We were led to believe that Nathan Gill made ‘pro-Moscow’ speeches. It turns out that he made contributions to debates, around the closure of two independent Ukrainian TV stations that presented the case for good relations with Russia. In Britain we don’t really have a concept of an independent TV station broadcasting against government policy, as none … Continue reading The speeches of Nathan Gill
Russia
An ideological vacuum in Russia?
Busts of Lenin are still everywhere in Russia. On the other hand, the Yeltsin Centre in the Urals (Yeltsin’s birthplace) has opened an annex in Moscow and has a popular programme of talks and films on the theme of what a bad thing communism was, attended by anti-russian foreign guests. The Constitution meanwhile declares that Russia is … Continue reading An ideological vacuum in Russia?
Should Europe Rearm?
Recent Letter and Speech on the War in Ukraine. Lord Robert Skidelsky Note: I’m posting two items today. The first is a letter I co-signed with others, which was submitted to The Guardian on the 15th of November. This was in response to an article on the same day by Pjotr Sauer and Shaun Walker attacking Russia’s anglophobia. … Continue reading Should Europe Rearm?
Lord Skidelsky’s speech in the House of Lords on Ukraine
31 October 2025 [Lord Skidelsky was allowed five minutes] My Lords, I do not know whether it is a punishment or a privilege to be put last in the list of Back-Bench speakers, as I invariably am when it comes to a debate on Ukraine. The noble Lord, Lord Coaker, was powerful and eloquent in … Continue reading Lord Skidelsky’s speech in the House of Lords on Ukraine
Trotskyism – a Century of Failures
By Gwydion M. Williams The Problem of Political Compromise Lenin’s Militarised Socialism Trotsky In The Middle, With Egoism Making Soviet Democracy Unworkable Trotsky as an Obstructive Opposition Further Reading The Problem of Political Compromise Trotskyists imagine themselves as leaders of World Revolution, and it is sheer fantasy. But it means that they confidently oppose and undermine … Continue reading Trotskyism – a Century of Failures
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”
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
Review of A Misfit in Moscow: How British Diplomacy in Russia Failed 2014-2019, by Ian Proud, self-published, 2023.
By Eamon Dyas The author was a member of the United Kingdom Diplomatic Service between 1999 and 2023. In that capacity he was responsible for the organisation behind the 2013 G8 Summit which took place in Northern Ireland and which was the last occasion Vladimir Putin visited the United Kingdom. Having applied to work at … Continue reading Review of A Misfit in Moscow: How British Diplomacy in Russia Failed 2014-2019, by Ian Proud, self-published, 2023.
Peace or Primacy—Editorial 2
There is nothing in the recent history of the US to suggest that it would ever choose peace over primacy. After the dissolution of the USSR in 1989, the US saw an opportunity for advancing its primacy in the world. It took it and, in Europe, began expanding NATO’s borders eastwards towards Russia, despite having agreed not … Continue reading Peace or Primacy—Editorial 2
Ukraine and Russian energy—Part Four
The European Commission’s Failure to Serve Europe’s Energy Needs Eamon Dyas The US marshalled and directed the events of 2014 in Ukraine in order to scotch the prospect of a Russian-friendly Ukrainian government re-emerging. The US did that as part of a strategy to prevent, or at least, impair, the evolving relationship between Europe and … Continue reading Ukraine and Russian energy—Part Four
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams False Fears of Russia Russian Nationalism Killed the Soviet Union From NATO to NUTO? Decentralised China Snippets Privatisation Blight in Denmark Kurds Admitting a Tragic Defeat Revolting Long-term Results of the Anti-Marcos Democratic Revolt You Want the Moon? You need SpaceX Why Workers Tried Trump Again “Not being the United States is … Continue reading Notes on the News
Ukraine and the supply of Russian gas to Europe
By Eamon Dyas I had meant to continue the previous article (Labour Affairs December 2024) on the attitude of the US to Europe’s relationship with Russian energy. But at the time of writing the newspapers and airways were dominated by the news of the decision by Kiev to end, on 31 December 2024, the long-standing … Continue reading Ukraine and the supply of Russian gas to Europe
Britain on the Brink of War with Russia—Editorial
The British government, with the support of the opposition, is currently engaged in acts of war against the Russian Federation. It has approved the use of British made and supplied missiles to the Ukrainian state in order to attack targets within pre 2014 Russia. The Russian government has made it clear that such actions constitute … Continue reading Britain on the Brink of War with Russia—Editorial
Starmer’s Pointless Missiles—Editorial 2
Keir Starmer’s decision to assist Ukraine in shooting UK supplied weapons into Russia is puzzling for many reasons. Firstly, it is not going to affect the outcome of the war in Ukraine. Secondly, it is not going to change the conditions which Russia would require in any peace deal. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, it … Continue reading Starmer’s Pointless Missiles—Editorial 2
Sergei Lavrov Speech
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the General Debate of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, September 28, 2024 Dear Mr President, Ladies and gentlemen, A few days ago, this building hosted a forum called the Summit of the Future. Russia was supportive of the … Continue reading Sergei Lavrov Speech
Beware the Warmongering Chihuahua—Editorial 2
In February of this year ‘Labour Affairs’ pointed out that the Labour Party has historically been an imperialist party and continues to be so. Britain no longer has an empire but its political elite feel in their bones that they are heirs to an imperial tradition and need to go on acting as if the … Continue reading Beware the Warmongering Chihuahua—Editorial 2
Europe Prepares For Hot War With Russia, US Readies For Hot War With China
Caitlin Johnstone Europe Prepares For Hot War With Russia, US Readies For Hot War With China Multiple empire managers have made separate public statements around the same time which, taken together, serve as a disturbing reminder of the dark things our rulers have planned for our future. The US Navy chief has unveiled a plan … Continue reading Europe Prepares For Hot War With Russia, US Readies For Hot War With China
The Russian Art of War, How the West led Ukraine to Defeat
The Russian Art of War, How the West led Ukraine to Defeat by Jacques Baud Published by Max Milo, 2024 John ClaydenThis book is both a useful synopsis of Russia's Ukrainian SMO (Special Military Operation) as well as a more general description of the shortcomings of western military thinking compared to present day Russian Military … Continue reading The Russian Art of War, How the West led Ukraine to Defeat
Labour Affairs 