Earlier this year, Oxfam reported that the wealth of 85 of the world’s billionaires was equivalent to that held collectively by half the world’s population – around 3.5 billion people against just 85. Now Oxfam have produced a further report concentrating on the UK. What it has to say will shock and anger people but will come as no surprise.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recently released a report that came up with a novel idea: convince the world population to eat insects in order to avert mass hunger. In reality it is already possible to feed everyone without the need to eat bugs. What stands in the way is the “market”, i.e. capitalism.
On 19th-21st March, Accord, the union organising the largest number of workers at Lloyds Banking Group, will hold its biennial conference. The main subject of debate will be Lloyds’ decision to press ahead with its attack on the Defined Benefit Scheme, introducing a 0% cap on pensions – and, importantly, what the response of the union should be to this attack.
The digital currency Bitcoin has hit the headlines in recent times for its novelty, as well as for its phenomenal rise in price over the past few years. Ben Gliniecki looks at the hype and reality of the Bitcoin sensation.
Stan Pearce, a militant miner and dedicated Marxist, sadly passed away last week at the age of 81. We publish here two tributes from Socialist Appeal supporters – Bob Stothard from Washington and John Dunn of Justice for Mineworkers – who knew and admired Stan as an inspirational comrade.
The death of Tony Benn after a long illness at the age of 88 marks the passing away of an outstanding leader of the British left. Although Tony Benn came from a very privileged class background, he became the standard bearer for the left and the militant working class in the 1970s and 1980s. Rob Sewell, editor of Socialist Appeal, looks back at the life of a greatly principled socialist.
Tony Benn, who sadly passed away on 14th March 2014, was a supporter and defender of the Bolivarian revolution from the very beginning. He collaborated with the Hands off Venezuela campaign and spoke on our platform on several occasions. We publish here an audio recording of what he said at the First National Conference of the Hands Off Venezuela Campaign in December 2005.
70 years ago, on 14th March 1944, the Tyneside Apprentices’ Guild called out its members on strike in what was to become a major episode in the class struggle during World War Two and for the British Marxists organised in the Revolutionary Communist Party. Socialist Appeal spoke with Bill Landles, a participant in the apprentices’ strike committee, and an active supporter of Socialist Appeal today.
We publish here the second part of a discussion document, written by the editorial board of Socialist Appeal, which outlines the economic and political perspectives for Britain. In this second part, the document discusses the developments and processes taking place within the trade unions. In particular, the analysis focusses on the role of the reformist leaderships in the labour movement, who have failed to provide a fighting socialist alternative to working people.
On 26th March 2014, members of the National Union of Teachers will be taking one-day national strike action over attacks on wages and conditions. John Pickard of the Mid-Essex NUT (personal capacity) looks at the reasons behind the upcoming strike and analyses the mood amongst teachers.
The ideas of Feminism have traditionally found support in universities, and these ideas are currently enjoying a surge in popularity amongst students. Continuing our series of articles to celebrate International Women’s Day – 8th March – we publish an article from the Marxist Student Federation, which looks at the ideas of Marxism and Feminism in relation to the student movement.
Davey Hopper, General Secretary of the Durham Miners’ Association, looks at the role of the Thatcher government and the state in the Great Miners’ Strike of 1984-85, when the full force of the police, the courts, the law, and the media was used to crush the magnificent movement of the miners and their families.