7 4 8 18 28 -10 25
not robots. This is a big occasion, a will reveal more about his desire – or 6 7 29 21 +8 36 Livingston
big game.” ability – to bridge that gap. Sunderland 26 10 8 8 38 29 +9 38 Bradford City 23 11 3 10 29 28 +1 36
West Brom 26 10 8 8 34 26 +8 38 5 8 30 23 +7 35 20 7 3 10 24 30 -6 24
It was one that stuttered and stalled Swindon 25 10 5 10 25 31 -6 35 St Johnstone 20 7 2 11 24 33 -9 23
as opposed to ripping and roaring. 4 9 33 23 +10 34 Hibernian 20 5 5 10 17 33 -16 20
Celtic started in a manner which Preston 26 10 7 9 24 26 -2 37 Mansfield 24 11 7 8 29 28 +1 34 Kilmarnock
suggested they were of a mind to dem- Norwich 26 10 6 10 32 29 +3 36 6 9 25 20 +5 33
onstrate the gulf between the Glas- Doncaster 24 11 6 9 26 27 -1 30
gow clubs. Daizen Maeda capitalised 7 8 19 27 -8 28 19 5 4 10 23 28 -5 19
on a loose Alfredo Morelos pass before Reading 26 11 3 12 29 36 -7 36 Walsall 23 10 7 11 23 27 -4 25 Motherwell 19 5 4 10 23 33 -10 19
slotting underneath the advancing Coventry 25 9 8 8 27 26 +1 35 5 12 30 36 -6 23 Dundee Utd
Allan McGregor. During that opening Swansea 26 9 8 9 36 36 0 35 Barrow 24 11 7 12 26 39 -13 22
quarter, Rangers toiled to string three 5 14 21 31 -10 20 20 4 4 12 14 32 -18 16
passes together. Celtic’s failing was Salford City 23 10 7 13 24 45 -21 19 Ross County
not pressing home their superiority 4 15 18 35 -17 16
by way of a second goal. QPR* 25 10 5 10 27 30 -3 35 Sutton 25 10 8 13 7 28 -21 14 Aberdeen (0) 0 Ross County (0) 0
Hull 26 9 6 11 32 42 -10 33 14,356
Beale is due credit for his half- Stockport County 23 10
time work. Rangers emerged from
the dressing room full of belief, Birmingham 26 8 8 10 27 29 -2 32 AFC Wimbledon 24 9 Hearts (2) 3 Hibernian (0) 0
epitomised by Fashion Sakala teeing Stoke 26 8 6 12 28 34 -6 30
up Ryan Kent for a sublime equaliser. Tranmere 24 9 Shankland 8 38pen
Kent’s curling shot was beyond the
reach of Joe Hart. Bristol City 26 7 8 11 32 35 -3 29 Grimsby 23 8 Humphrys 90 18,980
Cardiff 26 7 7 12 20 29 -9 28
Soon, Rangers surged ahead. Carl Crewe 22 7 Kilmarnock (0) 0 St Mirren (0) 0
Starfelt’s lazy tackle on Sakala was a 7,008
Rotherham 26 6 9 11 28 39 -11 27 Newport County 24 6
Blackpool 26 6 8 12 28 38 -10 26 Livingston (1) 1 Motherwell (1) 1
Huddersfield 25 7 4 14 24 32 -8 25 Harrogate 23 6 Boyes 39 Van Veen 42

Crawley 24 5 2,163

Wigan 26 6 6 14 26 46 -20 24 Colchester 24 5 Rangers (0) 2 Celtic (1) 2
Kent 47
*not including last night’s match Hartlepool 24 4 Maeda 5, Furuhashi 88
Tavernier 53pen
Birmingham (0) 1 Middlesbrough (0) 3 Rochdale 23 4 50,066
Chong 74 Crooks 57 59
Gillingham 23 2 St Johnstone (0) 0 Dundee Utd (0) 1
17,823 Akpom 85 Watt 81
Barrow (0) 0 Rochdale (0) 0
3,055 CINCH SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Norwich (0) 0 Watford (0) 1
Bayo 86
Newport County (0) 2 Crawley (1) 2 Dundee 2 Arbroath 4; Hamilton 0 Raith 1; Inverness CT 6
Rangers Celtic Dolan 83 Telford 36 67pen Cove Rangers 1; Morton P Ayr P; Queen’s Park 2 Partick 0
4-2-3-1 4-3-3 QPR (-) L Sheffield Utd (-) L
McGregor; Tavernier, Hart; Johnston, (late kick-off) Zanzala 90 4,184 CINCH SCOTTISH LEAGUE ONE
Goldson, Davies, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt•,
Barisic; Kamara, Taylor (Juranovic 21); Stoke (0) 0 Preston (0) 1 Northampton (0) 1 Leyton Orient (0) 0 Airdrieonians 3 FC Edinburgh 5; Dunfermline P Falkirk P;
Lundstram (Jack• 71); McGregor, O’Riley 20,034 Evans 90 Fox 51 7,475 Peterhead 0 Montrose 0
Sakala, Tillman (Mooy 61), Hatate
(Sands 85), Kent; (Giakoumakis 77); Forrest Stevenage (1) 1 Gillingham (0) 0 CINCH SCOTTISH LEAGUE TWO
Morelos (Wright 80) (Abada 61), Furuhashi, Piergianni 23 3,703
Subs not used Maeda (Jota 77) Swansea (1) 1 Burnley (2) 2 Forfar 0 Elgin 1
Colak, Roofe, Arfield, Subs not used Cooper 27 Maatsen 12 22
McLaughlin, Devine, Bain, Kobayashi, Bernabei, Cricket
King Abdilgaard 17,699 VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE

West Brom (0) 1 Reading (0) 0 P W D L F A GD Pts SECOND TEST (first day of five)
Dike 60 25,322 Karachi New Zealand 309-6 (DP Conway 122,
Notts County 25 17 7 1 65 24 +41 58 TWM Latham 71) v Pakistan.

Wrexham 24 17 5 2 62 20 +42 56 Tennis

Wigan (0) 1 Hull (1) 4 Chesterfield 23 15 4 4 49 27 +22 49
Broadhead 63 Greaves 15
Referee John Beaton Attendance 50,066 Estupiñán 78 Woking 24 14 4 6 43 24 +19 46 UNITED CUP (Australia)
12,522 Smith 85 90
Barnet 23 12 4 7 43 40 +3 40 Group A (Perth): Greece 1 Belgium 1: A Van Uytvanck
(Bel) bt D Papamichail (Gre) 7-5 2-6 6-3; S Tsitsipas (Gre)
SKY BET LEAGUE ONE Southend 24 9 8 7 30 21 +9 35 bt D Goffin (Bel) 6-3 6-2. Group B (Brisbane): Poland 1
Switzerland 1: I Swiatek (Pol) bt B Bencic (Swi) 6-3 7-6
P W D L F A GD Pts Eastleigh 25 10 5 10 31 30 +1 35 (7-3); M-A Hüsler (Swi) bt D Michalski (Pol) 6-3 6-2.
Group C (Sydney): USA 2 Germany 0: T Fritz (US) bt
Plymouth 25 17 5 3 46 26 +20 56 Dag & Red 22 10 5 7 36 36 0 35 A Zverev (Ger) 6-1 6-4; M Keys (US) bt J Niemeier (Ger) 6-2
6-3. Group D (Sydney): Spain 1 Australia 1: A De Minaur
Sheffield Wed 25 15 7 3 45 18 +27 52 Bromley 23 9 7 7 32 29 +3 34 (Aus) bt R Nadal 3-6 6-1 7-5; N Párrizas Díaz (Sp) bt
M Inglis (Aus) 6-1 6-3.Group E (Brisbane): Italy 2 Norway
Ipswich 25 14 8 3 47 25 +22 50 Wealdstone 24 9 7 8 29 35 -6 34 0: M Trevisan (It) bt M Helgø (Nor) 7-5 3-6 6-4; L Musetti
(It) bt V Durasovic (Nor) 7-6 (9-7) 6-3. Group F (Perth):
Derby 24 11 8 5 33 17 +16 41 Solihull Moors 23 9 6 8 36 31 +5 33 France 0 Croatia 2: D Vekic (Cro) bt A Cornet (Fr) 6-4 6-3;
B Coric (Cro) bt A Rinderknech (Fr) 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-2).
Bolton 24 11 7 6 30 20 +10 40 Altrincham 25 8 9 8 37 45 -8 33
Darts
Barnsley 23 12 4 7 30 21 +9 40 Boreham Wood 23 8 8 7 27 24 +3 32

Wycombe 25 11 5 9 33 26 +7 38 Halifax 24 9 5 10 24 31 -7 32

Peterborough Utd 24 11 2 11 39 31 +8 35 Dorking 26 8 6 12 43 59 -16 30

Port Vale 24 10 5 9 27 32 -5 35 York 25 7 8 10 28 29 -1 29

Exeter 25 9 7 9 38 36 +2 34 Maidenhead 25 8 5 12 27 34 -7 29

Bristol Rovers 25 9 7 9 40 42 -2 34 PDC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (Alexandra Palace)

Portsmouth 22 7 10 5 29 27 +2 31 Quarter-finals: D Van Den Bergh (Bel) bt J Clayton (Wal)
5-3; M Smith (Eng) bt S Bunting (Eng) 5-3; G Clemens
Fleetwood 24 6 11 7 28 25 +3 29 Greg Wood’s racing tips (Ger) bt G Price (Wal) 5-1; M van Gerwen (Neth) bt C Dobey
(Eng) 5-0.
Oxford Utd 24 7 8 9 29 27 +2 29 Musselburgh 12.15 Animore 12.45 Jem In Em
1.15 Parliament Hill 1.45 Massini Man 2.15 Russian Virtue Fixtures
Lincoln City 23 6 11 6 23 28 -5 29 2.45 Moore Clouds 3.15 Florida Dreams
Chelmsford 12.30 Gintini 1.00 Miss Sligo 1.30 Valkyrian
Shrewsbury 24 8 5 11 23 29 -6 29 2.00 Triggered (nb) 2.30 Baccarat Baby
3.00 George Morland (nap) 3.30 Reset Button
Charlton 24 6 10 8 36 35 +1 28 Wolverhampton 5.00 Mafia Power 5.30 Al Khawaneej Storm
6.00 Raffles Rebel 6.30 My Boy Jack 7.00 Wakai Umi
Cheltenham 23 8 4 11 18 25 -7 28 7.30 Nacho 8.00 Alya’s Gold Award 8.30 Little Roman Football (7.45pm unless stated)
Premier League
Cambridge Utd 24 7 3 14 21 39 -18 24 Arsenal v Newcastle; Everton v Brighton;

Accrington Stanley 23 5 7 11 21 38 -17 22 Leicester v Fulham; Manchester Utd v Bournemouth (8pm)

Burton Albion 25 5 7 13 32 50 -18 22 Cricket
Third Test (first day of five)
▲ Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after Morecambe 24 4 9 11 24 34 -10 21 Australia v South Africa, Sydney (11.30pm)
his late equaliser for Celtic at Ibrox
MK Dons 24 6 3 15 23 36 -13 21 First T20 international
India v Sri Lanka, Mumbai (1.30pm)
Forest Green 25 5 5 15 21 49 -28 20

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

34 Sport Wissa
Football Premier League doubles
Liverpool’s
troubles

Yoane Wissa
(right)
heads home
Brentford’s
second goal
against
visiting
Liverpool

