In his first speech as Prime Minister to the September Labour Party conference, Andy Burnham announced that he intended to reverse the damage caused by 40 years of neoliberalism. One could be forgiven, therefore, for expecting that the first budget of his administration would contain some interesting proposals. But it did not. John Healey, Burnham’s chancellor, delivered a … Continue reading An uninspiring budget — Editorial
The TUC, the cost of living and economic growth: a failure of leadership.
Dave Gardner According to the Guardian of the 15th October, the TUC informs us that UK households have paid an extra £13,961 on bills since 2021. The TUC acknowledges that this is not an act of God. According to Paul Nowak, General Secretary: “From austerity to the pandemic to energy shocks and Trumpflation, working people … Continue reading The TUC, the cost of living and economic growth: a failure of leadership.
Student List victory in Serbia
A member of Student List who was interviewed in the World at One (26 October, 20 minutes in) Student List victory in Serbia A member of Student List interviewed in the World at One (26 October, 20 minutes in) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0033dtz He spoke plainly and eloquently. Both realistic and idealistic, he was a breath of fresh air. Asked about Russia … Continue reading Student List victory in Serbia
Helping NEETS —
How serious is Burnham? Dave Gardner The Milburn Report on getting young people into work was published as an interim report in May 2026 with a final report to follow within weeks. The interim report addresses the very serious problem of young people aged between 16 and 24 who are not engaged in training, education or … Continue reading Helping NEETS —
Colonialism And Russia: A Correction
The last paragraph of my article in the October issue of Labour Affairs was somewhat garbled in the typing. It was about the idea that the Soviet Union became imperialist at the end of the Second World War, and that was a factor leading to its downfall. The point being made was that the authority … Continue reading Colonialism And Russia: A Correction
The United States and Europe’s energy needs – a brief history
By Labour Affairs Group Early European use of Russian oil and gas On 18 December 1958 a decision was taken at the 10th session of the Soviet Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (known as Comecon). The decision was that Soviet Russia and other members of the Soviet bloc construct what was to become one of the world’s longest … Continue reading The United States and Europe’s energy needs – a brief history
PALESTINE LINKS
Israel’s election deadlock: What could happen next? (Lubna Masarwa, Middle East Eye, 28 October 2026) How Ben Gvir and Smotrich helped drive historic Arab voter turnout (Baker Zoubi, +972, 28 October 2026) 'Detained and interrogated': Israel blocks British MPs from entering occupied West Bank to meet Palestinians (Middle East Eye, 27 October 2026) ‘There are … Continue reading PALESTINE LINKS
Naza
John Clayden This Israeli film is largely shot on a rooftop in Tel-Aviv at night . It consists of interviews with disguised IDF soldiers who have served in Gaza. In the course of the war thousands of innocent civilians including women and children have been killed and these people are referred to by the Israeli … Continue reading Naza
Senior Doctors Strike—A Perspective
Reader’s Letter Having had my first experience in attending an A&E in a UK hospital on Saturday (an aged friend who was staying with me took a turn for the worse) I came to the conclusion that this aspect of the NHS is at creaking point. We were there for nearly seven hours before she … Continue reading Senior Doctors Strike—A Perspective
Independent review -antisemitism in schools and colleges in England
Jewish Voice for Liberation Official Statement Antisemitism is racism not “a distinct form of harm”: response to Bell JVL responds to David Bell’s “Independent review -antisemitism in schools and colleges in England”. JVL finds it politically biased, drawing inappropriate conclusions from flawed data. It will silence debate and foster distrust. We agree unreservedly with one … Continue reading Independent review -antisemitism in schools and colleges in England
Anti-Zionism Congress
Unpublished letter to the Irish Times October 2026 Sir, Fintan O'Toole describes "Zionism is a form of racism" as a "stupid slogan" and warns us that "Jewish people worldwide are having a terrible time" (Zionism is not racism, any more than Irish nationalism is sectarianism, 20 October). Last June the second ever Jewish Anti-Zionist International … Continue reading Anti-Zionism Congress
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams Fond Memories of May 68? The 1926 General Strike – Baldwin’s Bluff China Finds Gold Without the Market Snippets China Helps Africa Mars – ‘World B’ for the Rich? Whose Wealth Is It, Anyway? Database Scares Zelensky’s Heroic Triumph Over Russian Hackers Inheritance – Saving Family Farms Immigration – Foul Methods Often … Continue reading Notes on the News
Obama on Israel
Obama on Israel, Belfast 14 October 2026 Barack Obama says Israel has "ceded moral ground" over actions in Palestine during Belfast visit (Hotpress, 14 Oct 2016) The part of Obama's remarks on Palestine that deserved to be headlined is the following, which acknowledges that Israel engaged in ethnic cleansing: "The fact is that the Jewish … Continue reading Obama on Israel
Adam Smith Champion of Hard Core Capitalism
Labour Affairs has come across remarks coming from the left putting forward Adam Smith as admirable in some ways. I don't think we can bring ourselves to reproduce the original remarks. Adam Smith is an early champion of the worst aspects of capitalism: alienated work (the pin maker who makes one part of the pin … Continue reading Adam Smith Champion of Hard Core Capitalism
Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter
This is Sahra Wagenknecht’s newsletter. In it, I provide regular updates on my activities and current political issues. This is a major parliamentary success for the BSW! Together with the AfD, we have secured the passage of a motion in the Magdeburg state parliament calling for diplomacy and an end to the ruinous sanctions against … Continue reading Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter
Can People Live on Hope Alone? Editorial
Andy Burnham's conference speech was a curious affair. He reiterated his view that the country took a wrong turn in the 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher set out to dismantle the post-WWII political settlement. "In 1945, we had the vision to win the peace. We had the bravery to make change. We built good homes, secure … Continue reading Can People Live on Hope Alone? Editorial
Canvassing for George in Kentish Town.
Today 24th September I spent two hours canvassing for George Galloway who is contesting the bye election on the 8th of October in Holborn and St Pancras constituencyIt was in a very pleasant wide road near Kentish Town West, with well kept small terraced houses obviously owner-occupied. The people I spoke to were young and … Continue reading Canvassing for George in Kentish Town.
Sports and Politics: Ireland v Israel
Michael Murray The furore over Republic of Ireland playing Israel in the UEFA Nations’ League raises the question of what happened in the days of the boycotts of rugby games with apartheid South Africa. The record shows a huge contrast between the Fianna Fáil government stance on the issue of sports and politics - then compared to … Continue reading Sports and Politics: Ireland v Israel
