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What we think
Tories Out! General election Now!
Theresa May’s government is on the brink.
This morning the resignations began.
Esther McVey and Dominic Raab were first out the door, along with a number of junior ministers
May’s government limps on… Corbyn and unions must call urgent, mass action
International socialist news and analysis
On 10-11 November, around 1,000 people took part in Socialism 2018 – a weekend of discussion and debate hosted by the Socialist Party. Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council Member for the Socialist Party’s US co-thinkers, Socialist Alternative, was among the keynote speakers. Kshama led a discussion on the struggle against Trump in the US.
Spanish state: Over one million students strike against sexism and for inclusive sex education
The general student strike called by the Sindicato de Estudiantes (SE) and Libres y Combativas (free and combative, socialist feminist platform of SE and Izquierda Revolucionaria – CWI in the Spanish state) has been a powerful success.
Political turmoil in Sri Lanka
A power struggle between Sri Lanka’s main establishment parties erupted into violence last week, with MPs brawling in parliament.
News
Even UN slams Tory poorhouse Britain
General election now to reverse austerity! A United Nations special envoy has published a report that harshly condemns poverty in the UK, and links the capitalist establishment’s brutal austerity programme to it directly.
Housing arrears double, suicide risk soars – scrap Universal Credit!
General election now to reverse welfare attacks: Universal Credit claimants are being pushed into serious mental health problems, with some even considering suicide, according to public health researchers in the North East.
75,000 kids in foster care – and counting: end cuts and for-profit care
“Fostering sector ripe for consolidation… fostering is a growth market…” These were the thoughts of the Financial Times back in 2013. Translation? Children going into care are seen as a profit opportunity by capitalist vultures.
It’s one world for the super-rich, and another one for the rest of us.
What does the European Parliament… well… do? It can at least write angry letters. The latest missive is to internet retail giant Amazon, signed by 27 MEPs. It calls for “the discontinuation of sales of goods with the hammer and sickle symbol, representing the Soviet Union.”
Workplace news
Save the high street: public ownership, not ghost malls
This year has been a bad year for the retail sector. About 14 shops are closing a day, a net loss of 1,123 from Britain’s main high streets in the first half of this year, according to accountants PwC.
‘Worker’s death could happen again’ at Leicester plastic factory
No one expects to die at work, no one should have to. But under capitalism the harsh reality is that private profit often outweighs worker safety.
Arriva Rail North under pressure after nineteenth Saturday strike
RMT transport union members picketing Manchester Victoria train station on 10 November had an unusual visitor – and it wasn’t Santa Claus. It was none other than David Brown, managing director of Arriva Rail North.
Indefinite dinner ladies’ and teaching assistants’ strike
Dinner ladies and teaching assistants at Ladywood primary school in Grimethorpe, near Barnsley, took their 29th day of strike action on 19 November.
Hamilton posties walk out against bullying
A three-day wildcat strike by 45 postal workers in the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has taken place at Hamilton delivery office in Lanarkshire against management bullying.
Tube strike solid against victimisation
Workers on the Central line of the London Underground walked out for 24 hours on 7 November, organised by transport union RMT and train drivers’ union Aslef
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Save our NHS – oust the Tory wreckers!
Staff shortages in the National Health Service (NHS) could triple in just a decade, according to recent research from major think tanks. Already, the NHS is over 100,000 short staffed.
Solidarity with Irish rape trial protests
Megaphones and placards declaring “end victim-blaming” and “fight sexism – no to all oppression, no to austerity” were adorned with lacy thongs.
Thousands march against racism – now Corbyn and unions must take lead
Thousands of trade unionists, students and anti-racist campaigners marched on the national unity demonstration against racism and fascism on 17 November.
Mansfield council must step in to save miners’ park
The proposed closure of Berry Hill Park in Mansfield has led to a storm of protest. Around 300 turned out at a few days’ notice to demonstrate. 7,000 have signed an online petition in under a fortnight.
Stop Nottingham Labour’s cuts to disabled travel!
“We’re making more cuts! You ain’t seen nothing yet!” This was the comment of Graham Chapman, deputy leader of Nottingham’s Labour council when asked about cuts to the disabled person’s mobility card, which gives free bus and tram travel.
Step up fundraising for the Xmas Collectathon!
Just over £35,000 pounds was donated and pledged at the Socialism 2018 rally on 10 November. This is a fantastic result which means we are on course to smash the fighting fund target for the whole of 2018 – but only if we maintain our fundraising drive. So we can’t stop now!
Opinion
Nothing to offer from the Blairites
Non-fiction: Spirit of Britain, purpose of Labour: Labour’s Blairites have been reeling from a succession of hammer blows since 2015: Corbyn’s landslide victory for the Labour leadership; the Brexit vote; and in 2017, to the amazement of the right wingers, Corbyn’s left manifesto gained the biggest increase of the vote for Labour at a general election since 1945.
Letters to the Socialist’s editors including the Natural History Museum, public transport chaos and Universal Credit.