In Weekly Worker, no. 865, James Turley has attacked those who wrote an Open Letter urging no vote for George Galloway in the Holyrood elections on May 5th. The Open Letter was originally published on the Manchester-based blog, Infantile and disorderly (The Editorial Board of Emancipation & Liberation added its members’ names after the initial…
Open Letter – No Vote for Galloway
This was issued by the Manchester-based blogger, ‘Infantile and disorderly‘, on May 2. On May 5, George Galloway will be standing for election to Holyrood. The former Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow and Labour MP for Glasgow Kelvin is heading the George Galloway (Respect) – Coalition Against Cuts list. He has the backing…
An examination of the results of the ‘no’ victory
So, the ‘No’ campaign against the Alternative Vote (AV) managed to win decisively in every nation and region of the UK. Even in Scotland, where on paper a ‘Yes’ vote was supported by a confident SNP, sections of the Labour Party, and the Lib-Dems and Greens, the ‘No’ vote won handsomely everywhere, apart from Edinburgh…
The case for Abstention in the AV referendum
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the AV referendum on May 4th will very much play second fiddle to the elections to Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont. Ironically though, it is precisely in these three areas that the outcome of the referendum could be determined. People going to vote in the devolved assembly elections will…
In Search of Middle England
The political commentator said: The new leader of New Labour will just have to make himself more acceptable to Middle England.’ Being a traveller, a geographer even, I searched my atlas for Middle England. I could find no such place so I wandered around the post-industrial Midlands instead. Without luck I wondered if my Scots…
Book Launch: From Davitt to Connolly: ‘Internationalism from Below’…
From Davitt to Connolly: ‘Internationalism from Below’ and the challenge to the UK state and British Empire from 1897-1895 By Allan Armstrong Published by Intfrobel Publications, £7.99 Allan Armstrong’s new book From Davitt to Connolly: ‘Internationalism from Below’ and the challenge to the UK state and British Empire from 1897-1895 was launched to a warm…
The Sane Society – Erich Fromm
Joe Conroy appraises Erich Fromm’s 1955 work. This article first appeared in Red Banner Issue 39 The United States in 1955 would hardly seem a propitious time or place for condemning capitalist society outright and advocating an entirely different way of living. With millions buying into the consumer society and no end in sight to…
The Only Boss I Ever Liked
Rod MacGregor follows Bruce Springsteen’s political development through his music Now I been lookin’ for a job but it’s hard to find Down here there’s just winners and losers And don’t get caught on the wrong side of that line —Atlantic City, Bruce Springsteen It was nearly three decades ago, in May 1981, that I…
Remembering Charlie Rees
Militant Trade Unionist, Republican, Communist, Artist and Poet RCN members recently heard of the death of our comrade Charlie Rees. Charlie, together with his partner Deidre McCartin, was one of the founding members of the Scottish Socialist Party. He had been an active socialist in the south of England, but also remembered his family’s Welsh…
Charlie Rees
We have recently heard of the passing of Charlie Rees. Charlie was a member of the RCN and SSP when he lived in Scotland with Deidre McCartan, also a member of the RCN and SSP, before moving to England, What follows is a short poem he wrote when moving from his home in Dunure, Scotland…