The following article from Socialist Democracy (Ireland)examines the state of the Good Friday Agreement twenty five years after its signing, and finds it in tatters. 25 YEARS ON – IN THE DEBRIS OF THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT Now do we love Big Brother? The 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement is being marked…
In memory of Marco Bocjun, 1951-2023
The EL&SD EB is very pleased to repost this tribute by Chris Ford of the Ukrainian Solidarity Campaign. It is to Marco Bocjun, a leading Socialist from Ukraine. Before the war in Ukraine broke out, the Republican Socialist Platform, recognising the historical significance of Marco’s contributions, hosted a meeting to discuss his book, The Workers’…
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,…