Chartist 279 final.qxp_01 cover 04/03/2016 21:49 Page 1 CHARTIST For democratic socialism March/April 2016 #279 £2 Bricked

www.chartist.org.uk ISSN - 0968 7866 ISSUE Claude Moraes MEP EU Dr Jacky Davis Junior Doctors Dave Cunningham US Democrats Karen Buck MP Housing Cat Smith MP Palestinian children Don Flynn Fear and loathing plus Greenwatch, Youth View, and reviews Chartist 279 final.qxp_01 cover 04/03/2016 21:49 Page 2

Editorial Board Contacts CONTENTS

CHARTIST is published six times a year Published by Chartist Publications FEATURES by the Chartist Collective. This issue was PO Box 52751 London EC2P 2XF produced by an Editorial Board consisting tel: 0845 456 4977 Editorial Policy of Duncan Bowie (Reviews), Peter Chalk, LABOUR MEMBERSHIP Mike Davis (Editor), Nigel Doggett, David Printed by People For Print Ltd, Unit 10, Riverside Park, Peter Kenyon seeks an overhaul The editorial policy of CHARTIST is to Floyd, Don Flynn, Roger Gillham, Sheaf Gardens, Sheffield S2 4BB – Tel 0114 272 0915. 8 promote debate amongst people active in Tehmina Kazi, Peter Kenyon (Treasurer), Email: [email protected] radical politics about the contemporary Frank Lee, Dave Lister, Andy Morton relevance of democratic socialism across (Website Editor), Mary Southcott, James Website: www.chartist.org.uk MEMBERS WELCOME HERE the spectrum of politics, economics, Grayson, Patricia d’Ardenne, Sheila Email: [email protected] Duncan Bowie reveals a less than friendly science, philosophy, art, interpersonal Osmanovic and Patrick Mulcahy. Twitter: @Chartist48 side to local Labour Party activity relations – in short, the whole realm of Production: Peter Kenyon. 9 social life. Newsletter online: to join, email Our concern is with both democracy and Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of [email protected] TORY AUSTERITY socialism. The history of the last century the EB Sian Errington applauds resistance has made it abundantly clear that the mass of the population of the advanced 10 capitalist countries will have no interest in any form of socialism which is not Contributions and letters deadline for JUNIOR DOCTORS’ SHOWDOWN thoroughly democratic in its principles, NHS Consultant Jacky Davis applauds their its practices, its morality and its ideals. CHARTIST #280 Cover by Martin Rowson Yet the consequences of this deep attach- Junior doctors on Hunt - page 11 11 stand ment to democracy – one of the greatest 11th April 2016 advances of our epoch – are seldom Chartist welcomes articles of 800 or 1500 words, and WORSE TO COME reflected in the discussion and debates letters in electronic format only to: [email protected] amongst active socialists. Dave Watson warns of onging challenges CHARTIST CHARTIST is not a party publication. It Receive Chartist’s online newsletter: send your email address to 12 north of the border brings together people who are interested [email protected] FOR DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM in socialism, some of whom are active the Number 279 March/April 2016 Labour Party and the trade union move- Chartist Advert Rates: CAMERON’S DETENTION CAMP ment. It is concerned to deepen and Sarah Cope exposes Tory inhumanity at extend a dialogue with all other socialists Inside Full page £200; 1/2 page £125; 1/4 page £75; 1/8 page £40; 1/16 page £25; small box 13 Yarls Wood REGULARS and with activists from other movements 5x2cm £15 single sheet insert £50 involved in the struggle to find democrat- We are also interested in advert swaps with other publications. To place an advert, please ic alternatives to the oppression, exploita- email: [email protected] EU REFERENDUM FOLLY tion and injustices of capitalism and Don Flynn would have prefered an honest LETTERS class society debate 4 Paul Teasdale on Labour’s reach 14 to voters and Nigel Doggett on the nuclear power debate LABOUR’S CASE FOR YES Claude Moraes MEP flies the Red Flag for EDITORIAL 5 Vote IN for INternationalism 16 staying in and the EU ISRAELI HYPOCRISY Palestinian children - page 19 Jon Taylor challenges Prime Minister GREENWATCH 6 Nigel Doggett on Trident’s tired 18 Netanyahu’s stances on Iran and Palestine technology PALESTINIAN CHILDREN YOUTH VIEW Patty McCabe on feel the Bern Cat Smith MP grieves their plight 7 19 OUR HISTORY 65 7 Douglas (G.D.H.) Cole - Social Theory (1920) FRANCE VEERS RIGHT Andrew Coates examines the impact of FILM REVIEW 20 carnage in the centre of Paris 25 Patrick Mulcahy on Anomalisa BOOK REVIEWS US SURPRISES 26 Duncan Bowie on anarchism, Paul Garver analyses Bernie Sanders’ Game of Thrones and Michael campaign Barrett Brown, Peter Kenyon on 21 lobbying and Labour’s 2015 campaign, Robbie Scott on the SANDERS V. CLINTON Precariat, Trevor Fisher on Dave Cunningham reveals the corporate schools, Mike Davis on Corbyn’s hand behind the Clinton campaign campaign, Sheila Osmanovic on 22 Kosovo and Marina Prentoulis on struggles against neo-liberalism Feel the Bern pages 21-23 plus Youth DEFLATION LOOMS View Frank Lee offers a sober view of the latest WESTMINSTER VIEW 32 Karen Buck MP exposes the Tory 24 stock market gyrations housing agenda March/April 2016 CHARTIST 3 Chartist 279 final.qxp_01 cover 04/03/2016 21:50 Page 4

LETTERS EDITORIAL Labour must reach out f Labour is to be a more effec- a Party has to be able to create a enchanted, but campaigns to EU: Vote IN for INternationalism tive party we need to be clear- coalition of interests, either by increase voter registration and Ier than we have been about cobbling together a set of policies turnout are unlikely to provide the role of a political party. This for a mix of groups or by creating Labour with new seats. It would deep fissure runs through the Tory Those leftists, including Tariq ali and Lindsey thought was prompted by a sen- a common project. for the most part just increase party. Cameron has his European German of stop the War who claim the eu is ‘irrevo- tence in the editorial for Chartist The LP needs to be able to Labour majorities. To unseat ‘reforms’ and unsurprisingly has cably committed to the Transatlantic Trade and 278: “the big challenge is to reach speak to people in the middle of Tory MPs we need to win over launched the ‘in’ campaign with a ref- Investment Partnership’ or irreversibly committed to out beyond Labour’s growing the income distribution, around people who voted for the erendum date of 23 June. Corbyn’s privatisation, welfare cuts, low wages and the ero- membership, to the millions of £30,000. It needs them to believe Conservatives. teama is clear Labour will be campaigning for sion of trade union rights’ are wrong. It is a counsel voters at the sharp end of Tory that the LP represents them, not The people ‘at the sharp end’ do continued UK membership. But not by endors- of despair equivalent to saying we cannot reverse policies”. even if that challenge just the disadvantaged. a Party not form a majority. What is ing the narrow anti-migrant, pro-big business these retrograde measures in Britain either. They were to be met, that is the way to (as opposed to a campaign) cannot more, they are disproportionately drum the government will be beating. are not irrevocable. Only class struggle will tell if failure – at least as far as elec- rely on altruism. What Labour in areas that already have Labour Labour has scope to exploit the divisions in the they can be rolled back. Better to roll them back as tions are concerned. The real says needs to be relevant to their representatives. We have to, per- Tory party with at least seven Cabinet members part of a european movement than isolated in challenge, if we wish to win elec- situation. haps reluctantly, acknowledge openly campaigning for Brexit. Leader of the Britain. It is essentially a political issue. Tories run- tions, is the much more difficult It can offer some consolation that a majority of households are Commons Chris Grayling, Justice secretary and ning the British parliament is not inevitable, nor is one of reaching the people who after defeat to believe that the better off than they were in 2010 Cameron chum Michael Gove, with Iain duncan neo-liberalism in the driving seat in the eu. feel they have gained. loss is simply because supporters (at least in the Conservative smith and retiring London Tory Mayor Boris any concessions to the nationalist right on europe Labour needs to learn from its did not turn out. Thinking that areas) and that many feel they Johnson most prominent of those lining up to contra- are dangerous. In Britain this means uKIP and the failings in the last election. In there is already a latent support have benefited from Conservative dict their own leader. Tory right-wing zealots. Joining platforms with 2015 the LP sounded more like a fuels the belief that all we need is government. It is to some of But it is vital in rubbing salt into Tory wounds racists like Nigel Farage, as George Galloway has pressure group campaigning for a more inspiring leader to those people that we have to that Labour maintains an