Edinburgh Peoples Festival August 6th-12th 1. People’s History of Edinburgh August 6th, 6.30 pm, Outside The Last Drop Public House, Grassmarket Local historian Allan Armstrong leads us on this walk through the Edinburgh that never makes it into the official guide books. This is the people’s history of ‘Auld Reekie’ shaped by those who lived…
Even The Rain
Paul Laverty’s Even the Rain is a very powerful film that works on several levels. As a piece of drama, with a compelling musical soundtrack, it captures and holds your attention. You would not have to be politically engaged to enjoy this film. However, for anybody at all concerned about the present state of the world, and…
Review: Onsind – Dissatisfacton
Album available at name your price with a minimum of £0 ONSIND are an acoustic pop punk band from Durham. Their name is in reference to the lack of abortion facilities in some areas of America. I recently attended a gig put on by the Make That a Take DIY (anti-sexist, anti-racist, anti-fascist and anti-homophobic)…
Mary McGregor reviews ‘The Last Calendar of Events’ by Jim Aitken
Jim Aitken is a regular contributor to Emancipation & Liberation. He has published several books of poetry. Here Mary McGregor, also a teacher of English, reviews Jim’s Last Calendar of Events, which covers his last year of teaching. “And I gave them ideals and have held on to then still a youthful spirit unbroken.” On…
In Search of Middle England
The political commentator said: The new leader of New Labour will just have to make himself more acceptable to Middle England.’ Being a traveller, a geographer even, I searched my atlas for Middle England. I could find no such place so I wandered around the post-industrial Midlands instead. Without luck I wondered if my Scots…
Book Launch: From Davitt to Connolly: ‘Internationalism from Below’…
From Davitt to Connolly: ‘Internationalism from Below’ and the challenge to the UK state and British Empire from 1897-1895 By Allan Armstrong Published by Intfrobel Publications, £7.99 Allan Armstrong’s new book From Davitt to Connolly: ‘Internationalism from Below’ and the challenge to the UK state and British Empire from 1897-1895 was launched to a warm…
The Sane Society – Erich Fromm
Joe Conroy appraises Erich Fromm’s 1955 work. This article first appeared in Red Banner Issue 39 The United States in 1955 would hardly seem a propitious time or place for condemning capitalist society outright and advocating an entirely different way of living. With millions buying into the consumer society and no end in sight to…
The Only Boss I Ever Liked
Rod MacGregor follows Bruce Springsteen’s political development through his music Now I been lookin’ for a job but it’s hard to find Down here there’s just winners and losers And don’t get caught on the wrong side of that line —Atlantic City, Bruce Springsteen It was nearly three decades ago, in May 1981, that I…
Remembering Charlie Rees
Militant Trade Unionist, Republican, Communist, Artist and Poet RCN members recently heard of the death of our comrade Charlie Rees. Charlie, together with his partner Deidre McCartin, was one of the founding members of the Scottish Socialist Party. He had been an active socialist in the south of England, but also remembered his family’s Welsh…
Around the Time of Aitken
Around the Time of Aitken Andy McPake reviews the latest book of poetry, Around the Time of Michael from Jim Aitken. Jim has become a regular contributor to Emancipation & Liberation, and he credits us in his preface. Around the Time of Michael is Jim’s ninth published volume of poetry and, as the quote above suggests, a…