Silent Singing and John Maclean

 George Gun has written this article first posted on bella caledonia.  It commemorates the 100th anniversary of John Maclean’s death on November 30th 1923.  It argues against Maclean’s death being viewed mainly as a historical commemoration for academic historians, but that his politics in the last year’s of his life are highly relevant to the…

Grangemouth no more

The following article by Mike Small was first posted by bella caledonia. It highlights the failure of either the UK government (the main culprit) or the Scottish government (despite paper commitments  )to follow a policy of Just Transition in the face of climate breakdown. It also points to further Unionist attempts to break the SNP/Green…

Conditions not conspiracies: why workers strike

The following two articles examines the role of the nationalist right in trying to undermine workers’ struggles in Scotland. The first by  posted by bella caledonia. The second is letter to The National by Simon Barrow  of the SNP trade union group.  1. CONFLICT NOT CONSPIRACIES: WHY WORKERS STRIKE Picket lines of largely middle-aged working-class…

Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (Scotland) and solidarity with GMB workers at Beith

The following article was first posted by the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (Scotland). UKRAINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN (SCOTLAND) AND SOLIDARITY WITH GMB WORKERS AT BEITH On Monday, September 18th, the UCS(S) supported a rally called by the GMB union at the DS Munitions Beith in North Ayrshire in support of the 70 GMB workers on strike against…

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…

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…

Ukrainian Rail Union (VPZU) backs ASLEF strike

We are reposting this article, first published by the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, in which the Ukrainian Rail Union  (VPZU) offers solidarity to ASLEF workers. UKRAINIAN RAIL UNION (VPZU) BACKS ASLEF STRIKE VPZU states we are ready for solidarity actions in support of your courageous fight! The Free Trade Union of Railway Workers of Ukraine (VPZU) has…

Review: The Communist Road to Capitalism and The Left in China

Charlie Hore of rs21 has published  a review of two books by Ralf Ruckus, entitled The Communist Road to Capitalism and The Left in China. In his most recent book, Ruckus points to the need for the Left to break away from Campism in the light of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. To help achieve this,…

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 growing political crisis in France

We are posting this article by David Kellaway of anti-capitalist resistance. It describes well the growing working class resistance to  Macron’s proposed pension counter-reforms.  It is followed by a statement from the Fourth International affiliated New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA). In a comment at the end, EL&SD EB member, Allan Armstrong makes some additional points about…