independent united cam- done, can only serve the cause of the ‘Little england’ the disadvantaged, rather than a mobilise that support. But that is reach out. For a start, Labour paign of its own putting the socialist case for mem- nationalists. With desperate migrants fleeing war party hoping to build a future for not enough. needs to project more collectivist bership, as argued by Claude Moraes MEP in this and poverty european wide action providing refuge the country. a Party has to be One of the most startling approaches. issue. There must be no repeat of the ‘Better and assistance is essential. more than the voice of a segment statistics that emerged after the Together’ scottish debacle of Labour joining Perhaps the biggest refugee group, certain- of the population. That route last election is that of the 100 PauL TeasdaLe with Tories. ly the longest-standing in the Middle east may be possible in a system with seats with the lowest turnout 91 exeTer The left case for europe is much more are the Palestinians. Jon Taylor and extreme proportional representa- have Labour MPs. Corbyn’s cam- powerful than the narrow, one-sided A new vision Cat Smith MP highlight the plight of tion but in most electoral systems paign may have mobilized the dis- free market mantra of the Cameron Palestinians struggling for a homeland camp. Labour needs to start from and a new politics against increasingly repressive Israeli basics. Globalisation is the problem. could begin to sink policies. Sarah Cope highlights the Google, apple, amazon and the big inhumane treatment of migrants in banks reveal this in their tax avoiding some roots if Labour Britain’s home-grown detention centre Nuclear power: Token dissent and discussion and border hopping antics. The corpo- at Yarls Wood. rations have been having a free ride on can take its While the Corbyn led Labour Party ust what is dave Toke even more than the ‘easy’ targets as unite are strongly and uncriti- the backs of working people across opportunities provides hope for working people in (Chartist 278, Letter) angry of the Tories and old/Blairite cally in favour of nuclear power europe and the world. a regional eu Britain on the other side of the pond Jabout? equality? The Paris Labour. and the TuC supports ‘new build block with nation states pooling Bernie sanders has been making waves in 2015 COP outcome? Tax avoid- Greenwatch and Chartist are nuclear power stations’ as part of sovereignty, working together to tackle the the contest to secure the democratic nomi- ance? No, he’s angry at the possi- not the property of any person or ‘a “balanced” energy policy’. exploitation of the supra national corporations nation for president. Paul Garver and Dave bility of Chartist airing different viewpoint. editorial policy does so we have a long way to go. is an elementary necessity in 21st century. In this Cunningham analyse the rise of the Vermont sen- views on nuclear power (claiming not explicitly mention the envi- In October 2015 the TuC and context nation states are almost irrelevant. ator and why he provides a real challenge to the I called for a debate) rather than ronment, though I’d like to see it Greenpeace issued a report on a Nations alone are increasingly irrelevant when it dynastic centrism of Hilary Clinton and the Tea parroting the Green Party line. mentioned as integral to our poli- low carbon economy, Green Collar comes to effective action on the environment, social Party republican fundamentalism of donald Trump. Far be it for me to question dr. tics. Nation, which starts to address and immigration policies as Don Flynn argues in But it is the battle for hearts and minds in Britain Toke’s knowledge on this subject, I said that while readers proba- the tension here. It acknowledges this issue. Major social and workplace gains have that will dominate the political terrain over the next but he doesn’t provide much firm bly share a general political out- differences: the TuC supports been made through the eu from working time, work- few months. Karen Buck MP explains how if evidence. look this is not so likely on envi- London airport expansion subject place health and safety and paid leave, free health Labour’s sadiq Khan can get across a positive mes- In Greenwatch 277 and the ronmental issues. In the Labour to environmental controls and of care and more. although under attack from the sage on housing with a new vision of London he has online Blog I asked for readers’ movement we seek to inform course Greenpeace strongly neoliberal alliance currently dominant in the eu, the every chance of winning the mayorality. Sian views on coverage rather than on there is still overwhelming sup- opposes it. austerity route is neither inevitable nor working. a Errington reminds us that that the struggle against actual issues, though of course in port for growth with few reserva- One reason many green social- different europe is possible and achievable. It is one austerity enters a new phase as Osborne’s cuts dig a discussion magazine views on tions, whereas the scope for ists are still in the Labour Party to be fought for with partners in europe. It is the deeper into the social fabric while Dr Jacky Davis issues are always welcome. I ‘green growth’ (global economic is that although it is easier to course the Greek government have striven for rather explains why junior doctors are in the frontline of the deliberately avoided pre-judging development and rising living talk to those who agree with us it than the national road. defending the NHs. the issues of fracking or nuclear standards whilst capping or even is more important to talk to those Nationalism and the rise of the new fascism is the Meanwhile as stock markets tumble, China’s econ- power (and GM crops in the blog). reducing carbon emissions), and who do not. so the door is open: growing menace that stalks europe. It is beholden on omy slows and Chancellor Osborne’s quack medicine For the record I am extremely even the necessity of growth, is we need to widen the discussion all international socialists to stand against this tide for the economy is failing in even its own deficit sceptical about them all. I am just challenged by ecological out beyond green groups and that seeks to take europe back to the 1930s of rival reduction targets Frank Lee highlights the fault reluctant to rule them out in all economists such as Tim Jackson. academia to branches and mem- nation states, of barbed wire borders, of mean mind- lines in the global economy. respects for ever. To do so would The 2014 report Mending the bers in an accessible but informed ed xenophobia. The threat is palpable in France as Corbyn’s Labour could begin to breach the Tory be intellectually and therefore Fractured Economy led by way. surely that is what Chartist Andrew Coates explains in analysing the gains of walls in London and on europe. But it must get its politically dishonest. The cases andrew adonis for the Labour is all about? Le Pen’s Front National. France is not alone in hav- organisation right and allow the breath of grass roots for them need to be aired even if Party, does not mention the word ing nationalist bullies and racists emerging from the democracy to blow through the Party argues Peter they are rejected. I would like to green, and environment appears NIGeL dOGGeTT shadows. Hungary and Poland have many in govern- Kenyon. a new vision and a new politics could begin see Chartist challenging received only in the phrase ‘enabling envi- easT sussex ment, while the extreme nationalists in denmark, to sink some roots if Labour can take its opportuni- wisdom, lazy slogans and dogmas ronment for economic growth’. sweden and Holland have established foot-holds. ties. from the left and greens, maybe Prominent Trade unions such

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GREENWATCH YOUTH VIEW Trident: a dated technology? The Sanders’ revolution

