Articles
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
The 2018 Labour Party conference consolidated the shift of the Party from supporting neo-liberalism under New Labour to one espousing social justice. There were many positives especially Corbyn's speech which was packed full of policies and the historic motion on Palestine. There were also weaknesses with continued confusion over Brexit and only a little progress on Party democracy. There remain many challenges, but Labour looks increasingly like a government in waiting.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
The corporate image that HSBC likes to portray to the world is very different from its history, ranging from complicity in the Chinese opium trade right up to today in promoting arms sales to Israel. This, of course, is all about maximising profit. Campaigners for boycott, divestment and sanctions are now taking the company on.
Saturday, November 10, 2018
2018 sees the 100th anniversary of the trial of John McLean, the Scottish socialist and fierce opponent of the First World War. Facing charges of sedition McLean opted to defend himself and his speech from the dock is a classic denunciation of capitalism.
Friday, November 9, 2018
An exhibition at the British Library which offered a potted history of relations between Britain and the Caribbean. Very timely in view of recent revelations about the mistreatment of British citizens of Caribbean origin.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Capitalism's dangerous world and the prospects for socialism. Hear top speakers and join the debate on the global crisis and conflicts, the situation here in Britain and the prospects for progressive change.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
The Tory government is staggering from one crisis to another with the Prime minister loosing three key ministers to scandals including the mistreatment of the Windrush generation. the NHS is in crisis as is the rail system with increasing calls for nationalisation with chaos round new timetables and the failure of Virgin Trains on the East coast mainline. The collapse of Carillion is an indictment of 21st century British capitalism.
Friday, June 22, 2018
The fact that there are thousands of people working in conditions of slavery in Britain today is no accident nor the result of a few "bad apples" in the employment industry. Rather it is the result of neoliberal policies implemented by successive Tory and New Labour governments which favour the market over workers interests. The policies which have facilitated this include: immigration, deregulation and cuts to enforcement agencies, casualisation of the labour market, and a punitive benefits regime. Modern slavery in Britain can be tackled by a government committed to rolling back neoliberalism and by stronger trade unions.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
At the height of the first World War the working-class women of Glasgow took on the landlords who were trying to hike up rents. They won through direct action, solidarity and working class unity. To commemorate this victory and their leader, Mary Barbour, a statue was unveiled in Govan on International Women's Day 2018.