British governments, together with their media servants, have been telling us for many years that Russia is an enemy. When the Special Military Operation began in Ukraine in early 2022 it was confidently asserted that the Russians were militarily incompetent and would fail against the Ukrainians. In reality Russia launched a pre-emptive strike against a … Continue reading Britain, Europe and Military Power—Editorial 2
Author: lefroggy01
The Power of the European Commission
Ukraine and supply of Russian gas to Europe - part five. How the European Commission came to assume power over Europe’s foreign policy Eamon Dyas On 17 June 2025, The Guardian reported that the European Commission had unveiled plans to ban all gas imports from Russia by January 2028. The plans represent an unprecedented expansion … Continue reading The Power of the European Commission
Palestine Links
Gaza: Israeli soldiers admit to deliberately killing unarmed aid seekers (Middle East Eye, 27 June 2025) Legal experts tell Fifa Israel is breaking international law as it considers sanctions (Oscar Rickett, Middle East Eye, 26 June 2025) New Israeli directive expedites ethnic cleansing of Masafer Yatta (Yuval Abraham & Basel Adra, +972, 25 June 2025) … Continue reading Palestine Links
Will Trump force Iran to give up its nuclear programme?
David Morrison Letter to The Times by Sir Simon Cass, former British ambassador to Iran and former head of the UK team negotiating the JCPoA Sir, Binyamin Netanyahu is anxious to persuade us that Iran was on the cusp of possessing a nuclear weapon. Leaving on one side the accuracy of that assertion, it is … Continue reading Will Trump force Iran to give up its nuclear programme?
Letters to the Editor—the PIP U-turn
Pete Whitelegg It seems to me these feckless MPs are either unable or unwilling to deal with the underlying issues that give rise to the problem in the first place, or to find an adequate solution. Essentially this government has simply punted the issue into the long grass. The reforms Starmer wanted to impose on … Continue reading Letters to the Editor—the PIP U-turn
Markets and Socialism
Dave Gardner Markets as social institutions constrained both by custom and law. Markets have always been a tricky subject for socialists. Capitalists favour a market in labour where, in theory for a wage in return for labour power, capitalists and workers meet as equals to negotiate mutually advantageous arrangements. Any attempts at conscious co-ordination, either … Continue reading Markets and Socialism
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams The Western Betrayal of Real Equality Anarchism: a Guarantor of Failure Iran: a Martyr-Nation for Islam? Reagan’s Encouragement of Market Parasites The Western Betrayal of Real Equality From 1945, with the common people who’d been victors of World War Two insisting on more equality, the leaders of the West appeared to … Continue reading Notes on the News
The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance
The War in Iran Sahra's official information channel, [22/06/2025] The biggest of all rogue states has done it again: the USA has invaded a sovereign state with its war of aggression against Iran, in violation of international law. Allegedly to prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb, which, however, even according to US intelligence services, is not … Continue reading The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance
Labour Needs a U-Turn in Economic Policy—Editorial
Rachel Reeves' position as Chancellor is growing increasingly precarious. She fought the 2024 general election on a platform defined by strict fiscal rules, a refusal to raise income taxes, and a pledge to deliver economic growth. It was a politically calculated stance—economically incoherent, but designed to appeal to Conservative-leaning voters whose support Labour believed it … Continue reading Labour Needs a U-Turn in Economic Policy—Editorial
Liberalism, Neoliberalism and the Trade Union Movement
Martin Seale The liberalism of the late 19th century was characterized by the view that the role of the state should be limited. The state would protect the nation from external enemies, enforce the rule of law (much around property) and provide some limited form of education. British capitalism seemed to function reasonably well up to the 2nd half … Continue reading Liberalism, Neoliberalism and the Trade Union Movement
Labour’s Policy on Apprenticeships.
Smoke and Mirrors. Dave Gardner Labour is trumpeting its vocational education policy: “More skilled brickies, carpenters and healthcare support workers will soon be trained up as we continue our drive to get Britain working, with landmark reforms announced today (27 May 2025) that refocus the skills landscape towards young, domestic talent. The measures, backed by … Continue reading Labour’s Policy on Apprenticeships.
Targeting Russia’s “Shadow Fleet”
Why the targeting of Russia’s so-called “Shadow Fleet” represents a most dangerous escalation of NATO’s proxy war on Russia. By Eamon Dyas There are many ways in which a country’s sea-borne trade can be curtailed by an enemy. The most obvious one is the use of a close naval blockade which restricts all shipping to … Continue reading Targeting Russia’s “Shadow Fleet”
Palestine Links
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: Israel's new model for weaponised aid (Amira Nimerawi, Sara el-Solh, James Smith & Mads Gilbert, Middle East Eye, 28 May 2025) UN and aid groups condemn US-Israeli initiative after deadly scenes in Gaza (Middle East Eye, 28 May 2025) Outrage as Netanyahu says no mass starvation in Gaza, suggests Palestinians are overweight … Continue reading Palestine Links
Vodka: a Review
How Russia was introduced to capitalism. Review and synopsis of Vodka, a novel by Boris Starling. Published by Harper Collins, London, 2004. Eamon Dyas I read this novel shortly after it was published and it struck me at the time that its explanation of the way in which Russia’s transfer to capitalism had taken place was … Continue reading Vodka: a Review
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams China as a Global Example Society Exists, and Immigrants Strain it From Slave Plantations to the Vatican Incomplete Humans Praising Incomplete Brain-Machines Cure the Internet with a Digital Passport Snippets Young people tricked into crimes Canada to Split? Humans With Human Limits China as a Global Example “From Edison to Amazon, … Continue reading Notes on the News
EU Interference in Ukraine War
Eamon Dyas If Zelensky does go through the pretence of talks with Russia it won’t be in good faith. There will be proposals - as there always have been from Kiev - that everyone knows will not be acceptable to Russia. As far as I see it nobody, including Trump, Russia and the European war … Continue reading EU Interference in Ukraine War
British Foreign Policy : the Domination of Europe
Labour Affairs Group Why is Jonathan Powell attending peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine? Moscow has barred Western European leaders from participating in the negotiations, accusing them of a biased approach to the conflict and trying to prolong the fighting. Nevertheless, the UK is reportedly sending Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s security adviser, Jonathan Powell, to … Continue reading British Foreign Policy : the Domination of Europe
The Great Reform Fraud—Editorial
At the time of writing [2 May 2025] Reform has narrowly won the Runcorn and Helsby byelection, displacing the Labour Party from this seat. Reform is also set to do well in local elections including winning a mayoralty in Lincolnshire. The Workers Party has failed to make an impact in these elections despite having a … Continue reading The Great Reform Fraud—Editorial
Labour Affairs 