January, 2012 - Socialist Action

Economic stagnation underlines error of Labour policy retreat

26th January 2012 Socialist Action 0

By James Wilkins

The latest economic figures showing that the British economy shrank in the last quarter of 2011 underlines the damage that Tory economic policy is causing – both to growth and living standards. A clear alternative to its ‘austerity’ policies is needed, but the Labour front bench’s recent further capitulation to the Tory economic framework weakens both the struggle for such an alternative and its own electoral position.

Labour falls sharply in polls after accepting Tory austerity

24th January 2012 Socialist Action 0

By Stephen MacAvoy

On 13 January Ed Balls, previewing a speech to the Fabians, launched a new Labour policy – that Labour supported the Tory-led governments public sector pay freeze and it would start from a baseline of maintaining Tory cuts.

British anti-imperialists build links with 21st century socialism

18th January 2012 Socialist Action 0

By Stephen MacAvoy

The most advanced political struggles taking place in the world today are in Latin America where, breaking the trend of 30 years of defeats for the international left, mass socialist movements have won elections and used government to drive back US imperialism on the continent and to make substantial improvements in the living standards of the majority. (For more see Latin America and socialism of the 21st Century)

The imperialist counter-offensive against the Arab Spring – Libya, Syria, Iran

17th January 2012 Socialist Action 0

By Jane West

Any confusion about what is driving developments in Syria should be blown away by the increasingly open intervention of Saudi Arabia, primarily through its agent, Qatar, in stepping up the offensive against the Assad regime. This escalated recently with the call by the Qatari dictator, Emir Hamad, for the Arab states to intervene militarily.

Diane Abbott is right to promote black unity

16th January 2012 Socialist Action 0

By Andrew Williams

The recent grotesque furore whipped up against Diane Abbott, based on an entirely mischievous and unsustainable accusation of racism, coming within a day of the long-awaiting verdict in the Stephen Lawrence trial, looked remarkably like an opportunist backlash against the progressive discussion on racism that began to unfold as a result of the trial.