Issue 25 Summer 2016

CONTENTS:  Is the European Union undemocratic? John Moore. EU Diktat forces austerity on Europe, Frieda Park. no to neo-liberalism, yes to co-operation, Frieda Park. Divisive EU gave rise to Comecon, Milly Cunningham. The immigration dividend, Noah Tucker. Kahn: London Mayor because of Labour, Brian Durrans. Labour wins in the North of England, Peter Latham. Home counties blue, cities red in south, Gina Nicholson. SNP victory but no overall majority, Scott McDonald. Not much change in Northern Ireland. Welsh Labour wins, Bob McCormick. Disgraceful Housing and Planning Act, Pat Turnbull. Bolivarian Revolution under serious threat, Frieda Park. Populism: its European context, Paul Sutton. Russia brings about Syria peace process, Simon Korner. Palestine: new phase for solidarity, Brian Durrans. Pro-Israel lobby attacks Corbyn, Questor.

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Articles featured in Issue 25

• Housing privatisation in eastern Europe
  Friday, July 1, 2016

  In the former socialist countries of eastern Europe social housing was once plentiful, cheap and good quality. Mass privatisation has lead to escalating rents, erosion of tenants rights and the enrichment of property owners. Patterns that are familiar from the British experience of so-called right-to-buy policies.
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• Is European Union undemocratic?
  Friday, July 1, 2016

  The structures, treaties and policies of the European union are designed to institutionalise neo-liberal capitalism and make it impossible for the government of any one member state to enact left-wing policies. It's key decision-makers are unelected and It has shown contempt for the democratic choices of the electorates of member states when they vote against its wishes. "Social Europe", in so far as it exists, has been a way of trying to co-opt support for the EU from Trade Unions and others. The military role of the EU should also give the left pause for thought.
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• Palestine: a new phase for solidarity
  Friday, July 1, 2016

  Despite a divided leadership the resistance of the Palestinian people continues and is an inspiration to the international solidarity movement. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign is beginning to have an impact with major companies pulling out of controversial involvement in Israel and the Occupied Territories. The government in Britain has responded by trying to outlaw public bodies from applying ethical principles in procurement or investment. This demonstrates that Israel and its backers fear the growing campaign against its oppression.
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• Pro-Israel lobby attacks Corbyn
  Friday, July 1, 2016

  The allegations of anti-Semitism directed against the Labour Party are part of a concerted effort by the pro-Israel lobby to undermine the increasingly successful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign. These false allegations are also supported by those who wish to launch another coup against the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Individuals leading these attacks have strong links to pro-Israel institutions.
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• Russia brings about Syria peace process
  Friday, July 1, 2016

  Russia's involvement was key to the fragile Syrian ceasefire agreed in February 2016. It has also been important in enabling the Syrian government to begin to turn the tide of the war against the terrorists and in doing so has established itself as a major power in the region. The deal is under threat, however, from hawks within the US and from regional powers who wish to see regime change in Syria.
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