The energy scandal and the profiteering of the six giant companies – which control 98% of the market – really highlights the choices between heating and eating that increasing millions of people have to face. Darrall Cozens looks at this “new normality” under capitalism for ordinary working class families.
As 2013 came to a close, many economists and politicians drew a collective sigh of relief: the Eurozone remains in one piece; the USA has not defaulted; and a triple-dip recession was avoided in Britain- there is even much talk of a recovery! But for the more far-sighted commentators amongst the bourgeoisie, the New Year – far from offering any light at the end of the tunnel – simply brings with it increasing uncertainty, instability, and crisis.
The conservative government in Spain has recently abolished the right to abortion in the country after a long campaign of demagogy and reaction. The response in cities across Spain has been immediate, with tens of thousands protesting against this new change to the law. Julia Vidania of the Edinburgh Marxists reports on the recent solidarity demonstration in Scotland against the Spanish abortion ban.
We warmly invite our student readers to the Marxist Student Federation’s founding conference, to be held in London on Saturday 15th February, 10am-6pm, with sessions on: the relevance of Marxism; perspectives for the student movement in Britain; and a discussion on the strategy of the Marxist Student Federation. This one-day conference promises to be an important step forward for the Marxist students in Britain.
On 11th January 2014, Ariel Sharon – the former Israeli army general and Prime Minister – died after spending eight years in a coma. For analysis on the life and role of this reactionary figure, we draw our readers’ attention towards two articles, both published in January 2006 at the time when Sharon entered his long comatose period.
The recent half day ‘strike’ on Monday 6th January by barristers and solicitors practising in criminal law is of great significance. Mark French, a legal aid lawyer who took part in this action, comments on the next step forward for those battling against the Coalition’s cuts to legal aid.
After almost two-and-a-half years of waiting, Mark Duggan’s family were yesterday insulted with the laughable finding that his killing by police was ‘lawful’. This sham verdict, and the scrutiny it is being subjected to by a baffled public, reveals very clearly the way in which the law is nothing more than a tool of the rich and powerful.
Clerkenwell Fire Station was the oldest in Europe until 9.30 yesterday (Thursday 9th January) morning, when it was closed along with nine other stations around London as part of austerity measures imposed on the Emergency Services by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Guy Howie of the UCLU Marxists reports on the cutbacks to the fire brigade in London, which have also resulted in the redundancy of 552 firefighters and the removal of 14 fire engines from service.
Enda Kenny, Michael Noonan and Eamon Gilmore may be hoping that the Irish exit from the Troika bailout will convince the voters that the end of the economic and political crisis and particularly the crisis in the state finances might be in sight, but there is more than enough evidence in place to the contrary.
John Dunn of the Justice for Mineworkers campaign makes a New Year’s resolution: don’t forget the crimes of capitalism and the ruling class; learn from history and begin organising the fightback for a socialist society.
Recent statements from Boris Johnson regarding “Cornflakes“ rising to the top of the packet with regard to natural intelligence are as stupid as claiming that you have a “Divine Right” to rule over the lower orders. Andy Fenwick examines the age-old debate about “nature” vs “nurture”; genes vs environment.
Workers around the country have reacted with astonishment and anger at the decision of the Parliamentary Standards Authority (PSA) to press ahead with the recommendation to give Westminster MPs a huge 11% pay rise in 2014 – about £7,600 a year extra. Felix Lighter reports on yet another example of hypocrisy by MPs, who talk about the need for austerity, whilst happily taking a pay increase for themselves.