Articles
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Review of Adults in the Room by Yanis Varoufakis the Greek Finance Minister in 2015 when the newly elected Syriza Government was trying to find a negotiated outcome with the EU to save Greece from the problems caused by the financial crash. As members of the EU and the Eurozone Greece was unable to to implement its own remedies. However the EU proved an unwilling and untrustworthy partner.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
The current intractable problems of negotiating a Brexit which will satisfy the EU, both wings of the Tory Party, its allies in the Democratic Unionist Party and the divided electorate are rooted in the history of the EU and British imperialism. The impossibility of negotiating as equals with the EU was experienced by the Greek government and it comes as no surprise that it is playing hard-ball with Britain. The future of Brexit remains highly uncertain.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
As well as the current proposal agreed by Teresa May and the EU several other options have been proposed for a "soft Brexit", however the EU will only accept an agreement which does not undermine the integrity of its single-market. This means that in any soft Brexit option Britain would be required to remain bound by its rules, effectively part of the EU without any say in it.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Millions of working households in Germany live in poverty.
Monday, March 26, 2018
We live in a very dangerous world dominated by neo-liberalism which fuels inequality, conflict and a drive to war. As well as making the lives of millions miserable there are growing tensions between rival imperial and aspiring imperial powers. Nearly 30 years since the end of the Soviet Union what kind of world is capitalism creating and how is being re-shaped? Despite its dominance, however, neo-liberalism has not won people to support its system. Forces from the left, the extreme right, religions and nationalists are gaining ground.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
President Macron is driving through anti-worker measures to make France more "competitive" with other low wage economies and bringing it into line with the UK and Germany. He is attacking workers rights, eroding job security, cutting public services and jobs and privatising publically owned assets. There is opposition, however, it is weaker and more divided than it was. This weakness on the left is providing fertile ground for the right to make advances.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
The confrontational tactics adopted by both the governments in Catalonia and Spain have entrenched the polarisation of pro and anti-independence views. In the elections called after Carles Puigdemont's declaration of independence, pro-independence parties again had a narrow victory, however, more worryingly a majority of Catalans voted for the right-wing. The two biggest parties coming out of the elections were both of the right, one of them pro and the other anti-independence.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Saturday 11th November 2017.Hear top speakers Councillor Noah Tucker (personal capacity) on Brexit, the crisis in the Tory Party and the prospects for Labour and socialist advance. Pablo Navarrete, just returned from Venezuela, Salim Alam on the Middle East and Palestine. Frieda Park and Simon Korner will open discussion on the threat of war, particularly in Korea and the divisions which are making our world a dangerous place.