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News and analysis

The latest news and analysis from The Communist, alongside reports of our activity. For Marxist theory and history, click here.

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Occupations: The music of the future?

In response to the 10th November demonstration, students across the
country decided to go into occupation. Before Christmas there were 30 of
such occupations. Coupled with the increasingly militant demonstrations
against the Government’s attacks on education, these university
occupations are hugely significant in so far as they have radicalised
not only students at the occupied universities but also school students
and even people outside of education.

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Where next for the student movement?

The events of the past two months represent an important shift in the
consciousness of British students. Having grown up knowing only
economic boom, previously labelled as “apathetic” by the media, stood up
and made their voices heard. Their message is simple and has found an
echo across many layers of society: “We will not be forced to pay for a
crisis we did not cause!” This wave of protests and occupations has
swept even the most deeply entrenched prejudices of the last period from
the political landscape, leaving many (both on the right and the left)
trailing in its wake.

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Up, Up and Away!

Millions of workers made the grim trek back to work today after the long
Xmas break. Millions more will be making the even grimmer trek to the
dole office over the next few months as the Coalition cuts start to
become a reality. Two things are with us already – the increase in VAT
and the increase in public transport fares.

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2011: Year of Struggle

The deepest crisis since the Great Depression, with its accompanying
financial, banking and sovereign debt crises, has opened up splits and
arguments not seen for generations. Where do they go from here? Savage
austerity, which threatens the weak recovery, or possibly pump-prime the
economy and risk market turmoil? That is their choice as the crisis
moves into its next dangerous phase. Under the topsy-turvy logic of
capitalism they are both right and both wrong. Whatever they do they
will not be able to cure this unsolvable and protracted crisis of the
system.

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IRELAND: UNITE leader calls for a General Strike

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Jimmy Kelly’s call for a General Strike against the cuts and austerity in the four year plan and the budget which it is to be discussed by  ICTU this
week should be welcomed by all trade unionists and socialists in the
state.  The scale of the measures that are being proposed and the long
term implications will have a huge effect on working people and “social
partnership” won’t stop the attacks. The cuts in the minimum wage and
the tax increases on the lowest paid workers are examples which
demonstrate that unlike the cuts directed against the public sector
workers the four year plan means that all workers are under threat.

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UK snow chaos – government clueless

For the second time in less than a month, Britain has ground to a standstill as a result of snowy weather. Heathrow
airport has virtually ceased operating with over half a million
passengers affected during what is normally the most busy time of the
year with people trying to get home for the holidays.

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Greece: A critical point in its history

Yesterday, December 15, Greece was
shaken by yet another powerful general strike, which saw at least 80,000
workers march through the streets of Athens, with many more
demonstrating in other cities against the latest round of austerity
measures introduced by the government. A very angry mood is developing
among workers and youth, which will inevitably lead to a major
confrontation between workers and the capitalist class.

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French pensions: first balance sheet of a massive struggle

In October we witnessed a massive
mobilisation of the French workers and youth against Sarkozy’s attacks
on pensions. All the potential was there for the government to be
defeated. The overwhelming majority of the population supported the
protests. So what was missing? We are publishing an a analysis by the
French Marxists of La Riposte to explain what happened and why it
happened

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No witchunt of Students! Expose police violence!

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Following on from last Thursday’s mass demonstration in London of youth
against the increases in college fees, the media has been full of
reports of how the police are now going to hunt down the troublemakers.
It seems this manhunt is being given top priority – murderers, rapists
and robbers can relax, the police are now otherwise engaged!

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Norfolk Coalition Against the Cuts March and Rally

On Saturday 4th December, over 2000 trade unionists, students, and
activists braved freezing temperatures and marched through the streets
of Norwich as part of the Norfolk Coalition Against the Cuts campaign.
Alan Waters, a Norwich councillor, said it was one of the biggest
protest marches the city had seen for several years. Despite the cold
weather, the atmosphere was hot, with impassioned chants throughout the
march and fiery speeches at the rally.

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9th December: Student Protests In London

Around noon on Thursday 9th December, students
gathered in various parts of London to march towards the centre of the
city. All over London the students had made a conscious effort to bring
out school students in the morning and the days before with leaflets. At
least half of the protesters were school students  probably more. Many
were working class kids from poor areas. Even The Financial Times admitted that some 20-30,000 students participated.

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