Articles from the Socialist, issue 547

10 September 2008

“Home owners need to know that we will do everything we can to keep the housing market moving forward”, promised Gordon Brown last week, Paula Mitchell, London Socialist Party writes.

End the wars and occupations

USA: Defying police, students walk out against the Republican national convention

US mortgage bank nationalisation – sign of deepening crisis

Editorial: In the biggest banking bail-out in American history, mortgage companies ‘Fannie Mae’ and ‘Freddie Mac’ have been ‘nationalised’ by the US federal government…

Scotland council tax to be scrapped

The SNP government has set out its proposal to scrap the discredited council tax and replace it with a local income tax (LIT), writes Brian Smith and Philip Stott.

Workers’ anger surfaces at TUC

London bus workers inspired by strike

Fighting for decent pensions

In brief

Come to Socialism 2008!

Saturday 8 November – Sunday 9 November
University of London Union, Malet Street London WC1
Nearest tube: Euston or Goodge Street
Rally for socialism:
Saturday 8 November 5.30pm-8.30pm
Speakers include Matt Wrack (FBU general secretary) and Peter Taaffe (Socialist Party general secretary)

May Day detainees fight for justice

REPRESENTATIVES OF the ‘May Day detainees’ aim to get a judgement overturned in the House of Lords in November…

Boom to bust in Cardiff Bay

Fans pay for the success of the ‘beautiful game’

Protest against harassment!

Fighting start to freshers fairs

Thousands of young people across the country are hoping to expand their horizons by starting courses at colleges and universities this term, writes Matt Dobson, Socialist Students national organiser.

Bangor University students union fees referendum

Can we have ‘the right to travel’ – without adding to climate change?

Transport and the environment: The recent collapse of Metronet, which was responsible for maintenance on some London Underground lines, was just the latest disaster in the saga of public transport privatisation, this one leaving public finances to foot a bill of over a billion pounds, Pete Dickinson writes.

Richard Dawkins: The genius of Charles Darwin, (Channel 4)

Review: Richard Dawkins’ three -part series The Genius of Charles Darwin on Channel 4 was an interesting and thought provoking set of programmes, but, from a socialist perspective, it left many questions unanswered. Review by Phil Clarke.

Thailand in grip of political deadlock

LESS THAN a year after elections that ended military rule, yet another political crisis has gripped Thailand, writes Raviechandren, CWI Malaysia.