DEBATE ON THE EU REFERENDUM

The RCN is in the process of conducting a debate over the EU referendum on June 23rd. Where differences of opinion occur, we like to bring other socialists’ attention to these, so they can make their own minds up. Eric Chester (RCN and IWW) and Allan Armstrong (RCN and RISE) offer two different perspectives. Eric argues that we should leave. Allan…

THE UK STATE AND BRITISHNESS

  This article, written by Allan Armstrong (RCN) in 2015, has now been updated to include a new section 3 on Scotland. It has been moved from its earlier site. Section A –  The UK State and Britishness Section B –  From the Irish-British and ‘Ulster’-British ‘Insider’ to the Irish ‘Racialised’ and ‘Ethno-Religious Outsider’ to the new ‘National…

JOHN MACLEAN COMMEMORATION DAY

On November 30th, 1923, John Maclean, the great Scottish socialist, died, after two decades of committed struggle.  Eric Chester (RCN) has written the following piece, which is a contribution to today’s celebration of John Maclean’s life.    JOHN MACLEAN – 1879 – 1923 Glasgow has a proud tradition of radical politics, one that is particularly…

UKRAINE: MINERS STAND TOGETHER STATEMENT BY THE NUM

CONDEMN THE DEFAMATION OF NUM SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINIAN MINERS   The National Union of Mineworkers has issued a strong statement on the Ukrainian question as a rebuttal to a number of smears against their union.   That any section of the labour movement would engage in such smears is further evidence of the shocking depths of…

SOCIAL JUSTICE – RADICAL HISTORY, CENSORSHIP AND HOW THE TORIES STOLE OUR LANGUAGE

Pauline Bradley (RCN and RISE) outlines the emergence of the notion of Social Justice during the Liverpool Dockers campaign and how the Tories have attempted to hijack the term. SOCIAL JUSTICE – OUR RADICAL HISTORY, CENSORSHIP AND HOW THE TORIES STOLE OUR TERM Social Justice is a concept which has been stolen from the left…

SAVING STORMONT: THE LAST HURRAH?

The RCN has continually emphasised the significance of political developments in Northern Ireland. In contrast to England and Wales, where conservative unionism remains dominant, and Scotland where a hybrid constitutional nationalism/liberal unionism is dominant, in Northern Ireland reactionary unionism has become the predominant political force. Together the Ulster unionist parties and the loyalists have been able to push…

JOE HILL – ‘THE MAN WHO NEVER DIED’

JOE HILL  – ‘THE MAN WHO NEVER DIED’ featuring Arthur Johnston, Eileen Penman, George Duff, Forgaitherin’ and Ray Burnett Thu 5 Nov | 7pm (2hrs)   The Carrying Stream Festival Scottish Storytelling Centre   Reception: 0131 556 9579 Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR Tickets from the Storytelling Centre: £10 (£8) 19…

MY IMPRISONMENT IN TURKEY – Steve Kaczynski

We have  been covering the detention of Steve Kaczynski in Turkey since he was arrested on April 1st. We have been part of the campaign to get his release (republicancommunist.org/blog/2015/08/07/free-steve-kaczynski/). Steve was freed  on September 18th. This article has been written by Steve and describes his experience and the current political situation in Turkey.   MY IMPRISONMENT IN TURKEY I was in…

THE REFUGEE CRISIS – AN OUTCOME OF CAPITALIST BARBARISM

THE REFUGEE CRISIS – AN OUTCOME OF CAPITALIST BARBARISM In response to the current refugee storm a Palestinian activist remarked that, if pictures of dead children changed anything, Palestine would long have been free. The bitterness is understandable. However it would be wrong to write off the response to the refugee crisis as light-headed liberalism.…

OPEN LETTER TO RISE LAUNCH FROM REPUBLICAN SOCIALISTS AND ANTI-UNIONISTS IN ENGLAND

Two people, Russell Caplan and Steve Freeman, from the Socialist Republican Alliance in London attended the Launch of RISE. Along with  Penny Cole of A World to Win they handed out the following leaflet from Steve Freeman who stood as a republican socialist and anti-unionist candidate in Bermondsey and Old Southwark  during the May General…