abour’s new shadow defence secretary nology such as turbines, smart grids and control sys- ernie sanders declared after his victory change but of revolution. The idea that things could Nigel emily Thornberry's remark that Trident tems (see andrew smith in Chartist 278). Patty in New Hampshire democratic primary: and should be different now. In the face of sanders’ Doggett could become as obsolete as the spitfire The radicalism of the 1970s and 1980s needs to McCabe “Together we have sent a message that unflinching attack on the status quo, Clinton’s polit- reminded me of an historic issue. The resurface again in Labour and the trade unions. will resonate from Wall street to ical pragmatism seems boring and not worth the ponders World War II spitfire was arguably less on the Washington ... that government belongs effort. Her ties with Wall street also put her in a Lsignificant in the Battle of Britain than the more Fixing the Climate Bto a ll of the peopl e”. He b eat hi s ri val Hi la ry Cl int on class that has been discredited in recent years and macho basic Hurricane, which was cheaper to build and youth pull wi th nearl y 60% of th e vote. Yet i t i s t he votes of the provides voters with reason to doubt her integrity. maintain and responsible for shooting down more More examples of high technomania can be seen young th at are m ost preva lent . In the Iowa en tran ce Whereas Clinton’s reference to feminism and technology enemy planes. as dave Toke stated in the last edi- in some proposals to reverse the effects of human- of Bernie pol l , he crushed Cl inton by an extra ordi nary si x to minorities sounds like she is touting old tickets, tion of Chartist, there is a British (mostly male) love made climate change, known as geo-engineering. one—84 percent to 14 percent—among vot- sanders’ willingness to tackle issues that and of high technology projects that has run through These range from the mundane - reforestation, with Sanders ers younger tha n 3 0. transgress identity politics are a revival alternatives nuclear power, Polaris, Concorde and Trident to the gradual long term effects, through seeding the Ju st what is i t a bout sanders’ pol i- of the traditional left, one that proposed Hs2 and Hinkley C nuclear power station. oceans with iron to promote plant growth, to the ti cs that makes hi m so attracti ve to believed that injustice was common simon Jenkins repeatedly reminds us in the wacky - mirrors in deserts or reflectors in space to young votes? Is it is as simple as to all, not to individual groups. Guardian newspaper that this can cause govern- reduce solar radiation. These have been misleading- the fact that his policies are very ‘Old politics’ sanders, at the potentially over- ments to disregard any rational consideration of ly likened to natural processes: spraying of sulphur appealing to young people? He are resonating ripe old age of seventy four, was cost. a thought for our defence-minded MPs: the dioxide to promote cloud formations as akin to volca- wa nts to hel p and encou ra ge stu - hardly the most obvious candi- most advanced technology can be the least practical noes, and any form of carbon dioxide conversion as dents rather than cripple them with the problems date for the youth vote of and worst value for money. ‘artificial trees’, even though the mechanism would with debt and he is one of the few america. Corbyn was not the That is not to be Luddite or anti-technology, as be totally different. candidates who is tackling cli- faced by young most likely candidate to capture some green or socially radical viewpoints may Though proponents stress that the most drastic ma te ch ange head on, a cau se tha t people the imagination of young people in appear. sometimes it's too easy to favour low tech- measures should only be used as a last resort such i s much more popul ar amongst the Britain. What their popularity does nology because of its political/cultural associations. grand schemes have a siren call which appeals to younger than the older generations. suggest is that their ‘old politics’ are a proper socialist alternative would be based on certain high tech entrepreneurs (see my review of Nor is the answer to be found is his resonating with the problems faced by appropriate Technology, orientated towards the Naomi Klein’s This Changes Everything in Chartist charisma, although he is clearly a bril- young people and a frustration with, and needs of people and communities, as championed by 272). l ia nt speaker. It i s al so not accurate to argue rejection of, mainstream politics. eF schumacher. His 1973 book Small is Beautiful The uncertainties involved in many of these that his policies are new. sanders’ politics are no t unfortunately, this frustration with politics has also should be essential reading for anyone interested in schemes would be enormous. as with any mega pro- new and certai nl y n ot n ew for h im. His figh t a gai nst provided his political opposite, donald Trump, with green economics. ject in a new field there is a danger of vastly under- Wal l street an d the b ig corpora tion s is one t hat he most of his supporters. What is happening in Observing Jeremy Corbyn’s contortions as he estimating costs (known as ‘optimism bias’). They h as wa ged for the past 50 years. so why i s he sud - america is a search for a more aggressive political sought to reconcile the protection of jobs with oppo- would also be hard to stop for fear of the climate denl y so popul ar? narrative that rejects the view the status quo is sition to Trident reveals the shallowness of much effects of greenhouse gases returning with a The answer is to be found in the fact that the either something inevitable, or that it is something technology policy discussion. The idea of keeping a vengeance. essen ti al message behi nd sanders’ pol it ics i s not of that can only be changed gradually. form of submarine purely to provide employment is even if such measures were successful in taming absurd, particularly when we badly need to develop climate change, there would be a risk of provoking technology to address environmental challenges. regional droughts or floods. Critics cite the danger of Well over forty years ago the Lucas aerospace Plan resulting international disputes (whilst low lying was produced by workers including Mike Cooley, and tropical countries are set to be hard hit by glob- OUR HISTORY - 65 showing the scope for conversion from military to al warming, russia and Canada might welcome it to socially useful and environmental products (see the boost their agricultural potential). Douglas Cole - Social Theory (1920) October 2009 article on a Green New deal in Red In the short term, work on geo-engineering plans Pepper, available online). Cooley's fascinating book could divert resources from the necessary multi- douglas Cole (better known as G.d.H. Cole) was a detective stories. Architect or Bee: The Human Price of Technology faceted development for the transition to a green political scientist and historian. a libertarian “I assume that the object of social organisation is (just republished by spokesman Books) details their economy. In the longer term, however, it will be socialist, he was active in the Fabian society and not merely material efficiency, but also essentiall y imaginative proposals for solar and wind power, necessary to somehow reduce the carbon dioxide in the Co-operative movement. He wrote a series of the fullest self-expression of all the members. I hybrid engines and battery packs for electric cars. the atmosphere to safer levels. I still wouldn’t rule studies of the trade union movement, including the assume that self-expression involves self-govern- Tragically there was but a limited adoption of these out every idea but in the field of climate change, as classic self-Government in Industry in 1917 and ment, and that we ought to aim not merely at giving in the uK. Many of the skills used to produce Professor david Mackay states “it is the last thing was sympathetic to syndicalism. He was one of the people votes, but at calling forth their full participa- weapons today could be transferred to green tech- we should think about”. founders of the National Guilds League, and in 1920 tion in the common direction of the affairs of the published Guild socialism restated. social Theory, community. also published in 1920, was a more theoretical state- If it is contended that men only ask for peace and ment of his ideological position. Cole published over quietness, and do not want to govern themselves, I 50 political books and pamphlets, as well as hun- answer in the first place that this is not true, an d dreds of essays. The select bibliography in anthony secondly, that if it was true, we ought not to acqui- Wright’s excellent 1979 study of Cole and socialist esce in such a state of affairs, but to alter it as democracy includes over 600 items. Cole also wrote speedily as possible. It has been assumed through- the seven volume History of socialist Thought, out this book that human beings have wills, and add for printer which traces the development of socialist thought on that they have a right and duty to use these wills to an international scale between1789 and 1939 and their full capacity in the direction of society. … The which treats Marxism and anarchism as equally time for a new and definitive social theory is not yet; valid tendencies within the socialist tradition, and but it is high time for our generation to set about which concludes with a restatement of Cole’s own laying the foundations of a theory more responsive libertarian socialist position. In 1944, Cole was to modern development than that which at present appointed professor of political theory at Oxford holds sway. Orthodox social theory is bankrupt: it university and was the mentor of a generation of neither corresponds to the facts of today nor affords socialist intellectuals and politicians. Together with any help in interpreting the tendencies which are his wife Margaret, Cole also wrote some thirty shaping a new social order within the old.”

