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
politics
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
The Ukraine War—an Update
Eamon Dyas The idea that Kiev is “in ashes” [report 2 July 2-26] or that a single night of a Russian attack of such intensity represents a change in Russian tactics is what I find difficult to believe. What Russia did the other night was retaliatory rather than the expression of a new tactical perspective. … Continue reading The Ukraine War—an Update
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
PALESTINE LINKS
Israeli officials discuss renewed push to expel Palestinians from Gaza (Nadav Rapaport, Middle East Eye, 24 June 2026) Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett says he smuggled Starlink receptors into Iran (Middle East Eye, 24 June 2026) The Haredi draft revolt threatening to bring Israel to a standstill (Eli Bitan, +972, 23 June 2026) I am … Continue reading PALESTINE LINKS
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
An Unknown Victory of Working class struggle
John ClaydenMy father Harry Clayden was born in 1905 his mother my grandmother was born in the poor house where her mother , who was a servant girl , was incarcerated. My grandmother later married dad's father who was a carter who died in a flu epidemic just before the first world war . At … Continue reading An Unknown Victory of Working class struggle
Gabriel Zucman We need to tax the billionaires 2025
Translated into English 2026 A summary Catherine Dunlop At 65 pages, this international bestseller is a long article or short manifesto. The general idea is that taxing billionaires is no more revolutionary than establishing income tax; income tax is accepted now as a matter of course, even if at the time it was created (end … Continue reading Gabriel Zucman We need to tax the billionaires 2025
Gary Stevenson—Tax the super-rich
Catherine Dunlop Gabriel Zucman is not as urgent, in his little book ‘We need to tax the Billionaires’ at least, as Gary Stevenson on his Channel ‘Gary’s Economics’. They agree on their one main point, and Stevenson has done an interview with Zucman recently on his channel. Gary Stevenson makes one point only on his channel, which … Continue reading Gary Stevenson—Tax the super-rich
Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletters
4 June 2026 This is Sahra Wagenknecht’s newsletter. In it, I provide regular updates on my activities and current political issues. Germany is in danger of being relegated. This is mainly down to an incompetent head coach who loves the sponsors more than his own supporters and is unable to motivate his divided team … Continue reading Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletters
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
Lord Robert Skidelsky
To mark the passing of Lord Robert Skidelsky on 15th April 2026, we reproduce one of his reflections on the war in Ukraine. Four Years Later Robert Skidelsky reflects on the Ukraine War, February 2026 ‘War should be approached with much prudence, reverence, and calculation, and that includes the propaganda which is its messenger. ‘Our power … Continue reading Lord Robert Skidelsky
Was Fianna Fáil ‘slightly fascist’ in the 1930s?
James Connolly was the only Labour leader in the British state who was explicitly Marxist in his general framework of understanding and who engaged in revolutionary action against the State. He was killed for his revolutionary attempt by a Coalition Government which included the founder of the Labour Party, Arthur Henderson, who was in the process … Continue reading Was Fianna Fáil ‘slightly fascist’ in the 1930s?
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams Iran – Regime Still Standing False Belief as a Root of Evil Iran: Not My Sort of Regime China and Compromise Snippets Taxing the Rich Ukraine – Predictable Disaster Intelligence Is Many Different Things Iran – Regime Still Standing British pop singer Elton John can’t have many followers in Iran. But his … Continue reading Notes on the News
Palestine Links
In Gaza, life flickers as power cuts shatter livelihoods and healthcare (Nada Nabil in Gaza City, Middle East Eye, 29 April 2026) ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan describes threats from David Cameron and Lindsay Graham in new interview (Imran Mulla, Middle East Eye, 29 April 2026) New petition seeks 'accountability' from UK over role in Israel-Palestine … Continue reading Palestine Links
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
Labour Affairs 