JOHN SIBLEY/
ACTIONS IMAGES/
REUTERS

Mbeumo adds final sting Pinnock header and drawing a foul Núñez thought he had given them
to complete Klopp’s pain from Jørgensen, who was booked. impetus within three minutes of
But it was his loose hold-up play the restart but was flagged offside;
Brentford 3 The stroke of fortune behind the How they stand inside the box that led to the coun- there were no such concerns almost
1 opener was of no concern to Brent- terattack from which the Bees ulti- immediately afterwards when
Konaté 19og, Wissa 42, Mbeumo 84 ford. They had just started to get PW D L F A GD Pts mately scored; while Brentford were Trent Alexander-Arnold checked
going, earning a corner after Mbeumo 1 1 40 14 +26 43 missing their own target man, Ivan on to his left foot and crossed for
Liverpool blazed a trail past Virgil van Dijk only Arsenal 16 14 3 2 44 16 +28 36 Toney not quite fit enough to play Oxlade-Chamberlain, on the run, to
to be foiled by Alisson’s block, and 7 1 32 11 +21 34 after his injury against West Ham, head deftly past Raya. It was his first
Oxlade-Chamberlain 50 within seconds there was no need 2 4 24 20 +4 32 the home side looked amply trou- league goal since last January.
to regret the near miss. Mbeumo’s 3 5 33 25 +8 30 blesome through sheer speed and
delivery from the right did not look Man City 16 11 4 5 34 22 +12 28 attacking movement. For all their chaos at the back,
especially threatening as it went over 8 4 30 28 +2 26 Liverpool had always looked capable
Nick Ames the heads of Mathias Jørgensen and Newcastle 17 9 4 6 29 27 +2 25 That was only the start of it. Liver- of scoring. Fabinho sought a quick
Gtech Community Stadium Fabinho but the players behind them 4 5 20 18 +2 25 pool, for all their territory and despite second, turning sublimely before
were unsighted; it meant Konaté, Man Utd 16 10 3 6 28 24 +4 24 coming close to an equaliser when forcing Raya to parry a daisycutter,
This was a thudding reality check with Ben Mee in close attendance, 4 6 17 21 -4 22 Raya saved from Kostas Tsimikas, and had two efforts blocked on the
for anyone who thought Liverpool, was at a loss as the ball struck his leg Tottenham 17 9 3 8 19 25 -6 21 were all at sea when pressurised. hour as Brentford struggled to get
having dusted themselves down and squirmed inside the near post. 2 10 26 30 -4 17 Another Mbeumo corner was even- out. But further clear chances were
over the winter break, would stroll Konaté’s first match since the World Liverpool 17 8 4 8 23 29 -6 16 tually bundled in by Wissa, who few as proceedings entered their final
back into the top four. They were Cup final had begun as unhappily as 4 9 18 36 -18 16 was correctly ruled offside amid the quarter; if sometimes messy, Brent-
beaten here by a resolute Brentford that night in Doha ended. Brentford 18 6 6 8 13 20 -7 15 scramble. Then a third such cross ford’s defensive work was stout.
but also by a shambolic night’s work 2 11 13 22 -9 14 found Wissa completely alone, able
by their own back line that took the It changed the dimensions of a Fulham 17 7 5 9 12 34 -22 14 to control and rifle past Alisson via Another opening eventually arose
game away. Ibrahima Konaté’s own game Liverpool had started well. 4 10 10 26 -16 13 a deflection; Brentford rejoiced but but, in space on the right, Núñez
was followed before half-time by a There was a snap to their work in the Chelsea 16 7 3 11 15 32 -17 12 VAR found the shot had touched an dragged horribly wide. Salah, peri-
header from Yoane Wissa, who had early exchanges and it should have offside Mee on its way in. pheral for considerable periods,
already seen two efforts disallowed. brought a goal within eight minutes. Brighton 16 7 saw a shot deflected off target and
The chance fell to Darwin Núñez but The let-off was significant but Konaté headed the subsequent cor-
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s riposte arose through magical play from Crystal Palace 16 6 Liverpool did not learn from it. ner just beyond the far upright. But
appeared to have shifted the dial but Mohamed Salah, who brought a high They lost the ball from the resulting when the Frenchman appeared to
Bryan Mbeumo’s cool late finish, from ball down from the sky and, turning Aston Villa 17 6 free-kick and Brentford countered, have beaten Mbeumo to Christian
Brentford’s only significant attack of 90 degrees at the same time, angled Mbeumo teeing up Mathias Jensen Norgaard’s long pass only to stumble,
the second half and resulting from a himself perfectly to spot his team- Leicester 17 5 for a cross to the far post. With Konaté the game was up.
costly slip by Konaté, completed a mate’s run. His through ball was nowhere to be seen, Wissa converted
chastening evening for Jürgen Klopp. perfectly weighted and there was Leeds 16 4 a standing header that Alisson could
nothing wrong with Núñez’s touch not claw out in time. Third time
Brentford, unbeaten in six, are in Bournemouth 17 4 lucky, but Liverpool’s defending had
fine form and move up to seventh. been rotten.
Klopp may reflect that Liverpool Everton 17 3
remain a shadow of themselves. That Klopp made three half-time
West Ham 17 4 changes was little surprise; Van Dijk
had been given a torrid time by
Nottm Forest 17 3 Mbeumo and, rather than Konaté,
was the central defender replaced.
Wolves 17 3 Brentford Liverpool
Liverpool re-emerged at speed. 3-5-2 4-3-3
Southampton 17 3 Raya; Jorgensen•, Allison; Alexander-Arnold,
Pinnock, Mee; Roerslev, Konaté, Van Dijk
was David Raya; where things fell Jensen (Dasilva 74), (Matip ht), Tsimikas
short was in the finish, from an angle Nørgaard, Janelt (Robertson ht); Elliott•
and on his weaker left side. It was (Ghoddos 87), Henry (Keïta ht), Fabinho,
blocked superbly by a sliding Mee, (Sørensen 90); Wissa Thiago•; Salah, Núñez•,
but Núñez ought to have made sure. (Lewis-Potter 74), Oxlade-Chamberlain
Mbeumo (Canós 88) (Jones 83)
Núñez had already exposed Brent- Subs not used Subs not used
ford once, seizing on to a weak Ethan Strakosha, Damsgaard, Gomez, Carvalho, Bajcetic,
Crama, Trevitt Phillips, Kelleher

Referee Stuart Attwell Attendance 17,163

Tuesday 3 January 2023 The Guardian •

35

Analysis Arsenal make improved
Jonathan Wilson Gtech Community Stadium Mudryk bid to Shakhtar

Pressing problems for Liverpool smother an opponent; but the Fabrizio Romano Eddie Howe’s team visit the Emir-
as a shambolic evening puts multifacetedness that makes John Brewin ates Stadium having dropped two
their European dreams at risk it such a difficult weapon to points on Saturday after being held
combat is also what makes it so Arsenal have made an improved offer to a goalless draw by Leeds while City
If football really was the ▲ Jürgen Klopp watches on as his vulnerable to malfunction. for Mykhaylo Mudryk, the Shakhtar do not play again until they travel to
simple game of cliché, it side slumps to defeat at Brentford Donetsk winger who is their No1 Chelsea on Thursday.
would be easy for Liverpool Exactly what has gone wrong January target. Talks are on after the
to identify a single issue, Every Bryan Mbuemo delivery with the oppress is harder to say. Ukrainian club rejected an earlier bid Newcastle are likely to offer the
work out a solution and put from the right before half-time The changes to the forward line of £35.5m plus £17.7m in add-ons. toughest post-World Cup test yet for
it right. This, after all, is the caused chaos. One trickled in off perhaps haven’t helped. Planned Arsenal, who in scoring seven goals
team that has, for five years, been Ibrahima Konaté and two others led as some of those have been, Shakhtar set their asking price in their two matches since returning
consistently the second-best side to disallowed goals. Some offsides others have been imposed by at £85m but are aware Arsenal are are yet to show many ill-effects from
in England. Yet, after a shambolic are the result of careful planning injury, with Luis Díaz and Diogo unlikely to go that high and are weigh- the absence of Gabriel Jesus. “A very
defeat at Brentford, they lie and well-executed plans; these just Jota long-term absentees and ing up their next move. There is also good team,” Arteta said of Newcastle.
15 points behind the leaders happened in the chaos. Roberto Firmino struggling with interest from Chelsea but Mudryk, “I think what Eddie has done in that
Arsenal and, more pertinently, a calf problem. In that context who turns 22 on Thursday, has his short period of time, when you look
four points off Manchester But it wasn’t just set-plays. In the signing of Cody Gakpo for heart set on the Premier League at the numbers, [is] incredible. Big
United in fourth, having played the build-up to the first Brentford what these days feels a relatively leaders. He has posted pictures on credit to him and the coaching staff.”
a game more. What must be goal it was noticeable how Mbuemo modest £37m initial fee probably social media that show he has been
most troubling is the sense of hurtled past Virgil van Dijk, his makes sense if only to provide watching Arsenal’s two most recent Newcastle have lost only one
plates across the stage stopping turning circle so great they also had cover. He is a curious player, with matches and described Mikel Arteta match all season, at Liverpool on
spinning as Jürgen Klopp dashes to move the stand for him, in the a skillset that seems not quite as a “top coach” during Saturday’s 31 August. Arteta said: “They have
frantically between them. move led to the critical corner. Not to match his body shape, but he 4-2 victory at Brighton. created a belief, a momentum around
for the first time this season, the anyway was unavailable as he the team that they play the same way
Klopp, addressing rumoured thought occurred that Van Dijk is awaits a work permit after his Mudryk impressed in the Cham- against any opponent. It’s going to be
interest in Enzo Fernández and not quite so physically imposing as move from PSV Eindhoven. pions League group stage, scoring another big test. But we play at home
Moises Caicedo, had warned he used to be. Then for the second, three times and has seven goals in and I’m looking forward to it.”
that the club is not able to play a turnover that came directly from That meant Alex Oxlade- his past eight league appearances for
Monopoly. What has been the free-kick for the second effort Chamberlain again being Shakhtar, who are on a winter break. Arsenal have won every Premier
especially impressive over disallowed for offside, Liverpool’s deployed on the left of the front League home game to the delight of
the past few years is the way marking fell apart again. Konaté, three. He remains a likable, Arteta believes third-placed their supporters and Arteta hopes
Liverpool have achieved that meanwhile, was inexcusably weak pleasing player, and one flick Newcastle will present “a big test” his team can sustain the party
level of consistency without as Mbuemo brushed him aside for to set up a first-half chance as Arsenal attempt tonight to open atmosphere. “It’s about being real-
ostentatious spending. And that the third. for Konstantinos Tsimikas a 10-point gap on Manchester City. istic where we are,” he said. “The
is also why Champions League showcased his awareness, way we are performing,we are really
qualification is so essential; if This is not entirely unrelated to imagination and technical quality ▲ Mikel Arteta is hoping his Arsenal happy with that. But, as well, we set
revenue drops, so too does their the press, which should offer a first but, equally, he has not completed team can open up a 10-point gap the objectives in the short term and
capacity to spend and, with the line of defence against counters. the full 90 minutes in the Premier what we want to improve, and what
club in significant transition, that When it goes awry, the back four League since April 2018. His goal is making us win that many matches.”
could have serious consequences. is inevitably more exposed. Add was his first since last January
It doesn’t take much for virtuous fragile confidence and perhaps a and, with his contract expiring in Arteta set his hope for the new year
circles to become vicious. little rustiness after the World Cup June, he is surely playing, from simply: “To win against Newcastle.
and the chaos is, if surprising, not Liverpool’s point of view, only out And then the next one and then the
But when fractures come it inexplicable. of necessity and, from his own, to next one. That is the dream. And
is in battalions. Everywhere in persuade another Premier League that all my loved ones and every-
this Liverpool side, with the A modern press is an almost club he does still, after all his body around the club feels healthy
exception of Allison, there are infinitely complicated weapon, injury problems, have something and satisfied and enjoys life, which
doubts and concerns. In one one that relies upon mutual to offer at this level. is beautiful.”
sense, Liverpool’s problems this understanding and interaction.
season have not been difficult A good one, when it works, can But there are also issues with Ten Hag eyes Nottingham Forest. Also you look at
to diagnose. The press has not an injury-ravaged midfield. There striker market to the gameplan, the way we had to
been functioning and that is are absences everywhere. It was boost Euro race approach Wolves, and I thought it was
not something easily rectified. injuries that underlay Liverpool’s the best match with Rapha and Luke.
But to that was added a new slump during the Covid season Continued from back page Especially [as] we knew the speed of
vulnerability, an almost comical and there will be those who Wolves from the right side and we
inability to defend corners as wonder just why this side seems in the squad and especially, I would could cover that because we wanted
though Liverpool were still so susceptible. Perhaps it’s bad say, the front line.” to attack over the left side with our
engaged in a festive game of luck, perhaps it’s related to offensive game from Tyrell Malacia.
charades, enthusiastically the relentless intensity Klopp Harry Maguire faces further com- That was a good fit and also in pos-
acting out Wenger-era Arsenal demands or perhaps it’s simply petition to regain a starting berth session you can have better angles
away at Stoke. evidence of an ageing squad in after Ten Hag said Luke Shaw’s “fabu- with the left foot.
need of rejuvenation. lous” displays at centre-back offered
another option in the position. “We have seen the last two games
And that demands money, and he [Shaw] has been fabulous. He
that requires qualification for the Maguire was dropped after the has impressed but, of course, we
Champions League. opening two games and last began also know he is really good as a left
a Premier League match on 30 Octo- full-back. It’s an extra option and
Late sport ber. He was injured in the autumn that’s always good for a team.”
and after illness ruled him out of the
You may notice that due to ▲ Andy Robertson tries to rally his Liverpool teammates Carabao Cup win against Burnley Ten Hag is “quite optimistic”
ongoing production issues on 22 December, he was a substitute that Scott McTominay and Lindelöf,
beyond our control your ANDREW POWELL/LIVERPOOL FC VIA GETTY when United beat Nottingham Forest who have been ill, will be available
Guardian sport section does not and Wolves, with Shaw partnering for Bournemouth’s visit to Old Traf-
include some coverage of late- Raphaël Varane in central defence. ford tonight and said Diogo Dalot,
night sport. Thank you for your who has been injured, had made
patience – we hope to restore With Lisandro Martínez, Ten “good progress”.
our normal service very soon, Hag’s preferred first-choice central
but in the meantime you can defender, back in full training after ▲ Harry Maguire last began a league
always find the most up-to-date the World Cup and Victor Lindelöf match for United on 30 October
coverage on our award-winning also selected ahead of Maguire in the
sport website past, United’s captain may effectively
theguardian.com/sport be fifth in the pecking order.

