The news that the national executive of Unite, Britain’s largest union, has come out in support of Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign to become Labour leader will be welcomed by both Labour members and trade unionists. The trade union leaders must now throw their full weight behind Corbyn and argue for a strong socialist programme in order to galvanise the vote for Jeremy.
The Greek crisis is approaching a denouement. This marks a turning point for the working class of Greece and the whole of Europe. In advance of tomorrow’s referendum, we publish here a statement by the International Marxist Tendency on the latest developments between the Troika, on the one side, and the SYRIZA-led government and the Greek masses on the other.
An open letter has appeared in the Guardian from various leaders of the labour movement and figures from the Left in Britain, appealing to Cameron for debt relief for Greece. But the solution to austerity, Rob Sewell argues, will not be found in appeals to the capitalists and their representatives. Instead, the Left leaders should be fighting for a socialist programme.
We publish here a letter from Ben Gliniecki, a Labour Party member and Socialist Appeal supporter, who responds to a comment from another London Young Labour member and Jeremy Corbyn supporter that “it’s the taking part that counts”. Far from being unelectable, Ben argues, with a bold socialist programme, Corbyn could make Labour a pole of attraction to workers and youth across Britain.
As the referendum in Greece approaches, political polarisation is reaching unprecedented levels. The sham of bourgeois democracy has been revealed, as the Troika demand Tsipras’ removal. The conclusion is unavoidable: there is no way to end austerity within the limits of capitalism.
Corbyn’s campaign has helped to enthuse workers and youth, who are otherwise turned off by the Tory-lite policies of the Blairites. Darrall Cozens, of Coventry North West Labour Party (personal capacity), reports on the leadership hustings in Birmingham, which saw a large attendance, mainly as a result of those who are attracted by Corbyn’s anti-austerity message.
An extremely successful academic year for the Marxist societies was brought to a close with a weekend of inspiring discussions at REVOLUTION 2015, organised by Socialist Appeal and hosted by the UCLU Marxist society between 26-28th June. Over 80 students and youth participated over the weekend, contributing enthusiastically in the debates and discussions about the revolutionary ideas of Marxism.
Several weeks ago, “The Smiler” rollercoaster at the Alton Towers theme park crashed leaving 14 people injured. The cause of the accident hasn’t been made public yet; but even if the investigations point the finger at individual members of staff, there will be one root cause that will not be mentioned: profit.
As the Greek bailout ends and the repayment deadline is passed, bank and capital controls are now in action in Greece. Tsipras has called for people to vote NO – “OXI” – to the Troika’s proposals, as the creditors refuse to move. Tens of thousands have turned out in Athens to reject the proposals. The scene is set for an almighty confrontation between Capital and the Greek masses.
Events in Greece are moving at a lightning pace. On Saturday, Greek PM Tsipras announced that he will put the the latest ultimatum from the troika to a referendum. The troika responded by stating there will be no extension of Tuesday’s repayment deadline. Now the banks in Greece will be closed for a week. Greece’s future now rests on a knife-edge.
This weekend, Socialist Appeal and the Marxist Student Federation invite our activists, supporters, and readers to REVOLUTION 2015: a weekend of talks, discussions, and debates about revolutionary ideas and socialist alternatives. Come along and join in with the discussion about the Marxist ideas and revolutionary action needed to change society.
The latest provocative demands and ultimatums placed by the troika on the Greek government have one clear aim: to destroy it. They cannot be interpreted in any other way and all the pieces of the puzzle are now falling together. The only alternative to austerity is for Syriza to break with capitalism.