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LABOUR COMRADES Labour Party organisation : chaotic Opening up the Party…maybe Peter Kenyon remains bewildered by the absence of a membership recruitment and Duncan Bowie on local barriers to new Labour Party members retention strategy as anyone any idea than talking to them in the first There has been a dramatic respond to pressure from new how many Labour place and having proper conversa- increase in the Labour Party’s members to have political discus- members, supporters tions. membership over the last few sions and actually pass policy or affiliates have another Corbyn-led insurgency months and it is interesting to motions. For the last few years, never received a wel- is required to galvanise the party consider how the Party has or has monthly meetings of the con- Hcome by their local Labour Party? machine into trumpeting not adjusted. Many new members stituency party were generally I doubt it. With membership 'Members – welcome here'. The joined to support Jeremy Corbyn’s attended by about 30-40 people. renewal for those who joined in price has got to be right too. It leadership campaign. some new The influx of new members has the wake of last year's general was possible until the end of 2015 members are young, but others however changed the tone of the election defeat just a few months to recruit a member locally for are actually returnees, some of meetings – with up to 120 mem- away, that is a terrifying reality. £15 for the first year. at the whom went into exile during the bers attending, of whom only half The right will be ready to pounce stroke of a sub-editor's blue pen- Blair years, or specifically follow- are delegates. The CLP execu- if we are not careful. Labour's cil, it has gone. The online Join by ing Blair’s support for the Iraq tive’s response to this increasing leader Jeremy Corbyn is credited Post option in minuscule print at war. interest however was to restrict with being the primary catalyst the bottom of the Join Labour Many of these older members contributions to debates to dele- for a near doubling of member- website page has been edited. have been politically active in gates. The first meeting under the Momentum: threat or opportunity to new politics in the ship last summer. How many will Last year – recruited by a mem- organisations outside the Labour new rules was therefore dominat- Labour Party? renew? and at what cost? ber of your local Labour Party – Party, though the number of ed by new members and some Labour's members are the first £1.25 per month (Join for £15). these returners who have been older non-delegate members com- There is also a repeat of the line in the defence of democratic This year – gone. I asked general active members of ultra left par- plaining that they were being clashes of 2001 with members socialism from the onslaughts of a secretary, Iain McNicol why? ties may perhaps have been some- excluded from the discussion. a seeking to debate policy on syria mainly tax-dodging, foreign answer was there none. what exaggerated. The fears of an walk out of angry members was and Trident. several wards ruled owned media. Nurturing, growing Why does this matter? For the ultra left takeover remains strong only narrowly avoided. The atmo- out of order motions opposing and encouraging activism to win first time in living memory, one in some LP circles and there is a sphere became somewhat bombing of syria on the grounds elections ought to be the central person – Jeremy Corbyn – offered risk that measures to stop a per- unpleasant. Local Momentum that members had not given 14 objective of Labour's paid staff, people a genuine alternative ceived takeover risk excluding groups have now been estab- days notice, although Cameron and lay officials. It isn't, as the model of political leadership and newer members who are previ- lished, with well attended meet- did not give parliament 14 days dismal naval gazing about the converted it into party members ously unaffiliated but keen to get ings in pubs and community cen- notice of the vote on war. The MP 2015 Westminster parliament in a matter of weeks. sustaining Spot the difference: Recruited by a member of your local involved. It is somewhat ironic voted against the bombing, only election makes clear – if only by that alternative as the Leader of Labour Party (Join for £15) abandoned? that these members who are sup- to find that emergency motions to omission. No, that is unfair. The Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, portive of the new party leader- A walk out of angry members was support her position after the Labour Party official inquiry enti- to give Corbyn his official parlia- ship are actually seen as a threat event were also ruled out of order tled Learning the lessons from mentary title, is proving a chal- alternative to Tory austerity, to the party, while in practice the only narrowly avoided. The on the basis that the parliamen- defeat taskforce report led by lenge. Blue-sky political musing poverty wages and unafforable threat is much greater from the atmosphere became somewhat tary vote had already taken place. Margaret Beckett MP cites the by Corbyn – Trident subs without homes, whether to rent or buy. No centre right of the party which is The CLP however narrowly word 'members' 11 times in 35 missiles, or sharing sovereignty of one whould be under any illusions hostile to the new leadership and unpleasant passed an anti Trident motion. pages. and in the concluding sec- the Maldives with argentina were about the difficulties of achieving Corbyn specifically and is actively The use of rules (which most tion on Communications, the self-indulgent gifts to Labour's electability whoever is leader. trying to divide the party and tres – the southwark Momentum party members did not know taskforce says: “We should political opponents. Personally, I have long regard- oust the leader. meeting on housing I attended existed) to stifle debate has at endeavour to find ways to use the ed mass membership as an essen- My own constituency of had over 50 people present and times been Kafkaesque. opportunities presented by our Redouble membership tial strategy for a party opposed dulwich and West Norwood, rep- had an excellent discussion. The We need to recognise that vastly increased membership to to the vested interests dominating resented in parliament for 23 new activists are unlikely to be members have different views provide intelligence which can a campaign is needed to redou- modern day society aka capital- years by Tessa Jowell, is an inter- content with being marginalised and enthusiasms, and that every supplement what we learn from ble Labour's membership. Those ism. It's a way to counter hostile esting example. The party is from mainstream debate within new contribution is not necessari- opinion polling and add this to members need to be encouraged media headlines. understanding somewhat centrist having sup- the party and are also open to the ly part of a takeover conspiracy. a our understanding of what most to engage in meaningful conversa- 'which side your bread is but- ported Jowell and for the last influence of the ultra-left doubling of membership should be concerns our fellow citizens.” tions that will glean intelligence tered' as everyone who has a twenty years or so has not seen returnees/would be returnees – seen as an opportunity and not a and help convert millions of the Peter Kenyon is Gran knows is part of our culture. itself as a focus for political socialist Party activists and for- threat. I have spoken to wards in Disdain electorate into actual and commit- chair of City of But for the Labour Party today debate or policy making. The con- mer Workers Liberty and TusC other CLPs recently and some ted Labour Party voters. any illu- London Branch there is an added imperative. ference delegate was sent off parliamentary candidates were wards are much more welcoming I suppose that could be seen as sions about that having been Labour Party and Tory dogma is being enshrined in without a mandate and used to vocal. of new members – having a good a start. But it is symptomatic of achieved during the 2015 cam- a former member law that means Labour will lose report back on how much fun they Part of the new politics relates political discussion in a ward blinkered disdain of members paign were dashed by the result. of Labour's NEC £6 - £8mln of funding a year from had had and who they had met. to party members’ opposition to meeting of 50 or so of all ages, or from the Westminster village. For the avoidance of doubt, I rec- its founding affiliated trade rather different from my time as some of the funding decisions in a CLP meeting of 100 or more, That is echoed all to vividly in ommend Iain Watson's Five unions. That should be used as a conference delegate when I was made by the councils in recent can be enjoyable and productive. local Labour Party organisation Million Conversations – How fresh catalyst to recruit and armed with a constituency policy budget setting – in Lambeth slowly even my own ward is get- as described by my colleague Labour lost an election and redis- retain those whose membership is book and had to justify my every there is strong community opposi- ting there – we now have monthly duncan Bowie in the next piece in covered its roots and my review in due for renewal this summer. vote. The constituency party how- tion to library closures and reduc- meetings of 20-30 people and this issue of Chartist. Other this issue of Chartist. The fresh Now that we know the date for ever still sees itself primarily as tion in parks staff. In southwark. political discussions so onwards reports into the wreckage of a resurgence is needed to see off the the eu referendum, that provides an electoral machine to win elec- concerns over cuts to local ser- and upwards – the Labour Party campaign such as those by Jon naysayers plotting Corbyn's another opportunity to re-ener- tions and protect its MP, the com- vices. Both boroughs are also is changing, but it can be a slow Cruddas MP and pollster downfall, and to engender and gise then and pull in more of the petent and professional Helen caught in controversies over and somewhat frustrating pro- deborah Mattinson focussed on sustain hope for millions of 99ers. Hayes, and is struggling to estate regeneration schemes. cess. messaging and voters, rather Labour voters that there is an