Ten Hag said: “Casemiro did well
as a centre-half [against Burnley] and
then Luke Shaw did very well against

Jake Wightman • The Guardian
‘To be Olympic Tuesday 3 January 2023
champion is More Mudryk
the one you Arsenal raise
dream of’ their bid for
Shakhtar
winger

Page 30 Page 35

Bees swarm Game halted
over sorry for 40 minutes
Liverpool after abuse of
female official

Brentford Liverpool Mark Dobson

31 Darlington have launched an appeal
for witnesses after a National League
Bryan Mbeumo celebrates North game was delayed for almost
scoring his side’s third goal to the 40  minutes amid allegations of
dismay of Ibrahima Konaté misogynistic abuse being aimed at
Report and analysis Pages 34-35 a female official.

JOHN SIBLEY/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS The match, which Darlington won
5-2 at Scarborough’s Flamingo Land
‘We need a striker’ match fitness after injury. “I don’t Stadium to return to the top of the
United must sign forward for table, kicked off at 1pm but did not
top-four race, says Ten Hag think [he is 100%],” Ten Hag said. finish until about 3.40pm after a
38-minute second-half suspension.
“He didn’t play [a lot] for a long time
An announcement warning spec-
and probably this [Wolves] wasn’t his tators about abusive language was
made over the public address system
[best] game. I was more happy with after a brief first-half stoppage that
followed a conversation between the
his performances before. You could referee, Dean Watson, and one of his
assistants, Emily Carney.
see what a real impact he can have.
Darlington later issued an appeal
That’s normal. for witnesses after an allegation of
“misogynistic remarks” from the
“You can’t expect players to always visitors’ section.

play their best form. This was one A statement on the club’s website
said: “During the first half of the
game. In the next game, I expect a game at Scarborough, the female
assistant was subject to alleged
better performance from him. I think misogynistic remarks from one or
two Darlington fans.
he will do, I’m convinced of that.
“Darlington FC wholeheartedly
asked whether a new attacker was “I’m really happy with his perfor- condemns such conduct. If you wit-
required to finish in the top four. nessed these incidents and can help
Jamie Jackson mances across many games. He has identify the culprits, then please
“I think we have a good team when email [email protected]
all the players are available,” he said. a really good impact on our game. It’s in the strictest of confidence.”
“But with many games coming up, I
think there is a need. But you need really enjoyable to work with him. If Shortly after Jacob Hazel had put
one who can have an impact, other- Darlington 3-0 ahead with his second
Erik ten Hag has said there is a “need” wise you are just burning money and you see the minutes he’s played and goal, nine minutes into the second
for Manchester United to sign a for- you don’t strengthen the squad and half, the game was stopped again
ward this month to try to ensure it doesn’t help you.” the impact he’s had so far, I think after further problems.
Champions League qualification.
Marcus Rashford scored the win- that’s huge.” Scarborough tweeted: “We would
United’s 1-0 victory at Wolves on ner at Wolves but Ten Hag admit- like to emphasise that discriminatory
Saturday elevated Ten Hag’s side to ted Anthony Martial was not at his Ten Hag was asked about potential language of any nature will not be
fourth with 32 points and they have best, indicating this may be because tolerated. Please respect the match
a game in hand on Newcastle, who the Frenchman is still to reach full interest from Everton in Anthony officials, players and fellow fans.”
are third on 34 points. Cristiano Ron-
aldo’s departure before Christmas has Elanga. “I know we have good Both sets of players returned to
freed up some funds with Ten Hag warm up again after a break of about
Erik Ten Hag players  and I know a lot of clubs 28 minutes, with the game resuming
says recruiting 10 minutes later.
a striker this will have an interest in players who
month would Both clubs have been contacted
bolster United aren’t playing for us so often,” the for comment.

manager said. “But we need 35  ▲ The match at Scarborough was
the squad. We need depth suspended for almost 40 minutes

52 acts of kindness
How to spread joy

in every week of 2023

Tuesday 03/01/23 Zoe Williams
Why generation X
wins at Christmas
page 3

Rhod Gilbert
On comedy, candour
and his hit show
The Book of John
page 8

The world in review,
every week

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•

The Guardian Pass notes 3
Tuesday 3 January 2023
Mum’s given
Zoe up whisky.
I blame the
Williams Tories

Generation X are
the real winners
– at parlour games

G eneration Z ask a lot about what life was like in It was the very tail end of the holiday № 4,499
the olden days, and a lot of their questions are season, and I was trying to make my
stupid. Did we have printers before the internet? mother drink whisky, partly – no, Buccal fat
How did we arrange to meet our friends before sorry, entirely – because I bought
mobiles? We say, “Wow, that’s a stupid question,” it for her and I wanted to drink Age: As old as humanity itself.
and they say, “Imagine being so dumb that you it. While I am intensely relaxed Function: Facilitates chewing and protects
have 15 defunct Instagram accounts because you don’t know how about drinking alone, I still have a facial muscles from external impacts.
faint cultural taboo about drinking That sounds very useful. Hooray for
to manage your passwords, even though they’re all the same.” A someone else’s present in front of buccal fat! What? Are you kidding? Cut it
them. I should have also bought her out of me now.
lot of the evidence is in their corner. I’m not saying they are more a jigsaw or something. But look how important it is! Important,
schmimportant. You know where buccal
intelligent, but their generation does seem to have an intelligence She wouldn’t, because she didn’t fat is?
want to fall over and end up in A&E. No, but I can discern from context that
better adapted to the world around it. God knows I don’t want her to end it’s probably in the cheeks. Exactly! In the
up there, either, but whisky the cheeks. Fat. In my cheeks. Do I look like a
Then it gets to gameplay season: parlour games, word games, way she drinks it – in minuscule gerbil to you?
amounts, topped up with boiling You look like a normal person. Ugh, a
European board games, quiz formats and everything charades- water like a Lemsip – could no more normal person. People have been chased
topple a person over than a gusty off Instagram for less.
adjacent. Never, if they were not all under one roof, would wind. I came at this point forcefully, Wait, are people seriously getting their
from many different directions, but buccal fat surgically removed? Of course
multiple generations see each other’s concentration-face up she wouldn’t budge. they are. Haven’t you been paying attention
to social media? Anyone who is anyone is
close. I was playing Codenames with my brother the other day and The list of things she won’t do to having their buccal fat removed.
avoid putting additional pressure And by “anyone who is anyone”, you mean
realised I haven’t seen him thinking since about 1994. Ruminating, on the NHS also includes: having … I mean Chrissy Teigen, for a start.
her cataracts done; getting a duck The model and TV personality? That’s the
maybe; considering, pondering, calculating, but not actually out of an oven; using sharp knives. one. “I did that … buccal fat removal thing,”
she told the internet. “And since I quit
thinking, until he was trying to guess a plausible connecting word The entirely human-made crisis drinking, I’m really seeing the results, and
in the health service has reduced I like it.”
between monkey and skyscraper. her quality of life by, conservatively, And what are the results? Well, you usually
about 85%, and she is at its very find the most pronounced buccal fat on
He was thinking aloud, and walked us all carefully through periphery, a person who hasn’t even babies and infants, so have a guess. What
had to use it. Track inwards through don’t babies and infants traditionally have?
his process, which was that my elder sister and I were too stupid the concentric circles – people with Cosmetic surgery? Yes, that. But also
chronic conditions, people with cheekbones. If you take away buccal fat, you
to make any meaningful connection, our other brother wasn’t accident-prone small children automatically accentuate your cheekbones.
(which is all small children), people And cheekbones are sexy.
trying and only the youngest was on his wavelength. He lost a in high-density housing during a But it’s not the only way to get cheekbones,
flu season, people who have to be is it? Well, no. There is also, arguably, diet
lot of friends during this game and, more pleasingly, he also lost in A&E because they work there – and exercise. There is also being so stressed
and the national stress level is too about what strangers on the internet
the game. I can make no comment on the relative intelligence of intense to wrap your head around. think of your appearance that it keeps you
awake at night.
each generation, since most games aren’t really about intelligence This is all part of the Tory Are you OK? I’m fine. Although, ever since
gameplan, people used to say: I first heard about buccal surgery, I’ve become
(OK, I’ll give you Boggle and the name game). There are often reduce the NHS to a state of obsessed with the awful wads of fat hanging
unworkability, then shrug and say, from my face, and now I can’t face being seen
elements of strategy (Catan, Agricola), and millennials take “Well, plainly it doesn’t work.” It in public again. But, yes, I’m fine.
sounded devilish cunning at the And when did you first hear about buccal
these pretty seriously. Most of the time, it is beginning of their ill-begotten rule, surgery? About 25 minutes ago.
Gen Z’s fine motor a test of stamina and cognitive – not affective but, as it reaches its finale, sensible This sounds an awful lot like a fad. What
– empathy: you don’t need to feel what other people are coming to a different, are you suggesting? That cosmetic surgeons
skills are no use people are feeling, you just need to be able to more obvious, conclusion: it’s are running out of things to suck and chop
broken because they broke it. We and tweak, so they’ve found the most
for anything more guess it. These are also the core competencies don’t need to give up on socialised innocuous part of your entire body, and 
of a serial killer. health care. We need to give up on are now determined to convince you that it
than Mouse Trap Even to consider the possibility that people Conservative governments. is unsightly?
exist who have never played the name game Yes. Well, it worked. Mission accomplished,
makes me sad, but just in case: you do 10 names surgeons.
Do say: “Buccal fat surgery will give me
each, put them in a hat, split into teams, describe incredible cheekbones.”
Don’t say: “Surely that’s worth risking not
them to your own team, and get as many as you can in a minute. being able to chew properly?”

There is always one person who has never heard of anyone at all,

and will describe, for instance, Marlene Dietrich with “What’s the

opposite of fat Coke? What’s the opposite of poor?”, and by the end

of their round everyone, even the 10-year-old who has also not

heard of Dietrich, holds them in contempt.

There is always one name that comes up multiple times: this year,

it was Harry Styles. Nine of us playing, 10 separate Styleses; cue a

lecture from me to the youngsters about how you must always bring

your A-game to the name game. Then it turned out it was me who

put him in twice. A lot of glee was derived from establishing that

fact, none of it mine. The closest married couple on earth will never

be a 10th as good a team as any given siblings who absolutely hate

one another. It’s just one of those weird things.

Anyway, in random order: boomers have a huge amount of

COVER: MARCOS MONTIEL/SYNERGY/THE GUARDIAN general knowledge, broad and deep (county towns, obscure

gods, chemical names for things), and if they could just muster

any sense of urgency they would clean up – in quizzes, that is.

Most games are mainly sense-of-urgency, though, and boomers

are hopeless. Millennials bring a distinct serious-mindedness,

particularly to board games, which they play all year round and

not just at Christmas, and they credit themselves with inventing

a lot of stuff that actually has obvious roots in I’m Sorry I Haven’t

a Clue. Generation Z have amazing fine motor skills because of

their computers and whatnot, and those are no use to them at

all unless they are playing Mouse Trap, which nobody does.

It’s generation X, I’m afraid: we’re the best, and we always win.

Well, come on: we’ve got to be good for something.

• The Guardian
Tuesday 3 January 2023
4

How to spread joy in every

Make this the
year you pay it
forward. Emma
Beddington
suggests 52 acts
of kindness that
will make this
a better world –
from fostering
kittens to giving
blood to being
a ‘bin hero’

N 1. Give blood ill people who need urgent help Create a connects rough sleepers with
avel-gazing is to walk their pets so they can guerrilla services they need.
always a danger at this time of year Each donation can save up to three keep them. Check the map at vegetable bed,
– and not just to admire the results lives, and you get free biscuits. cinnamon.org.uk, register as a and let people 4. Target your support
of a two-week assault on the fridge. Everyone eligible is welcome, but volunteer and you will be ready help themselves for food banks
Indoctrinated by “new year, new “we urgently need more blood when help is needed in your area. to your harvest
you” messaging, we fixate on self- donors of black heritage”, says for free On top of the obvious non-
optimisation: one hand dredging Rob Knowles of NHS Blood and 3. Buy a Big Issue when perishable foods, the Trussell
the Celebrations tub and the other Transplant; these donors are you can – but also talk to Trust says donations of toiletries,
searching online for “hot yoga near more likely to be able to help the your seller laundry and washing-up stuff, baby
me” or “should I read Ulysses?” increasing number of patients supplies and sanitary towels and
with sickle cell disease. Sign up at Generally, having a chat with tampons are always welcome. The
But there is another way to be blood.co.uk, call 0800 1232323 or someone on the streets is a nice best way to support food banks,
better: by doing something kind. use the NHS Blood app. If you can’t thing to do and often appreciated. though, is to find out what they
This doesn’t mean giving money get an appointment immediately, It needn’t be anything heavy: need from day to day. I follow my
(welcome though that always don’t worry; your donation will be ask how their day is going and if local, the Collective Sharehouse, on
is), it’s about giving your time, vital whenever it’s given. To donate there is anything they would like Instagram, where it posts requests
empathy, support and thought – quickly, the best appointment or need help with. Some people for urgent help. Remember, you
finding ways to help the people availability is at the 25 permanent want to chat, some don’t – just be can donate time as well as goods:
around you. donor centres across the UK. respectful. If a homeless person “Food banks are busier than ever
tells you they are having difficulty and very grateful to anyone who
To make this list of suggestions, 2. Walk a dog accessing medical facilities or with can spare a few hours on a regular
I explored acts of kindness given other practical issues, the Big Issue basis,” says Ellie Lambert of the
and received, acutely needed and The Cinnamon Trust provides suggests alerting StreetLink, which Trussell Trust. Help can include
fondly remembered, with Guardian support for elderly and terminally
readers, charities, friends and
family, marvelling at how much
quietly industrious kindness goes
on around us. I hope there is
something for everyone: some
require commitment; others need
nothing more than the ability to
boil a kettle. But what all these acts
have in common is that they will
make you feel good: research shows
that being kind make us happier. So
you can help others and feel better
yourself all at once. You won’t
get that kind of win-win from a
gym membership.

