We are told by almost every economics commentator in the main stream media that the markets panicked because, on 23rd September, Kwasi Kwarteng failed to explain how the government would fund the increase in spending implied by putting a cap on energy prices and reducing taxes. Kwarteng’s fiscal statement was unusual. Kwarteng understood that national debt would … Continue reading The Budget Statement Was Not Unfunded—Editorial 1
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An Unconvincing Labour Party—Editorial 2
It remains a distinct possibility that the Labour Party will form the next government. It is a position it will win because of the chaos in the Tory party rather than because it has won the hearts and minds of the electorate with brave, radical policies. Labour are prepared to talk in generalities about creating a … Continue reading An Unconvincing Labour Party—Editorial 2
Poem
POP IN HERE A MINUTE It is said the sap of the white poppy makes you high but not as high as the propaganda of the red poppy. In the dark side streets of a city just go and buy the other one in a well-lit high street, a copy. but far more … Continue reading Poem
Gas Must Be Rationed—But Not By Price
Editorial 1 There is a substantial difference between gas supply and gas demand in Europe. The shortage in supply is not due to any physical shortage of gas as a natural resource but rather because European countries have decided to support attempts of the United States to weaken Russia by imposing sanctions on the import of … Continue reading Gas Must Be Rationed—But Not By Price
Freezing for Zelensky
Editorial 2 Boris Johnson told the British public on 24th August that they must make significant sacrifices of their living standards to protect the freedom of the Ukrainian people. If this means high fuel bills, freezing or going hungry then so be it. Labour Affairs and others have already exposed the lies that underpin this rhetoric and we … Continue reading Freezing for Zelensky
Rail Strikes
By Pete Whitelegg Back in April of this year Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) called an all member zoom meeting with members of the NEC. The message was a simple one, they are coming for us. Mick Lynch outlined what he had been told by the TOCs (Train … Continue reading Rail Strikes
The Struggle for Publicly Owned Land
LABOUR AND HOUSING – Part 9. The struggle for publicly-owned land (cont.) By Eamon Dyas [In the Seventies Labour endeavoured to stop profits from property speculation and development exceeding profits from industry.] The previous part of this exploration into the history of the relationship between private landowning and public need ended with an explanation of the … Continue reading The Struggle for Publicly Owned Land
Limericks
a Ukrainian burger called Boris at his public school strove to learn Horace. Now gets eaten in Kiev, promised NATO, RAF. Put that country in plaster of Paris. Wilson John Haire. 24th August, 2022. There is a sort of lady called Liz Truss who inadvertently misses the bus. Her tongue creates two nations though … Continue reading Limericks
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams Heat Waves, Floods and Drought The Mixed Economy – Thatcherism’s Secret Vice Technology: the World Not Set Free Inheritance – Preserving Small Businesses? Women Hated for Not Being Inferior Snippets China Fine for Useful Foreign Businesses Religion and Superstition Free Speech and Arab Winters Korea & Turkiye. Heat Waves, Floods and … Continue reading Notes on the News
The Anarchy of Production
By Gwydion M. Williams Most of the Cold War was fought by the West in defence of the Mixed Economy. Many of its defenders would have denied that the Mixed Economy was even capitalism. Rather more agreed it was capitalism, but an improved Mixed Economy Capitalism. Something that worked much better than the capitalism that caused … Continue reading The Anarchy of Production
Mick Lynch—In His Own Words (2)
Mick Lynch in his own words 4th August 2022, on the channel “Double Down News”. https://www.doubledown.news/watch/2022/august/4/mick-lynch-dismantles-the-media-keir-starmer-war-on-freedom-extreme-right-wing-tory-government [Extracts] “Division is fatal for working class people, we cannot allow that to happen, all workers are one and that’s the attitude we have to take forward, mobilising our people together, all workers of every identity in one mass movement. … Continue reading Mick Lynch—In His Own Words (2)
Making Africa feel small
Africa is really big. ° Africa area = 30,37 million km2 ° China area = 9,6 million km2 ° US area = 9,8 million km2 ° Europa area = 10,18 million km2 ● Africa is bigger than all of Europe, China and the United States of America together. ● But on most world maps, Africa is represented … Continue reading Making Africa feel small
Assange: New Appeal
Julian Assange submits his Perfected Grounds of Appeal Since the last ruling, overwhelming evidence has emerged proving that the United States prosecution against my husband is a criminal abuse. The High Court judges will now decide whether Julian is given the opportunity to put the case against the United States before open court, and in … Continue reading Assange: New Appeal
Comments on the Forde Report
Jeremy Corbyn’s comments https://www.doubledown.news/watch/2022/august/12/exclusive-jeremy-corbyn-on-the-forde-report-the-media-doesnt-want-you-to-know-about Extracts The media silence on the Forde Report is absolutely deafening. The Forde Report calls into question the behaviour of senior officials of the party in particular during the 2017 general election, when, completely unbeknown to me, the general secretary diverted a substantial tranche of our much needed funds towards what he … Continue reading Comments on the Forde Report
Enough is Enough
Enough is Enough The programme of the protest group We Say Enough https://wesayenough.co.uk 1. A Real Pay Rise A significant rise in the national minimum wage and a path to £15 an hour, a real public sector pay rise, and an inflation busting-rise in pensions and benefits. After decades of stagnation and real terms pay … Continue reading Enough is Enough
Extra—A view from India on Ukraine
AUGUST 27, 2022 BY M. K. BHADRAKUMAR Ground beneath Zelensky’s feet is shifting https://www.indianpunchline.com/ground-beneath-zelenskys-feet-is-shifting/ Reading and rereading the US President Joe Biden’s statement last Monday on Ukraine Independence Day, one is reminded of English poet John Keats’ immortal line, ‘Heard melodies are sweet but those unheard are sweeter.’ Three things are striking. Biden repeatedly invoked the abiding nature of … Continue reading Extra—A view from India on Ukraine
After the Bombs Fall
AFTER THE BOMBS FALL WE’LL BE ONE You make the world in your own image. The remorseless banks of piggery that snatch at your meagre savings, without interest while throwing millions to a shady property developer who build homes beyond the reach of those who build them. Organised crime will be much more sophisticated, in … Continue reading After the Bombs Fall
The Strange Death of Labour England—Editorial 1
The Strange Death of Labour England There was certainly no garden party for the Labour Party leadership when the result of the Leave voting North Shropshire by-election was announced. The seat had been a Conservative seat for over 100 years with the Liberal Democrats coming second until Blair’s 1997 election victory, when Labour took 2nd place. In 1997 … Continue reading The Strange Death of Labour England—Editorial 1
Labour Affairs 