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AUSTERITY NHS Resist and renew Junior doctors are revolting! Sian Errington on meeting the challenge of Tory austerity Jacky Davis on how the Tories are risking patient lives

n February The Guardian will blame the slowing British very wealthiest to some degree. revealed that from a £300 economy on external forces – Insecure, precarious and low paid or the first time since overextended service from five million ‘relief fund’ to help security concerns, the Chinese, work has increased – scarring the 1970’s junior doc- days to seven. local councils struggling the europeans – anything but his sectors where women predomi- tors in the NHs have a new contract for junior doc- with the scale of funding own failed economic policies. The nant such as social care, cleaning, taken industrial action tors is not needed to improve out Icuts demanded of them 83% of growth in real GdP slowed to catering and hospitality, but in protest against an of hours (OOH) care. emergency the funds will go to Conservative 1.9% in the last quarter of 2015 – spreading across the economy, Fimposed contract they say is and urgent OOH care always run councils. The five most a decline from 3% growth in the leaving more and more struggling unfair and unsafe. The needs improving. But the deprived local authorities in the middle of 2014. The economy had to make ends meet and with little Government claims that a new devolved nations are not imposing country – Middlesbrough, been seeing a short Tory boom – a autonomy over when and where contract is needed to fulfil its this contract and some english Liverpool, Manchester, Knowsley boost to consumption that proved they work. Then there are the manifesto promise to deliver a NHs Trusts have already and Hull – also Labour run, have sufficient to help ride the govern- deaths now tragically associated ‘truly 7 day NHs’. improved their OOH care without suffered some of the deepest cuts ment through the general election with our shredded benefits sys- Junior doctors say the contract a new contract. and will receive nothing at all. In but is now fading. despite the tem and the rise in homelessness. would: Cameron and Hunt have the same week Jeremy Hunt proven track record of deep aus- In January research revealed that • force doctors to work longer repeatedly misquoted statistics imposed a new, cost cutting and terity policies causing the econo- violence against women had and later with fewer safeguards, about increased mortality and unsafe contract on NHs junior my to slow significantly – in 2010 increased since 2009 with compromising patient safety weekend admissions, despite Junior doctors out on the streets after working excessive doctors, the ever escalating hous- the economic growth rate slipped ‘reduced economic independence • penalise those who take time being publicly reprimanded by hours ing crisis was the focus of Jeremy from 2% to 1% - Osborne has of women and the impact of the out to have a family or work part the authors of the paper they Corbyn’s questions to Cameron at made it clear that these are the cuts to services on which women time quoted, and by the editor of the operations were cancelled in PMQs and John Mcdonnell fin- policies he is going to re-inflict on disproportionately depend’, being • offer an 11% pay rise, under- British Medical Journal. a leaked 2015, due to NHs underfunding, ished the week with a packed the country. key factors. Measures such as the mined by a drop in pay for work- document from Hunt’s own bed shortages, lack of staff and meeting in sheffield, telling the The failure of these economic Gagging act, the Trade union ing antisocial hours department says there is no evi- theatre time. audience that “I think sheffield is policies to produce sustainable Bill, the snoopers Charter and • provide pay that starts below dence to link staffing levels and Cameron and Hunt have now going to play a central role in the growth that can be the source of others seek to curb and constrain the national median (doctors- increased deaths of patients taken their own ‘nuclear option’ future of our economy, but it better public services, better peoples’ ability to organise, £21,000, not including registra- admitted at the weekend. But and imposed their contract with- needs investment…we have wages and better living standards protest and take action to defend tion, legal protection, insurance these misleading claims about the out any consensus - a new first, argued for a long period of time for all means that measures to and improve their lives. and exam costs; asda managers: dangers of weekend admissions which alienates medical staff and about the rebalancing of our econ- politically insulate Conservative The election of Jeremy Corbyn £22,000) mean that 53% of the public are could affect recruitment and omy, both in terms of between the MPs from the human cost of this to the Labour leadership and his now afraid of going to hospital out retention. Fourteen out of 20 finance sector and manufactur- failure are needed. The extra appointment of John Mcdonnell Monday to Saturday of hours, itself a dangerous and Trust CeOs have already rescind- ing, we have also argued for a £300 million for particular local is an opportunity to forge a real potentially lethal state of affairs. ed their previous support for the geographical rebalancing as well, councils was miraculously found alternative to austerity. His call The government proposes that If Hunt wanted to improve secretary of state. Meanwhile and that’s not occurred under this after up to 30 Conservative MPs for a geographical rebalancing of new normal working hours should patient safety he would sit down Hunt – while claiming to have an government….our whole thrust threatened to revolt against the the economy to spread wealth and be from 7 am – 10 pm Monday to with staff, get their views and open door – has dodged numerous around areas like sheffield is local government finance settle- decent work, as well as becoming saturday. The reduction of hours help, and then enact their recom- invitations to state his case with about investment in skills… in ment. The re-drawing of less reliant on the financial sec- that attract extra pay is a red line mendations on safe staffing lev- doctors themselves. a recent tick- infrastructure and …in new tech- Westminster constituency bound- tor, put the need for investment in the sand because government els. eted event was hurriedly moved nology”. It was a week in which a aries should also be viewed in this front and centre. Investing in pro- can redefine them for junior doc- elsewhere. Junior doctors who spotlight shone on the dramatic light. jects such as house building, pub- tors and all other NHs staff too. Government’s accusation Jacky Davis is a found it were screened out at the contrast in what the Conservative and to be clear, the economic lic transport and technology can Hunt and Cameron have used Consultant door, a damning indictment of a government is currently execut- failure of Cameron and Osborne not only meet urgent social needs their ‘manifesto promise’ of a 24/7 as for the government’s accusa- Radiologist, a Health secretary, afraid to face ing on the overwhelming majority is counted in human cost. recent – for example, providing genuine- NHs to justify their imposition of tion that junior doctors have been founder member his own clinicians. of people, and the much brighter TuC analysis has shown that real ly affordable homes for social the contract. But, we already misled by their ‘irresponsible’ of the Keep our future that could be won with wages are still worth £2,270 less rent, ensuring people can travel have a 24/7 NHs. No-one is sent union - many will have years of NHS Public Attack on the NHS Labour. than in 2008 - the result of a around the country easily to visit home with a burst appendix on a experience on the wards, young campaign and a as we approach the March seven year fall in living standards friends, family and for business sunday afternoon, and most clini- families to consider, and have an member of the The fight that