•

The Guardian 5
Tuesday 3 January 2023

week of 2023

picking up or unpacking corporate off point and pass it on to someone 9. Help prisoners with reading area teams with administration and 12. Take pictures
donations, delivering to the most who needs it. data collection.”
in-need clients and even assistance About 50% of people in UK prisons If you see someone in contortions,
with social media. 7. Repair something struggle with reading. The Shannon 10. Be a Sense virtual buddy trying to take a selfie, offer to take
Trust helps them to help one a photo.
5. Go guerrilla gardening Repair cafes are booming and, as another throughout England, Sense, a charity for deafblind
the BBC One series The Repair Shop Wales and Northern Ireland. “Our people and others with complex 13. Join a stem-cell
Inspired by the Incredible Edibles shows, they can be a great source of prison volunteers train and support disabilities, organises volunteers to donor registry
movement, create a “propaganda joy. If you are handy with a sewing prisoner mentors to work one- phone or video-call disabled people
bed” – an easily accessible pot needle, bikes, carpentry, electricals to-one with learners,” says Karen to fight isolation and loneliness. Only 30% of blood cancer patients
or bed planted with herbs and or computers, your local repair Ryan, director of prison delivery. Volunteers are supported for find family donors, meaning more
vegetables for people to help cafe would almost certainly be their first sessions and buddies donors are needed, especially male
themselves. Label it so passersby delighted to have your help. If there At the moment, the trust find stuff to do they both enjoy and minority ethnic ones. Existing
know what’s what, and that it’s isn’t one locally, why not start one? particularly needs volunteers – cooking, craft, watching a film, blood donors can ask to join the
all free. in central and eastern England. playing games … NHS register during their next
8. Be a bin hero There is training and support and donation. Blood cancer charities
6. Give a coat to Calais you are accompanied on your first 11. Pay a compliment DKMS and Anthony Nolan also
Full? Take it out rather than prison visits. have their own registers. Check
During winter, Care4Calais needs leaving it for someone else in “You’re looking nice,” is good. “You online if you are eligible to donate,
coats for refugees in northern your home. Emptied? Take it in. “We know volunteering in a have great skin” or “I love your order a free cheek swab kit, swab
France, where 2,000-plus sleep It’s scientifically impossible to be prison setting isn’t for everyone,” shoes” is better. Someone once told and return. You will be added to
rough. If you have a warm coat in anything other than thrilled when Ryan says, “but we also have roles me I had “cute ears” and I treasured the register and contacted if there’s
reasonable condition, find a drop- someone else deals with the bins. in the community to help people it for years. a match.
directly with learning or to help our

14. Chat to an older person

Age UK’s telephone befriending
service will match you with an
older person who would enjoy
a 30-minute chat once a week.

15. Make a mixtape

Give someone a curated Spotify or
YouTube playlist of stuff you think
they would like.

16. Volunteer in a shelter

Francesca helps out at Hackney
winter night shelter in east London.
“Our role is to create a welcoming
space for guests,” she says. “We
volunteer in three-hour shifts and
it’s mainly cooking breakfasts
or meals, having a chat, keeping
the place tidy, etc. The support
the guests get is brilliant, and the
lively and lovely community of
volunteers do a lot in terms of
fundraising. It is really important
to us that we are able to help out,
and in our local community.”

ILLUSTRATIONA BY MARCOS MONTIEL/SYNERGY/THE GUARDIAN 17. Become a trustee

All charities need trustees and
many struggle to find them.
Whatever your skill set, you
almost certainly have something
to contribute to a local charity. It’s
rarely a major time commitment
– a few hours every few months at
most – and a great way to get more
involved in your community. Ask
around or check the vacancies at
reachvolunteering.org.uk.

18. Be the office Secret Santa
all year round

Leave a box of biscuits or a cake

in the kitchen, or put bars of

chocolate on your colleagues’ desks

anonymously, then secretly enjoy

the happy buzz it creates.

19. Hit the apps

Apps and sites such as Next Door,
Buy Nothing, Freecycle and Olio

Continued on page 6

• The Guardian
Tuesday 3 January 2023
6

Continued from page 5

are easy ways to give away stuff you
don’t need but others in your area
might. People also post requests
for things they need, or for other
assistance: lifts, gardening help,
local recommendations … It’s
enormously satisfying when you
can help out.

20. Foster an animal

Paula fostered cats for several
years. “We had to spend a lot of
time building trust and gently
playing,” she says. “It could be
tricky at times – blood was drawn!
– but the breakthrough moments
were lovely.” It was sad when cats
moved on, she says, but adds: “I
still get photos of the cats in their
new homes. I love to see them
lounging, looking relaxed and in
charge of the house.”

To foster cats, dogs or other
animals for the RSPCA, you need
to be 18 and own your home,
or have permission from your
landlord to have pets, and be able
to transport your foster animal to
vet appointments.

21. Feed pickets

Strikers need solidarity to keep
feeling positive: show yours with 
a box of biscuits or a round of
hot drinks.

22. Answer phones 25. Write a postcard tea point and the offer of support I get photos of 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac
at ChildLine can be huge – but there are also my foster cats in arrests each year; knowing what to
Find some postcards – you organisations that can match you their new homes. do if you encounter one can mean
Children have had an especially probably have a pile lying around up, such as Arts Emergency, aimed I love to see the difference between life and
tough few years, and four hours a somewhere – and write to people at young people who want to work them lounging, death. Take 15 minutes and do the
week answering calls can make a you haven’t spoken to for a while. in the arts, and Meet a Mentor in looking relaxed, BHF’s free online training course.
huge difference. The recruitment Tell them you are thinking of them, the tech sector. in charge of
process is quite lengthy and careful: share a memory or thank them for the house 32. Be a breastfeeding
there is training and assessment, something they did for you. 29. Or mentor a child peer supporter
followed by two observed shifts
and one mentored one before 26. Become a mental health Become a “Big” for Big Brother Just because it’s natural doesn’t
potential volunteers find out if they first aider Big Sister and spend time with a mean breastfeeding is easy for all
are a good fit. It’s worth it. seven- to 12-year-old who could new mothers: encouragement and
Given the number of hours most do with a supportive figure in their advice from someone who has
“I was really nervous on my of us spend at work, many mental life once a week. Or, if you are in been there can help. You can train
first shift, but also loved it, feeling health crises occur there. Knowing London, Manchester or Liverpool, to be a peer supporter with the
good to be even a small part of there is someone available who the charity Reach Out needs after- Breastfeeding Network.
being there for a young person can offer confidential support can school mentors for primary and
wanting to talk,” a recent recruit make all the difference, so ask secondary school pupils. 33. Try tutoring
tells me. “There can be difficult your employer if you can train as a
and upsetting contacts, but workplace mental health first aider. 30. Be a gig buddy Action Tutoring works to close the
volunteers are always supported attainment gap for disadvantaged
by experienced supervisors. It’s 27. Give as you shop As a gig buddy, you will accompany children. “I’d wholeheartedly
not all doom and gloom, and when someone with autism or a learning recommend applying,” says Laura,
a young person says: ‘Thanks Sign up to easyfundraising.org.uk disability to concerts or other fun who volunteered. “My 10-year-old
for listening and not judging,’ or and whenever you shop online, events, making their experience tutees were a delight – sparky and
‘I hadn’t thought of it like that’, many big companies (including smoother and less stressful than fun. I looked forward to seeing
I feel such a high.” major supermarkets, Amazon, eBay it might be otherwise. The project them every week, hearing their
and Trainline) will donate a portion started in Brighton, but there are news and watching their skills and
23. Help with reading of your spend to charity. It doesn’t now lots of Gig Buddy projects confidence grow. Best of all, I got an
in schools cost you anything. around the UK. email at the end of the programme
to let me know how they had got on
Organisations such as 28. Be a professional mentor 31. Learn CPR in their Sats – they had aced them.”
Schoolreaders and Beanstalk match
volunteers with schools to listen to Help out people new to your job, The British Heart Foundation You will need a B grade at A-level
children reading, usually focused or wanting to get started. It doesn’t estimates there are approximately in English or maths (or a relevant
in areas with high literacy needs. have to be formal – a chat at the
You need to be 18 or over with a
good grasp of English. If travelling
is tricky, you can provide reading
support online by volunteering
with Bookmark.

24. Give old tools a
new home

The charity Tools With a Mission
needs used tools, which it
reconditions and sends to the
developing world to help people
develop skills and livelihoods.
Check the list of what is needed
at twam.uk.

•

The Guardian 7
Tuesday 3 January 2023

degree). Training and resources are confidential text messaging donors with good veins who are accommodation to make sure a smartphone – all other kit and
provided and a helpful coordinator service supporting children and happy to take a little longer when they have food and a roof over training is provided. Find out more
is just a text or phone call away. adults in distress – not everyone is they donate typically graduate to their head, and mentor refugees at rspca.org.uk.
comfortable with making a phone platelet donations and our staff are to help them find work and
34. Drive kindly call. Volunteers are trained and always happy to talk to donors support with English, among other 44. Look after delivery drivers
receive coaching and support. You about making the switch.” opportunities.” Roles are posted
If you’re sure it’s safe, flash only need to commit to one shift, Existing type-A blood donors are at refugee-action.org.uk or sign Ask delivery people if they would
your lights or wave your hand at usually two to four hours, from particularly in demand for platelets. up for volunteer alerts. like a drink, or to use your loo – and
someone waiting to cross the road home each week. tip food riders if you can.
in front of you. 40. Garden 41. Litter pick
38. Clean up 45. Use your car for good
35. Use your language skills You might know someone who There are organised litter picks
Is a friend or acquaintance dealing could do with a hand with the everywhere – a nice way to meet Assuage your climate guilt by
Refugee charities often need with the pre- or post-move slog or heavy stuff. Otherwise, consider people in your community who delivering meals on wheels, driving
volunteer interpreters. Medical just struggling to keep on top of helping Groundwork’s Green are also enraged by rubbish – but people to hospital appointments,
Justice, which works to ensure things? Offer to help them declutter Aiders, which provides a one- there is nothing stopping you picking up shoes for Sal’s Shoes
detainees’ health rights are or clean while they get on with off cleanup service for older, from heading out with a binbag (which sends shoes to children
respected, needs people with a other tasks. vulnerable and disabled people and gloves. The humorist David who need them), or dropping off
range of languages from Albanian with overgrown gardens. Sedaris has picked so much litter donations for the hygiene charity
to Vietnamese at immigration 39. Give plasma or platelets that he had a bin lorry named in his Beauty Banks. Or just text your
removal centres across the UK. 41. Help asylum seekers honour: that could be you. neighbours when you are going to
If you are near Birmingham, to adapt the dump in case they need to get
36. Buy coffee for a stranger Reading or Twickenham, you can 43. Be an animal ambulance rid of anything you could drop off.
donate plasma – vital for people “We see people in our asylum
Many cafes offer a “pay it forward” with weakened immune systems system face incredible challenges RSPCA animal rescue volunteers 46. Join a Dementia
system, where you can buy an extra and other conditions. Unlike blood, in the face of hostile government collect sick, injured or orphaned Adventure
coffee for someone (an especially you can donate once a fortnight: policy. But we’re always heartened birds and small mammals and
good way to support homeless see blood.co.uk. by the public’s seemingly limitless take them to vets, rehabilitation Dementia Adventure organises
people). Alternatively, just pay for generosity and desire to help,” says or wildlife centres, and help out supported holidays for people with
the person behind you without Also consider donating platelets. Tim Naor Hilton, Refugee Action’s with other animal transport jobs. dementia and their carers, giving
them knowing, then disappear, “The NHS relies on a very small chief executive. “Volunteers are “It’s a unique opportunity to them fun experiences and respite.
fairy godmother-style. group of platelet donors to keep the lifeblood of Refugee Action. help animals,” says Lucy Bailey Volunteers are essential to these
this special healing agent in good People can help our clients to of the RSPCA. Volunteers need events, to provide practical support
37. Give text help supply,” says Rob Knowles of NHS access asylum support and to have access to a vehicle and and company.
Blood and Transplant. “Male blood
Shout (giveusashout.org) is a 47. Become a puppy socialiser

ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARCOS MONTIEL/SYNERGY/THE GUARDIAN Support Dogs needs homes for
future canine helpers for people
with autism, epilepsy and other
disabilities until the dogs start
training at 14 months. Guide Dogs
for the Blind and Hearing Dogs
need puppy care, too.

