The latest news and analysis from The Communist, alongside reports of our activity. For Marxist theory and history, click here.
Parliament will once again be voting on whether to take the country to war in the Middle East. Cameron is leading the charge; but after a retreat by Corbyn, right-wing Labour MPs will now have a free hand to support the Tory leader. The Blairites’ enthusiasm for yet another imperialist adventure, however, may well be their demise.
At the eleventh hour, Tory Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has climbed down from provoking the first junior doctors’ strike in British history. Forty-five thousand junior doctors in England were due to take action, beginning today. However, the strike was suspended yesterday evening. Ben Peck analyses the future for the junior doctors’ struggle.
Last weekend, 28-29th November, saw protests across Britain against war and against climate change. Socialist Appeal supporters across the UK were present on these rallies and marches, drawing the links between these issues and pointing out that it is ultimately the capitalist system that is responsible for both.
At a special conference on Friday 27th November, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) made a historic move to re-affiliate to the Labour Party after more than a decade of being outside of the party. The FBU’s decision marks a strengthening of the Corbyn movement and a step forward in the process of reclaiming the Labour Party from the Blairites.
In spite of the relentless attacks from the media, his own MPs and even now some trade union leaders, Corbyn’s support is growing. Two divergent paths open up before us: either the right-wing clique in the Labour Party forces Corbyn out, or Corbyn and his supporters force them out.
George Osborne was yesterday forced to retreat on plans to cut tax credits, due to overwhelming opposition. This backtrack by the Tory Chancellor exposes the weakness of the government, and is a foretaste of the turbulent period ahead in Britain as the Tories attempt to push through their programme of austerity.
It is with heavy hearts that we have heard of the death of comrade Callum Stanland at the tragically young age of 23, who passed away earlier this week. Our thoughts are with his many friends and comrades, and above all with his family. Owen Walsh and Ben Curry of the Leeds Marxists pay tribute to an exceptional young class fighter.
It is now over seven years since the beginning of the crisis, and there is still no end in sight. Talk of recovery is a sick joke at best, and deluded at worst. The reality is that a new – deeper – phase in the world crisis of capitalism is opening up.
This morning, the Turkish military shot down a Russian military aircraft on the border with Syria. What is quite clear is that this was a blatant provocation by the Turkish ruling clique. Alan Woods explores the ever increasing geo-political contradictions that are coming to the fore in the Middle East and Syria.
In one week’s time, world leaders will meet in Paris for the COP21 United Nations climate change conference. But as bourgeois politicians impotently discuss and negotiate, the atmosphere continues to heat up as capitalism kills the planet. As Adam Booth outlines, the future facing humanity is clear: socialism or barbarism.
David Cameron is once again banging the war drum for intervention in Syria, cynically using the horrific attacks in Paris to attempt to whip up support for military action. Corbyn has correctly opposed military intervention, but Blairite MPs are gearing up to rebel on the issue. We say: no to imperialist intervention – Labour must oppose war and fight for socialism!
Junior doctors have voted overwhelming in support of strike action, with 98% voting Yes to a full walk out. All of this on a 76% turnout – a vote for action that would smash even the Tories’ new anti-union laws. The scene is now set for a showdown between doctors and the government.