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
Ukraine
Student List victory in Serbia
A member of Student List who was interviewed in the World at One (26 October, 20 minutes in) Student List victory in Serbia A member of Student List interviewed in the World at One (26 October, 20 minutes in) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0033dtz He spoke plainly and eloquently. Both realistic and idealistic, he was a breath of fresh air. Asked about Russia … Continue reading Student List victory in Serbia
Colonialism And Russia: A Correction
The last paragraph of my article in the October issue of Labour Affairs was somewhat garbled in the typing. It was about the idea that the Soviet Union became imperialist at the end of the Second World War, and that was a factor leading to its downfall. The point being made was that the authority … Continue reading Colonialism And Russia: A Correction
Senior Doctors Strike—A Perspective
Reader’s Letter Having had my first experience in attending an A&E in a UK hospital on Saturday (an aged friend who was staying with me took a turn for the worse) I came to the conclusion that this aspect of the NHS is at creaking point. We were there for nearly seven hours before she … Continue reading Senior Doctors Strike—A Perspective
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
How Europe is descending into war
Eamon Dyas Small states of the European Union are in a peculiar postion. The large more powerful states relate to the world differently and their interests manifest different priorities. That was not a problem for the EU when the more powerful states were tied to Russia through their manufacturing activities’ reliance on cheap energy. However, that … Continue reading How Europe is descending into war
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams Hard Right Peacemongers in Germany Appalling Danger of Donbass Majority Rule? 6% of Russians Can’t Be Wrong? Artificial Cleverness and Job Destruction SpaceX Starship Still Unready China Still Rising Hard Right Peacemongers in Germany From 2022 and the sabotage of a moderate peace that Zelensky almost accepted, the classic West German … Continue reading Notes on the News
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
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
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
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
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams An Economy Is Not A Home Did Trump Trade Ukraine for Gaza? Sprout Imperialism and ‘My Beautiful Ukraine’ Unreported Truths of the Ukrainian 28 Points Artificial Intelligence – More Silly Than Sinister Snippets Who Owns the Debts That Supposedly Threaten Us? Criminal Power Never mind the ethics: feel the money An … Continue reading Notes on the News
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?
The death of Reagan’s Star Wars
By Gwydion M. Williams New Nuclear Devices The Strategic Defense Initiative Defensive Weapons Air and Sea – Next to Space? New Nuclear Devices You may have seen stories about Putin announcing a new nuclear missile – or is it two? Claiming it can get through any defence, but how? The key matter is Russia developing a … Continue reading The death of Reagan’s Star Wars
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
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams Immigration – Giving Away the Lives of Others Feed-The-Rich Privatisation Hungary – the Wounds of 1956 Snippets Structureless Protests are Fun, but Failures USA Resenting Indian Success Hindu Home-Grown Racism Poland Replacing Coal With Nuclear. Sunlight for Power and Food Robots – Dangers and Hopes Still Fighting to the Last Ukrainian … Continue reading Notes on the News
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams When Mr President of the USA makes International Law Lies about Ukraine’s Civil War Labour Renewal Snippets US Politics – Corrupt Long Before Trump Gaza’s Yours, the Donbass is Ours ? Should Xi try an Aksai Chin gambit? (Pictured) A Mess in Bolivia Why are honeybees dying en masse in the … Continue reading Notes on the News