48. Support your local library

Libraries are a lifeline all year,
but in this winter of much bigger
energy bills, they are doubling up
as welcoming warm spaces. To
keep doing this, they need help: ask
what you can do at your library.

49. Bee prepared

Learn to revive a tired or struggling
bee. If it’s wet, put it in the sun;
otherwise deposit it on a high-
nectar flower such as buddleia or
sunflower. If that hasn’t helped,
offer a little sugar water (two
tablespoons of white granulated
sugar to one tablespoon of water,
left on a spoon or in an eggcup).

50. Be a digital coach

The relentless shift online has
left many behind. Do you know
someone who might need
help with Google, setting up a
smartphone or an email account,
or making web-based payments?

51. Cook something

Message someone who might
welcome a hot meal to say that you
have made too much and could
they take some off your hands. If
you frame it as a favour to you, they
may be more likely to say yes.

52. Take the public transport
load off

It’s old school, but giving a hand
to carry a bag, find a trolley or lift
a pushchair can instantly make
someone’s journey less stressful.
Offering to distract a toddler
for a few seconds can feel more
awkward, but when my kids were
little that sometimes averted total
meltdown (mine and theirs).

8 • The Guardian
Tuesday 3 January 2023
Turnaround … Arts
the standup with
extreme social
anxiety wants to
talk to strangers
about his
most intimate
experiences

‘I want to talk about more
than just toothbrushes’

Rhod Gilbert A full-blown rant and stays there. difficulties conceiving a child show,” he says, “all my standup
used to direct lot has Or it used to. “It’s softened a bit with his wife, the comedy writer was made up. I think pretty much
his fury at changed since Rhod Gilbert began now,” says Gilbert. That’s just as Sian Harries. Over-heatedness everything was entirely fictitious.
service stations, touring The Book of John in 2019 well: Gilbert needs to look after was still Gilbert’s stock in trade And in this show, it’s not. It’s all
baked potatoes – a tour that still hasn’t come to an himself. This is his first national but now he had everything to be true stuff that happened: the
and the tog- end. First it was interrupted by a newspaper interview since his overheated about. stroke, my mum’s Alzheimer’s, the
rating of duvets. pandemic. You may have heard stage-four cancer diagnosis in fertility treatment. And John does
Now, finds about that. Then, in 2022, Gilbert July, as he recovers from surgery, What’s remarkable about the exist. I did hire a driver for that
Brian Logan, had to pause the tour again with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. show is Gilbert’s candour and, year. But yes, there’s some comedic
the Welsh comic a persistent unexplained throat “It does feel weird,” he admits. “I despite charting territory he had licence taken with our arguments.”
is happy to problem. Trekking Cuba to raise don’t know how much to talk about not previously gone near in 20 He pauses. “To say any more than
tackle anxiety, money for the Velindre Cancer the cancer. I haven’t really worked years of standup, how funny he that would spoil it, wouldn’t it?”
infertility – and Centre in Cardiff, of which he is out what to say. I’m more than makes it all. That’s partly because
even his recent a longstanding patron, Gilbert happy to talk about it but I haven’t his mouse-that-roared shtick, The Book of John wasn’t the first
cancer diagnosis discovered the problem was in fact had time to process it at all.” however “softened”, remains
cancer – for which he has been in hilarious. It’s also down to John. ‘Until this show,
treatment, at Velindre, since. “I’m He’s emerged from his John was Gilbert’s chauffeur all my material
sitting there having chemo,” he tells convalescence (“Some days I’m well throughout the period the show was fictitious’ …
me, “with a picture of me on the enough to potter and other days, or records because, after his mini- Gilbert touring
wall as a fundraising patron. You whole weeks, I’m in bed”) to discuss stroke, the comic wasn’t allowed The Book of John
couldn’t make it up, honestly.” the digital and DVD release of The to drive. Always on hand with
Book of John. The show marked some choice idiocy as Gilbert’s
The tone of voice, via Zoom from a departure for the Carmarthen life collapses around him, John’s
Wales, is recognisable to anyone man and a career peak (give or take dimwit conversation is the grease
familiar with the 54-year-old’s 2008’s for-the-ages Rhod Gilbert that oils the show’s wheels.
standup. Escalating dismay is the and the Award-Winning Mince Pie).
keynote. On stage, it ascends to a After years confronting life’s milder John is, I venture, a bulletproof
irritants – service stations, baked device for bringing levity to
potatoes, the tog rating of duvets heavyweight material. “Device?
– with apoplectic fury, he returned What!” responds Gilbert, and
after a seven-year hiatus with a I worry that, with my barely
show which discusses matters of concealed scepticism as to whether
very considerable significance: John actually exists, I’ve triggered
bereavement; a recent mini-stroke; another rant. But no: there’s a
twinkle in Gilbert’s eye. “Until this

•

The Guardian How we made 9
Tuesday 3 January 2023

two reactions to my comedy,” says The Story of the Blues by Wah!
Gilbert. “You’re funny or you’re
The cancer is not.” Whereas now I get letters ‘In the studio, we got violins, backing singers – and
on my mind and emails from all over the world then we had the mad idea of performing a seance
24/7. But there from people talking about their to get the spirit of John Lennon on to the track’
is humour in own experience of a stroke, or their
there, definitely parents’ Alzheimer’s, or infertility. had done with the Associates and wanted my
It’s a totally different response. voice to be equally central. I met Mike and we
time Gilbert publicly addressed And I really like it.” Off stage, says got on instantly. In the studio, we got violins,
male infertility. With shows such Gilbert, “years ago, if I’d gone for backing singers – and even had the mad idea
as Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience a walk down the beach with the of performing a seance in there, to get the
and Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains, dog, I’d have kept my head down spirit of John Lennon on the track.
many will know the Welshman and not engaged with anybody.
more as a TV presenter than a Whereas now, if somebody stops When the single came out [in 1983], Peel
standup, and in that role he fronted me, I’ll end up in an hour’s chat and David Jensen played it on Radio 1, but
two intimate and autobiographical about infertility, cancer, whatever. the record company had almost given up on
BBC documentaries, in 2018 The most intimate conversations.” it. Then we got on this TV show, Pop Goes
and 2021, on social anxiety and It’s a turnaround – and an unusual Christmas. I wore a black dinner suit and they
infertility. They made a big impact – role for a comic. I tell Gilbert I can’t made my quiff look huge. Bet Lynch from
and they also changed the direction imagine Jimmy Carr having heart- Corrie was sat in the makeup room with me
of his career. to-hearts on the beach. He replies: watching me being pampered and said: “I
“I can’t imagine Jimmy Carr on a haven’t seen one that big in years.”
With his 2012 live show The Man beach, to be honest.”
With the Flaming Battenberg Tattoo, The single charted – at No 59 – on
Gilbert had felt his standup running So committed is Gilbert to his Christmas Day and started climbing. I said I
aground. “I was having to look for new, no-filter way of being, he’s wouldn’t have a drink until it started slipping
things to be angry about, to fit what I already hatching plans for the down the chart – and in fact I stayed teetotal
did,” he says. “And that’s diminishing standup show that addresses until it left the charts completely. It peaked
returns, clearly. I felt that, and I his cancer experiences. “If I get at No 3 on 16 January 1983 and I went on Top
think audiences felt that.” When through this,” he says, and then of the Pops. I’ve been told The Story of the
that tour ended, he announced he breaks off. “I’ve got to stop saying Blues is the “greatest single ever made” and
was quitting live comedy. And for that. People tell me off. When stuff like that. I’m just glad to have done
seven years, “I didn’t miss it at all. you’re going through cancer, any something people found helpful.
Didn’t write a word. Not motivated sign of doubt or negativity gets
in any way to do it.” nipped in the bud very quickly.” Mike Hedges
And so he restarts: “When I get Producer
But the experience of making through this, the next show will be
those documentaries, and all that in a similar vein. The cancer is on ‘He was crazy, You could tell Pete was a star within five
other “life stuff” he was dealing my mind 24/7, but when I’m well mouthy but minutes of meeting him. “Life and soul of
with, opened Gilbert up to a new enough to write, I’m jotting down a funny’ … Pete the party” doesn’t begin to describe him. He
way of working. A man who had few things. And there is humour in Wylie in 1983 was crazy, mouthy but funny, bouncing off
only ever lied on stage began tellingPHOTOGRAPHS: JAMES DAVIES/ALAMY; HUW JOHN/NBCUNIVERSAL PICTURES there, definitely.” the walls. He was always at every party and
the unvarnished truth. A man with PHOTOGRAPHS: JOHN STODDART/POPPERFOTO/GETTY IMAGES Pete Wylie wanted his gravestone to read: “Here lies
extreme social anxiety started This conviction represents Singer, songwriter Pete Wylie plus one.” When he fell and broke
talking to strangers about his most another about-turn from Gilbert, his back and the fire brigade asked his name,
intimate experiences. “As I got who used to doubt he’d ever write The early singles by Wah! Heat were indie hits he told them: “You should know my fucking
older, I started to feel – and maybe another standup show. “Every because John Peel championed them. I went name.” I thought he was amazing and believed
this is a bit wanky – that I’ve got a Edinburgh I was like, ‘How on to meet him at a Fall gig in Manchester. The we could definitely do something together.
bit of a platform here. And I should earth am I going to write another Fall were fantastic but it felt like the gig was
be doing more with it than just show next year? How am I going to full of people who were there just to be seen. When we went into the studio, Pete sat
talking about toothbrushes.” More write even another five minutes?’ Suddenly indie wasn’t a scene I wanted to be in. down with an acoustic guitar and played me
than that, though, he adds: “I have Whereas now I’m mad keen. I’ve The Story of the Blues. It was obviously going
definitely become somebody who got a 250-page document of stuff I’d read Alvin Toffler’s books Future Shock to be an important song. We didn’t have a
wants to be really open and talk that’s on the go.” Don’t rule out and The Third Wave, about the impact of drummer, so I got hold of a very early Linn
about stuff, and who sees the value a comeback for the offstage star technology, and was becoming interested drum machine, but there was no manual. As
in talking.” It’s the same with his of The Book of John, either. “The in drum machines. I was also obsessed with well as the main beat on the single, there’s
cancer today, he says. response to John is just insane,” Phil Spector, Motown and the Chi-Lites and also a weird conga pattern, which wasn’t
says Gilbert. “People waiting wanted to do something soulful. The other intentional. It was left in because we didn’t
“Pretty much, there used to be backstage asking, ‘Is John here?’ key moment was watching Alan Bleasdale’s know how to delete anything.
He’s like a folk hero! He is more Boys from the Blackstuff, about the effects
popular than I am!” of mass unemployment. I’d grown up in a I wanted the song to sound epic and
dysfunctional household where money was overloaded the acoustic guitar at the mixing
All of which gives Gilbert always an issue and it resonated with me. desk so it distorted on the chorus. Everything
something to focus on as he I wanted to write songs expressing solidarity was very quick: we only had a couple of days
navigates a challenging period. that were a force for change. in the studio. I was mixing another artist as
“All my work has gone. My social well so wasn’t getting much sleep, as usual.
life has gone. Everything has I was having a drink with Clash manager I found the three-woman string section
gone. Everything. It’s just me and Kosmo Vinyl when he suggested I write busking in Covent Garden, London. They
this bloody cancer, really.” The a “drinking song”. I sat at the piano and were wearing punk outfits with mini skirts,
postponed final seven gigs of The channelled Frank Sinatra’s One for My Baby stockings and stuff, which I thought was
Book of John tour are scheduled for (And One More for the Road). I began: “Here brilliant. Pete wanted soul singers so I got the
2023: “Having them is something in my pocket I’ve got the story of the blues …” Chanter Sisters in to do a session and Kate
to look forward to, really. But I’m But once I started thinking about the world I Robbins – now better known as an actor –
making things sound very gloomy, was living in – unemployment, Liverpool, the sang backing on the choruses.
and they’re not.” fact that I’d just had a break-up/breakdown –
it changed into this big, anthemic thing about I always thought the finished recording
Today, he has been cheered what was going on. was a bit slapdash, because we didn’t have
by the fact that his standup pals much time or many instruments, but the
– Rob Brydon, Greg Davies and I loved what the producer Mike Hedges vocal was fantastic. Pete just carried it. The
others – are rallying to his aid, Story of the Blues is social commentary and
hyping The Book of John’s release anthemic, my favourite kind of music.
on social media and beyond, Interviews by Dave Simpson. The
because Gilbert isn’t well enough to 40th-anniversary blue vinyl 12in of The Story
do so himself. “I’m really aware of of the Blues is out now on Chrysalis
mental health now,” he says, “and
I’m checking in with myself every
day. I feel fine, weirdly. I’m happy,
optimistic and hopeful that next
year it’ll all come good.”
The Book of John is available now on
DVD and digital download

