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What we think
As ‘Brexit Day’ on 31 October approaches, the roller coaster crisis for British capitalism intensifies
Syria: Trump gives green light to Turkey to attack Kurds
News
Cutting, lying Tories – kick them out!
Boris Johnson, self-portrayed ‘man of the people’, has begun his election campaigning. At Tory party conference he announced policies that, on the face of it, would be very popular. One of these is to build “40 new hospitals” in ten years.
Asda workers protest callous bosses
Workers organised with the GMB union protested outside more than 75 Asda stores across the UK on Thursday 3 October. Bosses have said they will fire anyone who doesn’t sign up to ‘Contract 6’ by 2 November.
Cynical Tories’ domestic violence bill not enough
How do you leave a violent partner? Well you need guts for a start, as many are attacked or even killed after leaving abusive relationships. 55% of women killed by their ex-partner in 2017 died within the first month of separation, and 87% in the first year.
Labour and workers’ rights
Corbyn promises ‘power in the hands of workers’ – how can Labour do it?
While the government and the employers are busy gloating at the ‘record numbers’ of workers in employment, the figures hide a harsh reality for millions. The truth is that many of the new jobs are low-paid, precarious jobs, leaving workers worried where the next hour’s work is coming from.
Labour and the fight for a shorter working week
Labour conference has resolved the next Labour government should reduce the average full-time working week to four days (32 hours) – without loss of pay – within a decade. This will be welcomed by workers.
Obituary
We are sad to inform our readers, members of the Socialist Party and the broader labour movement, of the sad death at 80 of Tony Mulhearn, a titan, a courageous leader of the working-class movement in Merseyside, as well as a lifelong proud member of Militant, now the Socialist Party
Workplace news
BEIS: Outsourced caterers’ indefinite strike victory
More than nine months of action, including three months on indefinite strike, have paid off for PCS civil servants’ union members employed by caterers Aramark.
Vote yes to Royal Mail strike action to take on the bullying bosses
On 15 October the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will announce the ballot result for industrial action over management plans to end Royal Mail group as a real public service.
Birmingham HS2 protest against bosses’ attacks on trade union organisation
Unite the Union organised a protest outside the regional headquarters of HS2 in Birmingham on 7 October.
Attacks on Caerphilly waste management workers
Unison and GMB trade union banners brightened the rain outside Caerphilly council offices on 3 October. The air rang with chants as waste management workers and their supporters demanded fair play for themselves and five unfairly sacked workmates.
Equity manifesto lays out anti-austerity model for arts
Performing arts union Equity has launched a manifesto for a big expansion of culture provision and jobs. It calls for a massive hike in public funding, higher wages, more public ownership, and greater input from artists and communities into what gets made.
Vote for socialist fighter Jared Wood in RMT elections
Socialist Party member Jared Wood is standing for the RMT transport union’s national executive committee in the London transport region.
Unison’s retired members reflect growing anger
Unison’s retired members conference met in Southport from 1-2 October, and the debates reflected the growing anger of older people.
Lincolnshire health visitors strike
Chinese revolution
Chinese revolution of 1944-49: ‘The second greatest event in human history’
On 1 October 1949 the leader of the Stalinist Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Mao Zedong, declared the formation of the People’s Republic of China.
International socialist news and analysis
Trump, impeachment and the need for an independent workers’ party
Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat speaker of the House of Representatives, has announced the beginning of an impeachment process against President Trump.
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Socialism: The alternative to capitalist austerity, low pay and crisis
Capitalism means chaos for the majority of us, while the bosses get rich off the work we do.
Best way to fight back? Join the Socialist Party
Why I joined the Socialist Party: I was looking for a clear left alternative to the big issues: Moments in history like this make us question what we can do to influence things. As individuals, ordinary people have little power against the immense force of world events.
Socialism 2019: why I’m going… and why you should too!
We asked people who have bought tickets for Socialism 2019 why they are coming. Their answers show how this festival of ideas taking place on 2 and 3 November is an unmissable event for everyone wanting to fight the bosses and the Tories and to defend working-class living standards.
Waltham Forest: mobilisation needed to defend abortion rights
Trade unionists, community campaigners and members of the Socialist Party protested against anti-abortion activists holding up huge images of foetuses in the Walthamstow square on 5 October.
Huge opposition to Barry rehab ward closure
“That was challenging and uncomfortable” – the Cardiff and Vale Health Board chief executive’s closing remark at a public engagement meeting on NHS cuts in Barry, South Wales.
‘The little people can win’ – Leeds tenants push back demolition
After over two years of campaigning, the residents of Woodsworth Drive and Sugar Hill Close in Leeds have had plans to demolish their homes voted down unanimously by Leeds City Council’s planning committee.
The University of York freshers fair revealed an enthusiastic response to Socialist ideas. Queues of students lined up to hear about our chance to take down the Tories and fight for workers’ control of society.
Reviews
Book review: She Said – Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement
On 5 October two years ago, the #MeToo movement exploded – first on social media, then spreading to protests on the streets and in workplaces – becoming a global phenomenon.
Film review: Joker – Sympathising with a monster created by today’s incendiary conditions
The most striking thing about this film is how gritty and believable it is. Based on the origin story of one of the most iconic comic book villains of all time, and situated in Gotham City, a carbon copy of New York City, this film is set in the 80s.