More messages after the sad death of comrade Phil Mitchinson
We have received more messages from all over the world. Phil was a
highly respected comrade and the messages reveal the warmth that many
comrades felt towards him.
News and analysis
The latest news and analysis from The Communist, alongside reports of our activity. For Marxist theory and history, click here.
Phil Mitchinson – Comrade, Friend and Fighter
It will come as a great shock to all comrades to
hear the tragic news of the premature death of comrade Phil Mitchinson, the
deputy editor of the Marxist journal Socialist
Appeal and leading member of the International Marxist Tendency.
Regrettably Phil suffered a severe heart attack late last night, was rushed to
hospital, but staff were unable to save him. He was 38 years of age.
Venezuelan Presidential Elections: A Crucial Turning Point for the Revolution
The campaign for Venezuela's presidential election on December 3rd is
already well under way. But this is far from a normal election. On
December 3rd what is really at stake is the future of the Bolivarian
Revolution. In November's Socialist Appeal Jorge
Martin analyses the current situation in Venezuela and explains why the
elections represent a vital turning point for the revolution
The Anniversary of the Russian Revolution
Today, November 7th, we celebrate the 89th anniversary of the 1917
Russian Revolution by republishing an article written by Ted Grant,
originally published in 1967 on the revolution's 50th anniversary. Even
at a time when the bureaucracy seemed almighty and irremovable this
article confidently predicts the downfall of the Stalinist regime.
Then, the political revolution, i.e. the workers coming to power,
seemed a concrete possibility, especially in the light of the 1956
Hungarian events. Unfortunately, because there was no party capable of
leading the workers, the collapse of the Stalinist regime led to the
capitalist counter-revolution. However, this article clearly
demonstrates that the genuine Marxists, the Trotskyists, never had any
illusions in Stalinism and always struggled for its overthrow and for
the workers to take back the power they had briefly held after the 1917
revolution.
Catch 22: Permanent Revolution – CD album review
The band Catch 22 have produced an album based on the life struggles and ideas of Leon Trotsky. Here Matt Wells gives a brief outline of what the album is about.
Police brutality at the picket of the Mexican Embassy in London
Police in London
brutally break up a protest picket outside the Mexican embassy. The picket had
been called to protest at the army clampdown in Oaxaca over the weekend. Read the report here
Imperialism is Rebuilding Iraq as a Graveyard
The Editorial of November's Socialist Appeal examines the
staggering death toll in Iraq and the various 'exit strategies' being
considered by the imperialists desperate to extricate themselves from
the quagmire they have created.
Venezuelan Revolution at UEA
Ronny Pante continued his speaking tour of UK universities at the University of East Anglia in Norwich on 26th October, continuing to prove that youth in Britain feel solidarity and excitement towards the revolutionary movement in Venezuela. The mood at the meeting was eager, with a great deal of questions on how we can make our own desire for a transition from capitalism to socialism concrete.
Venezuelan student leader kicks off speaking tour in Britain
Last night was the first of many events organised by Hands
Off Venezuela featuring Ronny Pante, general
coordinator of the Integrated Students' Movement in Bolivar,
Venezuela, who is touring
British universities to explain why students and activists in this country
should care about what is happening in Venezuela. Read a report of the meeting here.
Off Venezuela featuring Ronny Pante, general
coordinator of the Integrated Students' Movement in Bolivar,
Venezuela, who is touring
British universities to explain why students and activists in this country
should care about what is happening in Venezuela. Read a report of the meeting here.
Council Tenants Reject Privatisation Plans for Housing
Council
tenants in Stirling voted by a resounding 68%
against privatising the housing stock in a magnificent victory to keep council
housing out of the hands of profiteers. As this report is compiled,
Renfrewshire tenants have also voted "NO". Council tenants across the country are
sending a strong message to local authorities and the Scottish Executive – NO
TO THE PRIVATISATION OF COUNCIL HOUSING!
Blair Is History, Socialism Must Be The Future
The Editorial of October's Socialist Appeal calls for meetings
to be organised to support John McDonnells' bid for the leadership of
the Labour Party as an important opportunity to raise socialist ideas
throughout the labour movement. In preparing for a struggle in the
Labour Party we must learn from the past. The most vital lesson is that
it is not sufficient to tinker with the
capitalist system. We will fight for any reform in the interests of the
working class. The central lesson of the whole of Labour history,
however, must be that not one of those reforms can endure if the
capitalist system remains intact.
John McDonnell MP, Left Candidate for the Labour Leadership, Speaks to Socialist Appeal
John McDonnell, the Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, has announced
his intention to stand for the leadership of the Labour Party. He is
Chair of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, the Labour Representation Committee,
and the 'Public Services Not Private Profit' anti-privatisation
campaign. He is also the national chair of Hands Off Venezuela and has
been at the forefront of the campaign to defend the Venezuelan
revolution. Socialist Appeal supports John's campaign as a real
opportunity to raise socialist ideas throughout the labour movement. We
asked John to tell us about his campaign and about the need to fight
for socialist policies inside the Labour Party.