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…
Around the Time of Aitken
Around the Time of Aitken Andy McPake reviews the latest book of poetry, Around the Time of Michael from Jim Aitken. Jim has become a regular contributor to Emancipation & Liberation, and he credits us in his preface. Around the Time of Michael is Jim’s ninth published volume of poetry and, as the quote above suggests, a…
RCN Statement on the decision of George Galloway to stand in next year’s Holyrood elections
George Galloway has decided, with the backing of Respect in England and Wales, to stand as an MSP in Glasgow in next year’s Holyrood elections. This decision would apparently have been taken with or without Respect’s support. It amounts to little more than an attempt at carpet-bagging, following his removal from the celebrity spotlight, when…
From Davitt to Connolly – ‘Internationalism From Below’ Book Launch
‘Internationalism from Below’ and the challenge to the UK state and British Empire from 1879 – 1895 Launch on 19th November Venue: Word Power Books 43-45 West Nicolson Street Edinburgh EH8 9DB For More details see Internationalism From Below
Edwin Morgan 1920-2010
When I left school in 1975, Edwin Morgan had not yet pushed his way on to the syllabus for Higher or sixth year English. When I returned to school 4 years later as a student teacher, he was taught to all years and has stayed there for the best part of 30 years. When he…
Why we oppose the Pope’s State Visit to Britain
Taken from Peter Tatchells site Pope Benedict preaches intolerance & rejects key human rights Even most Catholics oppose many of his teachings London – 13 August 2010 Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who is also a spokesperson for the Protest the Pope campaign, spoke at a public meeting in Richmond, London, last night. In his…
The Communist Case for Internationalism from Below
A contribution to the debate at The Global Commune event of 22nd May, 2010, in Edinburgh 1. Three Left approaches to building a new world order The Republican Communist Network (RCN) has mainly applied an ‘internationalism from below’ approach as a way to unite communists, socialists and revolutionary democrats throughout these islands around an immediate…
Report of Second Global Commune Meeting
May 22nd, 2010 The second Global Commune day school, jointly organised by the Republican Communist Network (RCN) and The Commune, was held in the Out of the Blue Centre in Edinburgh on May 22nd. People attended from Aberdeen, Bristol, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Midlothian. The first workshop session, ‘After the Election, What Next?‘ was introduced…
A reply to Alan Johnstone of the Socialist Party of Great Britain” from Allan Armstrong
In his letter to Weekly Worker, no. 812, Alan Johnstone attacks my claim that Marx and Engels would have been supporters of an ‘internationalism from below’ strategy from the time of the First International. On Alan’s first point, that what socialists should do in 2010 does not depend on what Marx and Engels may or…
A Reply to Nick Roger’s Workers Unity not Separatism
A Reply to Nick Roger’s Workers Unity not Separatism (edited version in Weekly Worker, no. 211) Independent Action Required to Achieve Genuine Workers’ Unity First, I would like to thank Nick for the tenor of his contribution to the debate about communist strategy in the states of the UK and the 26 county Irish republic.…