Support the People’s Assembly Against Austerity
By Nicky Dempsey
The People’s Assembly Against Austerity has been called for 22 June. It is an important initiative to take steps to bring together a national movement against austerity.
Britain
Why the bourgeois media offensive against the SWP?
By Jane West and Nicky Dempsey
The crisis in the SWP has provoked a discussion including everything from prurient gossip and snide sectarianism to serious political analysis. For those interested in advancing the cause of socialism a potentially disintegrative crisis in the numerically largest current of the British far left is a serious matter, therefore worthy of serious comment.
There are really two issues involved. First, why this crisis in the SWP has developed. Second why the capitalist media, who are implacable enemies of anything progressive, have decided to take such an interest in the matter. As will be seen the two issues are very different.
Scottish Independence – why socialists should call for a No vote in the coming referendum
Scotland will be holding a referendum to decide its constitutional relationship to Britain in September 2014. It is now decided that the referendum will be a straight Yes/No vote on independence, and there will no option of further devolution at this stage.
Given the referendum, it is important that socialists adopt a clear position on how to vote. This article argues that Scottish independence is not currently in the interests of the working class and therefore socialists should call for a No vote in the forthcoming referendum.
The Tory crisis and the EU
By Nicky Dempsey
David Cameron’s long-delayed speech on Europe does not mark a decisive turning-point for Britain’s economic relations with the EU. But it may signal a breach by the Tory Party with the vital interests of the British ruling class. If so, this will severely damage its electoral prospects and will mark a new stage in the long-term decline of the Tory Party and the recomposition of British politics.
Save Lewisham Hospital
By Adam Jones
Up to 25,000 people marched in Lewisham on Saturday to protest at the closure of the local hospital. The demo was led by trade unionists, especially in the NHS, community groups and local residents. It was supported by unions nationally as well as local MPs and councillors.
Autumn statement – crisis paid for by workers and the poor
By Nicky Dempsey
There is very little attempt to disguise the class interests served by George Osborne’s latest Autumn statement.
The government claims that its overriding aim is to reduce the public deficit yet corporation tax is to be cut once again, now down to 21 per cent. Altogether the statement includes £5.7 billion in tax cuts and giveaways to the corporate sector over the next several years. At the same time a series of partial freezes on welfare entitlements and tax thresholds, holding them to one per cent increases – which is below the rate of inflation, show that the burden of the crisis continues to paid for by workers and the poor.