the government Budget it is likely that Osborne that is impacting on all but the with minimal environmental cal staff work out of hours to pro- excellent understanding of their BMA Council. has picked with 53,000 junior doc- impact – but such investment is vide emergency and urgent care, contracts. Of the 76% who voted, She is the co- tors is just part of the present Sian Errington is the necessary underpinning for as Hunt was reminded by the 98% supported industrial action, author of two attack on the NHs. Cameron and a member of the sustainable economic growth. twitter storm #ImInWorkJeremy . an overwhelming majority (the books – NHS Hunt vaguely promise ‘a truly 7- Labour Assembly Growth which can then be used to Government has refused to Tories won their election with a SOS, and NHS day NHs’, then impose a contract Against Austerity fund the NHs, education, and define ‘a truly 7 day NHs,’ but vote of 36.7% on a 66% turnout). For Sale. Follow on junior doctors, and expect to steering group many other public services and indicated that they want routine Hunt has accused junior doc- her at roll out these changes to other social security at a level that the care available seven days a week. tors of putting patients in danger @DrJackyDavis NHs staff. They think public country needs and deserves – Pilot studies show that patients but while they have been striking for up to date interest and support will wane with poverty and inequality made don’t want this and the NHs cer- patient care is being provided by news about the but we, staff, patients and public to fall, not increase. Popularising tainly can’t afford it. routine care Consultants and associated spe- NHS must not let this happen. This is these policies, demonstrating that requires doctors, support staff, cialists. Yes, some patients will everyone’s fight (see links below). Labour can win with a message nurses, radiographers, techni- have had their operations post- It is surely government that is and plans that can transform the cians porters, and administration, poned, but no one has mentioned now taking risks with patients’ lives of millions of ordinary peo- and would mean stretching an that an under-reported 70,000 lives. ple for the better is the challenge ahead. For further information go to : http://keepournhspublic.com/ http://www.nhsforsale.info/ @keepnhspublic

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SCOTLAND DETENTION Long haul for Labour Yarl’s Wood protests Dave Watson on Labour’s break with austerity Sarah Cope calls for continued action

he Holyrood election difficult arl’s Wood, a privately- attempts to debate was looking issues are run detention centre in return her to pretty boring, but in pushed into the Bedfordshire coun- Nigeria, February scottish reviews and tryside, holds around despite her Labour suddenly made consultations, 400 women and fami- brother’s Tit interesting. Kezia dugdale, all to build liesY awaiting asylum decisions. death at the Labour’s new leader, took a bold the biggest The centre is run by serco, which hands of Boko move to break away from austeri- tent possible won the £70 million contract in Haram and ty economics. she proposes for the next 2007. the obvious increasing the scottish rate of referendum. If The detention centre is located threat to her Income Tax (srIT) by 1p. This all else fails, at the rear of a huge business family’s safe- will raise around £480m, less a it's wicked park (located alongside an indoor ty. £50m rebate to ensure that low Westminster's sky-diving centre and a pet cre- another paid workers under £20,000 per fault and matorium, amongst other mis- spoke of living year don’t lose out. These are the Cameron usu- matched businesses, and is effec- conditions in Calman Commission powers ally obliges by tively hidden away from view the facility, agreed some years ago and not playing the from local residents. and asked: the more radical smith traditional Hidden away too from various “We are not Commission devolution of all panto Tory people who might want to visit animals, so income tax that will probably be role. and see the place described by the why are we kept in a cage?” recently upon the publication of implemented in 2017. so far this Chief Inspector of Prisons last as well as volunteering with the shaw review. The current opinion polls are sNP strategy year as ‘a place of national con- Women for refugee Women, an independent review into the not encouraging for those on the is working cern.’ Indeed, Labour MP whose ‘set Her Free” campaign is welfare of immigration detainees left in scotland. scottish Labour's pretty well. Light at the end of the tunnel? Catherine West recently had her focused on ending the detention of commissioned by the home secre- best polling would deliver 33 The Budget request to visit Yarl’s Wood women, I am also a Yarl’s Wood tary, it called for ministers to seats (down four from 2011), all Bill can be a pressure point for budget is that unless you expand turned down by the Home Office, Befriender. This non-campaigning reduce “boldly and without delay” from the list. The scottish Greens the strategy, but the steady the spending envelope, the debate sparking a petition. group, set up by the Bishop of the 30,000 people detained each have been stuck at a level that is Finance secretary, John swinney simply deteriorates into robbing In June, august and November Bedford when Yarl’s Wood was year. unlikely to deliver big gains. The is adept at hiding the pain. If a Peter to pay Paul. Nicola last year, hundreds of people built in 2000, trains and then It also called for a complete ban far left have attempted a degree service has to be cut dispropor- sturgeon knows this and has gathered from across the uK to matches people up with detainees on the detention of pregnant of unity under the label rIse, tionately one year, then he puts a sneered at the Labour benches protest against immigration who have requested a visitor. women in immigration centres although predictably a number of bit extra back the following year. asking which services they would detention outside Yarl’s Wood. as a befriender I have met such as Yarl’s Wood (99 pregnant groups have remained outside the and of course any difficult deci- cut. Movement for Justice, Lesbians women from across the world women were detained there last tent. and we shouldn't forget the sions are the fault of Tory austeri- Labour’s new plan means that and Gays support Migrants, seeking asylum on issues such as year). Tories. Their vote has remained ty. scotland is starting to have a sisters uncut, Women for their sexuality, FGM and domes- shaw also said that there steady and they are trying a new Local government is usually hit serious debate about tax. It also refugee Women and Black tic abuse. The uK is the only should also be a “presumption pitch to referendum NO voters, as hardest, not least because coun- positions Labour as the anti-aus- dissidents were amongst the country in europe to impose no against detention” of victims of the only party that will seriously cils can be shot as the messenger terity party and the sNP where groups present. time limit on detention, and I rape and sexual violence, people defend the union. of difficult decisions, far removed they have in reality always been, at June’s demonstration, some have seen what huge harm this with learning difficulties, and The legacy of the referendum from ministers, and still largely as a social democratic party. In protestors were in tears at the does to both the physical and those with post-traumatic stress and the disastrous Better led by Labour. However, this many ways they are following a sight that greeted them when mental health of the women. disorder. Together campaign remains, with year John swinney went much New Labour political strategy - they saw the detention centre for Not only that, but the health- The six-month review was com- many voters unwilling to listen to further with a cash cut of 3.5% or warm words and some limited the first time. Women opened the care available in Yarl’s Wood is missioned by the Home secretary what Labour has to say. Labour £350m in 2016-17 - that's 5.2% or actions on social justice, but don't windows of their rooms the few extremely poor, provided by trou- after years of criticism about the can't win in scotland when only £500m in real terms. frighten the voting middle class- inches they would open, waved bled firm G4s. Women complain treatment of immigration 4% who voted Yes in last year’s This has resulted in a fraught es. their hands, or home-made ban- that their health issues are Sarah Cope is a detainees, including incidents of referendum appears willing to dialogue between CosLa and the Labour’s policy shift is exposing ners, shouting “freedom!”, “No repeatedly ignored. Indeed, in Green Party deaths, self-harm and sexual contemplate voting for the party. scottish Government over the the sNP’s anti-austerity rhetoric. human is illegal!” and “shut down March 2014 a 40 year old woman member and was abuse in Britain’s 10 immigration despite the polls, scottish grant allocation. Not helped by standing 'shoulder to shoulder' Yarl’s Wood!” died in Yarl’s Wood of a heart chair of Green removal centres. Labour as a party is stronger John swinney’s