Democracy & State
Overcoming the enemies within
17 May 2012
The left must unite in order to change the relationship of forces both within and outside the Labour Party, argues Mike Macnair
How to steal an election
22 Oct 2026
Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security is conspiring to throw out millions of mail-in ballots under the guise of ‘election security’. Socialists must defend the right to vote, argues Nick D of the Marxist Unity Group. Socialists must also oppose the undemocratic system which enables the presidential dictatorship
Programme for a kingdom
22 Oct 2026
Among those expelled under the anti-communist proscribed list is Chris Williamson, the former Labour MP and former deputy leader of the Workers Party of Britain. Steve Freeman calls for his reinstatement and an urgent change of course
Who we support in Russia
22 Oct 2026
While it is correct to oppose Nato’s proxy war in Ukraine, we cannot support Russia or ignore the reactionary nature of Putin’s dictatorial regime. Instead, argues Yassamine Mather, we should look to the anti-war left
Youth take the lead
15 Oct 2026
High schoolers have blockaded their schools and taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers. They have been joined by university students, teachers and parents. And on November 5 there is the call for a one-day general strike and mass demonstrations. Jean Laurel reports
Soft left strengthens Vox
15 Oct 2026
Housing, migration and the prospect of the hard right entering government for the first time since 1975 are the dominant issues, says Paul Davies. But what about the democratic republic, Nato and working class rule?
Cruel and unusual treatment
08 Oct 2026
Her botched execution is a gruesome reminder of the utterly barbaric nature of the death penalty, says Eddie Ford. But what about dealing with counterrevolutionaries during a bitterly fought civil war?
Burnham on the front foot
08 Oct 2026
With talk of a National Care Service, public ownership and electoral reform, Andy Burnham made the most of his first conference speech as prime minister. But he is not master of his own fate, suggests Paul Demarty
Taking unity off the table
03 Sep 2026
Andy Burnham has made it abundantly clear, whatever the Irish people want there will be no border poll. For those, and not only in Sinn Féin, who have fostered illusions in the Good Friday Agreement, this is a strategic body blow. For communists it comes as no surprise, writes Carl Collins
Supporting Palestine is no crime
27 Aug 2026
Tony Greenstein was tried at Kingston Crown Court on charges of “inviting support for a proscribed terrorist organisation” - namely Hamas. He faced a possible 14-year sentence. Judge Sarah Plaschkes repeatedly warned him not to treat the proceedings as a “political forum”, threatened him with contempt and even dismissed these powerful closing remarks of his as the ramblings of an old man. The jury took just two hours and seven minutes to unanimously find him not guilty
Republics don’t grow on trees
06 Aug 2026
According to pollsters the king is more popular than ever. So much for the reassuring reformist dream that Charles would kill the monarchy all on his own, writes Paul Demarty
Guided by conscience, not judges
30 Jul 2026
Prompted by Rajiv Menon KC being prosecuted for contempt over his defiant Palestine Action defence speech, Mike Macnair shows that the struggle to defend and extend the jury system has a long and contested history
Cut from the same cloth
23 Jul 2026
Andy Burnham claims he will head a ‘cost of living’ government that will bring back hope and turn the page on 40 years of Thatcherism. But he will do nothing of the sort, reckons Eddie Ford
Nigel Farage and rule 5
16 Jul 2026
The mainstream media is bigging up a candidate dressed as a bin. But the only way to really see off the threat from Nigel Farage and the far right is by fighting for independent working class politics, argues Eddie Ford
Celebrating the defiled republic
09 Jul 2026
Two hundred and fifty years after the declaration of independence, America still awaits democracy. Only a third revolution can achieve that, argues Paul Demarty
Obscene wealth not main problem
02 Jul 2026
Instead of showing how ‘transparent’ the royal family is, writes Carla Roberts, the release of the tax returns of Charles III and William Mountbatten-Windsor shows how vulnerable this abhorrent institution really is