British Politics

Labour needs a Corbynista leadership in Scotland

20th September 2017 Socialist Action 0

The Scottish Labour leadership contest this autumn is important for the entire Labour Party in Britain, because how the party performs in Scotland will be a significant factor in whether Labour can form the next UK government. For Labour to win it is vital Scottish Labour improves on its poor performances at the 2015 and 2017 general elections. That requires the Scottish party to change its political orientation. A new leadership is needed that will promote Jeremy Corbyn’s popular anti-austerity agenda to the Scottish electorate.

Jeremy Corbyn is setting the agenda on low pay

15th September 2017 Socialist Action 0

By Mark Buckley

A resolute politician can set the political agenda, even when in opposition and this is exactly what is happening on the question of low pay in Britain. Jeremy Corbyn has been clear that he will end austerity and has repeatedly focused on the issue of low pay. Labour’s position is to raise the minimum wage to £10 per hour and the highly successful manifesto included a costed plan to scrap the pay cap in the public sector. Following Labour’s advance at this June’s election, and rising support since, it is increasingly possible that Corbyn will be the next prime Minister, and both workers and the Tories have taken note.

Labour and trade unions increasingly moving to supporting Single Market membership

12th September 2017 Socialist Action 0

By Ian Richardson

Both wings of the labour movement are increasing their opposition to Tory plans to quit the EU Single Market – a move that would lead to the loss of huge numbers of jobs and a general decline in living standards as inflation from the devaluation of the pound cut real wages. The political background is the increasingly acrimonious negotiations with the EU as government bluster about the claimed benefits of leaving the Single Market are exposed.

Labour’s moves on the Single Market – a further positive move by Jeremy Corbyn

8th September 2017 Socialist Action 0

By Brian Jackson

The new policies announced by Labour on the EU Single Market confirm further positive moves to defend living standards and jobs by Labour under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. The decision to accept membership of the Single Market for at least a ‘transitional period’, while not excluding it as a permanent arrangement, is correct from the point of view of working class living standards. It was, for interrelated reasons, also immediately followed by a further strengthening of Labour’s lead over the Tories to five percent – 43% to 38%. Unfortunately, this move by Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership was incorrectly attacked by some on the left. It is therefore necessary to understand clearly why Corbyn’s position was correct.

Labour’s new EU policy

3rd September 2017 Socialist Action 0

By Jane West

Labour’s announcement of its new policy for the Brexit negotiations – that the UK should stay within the Single Market and the customs union for a prolonged ‘transition period’ after formally leaving the EU – is both necessary and welcome. This approach puts the preservation of jobs and living standards rather than the anti-EU ideological shibboleths of the Tory right at the centre of the Brexit discussion.