John Rees, co-founder of the Stop the War Coalition, responds to Jon Lansman’s post, Why the Left must stop talking about ‘Zionism’ My previous relationship with Jon Lansman has been perfectly comradely. So it’s a little surprising that he should choose to attack me as part of an article devoted to trying to convince the left […]
Posts under ‘Outside Left’
Why the Left must stop talking about ‘Zionism’
May 2nd, 2016 by Jon Lansman.There is every justification for talking about the rights of Palestinians, for campaigning against the profound injustice that has been done to them and for criticising the actions and policies of the Israeli government but there is no defence for antisemitism, whoever makes the accusation. As the Jewish Socialists’ Group (JSG) has rightly argued, “accusations of antisemitism are […]
Explaining the election of Malia Bouattia
Apr 24th, 2016 by Phil Burton-Cartledge.What to make of the election of Malia to the presidency of the National Union of Students? Well, the political establishment are pretty clear about the opinions every right-thinking person should have. “Malia Bouattia’s election as NUS president proves deeply divisive“, says The Graun. “Disaffiliation threat could leave NUS facing a financial blackhole“, The HuffPo […]
Is there a Scottish road to Socialism?
Mar 15th, 2016 by Dave Watson.‘Is there a Scottish road to Socialism?’ This is the question posed in the third edition of this SLR Press book. The format is the same – a range of contributors from across the left wing spectrum in Scotland attempt to answer this question. The last edition was in 2013, pre-dating the independence referendum and […]
The cynicism that lies behind the Socialist Party claim to want a merger with Labour
Jan 24th, 2016 by Phil Burton-Cartledge.I read with interest that the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) have decided to stand aside at a February council by-election in the Lower Stoke ward of Coventry. According to the Cov Telegraph, TUSC are seeking talks with Jeremy Corbyn about a merger between TUSC and Labour, and an alliance to fight the next […]
The anti-Imperialism of fools
Dec 13th, 2015 by Phil Burton-Cartledge.Ever since IS became the next big bogey to fill the USSR-sized gap in the perceived threats-to-our-existence market, I knew it would be a matter of time before an empty-headed comparison was made between Islamists scuttling into Syria and the volunteers who flocked to Spain to fight fascism in the 1930s. It was no surprise […]
The return of George Galloway to Labour – yes or no?
Nov 14th, 2015 by Phil Burton-Cartledge.Ever since the election of Jeremy – and before – there has been whispering that the Gorgeous One, George Galloway will make a triumphant return to Labour. Ever since his expulsion from the party for “bringing it into disrepute” for suggesting that soldiers should disobey orders given by officers, it’s no secret that he has held […]
Opening up – Labour’s digital revolution must move on from its embryonic stage
Sep 18th, 2015 by James Darling.“I have a vague desire to explore the political world” I said, only a month ago. That very day, I happened to be going to meet Ben Soffa, head of digital for the Jeremy Corbyn campaign. But that feels like a lifetime ago now as since then I’ve spent the vast majority of my time […]
Could Jeremy Corbyn unite the Scottish Left?
Aug 4th, 2015 by Cailean Gallagher.Then catch the moments as they fly And use them as ye ought, man. Believe me, happiness is shy, And comes not aye when sought, man. Robert Burns, A Bottle and Friend Here is surely a mutiny worth waiting for. Old hands and new recruits have swung into action for Jeremy Corbyn, the old sea […]
Jeremy Corbyn and hard left “Infiltration”
Jul 26th, 2015 by Phil Burton-Cartledge.The press are not neutral arbiters when it comes to the Labour leadership contest. If they can use the debates between party members as a way of deepening divisions in the party, they will. At the forefront of these attempts is the so-called quality “paper of record” The Times, which of late is transforming itself into […]