Bob Holman talks about why he rejected his offered MBE I am an egalitarian. I believe that a socially and materially equal society is more united, content and just. The royal honours system is designed to promote differences of status. It is made clear that those who are made knights or dames are socially superior…
Revolutionary Unity Mission Statement
Eric Chester (RCN) has submitted this statement from Revolutionary Unity (USA). New Mission Statement by Revolutionary Unity Revolutionary Unity calls upon our working and oppressed sisters and brothers to unite for a new chapter in the historic struggles for liberation from capitalism, patriarchy and bigotry. We are united in the belief that our future depends…
The ‘Independence-Lite’ Referendum And A Tale Of Two Campaigns
The SNP‘s ‘Yes, Please’ And The Left Nationalists’ ‘Yes, But…’ Tale No. 1 – the launch of the SNP’s Yes campaign Alex Salmond launched the ‘Yes’ campaign for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum at Cineworld in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge on the morning of Friday, May 25th. Apart from the delayed start, this media orientated event, attended…
The Democrat Party Derails The Struggle In Wisconsin
The Wisconsin left failed to form a powerful opposition to Governor Scott Walker’s regime. That failure was the catalyst for the recall strategy. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin was able to utilize mass protest and street action for its own selfish goals, and hoped to gain power through a bourgeois electoral process which would pit…
Socialist Republicanism And The Diamond Jubilee
The RCN is posting four pieces as a contribution to the debate on a socialist republican the Diamond Jubilee. Socialist Republicans and Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Republicanism Socialism and Democracy The Crown Rules Britannia The Queen: Floating in the Stink 1. Socialist Republicans and Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee “Maud Gonne joined with James Connolly in…
Price Demonstration Shows Growing Anger At The Return Of Internment
The Belfast demonstration in support of Marian Price on the 27th of May should give pause to the British government and to local politicians. The size of the demonstration; 4000 to 5000, and the number of young people involved shows the growing levels of concern and anger at the internment of Marian and a growing…
Even The Rain
Paul Laverty’s Even the Rain is a very powerful film that works on several levels. As a piece of drama, with a compelling musical soundtrack, it captures and holds your attention. You would not have to be politically engaged to enjoy this film. However, for anybody at all concerned about the present state of the world, and…
Pass the Sickbag!
Salmond and the Royal Jubilee I am looking forward to a fantastic weekend of celebrations right across Scotland to mark The Queen’s 60 years of loyal service on the occasion of Her Diamond Jubilee. Her Majesty has been, and contributes to be, a great friend of Scotland, offering her subjects unparalleled dedication and integrity as…
A New Tyranny Over Europe
A crisis of capitalism, a threat to democracy The leaders of Europe spent much time and ingenuity in designing the Financial Stability Pact so that it would not require a vote. The fact that Britain and the Czech Republic did not sign meant that it could not be formally part of European structures. The major…
What Do The May 5th Local Election Results Mean In Scotland?
This article was first written for socialists in England and Wales. It has been published on the commune website, and issue 23 of Permanent Revolution, in slightly edited forms. The Scottish local council elections, held on May 5th, have attracted much wider interest than would normally normally be the case for such an event. The primary…