Arundhati Roy on things that can and cannot be said: The dismantling of the world as we know it

We are reposting the Stuart Hall memorial lecture, first posted on thewire, given by Arundhati Roy last September. She is author of  Azadi – Fascism, Fiction and Freedom in the Time of the Virus, outlining the ongoing fascistisation of India under Modi. In Arundhati’s lecture, she locates this process in a global context. Solidarity, speaking…

Homophobia in Uganda is a horrifying demonstration of colonialism and evangelism at work

The following article written by Alex/Rose Cocker was first posted by The Canary. It outlines the shared role of colonialism, and in particular Protestant evangelicals, in promoting homophobia  in Africa, particular the ex-British colonies. Several of these evangelical organisations are currently involved in the transphobic offensive in the USA, UK and Scotland and in picketting…

Jewish refugee groups condemn Illegal Migration Bill and government language

The growing opposition to the Tories’ draconian and racist  Illegal Immigration Bill was highlighted when Gary Lineker compared the government’s activities to those of the Nazis. The husband of Tory Home Secretary, Suella Braverman,  Rael , who had  family members killed during the Holocaust,  was incensed by the comparison.  However, Lineker was pointing to the…

The Winds of Change at Gartymore

George Gunn is a signatory to the 2023 Declaration of Calton Hill. In this thought provoking article, first posted by bella caledonia, George argues that climate activists should take inspiration from the Highland Land League’s slogan “Is treasa tuath na tighearna” (The people are mightier than a lord.) Allan Armstrong adds his own comment at…

“The Sturgeon era is over: Now what?” and “What we have learned from the SNP leadership election”

Mike Small and Sean Bell are signatories to the 2023 Declaration of Calton Hill. Quite independently, they have been making their own observations and commentaries about the current political situation in Scotland in bella caledonia. Recently Mike has written, The Sturgeon era is over: Now what? and Sean has written What have we learned from…

Remembering George Padmore

The following article on Trinidadian revolutionary, George Padmore, written by Perry Blankson, was first posted by the Tribune. REMEMBERING GEORGE PADMORE Trinidadian socialist George Padmore was born in 1903. His Pan-African organising helped to build the struggle against colonialism in the West – and to push independence struggles towards Marxism. Of all the many figures…

More women in the police won’t reduce police violence

The following article by Janey Starling was first posted by openDemocracy. It was written in the aftermath of the damning   Casey Report intom the conduct of The Met. It is followed by a comment from EL&SD EB member, Iain Robertson. MORE WOMEN IN THE POLICE WON’T REDUCE POLICE VIOLENCE As reports of hideous violence…

‘Love is love’: LGBT lives and the fight to become Scotland’s First Minister

The following article, written by Kevin Guyan, was first posted by bella caledonia. It examines the different ways SNP leader contenders Kate Forbes and Ash Regan have promoted anti-trans politics. ‘LOVE IS LOVE’: LGBT LIVES AND THE FIGHT TO BECOME SCOTLAND’S FIRST MINISTER ‘Love is Love’, tweeted Ash Regan on the morning of 21 February,…

Announcing the 2023 Declaration of Calton Hill

The following article, written by Allan Armstrong for the Radical Independence Campaign, was first posted by bella caledonia  ANNOUNCING THE 2023 DECLARATION OF CALTON HILL On September 18th, November 2014, something truly remarkable in politics happened.  By the time of the Scottish independence referendum, held on that day, 97% of Scotland’s potential electorate had registered…

The growing political crisis in France

We are posting this article by David Kellaway of anti-capitalist resistance. It describes well the growing working class resistance to  Macron’s proposed pension counter-reforms.  It is followed by a statement from the Fourth International affiliated New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA). In a comment at the end, EL&SD EB member, Allan Armstrong makes some additional points about…