Britain

The debate over whether Britain should join the Euro is heating up. On both
sides of the debate we find a capitalist logic being applied. One side stands
for so-called British "sovereignty", the other praises the merits of
the wider market. Neither side is defending the real interests of the workers.
As Mick Brooks points out, "The answer is surely for us to control the
movement of capital by taking over the means of production, not relying on the
goodwill of our enemy, the capitalist class."

The resignation yesterday of Clare Short, the former international development
secretary, is a shattering blow to the Blair government. It could spell the
beginning of the end for Blair, as things begin to unravel with increasing
speed.

With most of the results in from the local council, Welsh Assembly and Scottish
parliament elections the message to Blair is clear – his imperialist adventure
in Iraq was deeply unpopular, and at least as unpopular are the government's
proposed attacks on public services, the introduction of foundation hospitals,
the further privatisation of the NHS, and the introduction of top-up fees for
students.

The killing of two Spanish reporters during the war in Iraq stirred public
opinion in Spain and it increased the anger that the working class and youth
feel towards the present right-wing Aznar government.The Spanish Marxist journal, El
Militante, interviewed Jeremy Dear on the war and other developments.

As we go to press the TV is broadcasting scenes of US 'victory'. Yet if we
have learned one fact in recent weeks it is that the first casualty of war is
the truth. This war is not finished yet no matter what the headlines say.

Now the battle for Baghdad is under way, capitalist commentators are going
euphoric. The war against Saddam could possibly be over in days. The stock
market is already rocketing up on the prospect.
Capitalism is renewed, such is the current mantra.

With the latest issue the Socialist Appeal journal in Britain
has gone fortnightly. It will be published twice a month for the duration of the
war and its immediate aftermath. This is an important step forward for the
forces of Marxism in Britain. It is a clear indication that Marxist ideas are
getting a wider echo in the British Labour movement. To mark this occasion, we
are publishing the Editorial of the first fortnightly edition.

According to the Sunday Times, two British service men were
sent home from the Middle East after refusing to fight in the war against Iraq.
The two face a court martial and up to two years in jail for disobeying orders.

In January Roy Jenkins, a Liberal Democrat Lord passed away. In the
1960s and 1970s he was right at the top of the British Labour Party. After his
recent death the
bourgeois press were full of praise for his achievements, the reason being that
as of 1979 he had worked strenuously to destroy the Labour Party! No longer able
to control the ranks, who were moving radically to the left,
especially after the defeat in the 1979 elections, he attempted together with
others to build the Social Democratic Party.