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Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1040/29046
From The Socialist newspaper, 1 May 2019
Fracking mess
Fracking is an environmental catastrophe, photo Casey Hugelfink/CC (Click to enlarge)
The government's fracking tsar, ex-Labour MP Natascha Engel, has quit six months into the job. She claims rules the government has been forced to adopt, which mean fracking must be suspended every time a 0.5 magnitude tremor is detected, means that campaign groups "were driving policy". She says that the government is "pandering to what we know to be myths and scare stories" about shale-gas extraction.
But the 'myths' are real, and fracking continues to only be pushed by big business despite complete condemnation by climate scientists, campaigners and trade unionists.
Engel claims the rules effectively mean a 'ban' on fracking. But the government has long been a supporter of fracking and has helped its big-business mates push ahead with it wherever possible. The new government rules are a welcome response to pressure.
To ensure a real ban on the dangerous practice we need proper democratic control by working-class people of land and resources as part of a socialist plan - in the interests of the working class and the environment.
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Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our special coronavirus appeal.
In The Socialist 1 May 2019:
News
Build student unions and walkouts to fight climate change and Trump!
300 NHS nurse suicides in seven years - fully fund our health service now!
Port Talbot steelworks rocked by an explosion - nationalise the plant to save jobs and lives!
Build a universal safety net - abolish Universal Credit!
Universal Credit disaster behind foodbank rise
Local elections 2019
Local elections 2019: Time to stand up and fight the cuts!
Wirral Tories raise spectre of Militant
Leicester: No-cuts budget only way forward
Worcester: Fightback against library cuts
Union action needed to fight Tory Derbyshire Council cuts
Workplace news
Valentine victory: School strike beats council cuts
Strike ballot: huge result must launch fightback
Communication workers oppose second EU vote, and back new socialist 'Clause IV' for Labour
International socialist news and analysis
India General election shows crying need for independent socialist alternative
France Telecom: Privatisation in the dock
Scandinavian Airlines walkout disrupts Nordic air travel
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
EU elections: Countering Farage's right-wing Brexit Party
Swansea anti-far right protest
Opinion
Knife crime - a product of capitalist misery
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2019