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
War on members
15 Jul 2021
Courts are not our friend
15 Jul 2021
Failure of legal attempt to challenge the ‘anti-Zionism equals anti-Semitism’ witch-hunt exposes broad-left illusions in ‘fairness’ and ‘playing by the rules’. Mike Macnair explains
Looking back over the ruins
15 Jul 2021
The final withdrawal of American troops must be put in the context of the April 1978 revolution and the subsequent reaction. The USA and Saudi Arabia armed, financed and promoted a counterrevolution, which included Osama bin Laden and al Qa’eda and ended in the triumph of the Taliban. This is an edited version of an article written by Jack Conrad and first published in June 2003. Its main target is Sean Matgamna, patriarch of the social-imperialist Alliance for Workers’ Liberty. Nowadays, the AWL describes the Taliban as “Islamo-fascist”; back then, though, they were “our kind of people”
Our strike is spreading fast
15 Jul 2021
This statement, translated from Persian, gives an insight into the many challenges faced by the Council for Organising Protests by Oil Contract Workers in standing up to employers and the government
What did England expect?
15 Jul 2021
Following narrow defeat at the hands of Italy, the meaning of it all is being hotly fought over. Paul Demarty urges the left to think beyond gesture politics
Politics not as usual
08 Jul 2021
After Batley and Spen, Derek James reports on debates over Labour’s prospects and amending our programme
A troublesome princess
01 Jul 2021
On July 1, the estranged princes, William and Harry Windsor, together with members of the Spencer family, will gather in the grounds of Kensington Palace to unveil a statue in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, by Ian Rank-Broadley. Commissioned in 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of her death on August 31 1997, the unveiling coincides with what would have been her 60th birthday. Here we republish what Jack Conrad wrote for this paper on September 4 1997
Discussion not permitted
01 Jul 2021
Supposedly, debating a motion on ending the illegal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank and imposing sanctions on Israel would make Jews in the Labour Party feel ‘unsafe and unwelcome’. Tony Greenstein reports on Labour's silencers
Workers unite in huge protest
01 Jul 2021
Yassamine Mather welcomes the post-presidential election upsurge in strikes
George’s modest flutter
01 Jul 2021
The return of the British left’s most eccentric celebrity has provided an interesting twist - but can he succeed? Paul Demarty looks at the Batley and Spen by-election
So runs the tide
24 Jun 2021
Will the DUP be able to restore its former dominance under its new leader? Derek James is doubtful
Same old, same old
24 Jun 2021
The election of Ebrahim Raisi hardly signals a major change, writes Yassamine Mather. Yet, while the left remains confused, opposition to the regime is palpable
No-platforming fraud
24 Jun 2021
Government proposals for legislation to ‘protect free speech’ in universities are part of the ongoing culture wars designed to please the rightwing press, argues Mike Macnair. This article is adapted from his June 20 Online Communist Forum talk
Dim end of the wedge
24 Jun 2021
The buffoonery of GB News’s first weeks should not be confused with failure, warns Paul Demarty
Blue and red walls crack
24 Jun 2021
Should the left refuse to call for a Labour vote because of crap politics and crap candidates? Eddie Ford calls for strategic thinking, not knee-jerk reactions