William Cuffay – the Chartists’ black leader

The following article was written by Tom Scriven, a historian of Chartism, socialism and 19th century radicals. This article first appeared in The Tribune. WILLIAM CUFFAY- THE CHARTISTS’ BLACK LEADER The son of a freed slave, William Cuffay played a key role in the struggle for democracy in Britain. A country which respected its history…

The politics of Welsh independence

Craig Lewis (RSP) has written this article for RSP and RCF members to bring us up to date about political developments in Wales. At a time when the Scottish independence movement is in limbo, it s good to see the advances being made in Wales. THE POLITICS OF WELSH INDEPENDENCE Support for Welsh independence has…

How big business took over the Labour Party

The following. article by Adam Ramsay was first posted by openDemocracy. It shows how corporate lobbyists have successfully pushed Keir Starmer’s party to ditch its progressive policies HOW BIG BUSINESS TOOK OVER THR LABOUR PARTY Over the summer, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party for the first time articulated a clear vision for government: everything will continue to be…

Police turned up to a coal mine operating without a licence – to arrest protesters

The following article by Glen Black was first posted by The Canary. It highlights the police role in protecting corporate lawbreakers and criminalising protestors.   POLICE TURNED UP AT COAL MINE OPERATING WITHOUT A LICENSE – TO ARREST PROTESTORS On 5 July, Extinction Rebellion (XR) blocked access to Ffos-y-Fran coal mine in Wales. The mine is infamous for…

A monarchy based on slavery

This article by Mike Small on the links between the British monarchy and  slavery was first posted on https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2023/04/16/a-monarchy-based-on-slavery/. It was written just before the coronation on May 6th, at Westminster Cathedral, but with Charles coming to receive the ‘honours of Scotland’ on Wednesday 5th July at St Giles Cathedral the EL&SD Editorial Board  is…

We are citizens not subjects

The Radical Independence Campaign issued the following statement for the Calton Hill republican rally on May 6th.     WE ARE CITIZENS NOT SUBJECTS The Radical Independence Campaign initiated the 2023 Declaration of Calton Hill, signed by nearly 3000 people.  We welcome those attending today’s rally organised by Our Republic.  We are here to challenge…

May Day international greetings to all

     MAY DAY INTERNATIONAL GREETINGS TO ALL For a Republican Internationalist Coalition    to challenge to the UK state and British imperialism                                                                …

Papering over the cracks, covering up the tracks : a review of Scotland after Britain

Allan Armstrong has written an extended review of ‘Scotland After Britain’, written by James Foley and Ben Wray, with Neil Davidson, entitled Papering over the Cracks, Covering up the Tracks.  The Contents, the last chapter and Conclusion can be read here. PAPERING OVER THE CRACKS COVERING UP THE TRACKS A review of Scotland after Britain by…

Scotland’s travails from England   (or Scotland’s travails and England’s woes)   

The following article, written by Steve Freeman of the Republican Labour Education Forum in England, locates  the current travails of  the SNP and its impact on the wider Scottish independence movement in the wider crisis of the post-war UK state and British social monarchy. It points to the need for a republican approach in Scotland…

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…