British Perspectives 2006 – Part One
In Part One of
British Perspectives Phil Mitchinson looks at the general trends in
British politics, with an eye to the international situation, the war
in Iraq, and the decline of Blairism.
“We have to show that Peugeot cannot walk over its workforce”
The workers at the Peugeot plant in
Ryton (near Coventry) risk losing their jobs and livelihood. Darrall
Cozens reports on the latest situation after interviewing John
Cummins, Deputy Convenor from Amicus, about the trade union plans to
keep the plant open.
London May Day 2006 – Rally needs to be followed by action to defend jobs and the NHS
This year’s rally was bigger than usual with thousands of workers taking part from many different unions, but there was a contradiction between some of the moderate speeches of the leaders and the real problems faced by the workers facing the onslaught of the bosses.
Hands Off Venezuela at May Day rally in London
Hands Off Venezuela made a very good intervention in May Day. At the beginning of the march in Clerkenwell, a large stall was set up behind a massive HOV banner selling literature and t-shirts. The new HOV magazine was on sale throughout the demonstration.
Britain 1926 General Strike: On the Verge of Revolution
Eighty years ago an earthquake shook the very foundations of British capitalism. In the greatest display of militant power in its history, the British working class moved into action in the General Strike of 1926. For 9 days, from May 3, not a wheel turned nor a light shone without the permission of the working class. In such a moment, with such power, surely it ought to have been possible to have transformed society? How can such a position have ended in defeat? (by Phil Mitchinson, originally published in May 2001)
The General Strike of 1926: 80 years on what are the lessons?
On the 80th anniversary of the 1926 general strike in Britain we look at what led to it and why it eventually was defeated. In spite of the tremendous militancy of the British working class, the top leaders of the trade union movement proved to be only too willing to compromise and get the workers back to work.
NHS, a Life and Death Struggle
Tony Blair has been pushing the line that the National Health Service has never had it so good. He lives on another planet obviously. Anyone who uses the NHS or works for it knows that a systematic attack on the very concept of free healthcare is taking place.
Fight to save the NHS
Like vultures waiting for an animal to die before ripping it to pieces, private “investors” are watching as Blair destroys the National Health Service preparing the ground for more and more privatisation. The grandparents of today’s British workers struggled for a fully funded free healthcare system. Now we have to struggle to win it all back.
Make plans now to stop the closure of Peugeot, Coventry
The decision to close the Peugeot car plant at Ryton in Coventry and cease production of the best-selling 206 model was compared by one worker at the plant to knowing that a loved one was dying of cancer yet being shocked to know that death is at the doorstep. There is no time to lose if this struggle to save jobs is to win!
Socialist Appeal 2006 Conference displays confidence for future
This year’s Socialist Appeal conference, which was held in London, showed a significant increase in attendance over last year, particularly of young comrades. Sellers and supporters attended from all over the country to participate in a weekend of debate and discussion.
Fred Weston talks on Marxism in successful meeting at University of East Anglia
A successful meeting was held at the University of East Anglia on March 27, where Fred Weston outlined the ideas of Socialist Appeal and Marxist.com. Many of those taking part showed a keen interest in finding out more about Marxism and getting actively involved.
Blair’s Legacy: Lies, debt, and the dead of Iraq
When Blair was first elected he promised his government would be ‘whiter than white’, a phrase meant to distance himself from the sleaze of the Major years. Now Blair is immersed in sleaze himself. From the lies over the Iraq war we now have the scandal of selling peerages to the biggest bidder. Blair has done his utmost to destroy the Labour Party. It will be up to the trade unions and the ranks of the party to rebuild it as a fighting workers’ organisation.