Source: YouGov

Labour support grows when it defends living standards

2nd October 2013 Socialist Action 0

By Paul Roberts and Jane West

As expected Labour conference fired the starting gun for the 2015 election. What was not so anticipated was the Miliband leadership’s announcement of a series of popular policies that are widely perceived as constituting a shift to the left.

The strategy rolled out was for Labour to position itself as the party that defends the living standards of ordinary people. This was a shift in strategy and a welcome one. It is based on a correct understanding that the mass of the population is now more animated by contracting real incomes – the ‘cost of living crisis’ – than the ideology of ‘deficit reduction’.

Party conferences fire starting gun on 2015 general election campaign

20th September 2013 Socialist Action 0

By Nicky Dempsey and Jane West

It is little more than a year and a half until the next general election and already the main issues in each party’s campaign are being delineated.

Labour is still virtually certain to be the largest party after the next election as the long-term decline in the Tory vote will be further depressed by five years of austerity. Electorally the main question is whether Labour wins a majority – and of what size – or whether it is forced into coalition with the Lib Dems.

Review: A season in the Congo

10th September 2013 Socialist Action 0

By Tom Castle

Patrice Lumumba was murdered in 1961. The leader of Congo’s first post-colonial government lasted just weeks in office and was dead within months of his election. A Season in the Congo, playing an extended season at the Young Vic, is a joyous celebration of his life and a poignant record of his death.

Photo: US Navy

US prepares its war against Syria

6th September 2013 Socialist Action 0

By Paul Roberts

Whilst President Obama tries to tie down support this week in advance of forthcoming Congressional votes, the US military is preparing an immense assault on Syria. US imperialism does not make idle threats, so it intends that the attack will proceed. Members of Congress are being told that a ‘no-vote’ next week, against air-strikes, would catastrophically weaken the US for years to come.