May 2003
The socialist case against euro entry
The debate over whether Britain should join the Euro is heating up. On both
sides of the debate we find a capitalist logic being applied. One side stands
for so-called British "sovereignty", the other praises the merits of
the wider market. Neither side is defending the real interests of the workers.
As Mick Brooks points out, "The answer is surely for us to control the
movement of capital by taking over the means of production, not relying on the
goodwill of our enemy, the capitalist class."
Britain: Glaxo “shareholders’ rebellion” highlights nature of the system
Marxists are often accused of having a class bias, of having an irrational prejudice against the capitalist class. We must admit, that yes we don’t particularly appreciate the fact that while millions go hungry in the underdeveloped countries a handful of super-rich billionaires actually decide on the fate of the world. While workers in the advanced countries are struggling to make ends meet, to pay the rent or the mortgage, to pay the bills, to feed their children, the super rich squander huge amounts on totally unnecessary luxuries. But don’t these rich company directors also play a useful role in […]
Britain: Amicus left on the march
A process of radicalisation is taking place among the British engineering
workers (or metal workers). This is reflected in the main union of the sector,
Amicus. The old rightwing lost the position of General Secretary recently. Now
the left of the union is preparing to take a majority on the union’s national
executive committee.
Britain: Lessons of Clare Short’s Resignation
The resignation yesterday of Clare Short, the former international development
secretary, is a shattering blow to the Blair government. It could spell the
beginning of the end for Blair, as things begin to unravel with increasing
speed.
Britain: Nightmare on Downing Street – Time to reclaim the Labour Party
The Blair government faced its worst nightmare in the immediate run up to the
war with Iraq. According to the Guardian revelations, Blair, Straw, Blunkett,
and others in the Cabinet were on the verge of resigning if the Commons vote
went against them.
Britain: 2003 elections – A referendum on Blair’s government
With most of the results in from the local council, Welsh Assembly and Scottish
parliament elections the message to Blair is clear – his imperialist adventure
in Iraq was deeply unpopular, and at least as unpopular are the government's
proposed attacks on public services, the introduction of foundation hospitals,
the further privatisation of the NHS, and the introduction of top-up fees for
students.
Britain: Firefighters must strike again
Almost a year after firefighters tabled their claim for a pay rise to
£30,000 a year, new strikes are being prepared because of the intransigence of
the employers and a Labour government hellbent on attacking public services.