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What we think
Labour’s civil war continues – build a mass workers’ party
Corbyn steps up anti-establishment tone – Momentum takes further undemocratic turn: Trust in politicians and all sections of the ‘establishment’ is falling even further. An annual trust survey shows that trust in the British government has dropped from a low 36% in January 2016 to just 26% now. Only 18% of respondents said they trust political parties in general to “do what is right”
Tories torn in two on single market
May vows to both leave and remain – Fight for a socialist, internationalist Brexit: Prime Minister Theresa May has made her long-awaited declaration of the government’s objectives for EU exit negotiations. It was notable for its glaring contradictions and May’s nervous delivery.
Resist Trump
No to racism, sexism and attacks on workers’ rights: On 20 (the day of Trump’s inauguration) and 21 January, we are joining with others to call for millions across the United States and worldwide to come out in mass demonstrations and student strikes to begin building a powerful grassroots resistance.
The case for a united and ongoing mass mobilisation: Inauguration protests can serve as a launching pad for a massive grassroots resistance to Donald Trump’s new administration, which can push back his agenda. But this will require an active ongoing mobilisation linked to a strategy of independent grassroots struggle.
We can stop Trump’s sexist agenda in its tracks
The election of Donald Trump is a call to action for women. His glorification of sexual assault is an insult to the courageous struggles over the last years to combat violence against women
International socialist news and analysis
Mexico: Mass movement against “gasolinazo”
Towards a general strike against the Nieto government: In recent weeks, mass protests have erupted throughout Mexico following a hike in gas and electricity prices – dubbed the “gasolinazo” – decreed by the right-wing Peña Nieto administration
USA: Seattle activists win housebuilding programme
Housing activists in Seattle, organised into the ‘Coalition to Build 1,000 Homes’, have scored a major victory, winning $29 million for affordable housing in the 2017-2018 council budget. They pushed through a final unanimous vote in the city council, despite fierce opposition from the city’s Democratic establishment
1917revolution.org website to launch
The Committee for a Workers’ International is to launch a new website celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution
Socialist Party news and analysis
‘Black alert’ NHS: Demonstrate 4 March
I find it frightening that NHS trusts are unable to guarantee patient safety. I find it shocking that the Red Cross, an organisation normally associated with international aid, has found it necessary to declare a “humanitarian crisis” in the fifth largest economy in the world.
Eight billionaires own as much as half humanity!
Take the wealth off the 1%! The gap between the richest and poorest in the world is growing and is even worse than originally feared, says Oxfam. Eight people – yes eight – own as much wealth as the poorest 50% of the world population
Pollution kills 600: fight for clean air!
For ten days between March and April 2014, levels of poisonous particulates caused an extra 300 premature deaths in the UK, according to a recent government estimate.
Northern Ireland calls snap election: back Labour Alternative
Millwall FC move threat: Defend the Den – ‘wall not Renewal
Millwall’s ground, the Den, could be forced from Lewisham, south London, to Kent. A major new development around the ground is being built by Renewal – a company registered in a tax haven, run by a former council officer, and which used to count the former mayor of Lewisham as a director.
Workplace news and analysis
Billions in profit for Tesco, cuts and job losses for workers
Britain’s biggest retailer, Tesco, reported that it had its best sales growth at the end of last year’s quarter for over five years. At the same time, 1,015 Tesco workers will lose their jobs as Tesco announced that it is closing two distribution centres in Hertfordshire and Derbyshire
Liverpool dockers and drivers protest “appalling lack of facilities”
About 75 dockers and drivers protested on 13 January at the port of Liverpool about the facilities available to them, or the evident lack of
Manchester: BA cabin crew pay strike
Unite members chanted “low pay, no way” and “pay rise, not lies” while getting support from passengers going in and out of the airport, including one who donated two boxes of chocolates!
London: Taxi drivers gridlock City of London
London taxi drivers gridlocked the City of London on 12 January in protest at the closure of Bank junction to taxis, ending a 360 year old trade in the area, writes Dave Wallis, Vice chair, RMT London taxi branch.
Southern Rail strike continues
The Southern Rail strike continues on 23 January by trains guards and station staff in the RMT. This follows a second wave of action by Southern drivers in Aslef and RMT
Four Socialist Party members are standing on the United Left slate in the Unite executive elections that take place at the same time as the union’s general secretary ballot
PCS union national executive elections
PCS national executive committee elections will soon get under way. The current PCS leadership is widely regarded as one of the most effective campaigning leaderships in the trade union movement.
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
The Socialist: read it, write it, sell it
Two thousand more people snapped up the Socialist on the streets over the last ten issues of 2016 than the same period in 2015. Our newspaper is a beacon for the idea that ordinary working class people can run society in our own interests.
Protesters surround Sheffield’s cutting council
A thousand protesters surrounded Sheffield’s town hall on 7 January in the latest action against Amey’s tree-fellers operating under a PFI contract with Sheffield council
Fracking protest in Sherwood Forest
Over 300 people came together to protest against plans by chemical giant Ineos to carry out seismic surveys in Sherwood Forest
Residents protest at plans to close nine community centres
Hyde, like other housing associations, is now a big business property developer more than provider of social housing. It has an operating profit of 27% and £95 million in the bank, but doesn’t want to pay the £170,000 (or 20p a visit) annual operating costs for the two Lambeth community centres
Anger at south east Kent Momentum meeting
A discussion took place regarding the change in constitution and what many see as an abuse of power by Momentum chair Jon Lansman. The attendees agreed a declaration strongly opposing the steering group’s decision.
Socialist Party national committee agrees document for congress
Socialist readers’ comments and reviews
Why I joined the Socialist Party
“I witnessed the effort and commitment displayed by members” Some of my generation are frustrated, angry and upset with the Tory government and the way the whole world seems to be heading. I say to them that the Socialist Party is an organisation in which you can actually witness the difference your actions can make
Theatre review: high art and savage poverty in Bootle
The Seven Acts of Mercy: It’s unlikely this work will get the same exposure as ‘I, Daniel Blake’, for example. But for those who do get the chance to see it – the voice of the dispossessed speaks loud and clear, and the desire to rid the world of capitalist exploitation once and for all rings out for all to hear.
John Berger: remarkable art of a contradictory socialist
John Berger, 1926-2017: Berger, who has died aged 90, was one of the most influential arts and cultural critics of the last half-century. But his ‘Marxism’ was not fully rounded out or linked to a clear socialist programme for the fundamental change of society
Socialist artists invite others to exhibit work
Do you have something to say? Letters to the Socialist’s editors. Capitalist economist admits defeat; Fenton festivities; Brexit bind; Castro cant.