30 years on: Why we fought
Ian Isaacs, author of the book “When We Were Miners” and former Executive Council Member of the South Wales NUM, outlines the background to the Great Miners’ Strike, which began 30 years ago on March 6th 1984.
The protests and movement in Ukraine
Tomasz Pierscionek looks at the background and development of the events in Ukraine, where the situation has progressed rapidly with a complex interplay of forces, including competing imperialist powers. Socialists cannot support either the US or Russian backed “solutions”. Only a movement of the working class, in Ukraine and internationally, can provide a real solution to the people in the Ukraine.
Carry out the legacy of Hugo Chavez!
5th March marks one year since the death of Hugo Chávez, the great Venezuelan revolutionary, who was an inspiration to the masses in Latin America and across the world for his leading role in the Bolivarian Revolution. Alan Woods, editor of www.marxist.com and personal friend of Chávez, looks at the legacy of the late Venzuelan President.
The Great Miners’ Strike: Thatcher and “the enemy within”
30 years ago, in March 1984, strikes began at coal fields across the country. This marked the beginning of the Great Miners’ Strike of 1984-85, one of the most inspiring class struggles in British history. We will be remembering this historical movement with a series of articles, starting with this extract from Rob Sewell’s book, “In the Cause of Labour”.
Russia, Ukraine, and the West: Will there be war?
As Ukraine slides deeper into chaos, the sound of war drums gets ever louder. The tension between the Russians, Americans, and Europeans increases by the hour. Alan Woods analyses the sabre rattling surrounding Ukraine and discusses the future facing the Ukrainian people.
Labour Party accepts Collins Report changes
Saturday 1st March saw the Labour Party Special Conference, venue for the vote on the Collins Report, the proposed changes regarding the trade union and Labour Party link. Steve Brown, delegate to the Special Conference, reports on the discussion and the meaning behind the changes, which were voted through.
Defend Labour councillors opposing the cuts!
Last week, Labour-controlled Hull City Council approved its £14m cuts budget for the next financial year. Labour councillors who refuse to back austerity are being threatened with explusion from the Labour group on the council. Rob Sewell, editor of Socialist Appeal, explains how the trade union leaders must rally to support all Labour councillors opposing the cuts.
Mick Abbott: lifelong fighter
It is with great sadness that we heard the news that Mick Abbott passed away last week. Mick Abbott was a leftwing trade union activist in the building industry who fought for workers rights all his working life. We publish here an obituary by Dave Smith of the Blacklist Support Group, which Mick was an active member of.
Perspectives for Britain – part one
We publish here the first part of a discussion document, written by the editorial board of Socialist Appeal, which outlines the economic and political perspectives for Britain. In this first part, the document discusses the economic background to the situation in Britain – that is, the world crisis of capitalism, which has hit Britain particularly hard. The crisis has meant deep cuts and declining living standards for ordinary people.
Which way forward for Labour?
We publish here recordings and a report of a recent debate at the Cambridge Marxist Society, where Adam Booth, editor of www.socialist.net, Jon Lansman, editor of Left Futures, and Matthew Doyle, former political director to Tony Blair, discuss the future of the Labour Party.
The great divide: boom for the rich; declining living standards for the rest
The filthy rich are continuing to take an increasing share of the national cake. So worried are some commentators at this state of affairs that they are dubbing it the “Downton Abbey economy”. Rob Sewell, editor of Socialist Appeal, looks at the widening gap between rich and poor, and the impact it is having on society and on consciousness.
Radicalisation of the youth evident at Young Labour 2014
The Young Labour National Conference was held over the weekend of the 22nd – 23rd February 2014. As with previous events of this kind, a large proportion of the agenda was given over to speeches by members of the Shadow Cabinet about the necessity of “fiscal responsibility”. Despite this, there was a noticeable shift leftwards in Young Labour, particularly noticeable among those who are newest into the Party. Ben Gliniecki reports from the conference.