Articles by Socialist Action

The myths surrounding the London elections

16th May 2012 Socialist Action 0

By Joe Collins

Following Ken Livingstone’s defeat in the mayoral contest in London there have been a range of attacks on him from the usual quarters claiming that he underperformed the Labour Party and that on this basis that with ‘any other candidate’ Labour might have won.

The aim of the attacks is to discredit the progressive strand of politics that Ken Livingstone stood for, and to present any attempt to stand up to the offensive of the Tory-led government and its media backers as electorally suicidal.

photo by: mkhalili

Step forward in Greece as voters reject austerity

12th May 2012 Socialist Action 0

By Nicky Dempsey

The outcome of the Greek elections represents a decisive popular break with the politics of austerity. Persistent mass mobilisations over several years since the crisis began have resulted in a crushing defeat for the traditionally dominant parties in Greek politics. Parties who in different ways claimed to be opposed to the terms of the Greek bailout won a majority. After a prolonged period in Europe in which ruling parties carrying out cuts have been dumped at the first electoral opportunity, this is the first time since the crisis began that any country has registered a majority vote for parties against austerity.

London – Lessons of an unnecessary defeat

11th May 2012 Socialist Action 0

by Alex Taylor

The aim of Ken Livingstone’s campaign in London was straightforward. It was to try to win the ability to use the resources of a powerful institution, that of the Mayor, to defend the living standards of ordinary people in London. As such it was inevitably going to face the most ferocious attack by capital.

The project of capitalism in Europe and this country at present is totally clear. Having led the continent into the deepest economic crisis for eighty years its aim is to try to overcome its own crisis through a huge transfer of wealth from the poorest members of society to the richest. That is the sole objective of the ‘austerity’ policies throughout Europe, as it is of those of the Tory led coalition here.

Photo: Bildarchiv

Tribute to Tomás Borge

5th May 2012 Socialist Action 0

Tomás Borge – Loss of a Nicaraguan revolutionary giant

Tomás Borge Martínez, the historic Nicaraguan revolutionary leader, died on 30 April aged 81. Borge had been a consistent and leading fighter at the centre of Nicaraguans’ struggles against dictatorship and imperialism for decades. He was an intellectual driving force of the revolutionary socialist movement and was revered by the left in Nicaragua.