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The results of the Italian Constitutional referendum and the sudden announcement of prime minister Renzi’s resignation are sending shockwaves throughout Europe. A victory for the No vote was expected, but the scale of the defeat for Renzi is yet another blow to the European Establishment in this epoch of instability.
Daniel Morley examines the changing relations between the Philippines and the major imperialist powers, as the country moves from being a firm ally of the USA and turns towards China under the new leadership of Rodrigo Duterte – yet another sign of the growing geo-political instability arising from the decline of US imperialism and the global crisis of capitalism.
As with many other trends in our crisis-ridden capitalist world, the term “alt-right” meteorically arose from obscure corners of the internet to one of the most discussed political phenomena in the US and elsewhere. But what is the real strength of this racist and reactionary movement? And how do we fight back against it?
Steve Jones looks at the calls for a “progressive” alliance of the “centre” being made by Lib Dems and Blairites in relation to the upcoming Richmond Park by-election. At a time when the Corbyn-led Labour Party has 600,000 members, there must be no concessions to those clamouring for coalitions based on a return to the failed status quo.
Research carried out by the University and College Union (UCU) reveals the extent to which university and college management in the UK are engaging academic staff on insecure contracts. But the reality of working in HE institutions is not only one of job insecurity, but also one of low pay and increasing workloads.
Paul Nuttall, UKIP MEP and former deputy leader for the party, was yesterday announced to be the newly elected UKIP leader, winning the leadership contest with over 62% of the votes from party members. But what, Scott Shaw asks, does the future hold in store for Nuttall and this far-right, racist party?
Dozens of UNISON comrades were out in force in front of King’s College London last Friday with placards and banners to protest the abuse and exploitation of cleaning staff at the university, who have recently received individual letters warning that they are likely to be sacked or have their hours reduced under restructure of the workforce.
We publish here a report by comrades from Newcastle and Durham Marxist societies, who have been showing solidarity with striking teaching assistants. The teaching assistants have been waging an inspiring struggle against attempts to cut their pay by a brutal 23%. Support the Durham TAs! Fight the cuts! Students and workers: unite and fight!
We publish here two articles by comrades in the US section of the IMT about the recent American elections. In the first, John Peterson looks at the completely unrepresentative nature of American democracy, which is designed to maintain real power in the hands of the ruling class. In the second, comrades from Socialist Appeal USA propose a programme to fight Trump and his reactionary ideas.
When Boris Johnson recently promised to “make a titanic success” of Brexit, it is unlikely that he realised at the time just how apt his choice of words was. With the Philip Hammond, the Tory Chancellor, yesterday predicting slower growth and a £122bn hole in the government’s finances as a result of Britain’s forthcoming departure from the EU, it is clear that the UK economy is heading for an iceberg.
Currently, upwards of 135,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Royal family to pay for the £369m refurbishment of their ‘home’, Buckingham Palace – an eye-watering bill which the public are being asked to pay. Daniel Morley looks at the facts behind the monarchy and the extortionate amounts they effectively steal from the rest of us.
Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that the government’s agenda is “unashamedly pro-business”. Millions of Britons must be in a state of shock at this earth-shattering news that a Tory government is an “unashamed” supporter of big business. With British capitalism in a particularly precarious state, the bosses’ are looking for reassurances from the Tories.