The Socialist 1 February 2012

Fight this profit-mad system

Bankers bonus scandal - Fight this profit-mad system

Trade unionists and socialists prepare for May elections

What is the point of Labour MPs?

Dead end in Davos

Them & Us

Don't let the racist EDL divide us

Disabled protesters demand scrapping of 'welfare' bill

Haringey takes action against academies

Coventry: Re-elect Dave Nellist

NUS: name the day for student walkout

Save Derbyshire youth services!

Only one in six 'vacancies' real

Tough conditions for agency workers

South East Wales youth plan new campaigns

EU summit - no capitalist solutions to the spiralling eurozone crisis

Interview: the Tunisian revolution one year on

Pensions battle: Unions must campaign for coordinated strike action in March

London Docklands transport workers win Olympics deal

Unison pensions cowardice

Remploy workers fight privatisation

Jet tanker drivers continue strike action

Workplace news in brief

Debate: Should socialists support the HS2 rail line?

Are the Greens a real alternative?

Smacking not the answer

Obituary: Gwenda Beishon

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Smacking not the answer

Jane James

David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, has called for the 'smacking ban' to be repealed. He claims his constituents back this, blaming lack of parental control as a factor in last summer's riots - a view also held by Tory London mayor Boris Johnson.

The Socialist Party opposes smacking or harming children in any way and believes that children have rights too. Many parents who hit their children do so when they're stressed, angry or have lost control. Parenting does not come naturally and many parents would welcome advice and classes in how best to bring up their children.

Caring for children can be difficult, so activities bringing parents, children and qualified staff together can help. The Sure Start projects, now cut, did that very well!

When Socialist Party members were campaigning in Tottenham after the riots some parents did say that more discipline was needed for young people. But people acknowledged the need for more help and support for families

Cuts, especially the closure of all Tottenham's youth clubs, played a significant role in the riots. Young people now had nowhere to go which was frustrating for them. So if David Lammy wants to do something positive for his constituents he should join the protest outside Haringey's civic centre on 20 February against huge cuts that will wipe out even more essential services.

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Socialist Party news and analysis

Bankers bonus scandal - Fight this profit-mad system