The latest general election to take place in Europe, this time in Italy, seems to confirm that the political left across the continent will continue to suffer if it fails to present an inspiring alternative to austerity. I say seems to – Italian politics and its shifting party names and electoral alliances makes it difficult […]
Labour must reject austerity at the Autumn Statement
Nov 27th, 2012 by Ben Folley.Ahead of next week’s Autumn Statement by George Osborne, the OECD reports today that the Chancellors ‘deep fiscal consolidation continues to drag down growth’ and that ‘unemployment is expected to rise slightly in 2013’. At the same time the report is supportive of the ongoing austerity policy, specifically backing the increase in the pension age and […]
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Labour must listen to Europe’s trade unions
Nov 16th, 2012 by Ben Folley.As part of the European TUC Day of Action, its General Secretary Bernadette Segol appeared on Radio 4′s Today programme on Wednesday alongside former Labour MEP Richard Corbett, now advising European Council leader Herman Van Rompuy.
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We won’t win with more of the same
Sep 29th, 2012 by Ben Folley.Ahead of Labour’s conference, interventions by Polly Toynbee and Ed Balls today offer confused and dangerous strategies if Labour is planning to win in 2015. To do so, it must challenge both parties of government on their economic record and, having done so, be confident in breaking the austerity consensus and offering an alternative vision.
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The stark choice facing the Greek people
Jun 14th, 2012 by Ben Folley.It is difficult to imagine the impact of austerity in Greecefrom here in the UK. Aside from the stark imagery of pensioners eating from bins, students forced into prostitution and children being abandoned in increasing numbers, the statistics make for uncomfortable reading. In February The Guardian reported that planned 15% wage cuts – on top of 30% already […]
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Tsipras confronts neo-liberal blackmail – vote on austerity, not euro
May 23rd, 2012 by Ben Folley.At the weekend, Europe’s neo-liberals stepped up their attempts to blackmail the Greek people into accepting the painful terms of austerity by creating a false debate on Euro membership being the decisive issue in the election. David Cameron, speaking in Chicago, said to them, “you can either vote to stay in the euro, with all […]
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No to Western military intervention in Libya
Mar 11th, 2011 by Ben Folley.I have been concerned in recent days to see well-meaning people promote the idea that a ‘no-fly zone’ or ‘arming the rebels’ would be a progressive act in Libya. Political leaders suggesting they want to send bombers to Libya and pump a whole load more guns into the situation are not interested in peace and […]
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Why Trident should be included in the strategic defence review
Oct 17th, 2010 by Ben Folley.News that Hilary Clinton has waded into the debate over budget cuts at the Ministry of Defence provides Ed Miliband with his first opportunity to meaningfully express his commitment to a foreign policy “based on values, not just alliances” – as stated in his first leader’s speech at party conference.
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Diane Abbott – underdog with a strong message
Jul 28th, 2010 by Ben Folley.On the morning of the 9th June the prospect of the leadership election did not fill me with any excitement. The idea of four New Labour ministers engaging in a turgid, managerial debate in public for a number of months, would not have offered the real debate the party needed, and filled me with dread. […]
