Staggering

When it isn't running fawning "interviews" with the likes of Gordon Brown (http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2008/07/gordon-brown-interview-labour ), the New Statesman prides itself on impeccably left of centre pieces. However, when it comes to practising what it preaches, the "Staggers" is woefully lacking.
The Observer columnist Nick Cohen has been in dispute with the magazine over non payment for articles he submitted last year. Cohen has enlisted the support of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) (http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=41623&c=1 ).
Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the NUJ, makes a startling statement:
"We haven't had NUJ recognition there for a number of years, but I believe we're in the process of seeking a claim for recognition there, having recruited lots of new members there over the past few months."
That such a situation has prevailed at the magazine is intolerable; even New Labour recognise the right of party staff to union membership (I think). The Statesman's owner, Geoffrey Robinson, a millionaire as well as Labour MP, is a Brownite. Hence the kid-glove blurb on the PM in this week's issue (the piece which gave us the unfortunate Heathcliff comparison).
I cancelled my subscription to the magazine a while back after the exit of its last editor. I've had no second thoughts since.