• The Guardian
Tuesday 3 January 2023
10 TV and radio

2022: The Year from Space
7.30pm, Channel 4

Matthew
Macfadyen
and Keeley
Hawes as John
and Barbara
Stonehouse

Review Stonehouse, ITV his suburban life. The trouble is, he isn’t very good Certain events in 2022 have been so big
at spying either. His information is either boring or they’re best appreciated by satellite. And
Absurdist account outdated. “You are the worst spy I have ever come we’re not just talking about the Queue or
of a hapless across. Ever!” barks his handler, who wanted state the Liz Truss fiasco. This documentary
MP who faked secrets and got a dreary Bond acolyte instead. offers airborne perspectives on
his own death everything from the summer heatwave
He is so bad at delivering useful information that to the return of Glastonbury. Inevitably,
★★★★☆ you start to wonder if it is a strategy. One of the case there’s horror, too: the floods in Pakistan
studies in Stephen Grosz’s fascinating book about and, of course, the unfolding nightmare
Rebecca psychoanalysis, The Examined Life, is of a man of Ukraine that, from the buildup of
who seems set on boring everyone around him; Russian troops on the border to the
Nicholson Grosz concludes that it is a deliberate act, designed discovery of mass graves in Bucha,
to exclude others. I wonder if that might be what looms over everything.
L ast week, No 10 issued a statement Stonehouse is up to, but perhaps that is reading too
regarding “very concerning” reports of deeply into the story. Besides, the evidence for it turns Phil Harrison
MPs indulging in sex and excessive alcohol out not to be particularly strong; Stonehouse gleefully
on parliamentary trips abroad. (Perhaps informs the Czechs of the invention of Concorde, only What’s On Waterloo Road decade ago – confronts
the suitcase full of wine served a purpose to be told that this bombshell had been on French 8pm, BBC One her inner snob by going
beyond Downing Street?) With fortuitous television news, two nights earlier. Scan the QR Beloved school drama to a dirt-track race
timing, Stonehouse is here with the vintage edition. code below Waterloo Road has been with Billy the “bogun”,
This fun and funny drama, high-spirited and revelling The tone is spot-on, tongue-in-cheek and cheeky. to sign up for reborn for 2023. This as well as visiting a
in its absurdities, retells the story of John Stonehouse, It is written by John Preston, who also wrote the book the What’s On riotous opening episode prestigious school. Hollie
Labour MP for Walsall North, a former postmaster on which 2018’s A Very English Scandal, about the newsletter, our sees student activism at Richardson
general and rising star of Harold Wilson’s government, disgraced MP Jeremy Thorpe, was based, and it canters free TV email its core, as teachers face
who got himself in a spot of financial and espionage- along at a similar pace. Much of the scandalousness with the best a firefighting operation. 24 Hours in A&E
based bother. His solution was to fake his own death is played for comic effect. The title sequence is Mad reviews, news Tackling prescient teen 9pm, Channel 4
on a beach in Miami in 1974, before fleeing to Australia Men-ish, the soundtrack Pink Panther-esque, and the and exclusive issues from LGBTQ+ The cathartic hospital
with his secretary and assuming a new, stolen identity. espionage is campy rather than sinister. Macfadyen’s writing direct rights to the cost of living docuseries travels beyond
Stonehouse has a touch of his Succession character, to your inbox crisis, Kim Campbell London for the first time,
The problem for him, and the joy for viewers, is Tom Wambsgans, though the MP lacks the watery every Monday (Angela Griffin) is but one and there is no shortage
that Stonehouse is not very good at being a baddie. cruelness of Wambsgans; Stonehouse is less devious familiar face set to return. of drama at the bustling
Matthew Macfadyen plays him as a heedless buffoon. and easier to please. Danielle De Wolfe Queen’s medical centre
In the Commons, he parrots what Wilson says; at in Nottingham. A freak
home, he parrots what his wife, Barbara (played by But there are cruelties here, casually buried within The Hairy Bikers accident at a fun run puts
Macfadyen’s real-life wife, Keeley Hawes), says. He its slapstick, as you might expect from a man who Go Local veteran ward sister Lou
is a man in search of an identity, and on a work trip to attempts to convince the world he is dead. Poor 8pm, BBC Two and her team on high
Czechoslovakia (as it was then), he makes much use of Barbara tries to intervene in the household budget, Heading off on a new alert, while a 93-year-old
the “traditional Czech specialities” on offer by getting as newer cars and bigger houses turn up on the scene food mission – but now with breathing difficulties
extremely drunk and having sex with his guide – an while private school fees go unpaid. “Which one of us on electric bikes – Dave is brought in.
act that is, naturally, filmed by the Czech secret service is a graduate of the London School of Economics?” her and Si are turning Graeme Virtue
and used to blackmail him into spying for them. husband says, pretending there is nothing to worry matchmaker. They want
about. He hires a secretary whose shorthand is lacking, to find great regional Belfast Midwives
Stonehouse, a family man in an ordinary house, does mostly because he fancies her. And later, he steals the restaurants and introduce 10pm, Channel 4
not seem particularly perturbed by this development. identity of a dead constituent, flattering his widow by them to local ethical About 5,000 babies are
He sees it as a chance to inject a bit of excitement into attending the man’s funeral, only to betray him for his producers, starting in delivered every year
own dreadful purposes. Wales where a father and at the Royal Jubilee
daughter chef team have maternity service,
Last July, Stonehouse’s daughter expressed their eyes on a Michelin Belfast – one of Northern
concerns that the drama would be a star. PH Ireland’s busiest
“misrepresentation”. It gets a disclaimer at the maternity units. This new
beginning, explaining that the drama is “based Miriam Margolyes: series follows those who
on a true story” with some parts “reimagined” for Australia Unmasked help them into the world,
dramatic purposes. It seems inevitable that there 9pm, BBC Two featuring three very
would be complaints from surviving relatives, as it Are there really no formal different birth stories
is not particularly sympathetic to Stonehouse. From class distinctions in per episode. This week’s
The Crown to The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, the Australia? In this final include a waterbirth,
question of what a drama inspired by real life owes part of her investigation, a C-section and a
to its subjects, if it owes anything at all, will continue Margolyes – who got her squeamish husband.
to be the subject of debate. As a drama, though, the Australian citizenship a Ali Catterall
brief rise and astonishing fall of Stonehouse makes for
enormously entertaining television.

•

The Guardian 11
Tuesday 3 January 2023

BBC One BBC Two ITV1 Channel 4 Channel 5 BBC Four

6.0 Breakfast (T) 9.15 Rip Off 6.30 The Farmers’ Country 6.0 Good Morning Britain (T) 6.15 Countdown (T) (R) 6.55 6.0 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine 7.0 Great Continental Railway
Britain: Holidays (T) 10.0 Big Showdown (T) (R) 7.15 Make 9.0 Lorraine (T) 10.0 This 3rd Rock from the Sun (T) (T) 12.45 Traffic Cops: On the Journeys (T) (R) Michael
Little Crimes (T) 10.45 For It at Market (T) (R) 8.0 Sign Morning (T) 12.30 Loose (R) 7.45 Everybody Loves Edge (T) (R) 1.40 News (T) braves a tour of Stockholm
Love Or Money (T) (R) 11.15 Zone: The Repair Shop at Women (T) 1.30 News (T) Raymond (T) (R) 9.10 Frasier 1.45 Home and Away (T) (R) from its rooftops. 7.30
Homes Under the Hammer Christmas (T) (R) 9.0 News 1.55 Local News and Weather (T) (R) 10.40 Undercover 2.15 Fatal Mind Games Villages By the Sea (R) Ben
(T) 12.15 Bargain Hunt (T) (R) (T) 1.0 Tom Kerridge: Lose (T)2.0 Dickinson’s Real Deal Boss USA (T) (R) 11.35 News (2022) (T) 4.0 Bargain- Robinson visits Bamburgh.
1.0 News (T) 1.30 Regional Weight for Good (T) (R) 1.30 (T) 3.0 Lingo (T) 4.0 Tipping (T) 11.40 Four in a Bed (T) Loving Brits in the Sun (T) 5.0
News and Weather (T) 1.45 Saved and Remade (T) (R) Point (T) 5.0 The Chase (T) (R) 2.10 Countdown (T) 3.0 News (T) 6.0 Holiday Homes
Doctors (T) 2.15 The Farmers’ 2.15 Carousel (Henry 6.0 Local News (T) 6.30 A Place in the Sun (T) 4.0 A in the Sun (T) 7.0 GPs: Behind
Country Showdown (T) 3.0 King, 1956) (T) 4.15 The Real News and Weather (T) 7.30 New Life in the Sun (T) 5.0 Closed Doors (T) 7.55 News
Escape to the Country (T) Marigold Hotel (T) (R) 5.15 Emmerdale (T) Come Dine With Me: The (T)
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News (T) 6.30 Regional News Saving Lives at Sea (T) (R)
and Weather (T) 7.0 The One
Show (T) 7.30 EastEnders (T)

8.0 Waterloo Road (T) New 8.0 The Hairy Bikers Go Local 8.0 Coronation Street Chesney 7.30 2022: The Year from Space 8.0 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly 8.0 To the Manor Born (R) (T)
series. As a new term (T) New series. Dave and Si has second thoughts about (T) Images of the world (T) Trainer Graeme Hall helps Audrey organises a protest
begins, a peaceful protest bring together the best local getting married, and Roy is filmed by satellites over the a St Bernard that loves to rally.
escalates into a riot, while restaurants with the most left bewildered by his new course of 2022, including make a song and dance about
former pupils Donte and innovative local suppliers. smartphone. footage of the war in Ukraine getting in the car. 8.30 Sykes (T) (R) Hattie practises
Chlo are excited about their and crowds returning to first aid skills on her brother.
daughter’s first day. 9.0 Miriam Margolyes: Australia 9.0 Stonehouse (T) John cities in the wake of the 9.0 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the
Unmasked (T) Miriam Stonehouse, hiding out in Covid lockdowns. Wild Ben travels to the Sierra 9.0 Hattie (T) (R) Ruth Jones
9.0 Silent Witness (T) Nikki explores how class and Melbourne, draws suspicion Nevada mountains to meet stars as Hattie Jacques in this
becomes more involved with money impacts the Fair Go, from local police. Barbara 9.0 24 Hours in A&E (T) New Mike Basich, a snowboarder dramatisation of her secret
the ’Ndrangheta and Jack and meets Australians from a and Sheila fly to Australia to series. A 45-year-old comes who left professional sport affair with a younger man in
discovers disturbing leads. variety of backgrounds. confront the disappeared MP. in after a fun run accident. to pursue a quieter life. the early 1960s, while still
married to John Le Mesurier.
10.0 News (T)
10.30 Regional News and Weather 10.0 Detectorists (R) Andy and 10.0 News (T) 10.0 Belfast Midwives (T) 10.0 HMP Belmarsh: Maximum 10.25 Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
10.40 The Woman in Black Lance meet a history student. 10.30 Local News (T) Weather 11.05 Emergency Helicopter Security (T) (R) A look inside (T) (R) Smiley seeks out an
10.45 Gordon, Gino & Fred Go HMP Belmarsh prison. invaluable friend.
(James Watkins, 2012) (T) A 10.30 Newsnight (T) Weather. Medics (T) (R)
lawyer visits a village to put 11.15 The Caribbean With Andi and Greek (T) (R) The gang head 12.10 Murder in the Alps (R) 1.05 12.05 Police Raids: Caught By 11.15 Tinker, Tailor, Soldier,
a deceased client’s affairs in to Athens in a campervan. Surprise (T) (R) 1.0 The Spy (T) (R) George Smiley
order. Horror, with Daniel Miquita (T) (R) Andi Oliver 11.55 Jonathan Ross’ New Year Travel Man: 96 Hours in Rio Live Casino Show (T) 3.10 remembers Kara.
Radcliffe and Ciarán Hinds. and her daughter Miquita Comedy Special (T) (R) (R) 2.0 The Simpsons (R) 2.25 Casualty 24/7: Every Second
12.10 Have I Got News for You (T) visit the West Indies. 12.50 Shop: Ideal World 3.0 Prince Andrew: The Musical Counts (T) (R) 4.0 Get Your 12.0 Ireland to Sydney By Any
(R) 12.40 Weather for the 12.15 My Old School (T) (R) 2.0 Dickinson’s Real Deal (T) (R) (R) 3.20 Kitchen Nightmares Tatts Out (T) (R) 4.45 Divine Means (T) (R) 1.0 Great
Week Ahead 12.45 News (T) Sign Zone: Expedition Rhino 3.50 Unwind With ITV (T) USA (R) 4.10 Couples Come Designs (T) (R) 5.10 House Continental Railway
(T) (R) 2.45 The Traitors (T) 5.05 Lingo (T) (R) Dine With Me (R) 5.05 Fill Doctor (T) (R) Journeys (T) (R) 1.30 Villages
(R) 3.45 This Is BBC Two (T) Your House for Free (T) (R) By the Sea (R) 2.0 Hattie (R)

