The latest news and analysis from The Communist, alongside reports of our activity. For Marxist theory and history, click here.
Adam Booth reviews the latest film by acclaimed socialist director, Ken Loach, which shines a light on the harsh and degrading conditions faced by thousands – if not millions – in this age of austerity.
The recent hardening of Tory rhetoric over Brexit and the status of migrant workers in Britain has shocked many, But aside from being a return to form for Britain’s traditional “Nasty Party”, Josh Holroyd explains, Theresa May’s hard talk reflects a deepening divide within her own party and, if anything, a position of weakness rather than strength.
Last week, criminal courts in Venezuela annulled the collection of the signatures needed to activate a recall referendum, ruling out the possibility of President Maduro being removed this year. The hypocrisy of the counter-revolutionaries about “violations of democratic freedoms” is clear. But if the Bolivarian revolution is not completed, this will pave the way for victory of the counter-revolution.
The weekend of 21-23 October saw the most successful school ever for the Marxists in Britain, as over 250 revolutionary activists came to London from across the country – and Europe – to take part in the REVOLUTION! festival, hosted by Socialist Appeal and the Marxist Student Federation.
Day after day the public in the West is submitted to a constant barrage of horror stories emanating from Syria. Such scenes are used by those who are experts in the business of shaping public opinion according to certain interests. Alan Woods explains that it is the duty of Marxists to cut across the fog of propaganda, to expose its cynical nature and to lay bare the real interests that lie behind it.
Ross Walker of the Edinburgh Marxists discusses the events of the recent SNP annual party conference, where leader Nicola Sturgeon announced plans for a second referendum on Scottish independence. Beneath the apparent party unity surrounding independence, however, it is clear that strong class contradictions are developing within the SNP.
As the US presidential candidates prepare for their final debate, it is now clear that the Establishment has made its choice: Hillary Clinton is the favourite of the bankers, industrialists, military brass, and even key leaders of the Republican Party itself. The role of the detestable Donald Trump has been to make the hated Hillary more palatable.
On Saturday 15th October, staff from the Picturehouse cinema in Hackney joined up with fellow workers from the Ritzy cinema in Brixton to strike for a living wage. This joint action by workers at the Hackney and Brixton Picturehouses shows the way forward in the fight against low pay and precarious employment: united strike action against the bosses.
France witnessed a wave of intense class struggle earlier this year with the strikes and mass protests against the government’s new law on labour relations. The movement later died down, but now the working class and youth is preparing to move from the trade union front to the political. Fred Weston and Jérôme Métellus discuss the growing contradictions within French class society.
On Saturday 15th October, around 100 teaching assistants, along with their friends, family and supporters, were mobilised to take part in a demonstration on in Durham city centre against proposed cuts of up to 23% of their pay. We publish here a report from the Durham and Newcastle Marxist societies, who discuss the struggle being fought by teaching assistants.
We publish here the final schedule, full details, and recommended reading for REVOLUTION! – a three day festival of Marxist ideas hosted by Socialist Appeal and the International Marxist Tendency. This promises to be an incredible weekend of Marxist discussion, talks, walks, and socials. Book your ticket for REVOLUTION! today.
On Sunday 2nd October, Hungary held a national referendum over the mandatory resettlement of refugees in the country. The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, had hoped to use the vote to strengthen his authority both at home and abroad. Instead, he has suffered arguably his most embarrassing setback since he came to power in 2010.