Few on the left can doubt the need for greater unity of the large number of left groups and unattached lefties. The organisation of the Left Platform meeting in London on 7th February was both a recognition of that need and an effort to do something about it. The event ran from 11.00 am to […]
Posts under ‘Uncategorized’
Breakthrough trade union recognition with an “umbrella company”
Feb 9th, 2015 by Andy Newman.Ballot result: 383 YES, 8 NO, 2 spoilt, 76% turn out. GMB union members working at a Marks and Spencer distribution centre have voted that they wish to be represented by GMB for collective bargaining. Although the Distribution Centre is owned and 100% dedicated to M&S, they contract DHL (previously Wincanton) to run the Distribution […]
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Blair wrong that centre ground wins elections: not this time
Feb 1st, 2015 by Michael Meacher.The latest polling shows that Blair and his acolytes have lost the argument over the direction for Labour policy. A YouGov poll of 1,655 participants reported this week that by a majority of more than 2:1 they were anti-austerity, anti-war and wanted less subservience to the US, and anti-big business and over-mighty corporations. But what was […]
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There are better things to be doing than playing the patriot game
Jan 20th, 2015 by Stephen Low.“To these ends we work for the patriotic interest of the people of Scotland” runs part of a suggested new aims and values statement (Clause 4 – renumbered from Clause 2 for marketing purposes) that we are being asked to endorse at Scottish Conference in March. As a party and a movement we can do […]
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On Charlie Hebdo and defending liberty – a dose of multiculturalism would help
Jan 8th, 2015 by Jon Lansman.Today we express solidarity and sympathy with the remaining staff of Charlie Hebdo and the families and friends of their 12 colleagues brutally murdered yesterday. It was an appalling attack on the freedom of speech, including the right to criticise, to satirise and to lampoon which we believe are essential features of democracy. Furthermore, in […]
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Selective education is rising up the agenda: it’s no time for fudging
Dec 18th, 2014 by David Pavett.According to the Kent on Sunday newspaper (page 11) Nicky Morgan is expected to approve the renewed application for a Sevenoaks “annex” to the Weald of Kent Grammar School. The Conservatives have blown hot and cold on selective schooling. Some recognise that selection at eleven doesn’t have sufficient political legs to run very far but […]
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George Osborne’s careless Autumn statement
Dec 4th, 2014 by Phil Burton-Cartledge.Would you trust someone with the economy when they don’t know what season it is? Well, the British electorate did as as it’s winter that means Autumn Statement time! How exciting. Alas, a bravura performance from George Osborne it was not. Forced to backpedal on collapsing tax revenues and missed deficit targets, while throwing in […]
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The Pole who’s too right wing for Le Pen, but has made UKIP £1m a year richer
Oct 20th, 2014 by Jon Lansman.Readers may recall that last year Nigel Farage was principled enough back in April to refuse to form a group in the European Parliament with Marine le Pen, French Front National leader, because of “prejudice and antisemitism” in her party – although he also said Le Pen had “got some good qualities” and was “achieving remarkable things“. […]
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Labour’s conference: good news, bad news and missed opportunities
Sep 30th, 2014 by Martin Mayer.A review of last week’s Labour conference in Manchester by Martin Mayer, arepresentative of Unite the Union on Labour’s national executive There was certainly some very good news at this year’s Labour conference, notably on the health service but also some other policy commitments which will make a real difference to working people – and mark out […]
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Scotland: the villains of the piece
Sep 19th, 2014 by Phil Burton-Cartledge.I take no pleasure in seeing an enthusiastic mass movement thwarted when it came down to it, but there is a consolation for disappointed Yes people as they woke up this morning. The Scottish referendum has changed politics forever. In order to save the union, they almost had to kill it. The new constitutional settlement […]
