The die is cast. In her letter, hand-delivered this afternoon to the President of the European Council, Theresa May has announced the beginning of Brexit negotiations under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, marking a point of no return for both British and European capitalism. Only the struggle for a socialist Europe can provide an alternative to the chaos of Tory Brexit.
Comrades from the Leeds Marxists interview local delivery riders working for exploitative “gig-economy” firm Deliveroo, reporting on the precarious conditions faced by such “self-employed” workers. In response to these attacks by the bosses’, Deliveroo drivers – and others – are organising and fighting back.
The Trump administration and the Republicans in Congress suffered defeat as their proposal to “repeal and replace Obamacare” disintegrated. Historically speaking, a new President has the most momentum in his first 100 days. Trump has been president less than 65 days—with no victories and now a major defeat.
On Saturday 25th March, up to 1000 people gathered in Durham to take part in the solidarity protest and rally organised by the Durham teaching assistants. We publish here a report and interview by the Newcastle and Durham Marxist societies about the struggle of the TAs against wage cuts.
Gerry Ruddy looks back at the life of Martin McGuinness, the former Provisional IRA leader, head of Sinn Féin in the North of Ireland, and Deputy First Minister in the Stormont Assembly, who passed away last week. McGuinness’ death comes at a turbulent time for the North of Ireland, as all the old divisions threaten to re-emerge in the wake of Brexit.
Philip Hammond’s recent embarrassing U-turn over NIC increases has highlighted two things: firstly, the growing confusion and divisions within the Conservative government; and secondly, the ever more precarious nature of work for millions within the UK economy. Bob Percy looks at the reality of self-employed work in Tory Britain.
In this video from the recent national conference of Socialist Appeal activists and supporters, Alan Woods – editor of In Defence of Marxism – discusses the political earthquakes that have shattered the status quo and shaken the Establishment in country after country: from the victory of Donald Trump, to the Brexit vote, and the prospect of a Le Pen win in the French elections.
The wait is finally over. The new fortnightly Socialist Appeal is out this week, marking the 25th anniversary of Socialist Appeal, as well as the centenary of the 1917 Russian Revolution. Support the struggle for socialism and subscribe to the new fortnightly today!
We are publishing here the first part of a document on the perspectives for the class struggle in Britain, which was discussed at the recent conference of Socialist Appeal supporters. Although already overtaken by events in places, the document explains the main processes affecting British society, as well as outlining the fundamental contradictions facing the ruling class and leaders of the labour movement.
Four people have been killed and at least 40 injured in what the police are describing as a “terrorist incident” yesterday afternoon in Westminster. We condemn this brutal action. It is clear that capitalism has created this monster of terrorism, which already is creating a sense of panic among the population that will be used to justify all kinds of reactionary measures.
Earlier this month, the United Nations announced that 20 million people are at risk of starving to death across the globe due to the wars and political crises in countries such as Yemen and South Sudan. This international humanitarian famine crisis is not the product of any “natural disaster” but is yet another symptom of the rotten capitalist system.
This month, Oxford was again named the least affordable city compared to average earnings. In response to this housing crisis, a number of protests have been seen across Oxford in solidarity with those affected. James Morrow of the Oxford Marxist society discusses the question of housing and homeless and points the way forward.