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
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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.
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 —
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
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
The Coming of Censorship in Britain. Liberal democracy in action.
Dave Gardner It is often proclaimed with pride by politicians and their media in the UK that we are privileged to live in a ‘Liberal democracy’ unlike the unfortunates in countries such as the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China who languish under ‘authoritarian regimes’. We enjoy a variety of competing political parties, … Continue reading The Coming of Censorship in Britain. Liberal democracy in action.
Burnham’s story should have been Inequality, not Devolution—Editorial
If Andy Burnham is to have any hope of reversing the decline of the Labour Party he needs to have a fairly simple but compelling story. One good story would be inequality. He could say that he is going to reverse the inequality that has developed in the UK in the 47 years since Thatcher first came … Continue reading Burnham’s story should have been Inequality, not Devolution—Editorial
The Limits of Devolution—Editorial
In his speech in Manchester on 29th June, Andy Burnham made some interesting proposals. He wants all parts of the UK to be able to take greater public control of essential services like water, housing, energy and transport. He also pledges 10-year plans to bring down the cost of these essentials to individuals, families and … Continue reading The Limits of Devolution—Editorial
Fortress Football: The Debacle That Is the 2026 World Cup
Alexandros Schulman At the time of writing, it is just hours before the opening ceremony in Mexico City is due to commence. The flags are hung, the broadcast crews are in position, and we are about to go live. That moment should be one of celebration, but for any keen observer of the game, it … Continue reading Fortress Football: The Debacle That Is the 2026 World Cup
Burnham and growth through increased defence spending
By Eamon Dyas On Sunday 28 June the former Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Tony Radakin, said in an interview with Laura Kuenssberg on BBC that whoever follows Keir Starmer as Prime Minister would have to operate “almost like a wartime Prime Minister” in the light of global threats. These comments were no doubt … Continue reading Burnham and growth through increased defence spending
Racist Incidents, Southampton and Belfast
Eamon Dyas As far as I see it the issue here isn’t about how racism or anti-racism explains these incidents. The issue is how European capitalism has come to rely on immigration both to feed its labour as well as its population needs in a situation where a sense of nationality continues to be the … Continue reading Racist Incidents, Southampton and Belfast
Trump and the JCPoA
On 14 July 2015, Iran signed a nuclear agreement with the US and five other states (China, France, Germany, Russia and the UK). The agreement, known as the JCPoA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), was endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231 on 20 July 2015 and thereby became an international agreement to which all … Continue reading Trump and the JCPoA
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams Morally bankrupt, but the wages are great! Tories as Latter-Day Anti-Fascists ‘Money Makers’ are Chieftains and Money Takers Snippets Iran: Willingness to Suffer Poland and West Ukraine: Normal Hatreds Resumed Trump and Musk’s Anti-State Folly Losing the Moon? Or Losing Life on Mars? Children of Sixteen? Lowering the Cost of Motherhood Green … Continue reading Notes on the News
Local elections—Editorial
It is a week away from the local elections that will take place in much of the England on 7thMay. Almost two years ago, the Labour Party won a landslide 411 seats in the July 2024 general election. The polls for the forthcoming local elections suggest that Labour will be in third place in many wards and … Continue reading Local elections—Editorial
Competitive Parliamentarianism Isn’t Essential for Democracy
By Gwydion M. Williams Parliaments of the rich, for a rich minority Elections as a path to Civil War Humans are not natural democrats or natural sharers Parliaments of the rich, for a rich minority England has been parliamentary since the 14th century. But only in 1688 was it settled that the monarch could not rule without … Continue reading Competitive Parliamentarianism Isn’t Essential for Democracy
New police powers “to protect communities from disruption caused by protests”
[This is another effort to deny people the right to demonstrate against the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people, by banning ‘repeat demos’, as if the demonstrations had to stop even if the situation has not changed.] From https://www.gov.uk see link below Police forces will be authorised to consider the ‘cumulative impact’ of protests, … Continue reading New police powers “to protect communities from disruption caused by protests”
Nathan Gill—Victim of Double Standards
Dave Gardner Recently, an ex MEP ex Reform member, Nathan Gill, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the crime of taking a bribe and acting improperly on that basis. He pleaded guilty thus avoiding a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. In this issue of ‘Labour Affairs’ we reprint two of the speeches that … Continue reading Nathan Gill—Victim of Double Standards
