In last month’s issue Labour Affairs argued that the British two-party system of representative parliamentary democracy was largely a theatre, giving the impression of serious political rivalry about substantial policies but artfully concealing underlying agreements between the parties on nearly all the important issues. Conventional party politics is an illusion of real choice. Phoney antagonisms are worked … Continue reading Party Politics and State Power—Editorial
An Active State—Rachel Reeves in America
Martin Seale Rachel Reeves made an interesting presentation to the Peterson Institute in Washington DC on 24th May. The speech was accompanied by a 33 page document called “A New Business Model for Britain” in which it was stated: “The causes of Britain’s economic weaknesses run deep, however. For too long, Britain has been held back by two misguided … Continue reading An Active State—Rachel Reeves in America
Starmer’s Moment of Weakness Approaches
Martin Seale Keir Starmer has a primary objective – that Labour forms the next government. For that to be achieved he believes that he will have to convince voters who have never voted Labour before to switch their vote to Labour in the 2024 general election. Anything that in any way endangers this happening will be … Continue reading Starmer’s Moment of Weakness Approaches
For what do we struggle?
Eamon Dyas We are living in interesting times as we witness the death throes of one world and the birth of a new one. But we, who are old enough, have lived through similar times in the past and looking back with the benefit of hindsight the main lesson that comes out of this is … Continue reading For what do we struggle?
What You Should Know about Labour’s Economic Policy.
The Labour Party wholeheartedly supports the war on Russia in Ukraine and sanctions against the import of cheap energy from Russia. UK support for sanctions is the main driver of domestic inflation in Britain as energy is an input into all products and services. Labour is not committed to any significant revenue raising measures by … Continue reading What You Should Know about Labour’s Economic Policy.
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams Hard Right, Faded Left India Rising Snippets Bill Gates Goes to China Kosovo – Punishing Serbs Pro-Western Russians Hate Each Other Unwanted Afghans China – Solid Politics? More Illiberalism Hard Right, Faded Left Tony Blair persuaded Labour that we should drop our traditional commitment that the state could and should help … Continue reading Notes on the News
Workers Control
In 2008 Conor Lynch and Joe Keenan devoted a series of 6 issues of our magazine “Problems of Capitalism and Socialism” to Workers Control. They reproduced documents of the time for and against Workers Control, with commentary, including statements by the Institute for Workers Control, which, despite its name, did not support workers control when it came … Continue reading Workers Control
Who was who and what was what in industry and politics in the 1970s
Glossary From Problems of Capitalism and Socialism special series on the Bullock Report, Number 2 AUEW: Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers led by Hugh Scanlon (see below). Anuneasy amalgamation of engineers, builders, foundry workers and white collar workers (TASS). TASS, which was Communist Party dominated, split away and merged with the Association of Scientific, Technical … Continue reading Who was who and what was what in industry and politics in the 1970s
Mick Lynch in his Own Words
[Since Mick Lynch made this speech, the government have announced the closure of all ticket offices.] RMT Press Office: In his annual address to RMT AGM, general secretary Mick Lynch said: "The RMT is sound, robust and in good shape to meet the challenges ahead. "However, we cannot be complacent because the challenges are significant. … Continue reading Mick Lynch in his Own Words
Minimum Service: a “Ludicrous Bill’ (3)
Minimum Service Bill (3) 21 June 2023 House of Commons—Hansard The Minimum Service Bill is not just ludicrous, it is also authoritarian. Having no opposition to speak of, the government acts as if it can do what it likes. Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab) He currently undertakes the roles of Shadow Minister (Business and … Continue reading Minimum Service: a “Ludicrous Bill’ (3)
ILO and the Minimum Service Bill
The International Labour Organisation and the Minimum Service Bill From Morning Star June 20 2023 UN watchdog condemns anti-union Strikes Bill by Matt Trinder Industrial reporter The United Nations launched an “embarrassing” attack on the Tory government’s latest assault on unions and the right to strike yesterday. In a rare but damning intervention, the International … Continue reading ILO and the Minimum Service Bill
Jamie Driscoll banned
Jamie Driscoll banned from standing for re-election as Mayor. The Labour Party has refused to allow the highly popular Jamie Driscoll mayor for North of Tyne to be on the longlist for the new north-east region mayoralty. No reason was given as Labour’s bureaucracy continues to axe candidates with a smidgeon of socialism. It transpired … Continue reading Jamie Driscoll banned
Party Politics and the Labour Party – Editorial
The Labour Party is the official opposition to the government. What exactly does this mean? How should socialists regard the Labour Party? Finding a satisfactory answer to these questions is not easy. To answer them we need to look at the kind of system (representative party-political democracy) that the party system is embedded in. The … Continue reading Party Politics and the Labour Party – Editorial
The Press and the Labour Party
Eamon Dyas I remember when I worked at the British Library at Colindale discovering how most English towns, and even quite small towns, usually had two newspapers covering national and local events from either the Tory or Liberal perspective. The heyday of this was in the 1880s. It went into decline when Gladstone’s Irish policy … Continue reading The Press and the Labour Party
Analysis: local elections 2023
From the Workers Party of Britain, with permission by Phil Bevin Celebrating failure Despite whatever Keir Starmer says, the local election results were a crushing disappointment for Labour, grinding any hopes of their forming a majority after the next election into dust. As I have argued previously, Labour’s own working-out suggests that they need a … Continue reading Analysis: local elections 2023
Israel’s Anniversary
The establishment of the state of Israel involved the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians from their land 75 years ago, on 14 May 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the state of Israel. 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their land in the course of its establishment. In 1947, Britain handed over … Continue reading Israel’s Anniversary
Germany to further liberalize immigration
Eamon Dyas The New Imperialism is adding the exploitation of Third World Human Resources to the traditional exploitation of Material Resources. The Labour Minister says that Germany is looking to African countries to fill its skills shortage. Just like the 19th century rush to Africa, Germany has been late to this particular imperialism. Modern imperial exploitation … Continue reading Germany to further liberalize immigration
Jack Jones speaks
Jack Jones explains his role in the Labour movement in the 1970s, and how the battle to bring in Industrial Democracy was fought and lost, making something like Thatcherism almost inevitable. An interview with Jack Jones, conducted by Labour and Trade Union Review magazine L&TUR We’d like to begin with the experience of the seventies. As … Continue reading Jack Jones speaks
Labour Affairs 