draconian penal- with the Tories is an uncomfort- such was the anger of the attack. she had been given parac- Party Women The report was delivered to than it has been for years. ties for any council daring to con- able position for those sNP mem- crowd that a fence was knocked etamol for her chest pains by the 2012-2015. She the Home Office in september Membership has doubled and sider an increase in the Council bers who regard themselves as down, allowing protestors to healthcare centre. wrote the party’s 2015 but not published until freed from the influence of Tax. CosLa voted to reject the being on the left of politics. approach the perimeter fence of Women are sometimes taken policy on ending January this year. Westminster MPs, it has a new package and, at least privately, Will any of this make a big dif- the complex itself. On the latest out of Yarl’s Wood by serco immigration The next demonstration out- focus on the scottish Parliament. even sNP councils are deeply Dave Watson is ference to the outcome of the demonstration in November, guards for hospital appointments, detention. She side Yarl’s Wood is planned for Kezia dugdale has been innova- unhappy. Labour councillors are the secretary of scottish Parliament elections? which attracted over 1000 but there has been controversy volunteers with 12th March; as awareness and tive and inclusive and leads a not normally political animals, Trade Unions for Possibly not. scottish Labour’s protestors, demonstrators came recently about the practice of tak- Women for outrage grows about the issue of party that is more united than it rather passive administrators Scottish Labour political problems are deep seated prepared with ladders and ing women in handcuffs. serco Refugee Women detention, the plan is for it to be has been for a generation. more comfortable with manageri- and it will take time to turn climbed the 20 foot fence to dis- claim they carry out a ‘risk and the Yarl’s the biggest one yet. The strength of the sNP in gov- alism than political rhetoric. around. This is a longer term pro- play a banner or the women to see assessment’ and decide whether Wood Meanwhile, the shaw review’s ernment has been its mastery of However, this budget has seen ject, but action on tax positions inside. or not handcuffs are necessary. Befrienders sixty-four recommendations for process. The soothing left of cen- political motions and even demon- the party where it should be in speakers at the rallies included a hopeful moment for those of how detention needs to change tre rhetoric plays well even when strations outside parliament. scotland - firmly on the left. former detainees. One woman us concerned about the issue of await to be implemented. actual delivery is more limited. The problem with an austerity spoke of the Home Office’s immigration detention came

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EU FREEDOMS

the answer to the crisis instigated by the 2008 credit crunch, with the devastating impact this has Cameron’s EU referendum folly had on national economies from Greece and Cyprus in the east to spain and Portugal in the west Don Flynn on when telling the truth is the only decent thing to do are all part of the many reasons why citizens are right to acknowl- he uK electorate is now the mood of reckless abandon- the fourth of these, covering social edge the grand scale of the mess steaming ahead to a ment that a gambler needs before benefits and free movement, that the region is in. vital decision day on making a high-cost risky bet on which was turned to most fre- Measured against this woeful the 23rd June when it the other. For the ‘inners’ mem- quently in media coverage to record the fact that the eu has will have the opportuni- bership of the eu gives Britain a judge whether Cameron had been facilitated a means by which its Tty to vote ‘in’ or ‘out’ on Mr large degree of protection against successful in achieving his ends. working people can at least Cameron’s renegotiated terms of all the bad things that can hap- Issues like ‘competitiveness’ or escape the worst of what a badly the country’s membership of the pen in a dangerous and unpre- ‘sovereignty’ have the smack of managed single market has european union. dictable world. The ‘outers’ tell the theological about them unless thrown at them ought to be coun- at the time of writing the out- us it is holding the country back they can be shown to have practi- tered as one of its redeeming fea- come seems to be balanced on a from the fulfilment of its destiny cal implications in the real world tures. as businesses collapsed knife-edge. The establishment, as a great trading nation which and a deal on ‘social benefits and and public services were cut back spanning the economic and politi- the whole world wants to do busi- free movement’ seem to have to the bone causing unemploy- cal interests of the most powerful ness with. more potential in that direction. ment to soar up into high double people in the country, will by a For a great swathe of voters Most people have a strong intu- digit figures young people in par- David Cameron: more porkies step-by-step process, come out these are issues that need to be itive sense of what the implica- ticular, the greatest victims of over the next few months to boiled down to bite-size concreted- tions are for having more people austerity, have been partially the ‘inners’ are just as bad. one fleeing poverty-level wages reveal all the ‘evidence’ which ness, allowing the truth of the come into the country and feel compensated by the fact that Labour supporters of the cross- and unemployment. points to staying in the union. matter to emerge from the things they know what this will mean to some of them have been able to party Britain stronger in europe The news coming out of the The populist insurgency in the that truly concern them. This is a them personally. flee to other parts of europe campaign intend to argue during Labour party at the time of writ- meantime will work hard to cre- pretty good way to go and it where they have some hopes for the course of the debates around ing, that Jeremy Corbyn and ate an emotional mood which would be really helpful if the con- Unravelling finding work. the referendum that Cameron is John Mcdonnell intend to argue chimes with the deep unhappi- tending viewpoints could tell us all well and good say the critics justified in acting to curtail eu against the notion of an ‘emergen- ness of millions of ordinary people what the implications of staying But it is unravelling this one of free movement, but what about migration and that the conces- cy brake’ on eu migration and with the prevailing state of affairs single issue that the bogus nature the detrimental effects it has on sions on social welfare he claims benefit curbs for newcomers and call for ‘out’. The appeal of Measures like a strongly enforced of the whole renegotiation exer- the populations of indigenous he has won from europe will do ought to be welcomed as evidence this current is reaching deep into cise becomes apparent. The exer- workers in the countries the just that. that some politicians at least are the Conservative party, with a minimum income set at living wage cise of the free movement rights migrants head towards? an hon- This is folly. The benefit curb prepared to argue their case on large part of its rank-and-file levels provide the remedy that is available to citizens of the eu est debate around this question will not reduce migration because the referendum on the basis of signing up to the ‘out’ cause cannot by any rational standard would take into account the very calculations about the social secu- the actual evidence. It’s a smart together with a significant chuck needed to support workers in the be countered as one of the princi- wide consensus that exists rity available to people in work move. If it takes a hold on the of Mr Cameron’s own Cabinet ple flaws in its set-up. In a woe- amongst economic analysts which play a very small role in the deci- debate it will not only provide a members. The news that the segments of the economy where there ful history of missed opportuni- centres on the view that negative sion-making of would-be migrants rebuttal to the so much of the London Mayor, Boris Johnson, is is competition between natives and ties to build genuine solidarity in impacts are greatly exaggerated. who are still in their home coun- nonsense coming out of both the throwing his considerable weight a union based on the well-being of The net effect of inward migration tries. On the other hand the ‘in’ and ‘out’ camps, but also the behind the ‘outers’ is likely to newcomers and would be far more its citizens there are much higher has been a small positive boost to prospect of a minimum wage best indication of what needs to increase the sense that the effective in supporting all round failings that ought to count the average incomes of the coun- enhanced to the level that George be done to reform the eu to the attempt by Cameron to choreo- against the europe of the single tries receiving the workers. Osborne has proposed in his last point where it can advance the graph an outcome that would prosperity than ending the right to market. The ineptness of the Measures like a strongly enforced budget