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
War
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
The United States and Europe’s energy needs
By Eamon Dyas Early European use of Russian oil and gas On 18 December 1958 a decision was taken at the 10th session of the Soviet Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (known as Comecon). The decision was that Soviet Russia and other members of the Soviet bloc construct what was to become one of the world’s longest oil … Continue reading The United States and Europe’s energy needs
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
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
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
The Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter
30 April 2026 This is Sahra Wagenknecht’s newsletter, where she provides regular updates on her activities and current political issues. The links take the reader to the original German source; one of those links (the essay on a dictionary of war softening) has been translated below. The federal government has approved the draft budget for … Continue reading The Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter
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 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
The latest bulletins from the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht in Germany.
LA comment: The BSW continue to show that a substantial section of the German population do not hate Russia, are not warmongers and wish to preserve what remains of their welfare state. They wish to restore good relations with Russia so that Germany can once again access the source of its prosperity – cheap Russian … Continue reading The latest bulletins from the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht in Germany.
Vodka: a Review
How Russia was introduced to capitalism. Review and synopsis of Vodka, a novel by Boris Starling. Published by Harper Collins, London, 2004. Eamon Dyas I read this novel shortly after it was published and it struck me at the time that its explanation of the way in which Russia’s transfer to capitalism had taken place was … Continue reading Vodka: a Review
Britain Preparing for War
Brendan Clifford "Britain should be preparing for war—instead we're fretting over fiscal rules".—so says Paul Mason in City AM (9th April). Under his many disguises Mason has always remained a British patriot. British patriotism carries many things of the moment along with it on its erratic journey. These things are discarded in a moment when the opportunity arises for … Continue reading Britain Preparing for War
