Terms and conditions for workers at major supermarket chain ASDA are under threat, as the bosses look to boost their profits on the backs of their staff. The trade union supposed to be representing ASDA workers, however, is remaining “neutral” in this struggle. GMB leaders need to show the way forward with a call for fighting action.
We publish here the third part of a Socialist Appeal document on the perspectives for the class struggle in Britain. In this third and final part, we look at the perspectives for the Labour Party. Despite the election (and re-election) of Corbyn as leader, the Blairite right wing maintain control of the PLP and apparatus. The outcome of the Labour civil war depends on the question of leadership.
In this talk from the REVOLUTION! 2016 Marxist festival, Hans-Gerd Ofinger discusses the rise of the Nazis in Germany, discussing how Hitler was able to come to power – in his own words – “without so much as breaking a pane of glass”.
With Article 50 triggered and Britain now formally starting the process of leaving the EU, the gloves have come off. According to Theresa May, this is “the moment for the country to come together”. But the country has never been so divided. Britain is in danger of breaking apart. The whole Brexit gamble is about to blow up in the Tory government’s face.
On Saturday 18th March, workers at the Duke of York Picturehouse cinema in Brighton held their first strike against unfair working conditions. Six Picturehouse sites are now part of a national campaign for decent pay and conditions. We publish here a report from a worker at the Brighton Picturehouse on their fightback.
Ken Livingstone’s suspension from the Labour Party for “bringing the party into disrepute” has provoked a cacophony of protests from the party’s right wing, demanding his immediate expulsion. It is not Livingstone who is bringing the party into disrepute, however, but the constant sabotage of these Tory infiltrators. They must be shown the door.
Once again, the champagne corks are popping for Britain’s millionaires, if not for the rest of us. The Tories are determined to ensure that the so-called Hard Brexit will be a bonanza for the rich. At the same time, the poorest will be well and truly hit. The only way out for the working class is to fight for a socialist Europe.
Steve Jones examines the growing fears amongst the ruling class about what will happen when the reigning Monarch, Elizabeth Windsor, dies and the Crown is passed on to a successor. The Monarchy’s authority has been severely dented over the years, and this important pillar of the British Establishment is crumbling amidst the general crisis of capitalism.
In the aftermath of the Westminster terror attack last month Amber Rudd, the Tory Home Secretary, took to the airwaves to insist that government intelligence services should be allowed to read people’s WhatsApp messages. In true Orwellian style, the Tories are using this attack as an excuse to strip away our civil liberties.
With under a month to go before the first round of France’s presidential elections, there is still all to play for, with almost half of French voters still undecided. Support for the traditional parties has collapsed; the Establishment have swung behind the liberal Macron; Mélenchon is gaining momentum; and the possibility of a Le Pen victory threatens the stability of European capitalism.
While one-in-four children in Britain live in poverty and essential public services suffer from dire underfunding, politicians in Westminster have somehow found the money to spend at least £369 million to refurbish Buckingham Palace. Last month’s overwhelming vote in favour of a handout for the Monarchy has revealed plainly where this government’s priorities lie.
We publish here the second part of a Socialist Appeal document on the perspectives for the class struggle in Britain. In this second of three parts, we look at the special crisis of British capitalism, which is undergoing a century-long process of decline. The result is seemingly endless austerity and attacks for the working class, the youth, and the poor.