Corbyn, Shearer, and Campaigning Against Austerity
The left-wing MP Jeremy Corbyn was catapulted to leadership of the British Labour Party over the weekend, winning 59.9% of the vote after starting the race as a 100/1 outsider. Corbyn’s anti-austerity campaign has challenged the Blairite establishment founded on copying and extending the pro-business, neoliberal policies of Thatcher and the Tories. The waves have […]
A historic vote in Greece, but challenges ahead
It is the morning after the biggest celebration Greece has seen since the fall of military rule. An emphatic 61 percent of people voted OXI (“no”) in the country’s referendum on whether to accept European-enforced austerity. People gathered in Syntagma Square in central Athens and in squares around the country. Families celebrated together in their […]
Who’s to blame for the Greek tragedy?
Unpayable debts, a catastrophic economic depression and teetering on the brink total collapse. How did Greece get into this position? The most popular answer is that public spending has been too high, and the government sector bloated. It sounds plausible when the entire story revolves around debt. After all, everyone knows that debt is the […]
A stunning victory for the left in Greece
In probably the most important parliamentary elections in Europe since World War II, Greek workers have defied an incredible media scare campaign and voted solidly for the left wing anti-austerity party SYRIZA (the Coalition of the Radical Left). SYRIZA won 36 percent of the vote and decisively defeated the hard right New Democracy, which had […]
Don’t let this horror be used to stoke bigotry
[We reprint here a statement from the International Socialist Organization (US) about the killings in France.] THE HORRIFIC killings at the offices ofCharlie Hebdo in Paris have shocked the world. The outpouring of sympathy and solidarity for the 12 people killed–mostly editors, writers and cartoonists for the magazine–and 11 wounded is widespread and justified. But […]
The Pitmen Painters
The Pitmen Painters – Lee HallCirca Theatre, until 8 November The Ashington Group were pitmen – miners in the United Kingdom who surprised the art world by creating celebrated and striking pieces of artwork, and Lee Hall’s piece traverses their story from the mid 30s to just after the second world war and the start […]
Bludgers on a Binge
It’s a case for the Taxpayers’ Union: Two bludgers on a binge. He’s just come out of a couple of years running with a violent mob called the ‘RAF’ and is now scrounging off the public purse; she’s one of these women who thinks having babies on welfare is a career plan. Paula Bennett is passionate […]
Why fruit is picked by migrant workers
This article by Richard Seymour out of the UKraises issues of importance for the workers’ movement in Aotearoa, given seasonal labour’s role in fruit and horticulture, and recent debates – within the ruling class and media – on migration, exploitation and seasonal workers from the Pacific. The debate over the decision to scrap a seasonal […]
Film Review: Spirit of ’45
The Spirit of ’45 was a movie centred around the political atmosphere in Britain after World War Two. With the victory over Hitler, British workers felt empowered, and felt they deserved more than the poverty of old Britain. They chose to kick out Churchill and elect Labour for the first time and implemented its radical […]
Margaret Thatcher 1925 – 2013: May her legacy follow her to the grave
The death of Margaret Thatcher is an important event for anyone who stands for equality and socialism. While the event itself changes little, and Thatcher has not been in power for over 20 years, the legacy of the ‘New Right’ is still making people suffer today. Coming to power in 1979, Thatcher followed a vicious […]
