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

Britain: Shoot-to Kill and the “War on Terror” – A threat to civil liberties and the labour movement

Britain: Shoot-to Kill and the “War on Terror” – A threat to civil liberties and the labour movement

The British government and the Metropolitan Police are now trying to
sweep under the carpet the brutal execution of Jean Charles de Menezes
on July 22. We must not allow this to happen. This young, innocent,
Brazilian man – an electrician by trade, just 27 years of age – is the
latest victim of the so-called “war on terror”, but also of the
undermining of civil liberties and the strengthening of the powers of
the capitalist state.

Bank of England Governor to bosses ‘Wage cuts now possible’

Bank of England Governor to bosses ‘Wage cuts now possible’

Several months ago
there was a report in some British papers of an unusual speech by the Governor
of the Bank of England, Mervyn King. The speech gives a glimpse of a discussion
that must have recently taken place amongst the British capitalists, and which
the Gate Gourmet dispute is a direct consequence of. It is about the use of
cheap immigrant labour to drive down wages and worsen working conditions.

Global Warming: The Arctic is Melting

Global Warming: The Arctic is Melting

The debate over global warming and the consequences it may or may not have for planet Earth and humanity has been raging for several decades now. Global warming is an endless source of controversy, but one thing is clear – our climate is changing.

Labour Left Rally in London

Labour Left Rally in London

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Despite clashing with both the RISE festival and the traditional
Tollpuddle Rally, the main hall at the TUC’s Congress House was largely
full for this year’s AGM and rally of the Labour Representation
Committee (LRC), the main new umbrella grouping for Left activists
inside the Labour Party. Amongst others, a number of the platform
speakers from the trade union movement, including Jeremy Dear (NUJ),
Mark Serwotka (PCS) and Paul Mackney (NATFHE) took time to outline the
ongoing process of attacks against the public sector being carried out
by the government.

Volatile mood after London killings

Volatile mood after London killings

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Radical changes in consciousness often spring from arbitrary collective
experiences. Last week’s bombings in London are no exception. On the
surface, the story being broadcast and repeated by the journalists,
politicians, and purveyors of “objective information” appears to be
true. But there is more to it than that.

In the aftermath of the London bombings – “Business as usual”

In the aftermath of the London bombings – “Business as usual”

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The recurring theme of today’s mass media coverage can be summed up in three words: “Business as usual.” After all, life goes on for most Londoners. This indomitable spirit of the ordinary people is something that Tony Blair and the Establishment are seeking to exploit. One thing is clear: if the imperialist bullying continues, the epidemic of terrorism will continue to spread uncontrollably, a terrible expression of the impasse of the capitalist system on a global scale.

Terrorist atrocity in London

Terrorist atrocity in London

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Whoever was responsible for today’s terrorist attacks in Central London
showed no mercy to the innocent victims of their actions. Such
activities are utterly repugnant to anybody who defends the cause of
socialism and the working class. This kind of action serves only to
bolster the forces of reaction. It must be condemned outright.

Britain’s House of Cards Wobbles

Britain’s House of Cards Wobbles

House price increases are slowing down in Britain. In June in London
prices actually fell. This is the beginning of the end of the house
price bubble and it will be very painful for many families who have
borrowed on the basis of the increased equity in their property. It
will have a knock-on effect on the whole economy as spending is already
slowing.

United against profiteers wrecking football

United against profiteers wrecking football

The
establishment of the Premier League in Britain, a renaming of the old
First Division, in the early 1990s opened up a period of naked
commercial exploitation of football. The new league exists to maximise
the profits and commercial potential of the richest clubs at the
expense of the rest. Central to this are clubs like Manchester United,
the world’s richest club which has now been virtually bought up by US
tycoon Malcolm Glazier, who has grabbed control of over 75% of the
club’s shares.

The General Election of 2005: Results and Prospects

The General Election of 2005: Results and Prospects

As a postscript to British Perspectives 2005 (What is happening in Britain)
Phil Mitchinson analyses the results of the recent general election in
the context of mounting insecurity in the British economy, politics and
society as a whole. Labour won the election with the smallest share of
the vote of any victorious party in history. With the government's
majority severely reduced how much longer can Blair last? 'New' Labour
has set off on a collision course with its own backbenches and with the
trade unions and the working class.

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