Articles
Friday, May 19, 2023
The crisis engulfing the Scottish National Party could provide the opportunity to up the level of class struggle in Scotland by focusing on a working-class agenda independent of attitudes to the constitution - whether people are for or against independence or some other option. The all-consuming debate round the future constitutional status of Scotland has not advanced working-class interests. The meltdown in the SNP means that there is no immediate prospect of another independence referendum, so space has opened up for unambiguous class politics to take centre stage in Scotland if that opportunity is taken.
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Yemen has been at war for eight years since the previous government was overthrown and Saudi Arabia intervened militarily to try to re-impose the former President. This received the backing of the West, which has provided arms. The United Arab Emirates is also fighting for control of the south of the country. Despite a partial truce the war is likely to go on, increasing the terrible suffering of the Yemeni people. A peaceful, decolonised Yemen could look very different and we can help bring that about by campaigning for an end to Britain providing arms to the aggressors in the conflict.
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
The first so-called Pink Tide of progressive governments was rolled back by external pressure from the United States and reactionary forces on the continent. That is with the exception of Venezuela which continued to survived. Now here is a second wave of leftist governments, but what has been learned from the experiences of the recent past about control of natural resources, the power of the media and the armed forces?
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Despite the success of the left in elections to the commission to write a new constitution for Chile, replacing the old Pinochet era one, it was roundly rejected by voters. There are many reasons for this and lessons to be learnt. The establishment ran a well-funded, massive media campaign against it, often misrepresenting what it said. Campaigning by the left was weak. The draft itself appealed to a wide variety of social interests, but was not so strong on redressing economic inequality. The danger is, that with the left demoralised, politics in Chile will move to the right.
Monday, May 15, 2023
The Windsor Framework, agreed between the UK government and the EU, is supposed to deal with problems caused by Boris Johnson's hastily agreed Protocol which was part of his Brexit deal, but it still leaves many unsatisfactory provision in place. Furthermore it is unlikely to address the concerns of Unionists who opposed the original arrangement. Though violence has subsided Northern Ireland's politics remain deeply divided along sectarian lines. The power-sharing arrangements put in place by the Good Friday agreement have enabled sectional interests to block legislation and currently prevent the Assembly in Stormont from meeting. Although its successes should not be denied, 25 years on it needs to be reviewed
Sunday, May 14, 2023
There is widespread public support for increased taxation of wealth. Politically the demand is helpful because it focuses attention on the small number of very wealthy people in society and the rising level of inequality.
Saturday, May 13, 2023
The wave of strikes currently still sweeping Britain has exposed not only the declining living standards of workers, especially in the public sector, but has also shone a light on the dire state of the NHS and other services. Just as cash wages have been decreasing so the social wage has also been under attack. One aspect is the housing crisis, which has grown since the sell-off of council housing under the so-called right-to-buy and the failure to build more social housing. Housing stock has gone to the private sector and been removed from local authority control - hived off to housing associations. The result has too often been poor quality and expensive accommodation, which is affecting the health and wellbeing of children and adults.
Friday, May 12, 2023
Successive governments have promoted home ownership over social rented accommodation. however, as prices have spiraled out of the reach of many ordinary people, schemes like "help to buy" were introduced. Ostensibly they support people to get into the housing market, but the current scheme contains hidden pitfalls which are leaving many worse off.