In this week's issue:

The Socialist 19 May 2010, issue Action needed to save our services

Action needed to save our services

The budget deficit grew by over 400% after the bank bailouts, but instead of clawing money back from the banksters, the new Cabinet will spell out in detail where its axe will fall on public services...

Vote Roger Bannister in the Unison general secretary election

For a fighting union leadership! After the shenanigans of the election campaigns of the last few weeks, another election starts on 17 May - the election of Unison's general secretary, writes Roger Bannister, candidate for Unison general secretary.

British Airways: Another intolerable court judgment

Youth need job creation, not job slaughter

The latest unemployment figures saw those looking for a job top 2.5 million, unemployment of 16-17 year olds rise by 4.4%, and the number of economically inactive reach its highest ever levels, writes Ben Robinson, Youth Fight for Jobs.

Time for the fight of our lives

BRITAIN HAS been 'Con Dem-ned' to a future of savage attacks on public services, pay, pensions and benefits, combined with tax increases for working and middle-class people, writes Hannah Sell, Socialist Party deputy general secretary.

Building Coventry Socialist Party after the election

Following one of Coventry's fiercest election battles ever, 39 people, including 16 new or prospective Socialist Party members, attended the party's public meeting in the city on Saturday 15 May, writes Lenny Shail, Coventry West Socialist Party.

Support for socialists Ian Page and Chris Flood

Packed out London meeting looks to fight against cuts

Fast news

Initiative for a week of European-wide protests

ON THE initiative of Socialist Party (Ireland) MEP Joe Higgins, an appeal letter (extract below) has been issued by members of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) in the European Parliament to the trade union and labour movement throughout Europe, to coordinate protests against gove...

Italy: ControCorrente socialists support CWI

Thailand's government orders bloody crackdown on protesters

Kazakhstan: "Thanks comrades for support"

USA: Putting forward a Socialist Alternative in Seattle

The Tragedy of the Chinese Revolution by Harold Isaacs

Review: The Chinese revolution of 1925-27 represented one of the most gigantic and splendid movements in human history, writes Peter Taaffe, Socialist Party general secretary.

Peter Hadden - an inspiring life for socialism

Obituary: PETER HADDEN, Northern secretary of the Irish section of the Committee for a Workers International (CWI), the Socialist Party, sadly died at the age of 60, in Belfast, on 5 May after a three year battle with cancer, writes Niall Mulholland.

Communication Workers Union conference: Hands off Royal Mail!

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) annual conference runs from 23-27 May. Since the last conference we have seen some of the most important battles in the CWU's history, writes Gary Clark, assistant branch secretary, Scotland No.2 CWU.

Defending the postal service

Bus workers gear up for action

RMT ballots Tube Lines workers

National Shop Stewards Network conference: International rally planned