Articles
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.
Thursday, May 11, 2023
The cost of building and repairing homes is rising faster than the rate of inflation. Labour, energy and materials all play their part in this, particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine. It could be different if there had been priority given to training a workforce for the building industry and without the excess costs and supply problems created by sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, however, tenants are suffering.
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
The right in America is fighting for the hearts and minds of young people, targeting schools to impose its own ideology. There is a concerted effort to take over school boards and censor books. the curriculum is being rewritten in some states to exclude teaching critical of the racism endemic in the history of the United States. This is going alongside attacks on teachers unions.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Academy schools in England, although funded by the state, are not controlled by democratically elected councils. Rather the are answerable to boards of governors and shareholders. With this lack of public accountability and the intervention of the profit motive, there are concerning issues emerging regarding their culture and ethos.