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BBC Three Hotel Hell 9.0 The Bad Boys II (2003) Sky Max Barrie to JRR Tolkien Radio 3 Radio 4 (5/8) 5.0 PM 5.54 (LW) Honeymoon (2/6) 11.30
Goldbergs 10.0 The 8.0 The World in a Shipping Forecast 5.57 The War of the Worlds
7.0pm Hungry for It Big Bang Theory 1.0 Comedy thriller sequel, 6.0am Bondi Rescue Painting 9.15 The Ghost 6.30am Breakfast 9.0 6.0am Today 9.0 Weather 6.0 Six O’Clock (2/6) 12.0 Machines
8.0 Young MasterChef 8.0 DC’s Legends of of Richard Harris 11.30 Essential Classics 12.0 Rethink Climate. Amol News 6.30 The Cold Like Me (2/10) 12.15
8.30 Hot Cakes 9.0 The Karate Kid starring Will Smith and Tomorrow 9.0 The Rothko: Pictures Must Be Composer of the Week: Rajan investigates the Swedish Winter. Comedy, Black Eyed Girls (2/5)
(1984) 3.25 Modern Martin Lawrence. 11.55 Blacklist 10.0 Supergirl Miraculous 12.45 Blue Max Richter (2/5) 1.0 attempts to combat 12.30 Ed Reardon’s
The Others (2001) Family 4.0 Brooklyn 11.0 NCIS: New Orleans Note Records: Beyond Radio 3 Lunchtime climate change. (2/5) by Danny Robins. (3/4) Week (5/6) 1.0 The Goon
10.40 My Left Nut Nine-Nine 4.30 Brooklyn You Were Never 1.0 Hawaii Five-0 2.0 the Notes 2.40 King Concert. In the first of 9.45 (LW) Daily Service 7.0 The Archers 7.15 Show 1.30 Little Blighty
12.10 Young MasterChef Nine-Nine 5.0 The Big Really Here (2017) S.W.A.T 3.0 The Blacklist Rocker 4.35 Anarchy on this week’s highlights 9.45 (FM) Book of Front Row 8.0 File on on the Down (2/5) 2.0
12.40 Hungry for It 1.40 Bang Theory 5.30 The Psychological thriller, 4.0 DC’s Legends of Thames 5.0 Music Icons: from the Verbier Festival the Week: The Light 4 (1/11) 8.40 In Touch Who Goes There? (5/6)
My Left Nut 3.10 Ellie Big Bang Theory 6.0 The Tomorrow 5.0 Supergirl The New Orleans Sound 2022, Sarah Walker We Carry. By Michelle 9.0 Inside Health 9.30 2.30 No Commitments
& Natasia 3.25 Young Big Bang Theory 6.30 starring Joaquin Phoenix. 6.0 NCIS: New Orleans 5.30 Video Killed the presents Yefim Bronfman Obama. (2/5) 10.0 Rethink Climate (2/5) (6/6) 3.0 Little Dorrit
MasterChef The Big Bang Theory 7.0 1.45 Come to 8.0 David Blaine: Radio Star playing Schumann and Woman’s Hour 11.0 9.59 Weather 10.0 The (2/5) 4.0 Busman’s
Hollyoaks 7.30 Modern Daddy (2019) Comedy Beyond Magic 9.0 David Bartók, and Augustin Science Stories. Lindsey World Tonight 10.45 Honeymoon (2/6) 4.30
Dave Family 8.0 The Great Blaine: Real Or Magic? Sky Atlantic Dumay performing Fitzharris tells the Book at Bedtime: Lessons The War of the Worlds
6.0am Teleshopping Celebrity Bake Off for thriller, starring Elijah 10.0 Wolfe 11.0 We’re 6.0am Storm City 7.0 Beethoven. (1/4) 2.0 story of 19th-century in Chemistry (2/10) 11.0 (2/6) 5.0 Machines Like
7.30 Storage Hunters UK Stand Up to Cancer 9.0 Here 12.10 The Russell Richard E Grant’s Hotel Afternoon Concert. physician Ignaz Small Scenes. Sketch Me (2/10) 5.15 Black
8.25 Fast Justice 9.25 Gogglebox 10.0 Naked Wood. Howard Hour 1.05 Road Secrets 7.55 Gomorrah Mao Fujita performs Semmelweis. (3/5) 11.30 series. (1/4) 11.30 Tim Eyed Girls (2/5) 5.30 Ed
Fast Justice 10.30 Rick Attraction 11.05 First Wars 2.0 Hold the Front 11.10 True Blood 1.20 Schumann, and as Out of the Ordinary: Holy Key’s Late Night Poetry Reardon’s Week (5/6)
Stein’s Cornwall 11.0 Dates 12.10 Gogglebox ITV2 Page 3.0 Hawaii Five-0 True Detective 3.30 soloist, Rachmaninov’s Relics. Jolyon Jenkins Programme (R) 12.0 6.0 The Goon Show
Rick Stein: From Venice 1.15 Gogglebox 2.20 6.0am World’s Funniest 4.0 S.W.A.T 5.0 Highway Gomorrah 5.45 True ever popular Second investigates the trade News and Weather 12.30 6.30 Little Blighty on
to Istanbul 12.0 Special Naked Attraction Videos 6.35 Totally Patrol Blood 7.55 Game of Piano Concerto. 5.0 in supposed pieces of Book of the Week: The the Down (2/5) 7.0 Jake
Ops: Crime Squad UK 3.15 First Dates 4.10 Bonkers Guinness World Thrones 9.0 Big Little New Generation Artists. the True Cross. (1/3) Yapp’s Unwinding (2/20)
1.0 Special Ops: Crime Ramsay’s Hotel Hell 5.0 Records 7.0 Secret Crush Sky Arts Lies 10.05 Landscapers Masabane Cecilia 12.0 News 12.01 (LW) Light We Carry (2/5) 10.0 The Cold Swedish
Squad UK 2.0 Top Gear The Goldbergs 8.0 Dress to Impress 6.0am Ludovico Einaudi: 11.10 The Tunnel: Rangwanasha sings Shipping Forecast 12.04 12.48 Shipping Forecast Winter (2/4) 10.30
USA Special 3.0 Top Gear 9.0 In for a Penny 9.30 Elements – Live 7.15 La Sabotage 12.10 Souls Barber’s Knoxville: Call You and Yours 12.57 1.0 As BBC World Service Cabin Pressure (2/6) 11.0
Botswana Special 4.0 QI Film4 In for a Penny 10.0 Dolce Vita: The Music 2.10 The Baby 2.50 Summer of 1915. 6.15 Weather 1.0 The World at 5.20 Shipping Forecast My Teenage Diary (5/6)
XL 5.0 Taskmaster 6.0 11.0am Night Celebrity Supermarket of Italian Cinema 9.0 Game of Thrones 4.0 Words and Music: Out One 1.45 The Crowning 5.30 News Briefing 5.43 11.30 The Celebrity
Taskmaster 7.0 Richard Passage (1957) Western, Sweep 11.0 Alan Tales of the Unexpected Storm City 5.0 Richard E of the Mouths of Babes of Everest. The story of Prayer for the Day 5.45 Voicemail Show (2/2)
Osman’s House of Games Carr’s Epic Gameshow 9.55 Alfred Hitchcock Grant’s Hotel Secrets (R) 7.30 Proms at John Hunt and his team’s Farming Today 5.58 11.45 Guy Browning’s
7.40 Would I Lie to You? starring James Stewart. 12.0 Secret Crush 1.0 Presents 10.25 Alfred Christmas 2022. Daniel Everest expedition. (2/5) Tweet of the Day Small Talk (2/2) 12.0
8.20 QI 9.0 QI XL 10.0 12.50 The Hound Dress to Impress 2.0 Hitchcock Presents You Were Harding conducts the 2.0 The Archers (R) Little Dorrit (2/5) 1.0
Have I Got a Bit More Old of the Baskervilles Family Fortunes 3.05 10.55 Discovering: Basil Never Really Berlin Philharmonic 2.15 Release. Drama. By Radio 4 Extra Busman’s Honeymoon
News for You 11.0 Live Chuck 4.0 One Tree Rathbone 11.50 Voices Here, Film4 in Schnittke’s Viola Matt Hartley. 3.0 Short 6.0am Busman’s (2/6) 1.30 The War of
at the Moth Club 12.0 (1959) Sherlock Holmes Hill 5.0 The OC 6.0 of Ireland 1.0 Tales of Concerto and Bruckner’s Cuts: The River. Josie Honeymoon (2/6) 6.30 the Worlds (2/6) 2.0
Mock the Week 12.40 Celebrity Catchphrase the Unexpected 2.0 Symphony No 4. (R) 10.0 Long presents short The War of the Worlds Machines Like Me (2/10)
Would I Lie to You? 1.20 mystery, starring 7.0 Ninja Warrior UK Boswell & Johnson’s Free Thinking: Katherine documentaries on the (2/6) 7.0 Machines Like 2.15 Black Eyed Girls
Taskmaster 2.30 Richard Peter Cushing. 2.35 8.0 Superstore 8.30 Scottish Road Trip 3.0 Mansfield and Mavis flow of water. 3.30 A Me (2/10) 7.15 Black (2/5) 2.30 Ed Reardon’s
Osman’s House of Games Superstore 9.0 Kavos Portrait Artist of the Year Gallant 10.45 The Essay: Thorough Examination Eyed Girls (2/5) 7.30 Ed Week (5/6) 3.0 The Goon
3.0 Ladhood 3.25 The Mouse That Weekender 10.0 Family 2022 4.0 Discovering: Behind the Veil – The With Drs Chris and Xand Reardon’s Week (5/6) Show 3.30 Little Blighty
Storage Hunters UK 4.0 Guy 10.30 Family Jon Voight 5.0 Tales Story of Irish Nuns. Olivia – Can I Change? Learning 8.0 The Goon Show on the Down (2/5) 4.0
Teleshopping Roared (1959) Comedy, Guy 11.0 Family Guy of the Unexpected O’Leary reflects on the to Listen. Chris considers 8.30 Little Blighty on Who Goes There? (5/6)
11.30 American Dad! 5.30 Tales of the education she received the cause of his many the Down (2/5) 9.0 4.30 No Commitments
E4 starring Peter Sellers. 12.0 American Dad! Unexpected 6.0 Alfred from nuns. (2/5) 11.0 arguments with Xand. Who Goes There? (5/6) (6/6) 5.0 Little Dorrit
6.0am Hollyoaks 6.30 4.15 The Pink 12.30 Superstore 1.0 Hitchcock Presents 7.0 Night Tracks (R) 12.30 (5/8) 4.0 In the Name 9.30 No Commitments (3/5)
Hollyoaks 7.0 Ramsay’s Panther (1963) Crime Superstore 1.30 Don’t Wonderland: From JM Through the Night (R) Of 4.30 Great Lives (6/6) 10.0 Little Dorrit
Hotel Hell 8.0 Ramsay’s Hate the Playaz 2.15 (2/5) 11.0 Busman’s
comedy, starring Peter Totally Bonkers Guinness
World Records 2.45
Sellers and David Niven. Unwind With ITV 3.0
6.30 Now You Teleshopping
See Me 2 (2016) Crime

thriller sequel, starring
Jesse Eisenberg. 9.0

• The Guardian TODAY’S PET CORNER ANSWER CAT
Tuesday 3 January 2023
12 Puzzles

Yesterday’s Quick crossword no 16,430
solutions
12345
Wordsearch
Across Down 6

1 Heavy metal fan? (10) 1 Precipitation (5)

7 Provider of cover (7) 2 Taj Mahal location (4) 7 89

8 Bitter and sharp (5) 3 Golfer’s sub-par performance (6)

10 Great merriment (4) 4 Close shave (4,4)

11 Coffee-flavoured liqueur (3,5) 5 Ancient country of central Italy,

13 Tool for cutting timber (6) centre of the Etruscan civilisation 10 11
15 What Madrileños call their (7)

country (6) 6 1958 Elvis musical drama film (4,6)

17 Contestant not considered 9 Someone who reacts 12

likely to win (8) overemotionally (5,5)

18 Boyfriend (4) 12 Roman Catholic church with 13 14 15
21 Boredom (5) special privileges (8)

22 Swiss cheese (7) 14 Funnel-shaped flower (7) 16
23 Blow with the side of the hand 16 Stingy (6)

Solution no 16,429 (6,4) 19 Ogle (3,2) 17 18 19
20 Either of two US presidents (4)

G E T AMOV E ON

USAESF 20

OC C U P I E R AWR Y

CNLBKA 21 22

I P AD MAHA TMA

ME T E

TH I NSK I NNED

O PMO

MIMI CRY OV I D

LGEBER 23

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GO F OR B ROK E

Sudoku

Sudoku Suguru Wordsearch

Medium. Fill the grid so that each row, column and Fill the grid so that each square Can you find 15 words associated
3x3 box contains the numbers 1-9. Printable version at in an outlined block contains a with art in the grid? Words can run
theguardian.com/sudoku digit. A block of 2 squares contains forwards, backwards, vertically or
the digits 1 and 2, a block of three diagonally, but always in a straight,
squares contains the digits 1, 2 unbroken line.
and 3, and so on. No same digit
appears in neighbouring squares,
not even diagonally.

