The human cargo of voluntary departure

The following article written by Mike Small first appeared in bella caledonia. It examines the ongoing assault on migrants, which has become the centre-piece of the Tories’ attacks on democratic right across the board in Brexit Britain ,    THE HUMAN CARGO OF VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE “Anyone entering the UK illegally… may now be relocated to…

When the Bolsheviks created a Soviet Republic in the Donbas

This article written by Hanna Perekhoda (translated by David Broder) first appeared in The Jacobin. It examines the history of the creation of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, during the 1916-21/3 International Revolutionary Wave    WHEN THE BOLSHEVIKS CREATED A SOVIET REPUBLIC IN THE DONBAS The Donbas is at the heart of Vladimir Putin’s claim…

An open letter from Asad Ghanem to the Ukrainian president

In an open letter, first published in Al Jazeera,  political analyst Asad Ghanem urges the Ukrainian president to stop employing double standards and to support the Palestinian struggle.   Dear Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Your recent speech before the Israeli Knesset was a disgrace when it comes to global struggles for freedom and liberation, particularly of the…

P&O, Brexit Britain and Empire2

This  is a slightly edited version of an article by Allan Armstrong, first posted by bella caledonia.  P&O, BREXIT BRITAIN AND  EMPIRE2 P&O, or what became the Peninsular and Orient Steam Navigation Company, was established in 1822. One of its co-founders, Brodie McGhie Willcox, was a London ship broker. When he died in 1862, he…

Putin’s war and Jewish history

The history of Ukraine is inextricably linked with antisemitism, from the pogroms of the Russian Civil War to the Ukrainian nationalist complicity in the Holocaust. Such historical connections have once more come to the fore during Russia’s invasion of the country, now lead by a Jewish president. Here, historical sociologist Brendan McGeever writes on this complicated past, and…

From Red Clydeside to Green Revolution

David Russell of Survivors’ Poetry reviews Pauline Bradley’s From Red Clydeside to Green Revolution Available from Sound Inspirations, soundinspirations@yahoo.co.uk £7.00 inc p&p   FROM RED CLYDESIDE TO GREEN REVOLUTION by Pauline Bradley Ever the sensitive soul, ever the stalwart protester, Pauline Bradley has delivered a stunning collection. The title expresses a radical necessity. I have…

For a republican, all-islands, internationalism from below coalition

Allan Armstrong has written reviews of three books which address the political situation Socialists face, first of all in Ireland. He has  extended this to Scotland, Wales and England, and their position in a world of competing imperialisms. The purpose in doing this is to build the case for a Republican, all-islands, ‘internationalism from below’…

The Supreme Court won’t listen to Assange, but the legal battle is still on

At  a time when journalists are being targeted and killed by Russian forces In Ukraine for highlighting war crimes, the US and UK governments are involved in a savage e attack on Julian Assange for exposing these states’ war crimes. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds. Sara Chessa brings us up to date withe latest developments.…

People of Belize reject Will and Kate – Jamaica’s about to do the same

The UK state charm offensive headed by the royals Will and Kate has not started well. This article by Eliza Egret was first posted by The Canary.   PEOPLE OF BELIZE REJECT WILL AND KATE – JAMAICA’S ABOUT TO DO THE SAME As William and Kate embark on a charm offensive tour of the Caribbean,…

Self determination and sovereignty in Europe

This article by Mike Small was first posted on bella caledonia. It  highlights the Gadarene stampede to the Right by media commentators following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Ian MacWhirter, for a short period a supporter of Scottish independence, but now following his longstanding attacks on public sector workers, followed by transgendered  people and environmental activists,…