The latest news and analysis from The Communist, alongside reports of our activity. For Marxist theory and history, click here.
Jérôme Métellus of the French Marxists, Révolution, provides an assessment and analysis of the inspiring and militant mass movement of workers and youth in France against the hated and reactionary El Khomri labour law. What is the way forward for workers in this struggle?
The results are in from the final state primaries and the outcome is no real surprise. With the media, the Democratic Party machine, and big money behind her, Hillary Clinton is to be the party’s nominee. Sanders’ strong showing, however, is proof that millions do not want to settle for Hillary Clinton versus Donald Trump.
A Jewish left-wing activist has been blocked from standing for a position on Labour’s National Executive Committee because – according to the Blairites – her involvement with Momentum taints her with anti-semitism. This is the latest episode in the cynical attempt by Labour’s right wing to use the issue of anti-semitism against the Left.
On Sunday 5th June, Momentum Youth and Students held its founding conference. The mood was very positive thanks to the fact that there was a real sense of the tide having turned. Socialism is now back on the agenda and this is enthusing large swathes of young people who are new to politics.
In all countries across Europe, capitalism is in crisis and class struggle is on the rise – from Greece and France, to Spain and Portugal. Belgium – a country where compromise and moderation seemed for a long time to be part of the genetic make-up of society – is no exception to this rule, and mass strikes are breaking out everywhere.
The recent actions of Philip Green – the billionaire retail tycoon – have been condemned from all sides of the political sphere; few of these condemnations, however, try to address the underlying problem. Richard Fuller, a Tory MP, called Mr Green the “unacceptable face of capitalism”. This is inaccurate: Philip Green is actually the true face of capitalism.
Beyond Caring, a modern play that portrays the conditions of workers in modern day, zero-hour Britain, begins a new UK tour today, starting in Birmingham. We are republishing our review of this powerful and poignant play, along with a recent interview with the director, Alexander Zeldin.
Public sector union GMB has become one of the first major unions to not only back Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party, but also to demand that Labour MPs do likewise by giving a “clear and unambiguous” commitment not to destabilise the party. It is time for the rest of the labour movement to demand likewise from Corbyn’s opponents in Westminster.
Delegates at last week’s University and College Union’s annual congress in Liverpool voted to escalate industrial action against Tory austerity and link the struggle for free education with students and teachers. Joe Attard, a delegate from the KCL UCU branch, discusses the issues raised at this year’s UCU Congress.
The Marxist Student-led Fair Pay for GTAs campaign has won a 20% pay increase for student teachers at King’s College London following an 18-month struggle with university bosses. The success of this campaign demonstrates the potential power of workers when united and organised around a militant strategy and socialist ideas.
We publish here an edited version of an analysis originally written by Alan Woods in 1997, commenting on the contradictions within the European project in advance of the introduction of the Euro. In this document, Alan outlines the history and class character of the European Union and emphasises the need for Marxists to fight for a socialist alternative.
The pace of privatisation in education is accelerating, and those who would use it as a means to get rich quick are circling ever closer. The recent White Paper published by the government would allow universities to increase tuition fees above £9,000 and will open up higher education to privatisation and profit. Marxist Students say: Fight for free education! Fight for socialism!