We publish here the latest statement of the Communist Tendency SYRIZAon the recent developments in Greece. The new SYRIZA-led government should stay true to its commitments and keep away from any new agreement, which would only be a trap to confine Greece within the terms of the Memorandum – i.e. the Troika’s programme of austerity.
Tenants at the New Era estate in Hackney, London, have won a tremendous victory and, in doing so, struck a blow for tenants everywhere. Faced with massive rent increases that would have meant certain evictions for all the 93 families, the New Era tenants rallied their forces and took the fight to the enemy.
The election victory of Syriza in Greece marked a fundamental shift not only in the situation in Greece, but throughout Europe. We publish here an interview with Ilias Kirousis, a member of the Communist Tendency of SYRIZA as well as the leadership of SYRIZA’s youth wing, who provides his analysis of the elections and the perspectives for the SYRIZA government.
In recent months, the ghosts of New Labour have resurfaced on the political scene, imploring the current Labour leaders to reclaim the so-called “centre ground”. But the reality is that capitalism in crisis and the traditional parties of the “centre ground” can offer no solution. Instead, there is a growing radicalisation, and a political polarisation taking place.
We publish here a recent statement from the Communist Tendency of SYRIZA, which analyses the enormous contradictions facing the SYRIZA leadership in their attempt to reach some sort of compromise with the Troika and their representatives, Merkel and Draghi. There is no room for manoeuvre within capitalism. A bold, radical, socialist programme is needed.
Yesterday, on Thursday 5th February, bus drivers across London came out on strike for 24 hours – the first of three planned days of strike action in February. Despite the freezing cold, picket lines were strong and morale was high. Supporters of Socialist Appeal and members of the Marxist societies in London visited the picket lines to offer their solidarity to the bus drivers.
Tomorrow, on Thursday 5th February, London bus drivers will walk away from their vehicles in the first of three 24-hour bus strikes planned this month. The strikes, called by Unite the Union, are over the vast pay inequality between London bus drivers. Socialist Appeal offers its full support to the militant struggle of London bus drivers against these attacks by the bosses.
Tutors and support staff were on strike last week, on 29th January, over a dispute regarding redundancies at the Sheffield College. Staff took to the picket lines despite arctic weather conditions, which had no effect on spirits, with staff stopping all traffic into the college, as well as students, in order to win their support. Natasha Sorrell of the Sheffield Marxists reports.
Hundreds of thousands marched in Madrid on 31st January, in a demonstration called by PODEMOS to mark the beginning of their campaign to win the general election this year in Spain. The huge march came just after SYRIZA’s victory in Greece and reflected the deep anger of millions of working people against capitalist austerity, as well as the hope that it can be ended.
With only months to go until the 2015 General Election, there is little enthusiasm for any of the options being presented. Ordinary workers and youth are presented with the “choice” of cuts, cuts, or cuts. With capitalism in a state of permanent crisis, the time for reforms is over. Only a socialist transformation of society can offer a way out.