Reviews and comments

The boss exploiting China (and Britain)

Tony Caldeira is a businessman in the textiles industry, manufacturing cushions in China and the UK. A two-part BBC documentary The Town Taking on China, follows Caldeira's plan to move jobs back from China

A short walk down Whitehall...

On the day of the Queen's speech, I was on my way to a London demo of Remploy workers. But in Whitehall there was a phalanx of police officers armed with Heckler-Koch assault weapons.

Why I joined the Socialist Party

'Socialism: the thinking person's economics!': My seven-year-old saw me reading the pamphlet 1917 - The Year that Changed the World, by Peter Taafe and Hannah Sell, writes Ravi Patel, West London Socialist Party.

Film review: 'Cocaine Unwrapped'

Cocaine Unwrapped, a documentary film directed by Rachel Seifert, went on general release from 5 May, writes Paul Heron

Turning anger into action

I am a young mother with two beautiful children and have decided to join the Socialist party. I was brought up by my family with socialist views and ideas.

Planning for the Planet

How socialism could save the environment Special limited offer for readers of the Socialist: £7 including postage. By Pete Dickenson.

Grim toll for hidden police racism

Over Easter yet another brazen example of police corruption came to light. It was revealed that the Met police (MPS) buried a 2004 report warning of racist stop and search.

Planning for the Planet

This webpage is part of the reference material in Planning for the Planet, and provides clickable links to resources and other references noted in the book, writes Web references to notes at end of chapters, where available without subscription.

The Hunger Games

Book/Film review: The ruins of North America have been transformed into the totalitarian state of Panem: twelve districts, in abject poverty, surround the utopian Capitol, a centre of glamour and decadence, writes Mary Finch.

Surviving the Titanic

My great-grandad Sidney Daniels, 1893-1983, was the last surviving crew member of the Titanic. Aged 17 he became a steward on the Olympic, but was transferred to the Titanic for its maiden voyage

When bosses say "we don't need you today"

Too many people abusing benefits? More like the benefit system abusing us! It's hard getting used to being unemployed: hard not to feel humiliated and broken.

Supporting my sons on £184 a week

I'm branch secretary for Hampshire Socialist Party, I'm on the committee for Hampshire Alliance to Protect Public Services, and president of Winchester Socialist Student Society, writes Adele Guntrip.

Tory MPs and church attack gay marriage

The Con-Dem government recently rolled out a consultation about same-sex marriage. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people can enter civil partnerships that offer the same legal rights as marriage

Oppose the Con-Dems' snoopers charter

Oliver Cromwell favoured a state-controlled postal service so that the government could keep a close eye on what people were writing to each other, writes Derek McMillan, Mid Sussex Socialist Party.

Review: We must look - the photographs of Don McCullin

The life's work of one of the world's greatest living photographers, Don McCullin is on show until 15 April at London's Imperial War Museum...

Single and video: ill Manors by Plan B

The new single, and video, ill Manors, by rapper Plan B is conceived as a warning shout from the disenfranchised inner cities to middle England, writes Michael Wrack.

Smear campaign on Hillsborough?

Football rivalry is common in Liverpool between Liverpool and Everton supporters, writes John Cosgrove.

'Westenders' - omnibus edition

We are being badgered to celebrate 60 years of Queen Elizabeth on the throne by a never-ending propaganda offensive, writes Rob Bishop, Gloucestershire Socialist Party and Cheltenham Against the Cuts.

The best of 'literary fiction'

Last year, an episode of BBC's Culture Show on British 'literary fiction' featured 12 debut novelists, writes Dave Gorton.

Radio review - My generation

BBC Radio 4 airs a 45-minute play every weekday, giving a first break to many newer writers. My Generation, centred around one family over four decades of the protest movement, is a recent example of excellent radio drama