Word wheel
OVERPOWER

Suguru

Word wheel Pet corner

Find as many words as What does the character
possible using the letters of Ruth call her pet cat in
in the wheel. Each must Robert Icke’s The Doctor?
use the central letter a. Charlie
and at least two others. b. Cat
Letters may be used only c. Sami
once. You may not use d. Roger
plurals, foreign words or Answer top right
proper nouns. There is at
least one nine-letter word
to be found. TARGET:
Excellent-45. Good-38.
Average-28.

• G2
Daily
Do BBC bosses have any plans that aren’t just cut, cut, cut? Roger Bolton, page 3 pullout
Greta Thunberg on machismo and the fate of the planet Rebecca Solnit, page 4 life &
Barbara Walters, pioneering American TV journalist Obituaries, page 6 arts
section
Inside

The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

Opinion
and ideas

Why learning I n the autumn, I started to learn Ukrainian. voice belonging to teacher Anna Ohoiko guides me ILLUSTRATION:
the language After a reporting trip to the country, I felt that through the early steps of learning a language: saying R FRESSON
shows solidarity on my return I really should try to be less than hello, describing family, and eating out. The first
with Ukraine totally linguistically helpless. The Ukrainian seasons of the podcast were made in 2016, and there’s 
Institute in London offers group and individual a bittersweet feeling in them of time-travelling to a
Charlotte lessons remotely with highly qualified teachers different Ukraine, with Ohoiko describing carefree Charlotte
Higgins but, perversely perhaps, I decide I would trips to the market and her favourite park in Kyiv Higgins
like to learn from an instructor based in the – which was hit by Russian cruise missile attacks is the Guardian’s
country itself. I am recommended a friend of a friend, when I was in the city in October. chief culture
an internal refugee from the capital now living in writer
Ivano-Frankivsk, western Ukraine. Then there is the language app, Duolingo, which,
to my surprise, has a Ukrainian course. I imagined
Olya Makar, who manages to make her Zoom Duolingo Ukrainian may be something of a minority
lessons fun and exacting, is carrying on her work sport – but last month, the app’s data crunchers
despite many setbacks. Owing to Russian missile reported that it was Duolingo’s fastest-growing
strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, at present language of the year in the UK, with users rising by
she has electricity only for three two-hour blocks a day 1,254% – and that it had grown by a remarkable 2,229%
– supposedly according to a schedule, but one that can in the Republic of Ireland. In the UK, there was a spike
shift unexpectedly – and a patchy internet connection. for Ukrainian learning in February and March, and then
We reluctantly have to cancel a couple of sessions. another in May, when the system finally spluttered
into gear and Ukrainians began to arrive in substantial
Like most Ukrainians I have met, she greets such numbers, the curve in the graph a reflection of the
problems with bracing realism; things could easily inefficiency of Britain’s refugee scheme.
get more difficult, she says. “After each attack it’s
getting worse and worse,” she says. “But we will find The overall trend is similar in other
new ways to adapt.” I also tune into the Ukrainian countries receiving refugees – Poland,
Lessons podcast, in which a cheerful and charming Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech

• The Guardian Tuesday 3 January 2023

2 Founded 1821 Independently owned by the Scott Trust № 54,857
‘Comment is free… but facts are sacred’ CP Scott
Why learning the language
Afghanistan more like the old one. If there are more moderate
shows solidarity with Ukraine figures in the ranks, they are unable to prevail.
As the country falls apart, Last month, there was the first public execution
Charlotte Higgins the Taliban care only since their return to power. Women have been
about punishing women among those punished in public floggings. If
Continued from front the Taliban’s priorities were not so horrific, they
The Taliban’s relentless campaign against women is would be bizarre: this viciousness appears to be
Republic all saw spikes in Ukrainian not only a matter of rights, but of survival. It is not all they care about, despite the country’s parlous
learning last year. But there have been only cruel and oppressive, but deadly. In a country state in every possible regard.
sharp rises in Japan, Vietnam and Latin already on its knees, where 97% of the population
America too, and “in just about every country on live in poverty, two-thirds need humanitarian Relations with Islamabad are breaking down
Earth” that uses the app, according to Cindy Blanco, assistance, 20 million face acute hunger and as cross-border attacks by the Pakistani Taliban
one of Duolingo’s learning scientists, many of them parents sell kidneys to feed their families, it has (TTP) increase. In December, members of the TTP
receiving few or no refugees. Around the world, made life still more desperate. By banning women – separate to but allied with the Afghan Taliban
1.3 million people started learning the language from working for NGOs, they are denying essential, – overpowered guards at a counter-terrorism
on Duolingo in 2022, she says. life-saving services to women and children. facility in Pakistan and seized control. As the
In short: people across the globe have been learning Almost all the large aid agencies have suspended security situation deteriorates, Islamic State has
Ukrainian to express their solidarity with the victims operations and the United Nations has paused some claimed responsibility for attacks on the Pakistani
of Vladimir Putin’s aggression. At the same time, the “time-critical” programmes. Major world powers and Russian embassies in Kabul. The Chinese
growth of Russian has slowed, which, in relation to have urged the Taliban to immediately reverse their ambassador ordered all nationals to leave the
the rate of uplift in app users overall, amounts to a “reckless and dangerous” decision, while UN agency country after gunmen attacked a hotel used by
decline. In a delicious irony, Putin himself is behind chiefs described female staff as key to every aspect of Chinese businessmen. These developments are not
this extraordinary own goal in soft diplomacy terms, the humanitarian response. merely a diplomatic problem for the Taliban; hopes
since he is indirectly responsible for the very presence of income to help replace the vanished foreign
of the Ukrainian language on the app: in 2014, in the In many cases, these staff – who number in the tens aid that shored up the country for so long have
wake of Russia’s occupation of Crimea, the US’s Peace of thousands – are also the only breadwinners in their disappeared. Now the last props are being removed
Corps withdrew its volunteers from the country, households. Denying them their salaries ensures that as aid operations halt, at terrible cost.
freeing up some of the staff to pursue individual women, children (and, incidentally, men too) will
projects. It was one of them, Iryna Krupska, who starve. The Taliban’s earlier decision to bar women In these grim times, women have demonstrated
worked with Duolingo to develop a Ukrainian course, from universities – and reportedly even primary extraordinary courage and resilience in challenging
as well as an English course for Ukrainian speakers. education – means that no more female doctors or the Taliban’s harsh rule. Men have taken a stand
teachers will be trained. Teenage girls have already beside them. They deserve not only admiration,
T here are many reasons to learn a been kept out of school for almost a year and a half. but support. The UK did extremely poorly at
language: school, university, work, evacuating Afghans before Kabul fell last year.
relationships, ancestry, the prospect The Taliban strove to create the impression of a As of early December, not one person had been
of holidays and travel. Sometimes, more moderate “Taliban 2.0” before their return to accepted and evacuated under the Home Office’s
though, the reason is political, power, promising not to repeat the cruelties of the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme, which was
since language and politics walk in 1990s regime. But the new Taliban look more and launched in January for those at risk because they
lock step. Ukrainian was audible had worked for or were affiliated with the British
in TV footage of the invasion; it government. Afghans, and especially those brave
was heard when President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s enough to challenge this regime, need more than
daily addresses were broadcast round the world. It words from the British government.
became swiftly clear for those following the war that
the language itself was at stake in the conflict. Putin’s Economics Unfortunately, many central bankers are too stuck
obsession with Ukraine hangs on his false conviction in their destructive ways to accept it.
that the country exists only as an appendage Britain cannot afford to
of Russia and has no identity of its own; many have wasted decades of The Bank of England raised interest rates for the
Ukrainians have been dropping Russian in favour of excessive unemployment ninth time in a row last month. While inflation hurts
speaking Ukrainian as a symbol of resistance. the poorest most, it is predicted to be temporary.
The misguided attempts by some central banks There is a danger of long-term damage to the
Ohoiko tells me she’s seen numbers for her podcast to reduce inflation by raising interest rates and economy by overtightening. Last September, the
surge – by 600% on Spotify, for instance, while her generating unemployment seem to be about Office for National Statistics looked at measuring
Ukrainian Lessons’ Facebook group has grown from credibility. Their reputations as anti-inflation fighters unemployment accurately. When it considered a
having a couple of thousand active users before must be preserved despite the heavy cost. Even more natural understanding of what it means to
February’s invasion to 10,000 now. When I confess when the Nobel laureate and prominent monetarist be unemployed, it calculated a UK jobless rate of
to her that a small part of me feels Russian would be Franco Modigliani renounced this theory in 2000, about 7% – almost double the official count. High
a more “useful” language to learn, more adaptable central banks continued to follow the creed he unemployment is such a waste of resources that
to many countries in the former Soviet Union, she abandoned. More pain is being inflicted on the public no one interested in efficiency can be complacent
tells me that one of the main reasons she set up her through rate rises while the evidence stacks up that about it. When he recanted, Modigliani admitted
podcast was her certainty that Russian would enter this is unnecessary suffering. that “unemployment is due to lack of aggregate
a long-term decline, in her country and others. demand. This is mainly the outcome of erroneous
Last October, the Peterson Institute for International macroeconomic policies.” What are the right ones?
“I’ve always felt it has been a generational question,” Economics produced a paper looking at 11 advanced Jens van ’t Klooster at Amsterdam University thinks
she says. “I hoped that when I was old and retired, and economies and said the “little noticed dark side” of high interest rates are about ending the “failed
Ukraine was developing towards democratic values low inflation before the Covid pandemic was that experiment” of quantitative easing rather than
and European integration, that Russian wouldn’t be as “unemployment was almost continuously higher than fighting inflation. But that seems like jumping out
strong as it used to be in Ukraine. Since independence needed to keep inflation low. Unless central bankers of the frying pan into the fire.
there has been a slow move towards Ukrainian, but change their economic models, the world is likely to
now it’s become much faster.” return to chronically excessive unemployment in the The economist Bill Mitchell, at Kyoto University,
years after the [current] inflation surge.” The problem suggests we ought to be watching the Bank of Japan.
Ukrainian is not straightforward for those who do is that central bankers see economies running hotter In December, the Japanese central bank’s decision to
not already speak a Slavic tongue. I myself am under than they actually are – and hike borrowing costs when allow its 10-year government debt yield to fluctuate
no illusions: if I can say a few words and order my there is no reason to do so. half a percentage point both above and below
dinner in Ukrainian, I’ll be doing just fine. But in my its 0% target – twice as much as before – had free
case too, studying the language goes way beyond the The institute says that even when booms occurred marketers predicting “a period of tightening”. But as
practical. It makes me feel a connection with friends in – the biggest were in Spain and Italy – “there was no Prof Mitchell observed, it was a move to restore the
Ukraine, and draws me towards a cultural landscape increase in … inflation”. It goes on to recommend that capacity of Japanese firms to issue corporate bonds
I’ve been reporting on. I feel closer to the country if inflation does not return quickly to their 2% target, at reasonable rates. The Bank of Japan believes that
when I practise the language, whether it’s because of “central banks should not … risk recessions in order to the current bout of inflation is transitory and doesn’t
my teacher’s struggles to keep going with her work, return to 2%”. Instead, the authors say, inflation targets want to risk damaging economic growth, and record
or Ukrainian Lessons’ social media posts highlighting ought to be relaxed. This heresy is very good advice. prime-age employment levels, by hiking rates.
vocabulary that, says Ohoiko, “we are hearing every Seeking the right exchange rate and level of nominal
day on the news and matter a lot to us now – words growth to avoid a downturn, its policy is out of step
for air raids and missiles, different types of weapon, for all the right reasons. This, as Prof Mitchell points
ways of describing the energy crisis”. out, makes for a very different country indeed.

I feel small shots of triumph, too – like when I read
my first poem in Ukrainian, Vasyl Symonenko’s glorious
You know that you are human? (and I feel a chill when
I learn he died in 1963 aged 28, after being beaten up by
police). One day, though, I want to be one of those who
learn in order to increase their pleasure in holidaying in
a normal country – when I can raise a glass of Ukrainian
red wine on the peaceful shores of the Black Sea.