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News and analysis

The latest news, analysis, and Marxist theory from The Communist, alongside reports of RCP activity.

Save Fire and Rescue services

Save Fire and Rescue services

As the flames of economic crisis spread across Europe, it is essential
public services such as fire and rescue  that are now being cut as a
result. All 49 fire services across Britain have seen their funding from
the government reduced by 25% as part of the Tory-led Coalition’s
programme of austerity. Despite already having one of the most efficient
and affordable fire services in the country, Cambridgeshire is seeing
huge attacks on its fire and rescue services.

Greek government survives but working class prepares for 48-hour general strike

Greek government survives but working class prepares for 48-hour general strike

The powerful 24-hour general strike
and the mass demonstrations of June 15 in Greece demonstrated how deep
the anger of the Greek working masses runs. It served to send the ruling
class a warning: that this is no ordinary protest movement, but one
with revolutionary connotations. That is why they hurriedly patched
together a new government, in the hope of cutting across the movement.
But to no avail!

Irish economy inches forward…

Irish economy inches forward…

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Ireland: There have been a number of reports in today’s media that the
Irish economy has grown by 1.3%. Although this is no bad thing, as it
will help to rebuild the confidence of working people, the real picture
is somewhat more complicated than the headlines might indicate on the
first examination. Certainly any economic perspective that doesn’t make a
sober assessment taking into account everything that is happening in
Europe and particularly Greece just now will not stand up to much
challenge.

Report: Summer school a great step forward for the Marxist Tendency

Report: Summer school a great step forward for the Marxist Tendency

"I
must say I was really impressed, first of all with the presence of so
many young people, and the high political level of all those who spoke",
commented Mark from North London. This summed up the general feeling of
all those who participated.The Marxist Summer School, which was the
first of its kind organised by Socialist Appeal, was far more of a
success than the organisers had anticipated with over 100 attending over
the course of the weekend. Those who attended ranged from experienced
trade unionists to young people, including many school students.

Obituaries: Andy Viner and Brian Haw

Obituaries: Andy Viner and Brian Haw

Socialist Appeal notes with sadness the untimely deaths of Andy Viner and Brian Haw at the weekend and sends condolences to their families and friends and the many people who knew them. Here we pay tribute to them and the role they played.

Build for June 30th! (events listing)

Build for June 30th! (events listing)

June 30th is building up to be one massive day of action by public sector workers and others. UCU, PCS, NUT and ATL members have already voted to take strike action on the day. Many other workers and students will be joining them in participating in protests, marches and rallies up and down the country. Here are some details, compiled by PCS on their website, of events taking place on the day:

Greece: Earth shattering strike and demonstration as Papandreou hangs on

Greece: Earth shattering strike and demonstration as Papandreou hangs on

GREECE: Yesterday, hundreds of thousands of workers and youth participated in a
24-hour general strike called by the GSEE and ADEDY (private and public
sector trade union confederations), marching in demonstrations to the
main squares in seventy cities and towns across Greece. From early
morning the participation in a mass gathering to encircle the Houses
of Parliament was enormous.

A year since Croke Park: Howlin promises more austerity

A year since Croke Park: Howlin promises more austerity

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IRELAND: The scenes broadcast from
Athens will have sent a shiver down the spine of An Taoiseach, An
Tánaiste and their counterparts throughout Europe. The reaction of the
Greek workers to the meltdown in the Greek economy will be of particular
concern in Leinster House. Ireland is not so far behind Greece and
sooner or later Ireland will become the tail ender in the bond markets
again, that is unless the Greek Government defaults and then all bets
are off.

Greece: A million people march!

Greece: A million people march!

Greece: From early
this morning (Wednesday), hundreds of thousands of workers and youth participated in
the mass rallies during today’s 24-hour general strike, encircling the
Houses of Parliament. There is no doubt that had it not been for the
outbreak of rioting, with such a huge level of participation the numbers
concentrating on Syntagma Square would have exceeded one million.

Hungary: The disastrous consequences of capitalism

Hungary: The disastrous consequences of capitalism

Recent opinion polls show that a majority of Hungarians find life so
miserable that they would like to live somewhere else. Many consider
that life was much better before 1989 when people enjoyed full
employment and an advanced welfare system. Capitalism has destroyed all
that. However, as our correspondent points outs, what existed before was
not genuine socialism, but a Stalinist regime that people rose up
against. What is required is state ownership and planning, but under the
democratic control of the workers themselves.

Tories cut out working class children and increase the debt

Tories cut out working class children and increase the debt

The coalition argued that higher tuition fees for university would allow
for less government funding of education without a loss in the quality
of Britain’s ancient institutions. The increased fees were supposed to
end state funding of universities but instead a massive shortfall in
investment has been created due to the levels of unpaid debt that will
be created. From the capitalists’ point of view the only way that this
can be dealt with is through further cuts to higher education.

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