Nearly all wars lead to sections of the Left retreating and sacrificing basic principles. We have seen this with Paul Mason and now Anthony Barnett, in giving their support to NATO. Yanis Varoufakis, who fully supports Ukrainian resistance against Putin’s Russian imperialism, replies to Barnett. This letter was first posted by openDemocracy. THE US…
Mass media Omerta: burying Al Jazeera’s ‘The Labour Files’
The following article was first posted by Al Jazeera. It shows how the Labour Party bureaucracy attacked Corbyn to clear the way for a pro-British establishment leader ready to bow to the whims of the City, IMF, the British High Command and NATO. In other words they want Labour to act as the British ruling…
EL&SD coverage of republicanism
The Republican Communist Network and the Republican Communist Forum have been at the centre of the campaign to build support for republicanism in Scotland. This has involved upholding republicanism as the sovereignty of the people against the UK’s sovereignty of the Crown-in-Westminster. We have criticised those who limit republicanism to anti-monarchism, which can provide cover…
Rent freeze: A victory for tenants’ rights
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…
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…
I’m a Ukrainian socialist: here’s why I am resisting the Russian invasion
The following article, written by Ukrainian socialist, Taras Bilous, who is serving in the Territorial Defence Forces, was first posted by Jacobin. I’M A UKRAINIAN SOCIALIST: HERE’S WHY I AM RESISTING THE RUSSIAN INVASION As a socialist and internationalist, I abhor war. But the basic premise of self-determination justifies the resistance of ordinary Ukrainians to…