The following article by Rosie Hampton celebrates he winter rent freeze and eviction ban in Scotland. It was first posted by bella caledonia This week, the Scottish government announced a rent freeze across the private and socially rented sectors, accompanied by an eviction ban, until March 2023. Whilst there is much in the coming legislation…
Unions and ‘left’ politicians backing a national unity project is a bad idea, actually
The following article, written by Joe Glenton, on the collapse of the Labour Left and trade union leaders in the face of the state-orchestrated royalist offensive was first posted by The Canary. UNIONS AND ‘LEFT’ POLITICIANS BACKING A NATIONAL UNITY PROJECT IS A BAD IDEA, ACTUALLY Not long ago Britain’s large trade unions seemed to…
Protests throughout the Global South signal international opposition to austerity
The following article written by Sam Carliner outlined the growing worldwide resistance to austerity. It was first posted by Left Voice (USA). Sri Lanka It has now been two months since tens of thousands of Sri Lankans stormed the presidential palace and toppled the country’s president in a powerful rejection of price hikes on food and fuel.…
Chileans reject proposed constitution
The following article, written by Otto Fors, on the political setback in Chile, was first posted by Left Voice (USA) CHILEANS REJECT PROPOSED CONSTITUTION On September 5th , Chileans voted on whether to adopt a new constitution to replace the dictatorship-era document. With nearly all ballots counted, 62 percent voted in favor of rejection, a resounding…
How private investors mortgaged UK’s utilities – and why we’re paying the price
As British beaches are closed and workers’ wages plummet, the overseas owners of UK firms are banking billions.The following article, written by Adam Ramsay, was first posted by opendemocracy. It examines the role of private corporations in creating the current crisis. HOW PRIVATE INVESTORS MORTGAGED UK’S UTILITIES – AND WHY WE’RE PAYING THE PRICE There’s…
Labor Notes 2022 – which way forward for the movement?
The following article was first posted by Left Voice (US) in the run-up to the very well-attended Labor Notes conference held in Chicago in Chicago in June. Although specific to the situation of rising working class struggle in the USA, it makes many points which apply to the UK. with strong parallels between the role…
The promised land
The following article written by Mike Small and first appeared in bella caledonia. It examines the current political situation in the UK in the ‘light’ of the the Tory leadership contest. THE PROMISED LAND The Conservative Party’s long overdue collision with reality is getting ever nearer. As Liz Truss ascends to the throne the country…
The general strike and classical Marxism
THE GENERAL STRIKE AND CLASSICAL MARXISM We are posting a link to this article by Jack Conrad because it makes some good general points regarding the history, nature, purpose and importantly limits of the General Strike tactic within a broad communist framework. In particular it emphasises the important distinction between ‘economic’ and consciously political struggles…
There is only one form of racism that the GMB opposes – ‘antisemitism’ – in other words it supports Israeli Apartheid
The following article first posted by Tony Greenstein outlined the hypocrtical stance of the GMB leadership over its attitude to racism, and its consistent backing for Labour’s right wing. THERE IS ONLY ONE FORM OF RACISM THAT THE GMB OPPOSES – ‘ANTISEMITISM’ – IN OTHER WORDS ISRAELI APARTHEID The first time I became aware of…
Cyprus – An occupied island, a freedom fighter, a consociational republic in the eastern Mediterranean
Andreas Andreou, a historian and freelance journalist from Cyprus, currently based in London, has sent us this fascinating. It emphasises the need to approach the issue of republicanism not merely as the absence of monarchy (although the long arm of the Uk state is still found in Cyprus) but a democratic issue based…