will certainly increase the interests of all of its citizens. favour, when the hullabaloo is all stability and Growth Pact, which minimum income set at living attractiveness of the uK to any- over, a vote to stay in, is in dan- move freely prevents member states from run- wage levels provide the remedy ger of seriously unravelling. in or going out will be for an econ- ning a fiscal deficit greater than 3 that is needed to support workers omy which desperately needs to percent or debt of 60 percent of in the segments of the economy Detached point of view create many more good quality the country’s GdP ought properly where there is competition jobs, public services can aspire to to appear much closer to the top between natives and newcomers Yet the ordinary citizen looking excellence, tax and revenue sys- of the list as a consequence to the and would be far more effective in at this from a detached point of tems operate on progressive prin- role it has played in apparently supporting all round prosperity view will probably wonder if the ciples where the rich pay their shackling governments which than ending the right to move choice on offer is something like share, and having housing securi- want to invest to bring economies freely. the one that the ancient Greek ty, whether in a place you own or rapidly out of a downturn. sea captains had to face when the rent, isn’t an impossible dream. Don Flynn is Or the Common agricultural Pro-working class measure only courses they could set were Good luck to any politician or Director of Policy – in principle a good idea if either into the maw of the dragon citizen campaigner who can spell Migrant Rights it served the social goal of sup- It does little to encourage those monster scylla, or the sucking out when ‘in’ or ‘out’ the eu will Network porting diverse producers of high of us who see the right to free whirlpool of the equally dreadful mean in terms of all these things. quality food produce. But 80 movement as an essential pro- Charybdis. One way or the other, In actuality we have to expect percent of CaP aid goes to just 25 working class measure to see that the future doesn’t look too bright. that the areas on which the vote percent of farms, with the biggest the leading lights in both the ‘in’ Neither are the leading politi- will hinge will devolve down to a slice of the subsidy pie is handed and the ‘out’ campaigns are going cians who are clamouring to have much smaller list of concerns, to the landed gentry, environ- to continue to trash what it repre- their voices heard on the issue with immigration looming largest ment- destroying mega-farm and sents in the europe of today. The aren’t helping very much. Both of all. vast agro-industrial conglomer- ‘outers’ want to continue the hype sides of the argument seem set on The deal that eu president has ates. because it shows up strongly in generating their own sets of set up to be done on the renegoti- The failure of the euro as a uni- all their surveys on what people myths – mobilising emotions of ated terms of membership covers fying project and the roll-out of feel is wrong with the eu. But fear and anxiety on one hand and five separate headings but it was austerity across the continent as

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BREXIT Flying the red flag for a social Europe Claude Moraes on making the independent Labour left case for the EU he need for a focused Labour campaign for evenings in the House of Commons with a left policies. He and his daughter want to leave the ers in the country are enthused and motivated to 'In 'is now even more critical in view of Conservative majority to remove multiple hard won eu and fight for nationalist right wing, fascist poli- vote for IN when the referendum is called. That the deepening Tory splits and the overall employment rights. cies. an extreme example perhaps but perhaps time means taking on some of the key concerns that they Tory approach to the eu. On the leave In the end it was progressives in the eu who to focus on some dividing lines. have and not patronising our own supporters about side Tories like Iain duncan smith and delivered baseline maternity and paternity leave to With david Cameron’s renegotiation deal still not those concerns. Take for example the refugee crisis. TChris Grayling have always had an aggression the uK, new national laws on agency workers, part yet finalised the left must identify that the upcom- While it is the case that the eu institutions have towards social europe which is now being laid bare. time workers' rights to paid leave, new pensions and ing referendum is more than Cameron’s eu reform had plans in place for over the past two years, the Following the renegotiation and the firing of the access to training rights, working time, entitlement deal — it’s on the much more important question of complacency and in some cases absolute aggression starting gun on the referendum Jeremy Corbyn to at least four weeks paid leave, and health and our entire eu membership. There are few surprises of some member states such as Hungary have wrote in the Observer that it would not be safety across many industries. remarkably too in Cameron’s proposals for change. It’s a mixture of ensured that we have two classes of eu member Cameron's deal that will be on the ballot paper - but equal pay, and the sex discrimination and race some reasonable improvements, small changes and state action on the crisis. There is a clear division more important issues - jobs, investment, employ- equality directives. irrelevant details designed more to appease those in between the likes of Germany and sweden and ment rights, environmental protection, peace, secu- But surely a progressive left majority can do these his cabinet and on his backbenches. Thanks to those member states avoiding the heavy lifting and rity and international cooperation. so he went on, things on our own at some future time, or so the Labour and trade union pressure, British workers’ leaving Greece and Italy to manage the greater part Labour will run a positive campaign for change and argument often goes on the left? This ignores the rights have been successfully excluded from of the crisis. The sheer complexity of the crisis can- a europe of sustainable growth, jobs and social jus- heart of the progressive narrative on europe and Cameron’s negotiations, preventing the Tories from not hide the serious failings of eu member states tice. He said that Labour and the unions played the the world which was brought home to me in my first hitting workers’ rights to minimum paid leave, and we should be open and honest about this. In key role in keeping employment rights out of the weeks as Labour's employment spokesperson in the rights for agency workers, guaranteed paid materni- turn we should promote the solutions. an organised negotiations but the Tory leavers might use leaving european Parliament in 1999. Meeting German ty and paternity leave and protection from dis- and compassionate response is a tough available as their chance for a bonfire of rights in the after- and British trade unionists against the back- crimination. Cameron’s negotiations have option in the eu. It is one that the eu can deliver at math. drop of a wave of 'restructuring' redundan- mostly focused on issues that will not have a cost and we should be honest about it with our at least one lesson from the scottish referendum cies in retail and manufacturing it was Our job is to a decisive impact on what the eu deliv- supporters. campaign must be that this must be a relentlessly obvious to them that the companies ers to people in Britain and across the similarly on TTIP Labour MePs share the con- Labour campaign - that we achieved some good involved were multinational. National show our Labour union nor will his proposals for cerns of thousands of Labour Party supporters and things in the eu in line with our values but another law would go some way - but cross family that being an change ever satisfy his far-right voters about the potential long term threats to our europe is also possible. This is what should unite border protection was essential. and Conservative back benchers calling public services. It has been our job to allay these the overwhelming majority of party members, MPs so the uK voted for the Information internationalist equates for British exit of the eu. The left concerns and ensure progressive priorities are met. and unions in a strong campaign. and Consultation directive as a must not lose sight of the fact that This includes maintaining the eu’s standards on The white noise of Tory splits and leadership check on multinational power to with support for staying in our eu membership is worth far environmental protection, labour standards, secur- power plays over the eu referendum give Labour sack workers at a whim.at a time the EU and fighting for a more than whatever reforms ing a comprehensive exclusion of all public services even more responsibility to guide the debate in the when so many aspects of the eu's Cameron secures. The fact that and reject the Investment state dispute settlement interests of the people. progressive credentials are in ques- better and progressive EU social rights have been excluded from provisions (Isds). That is why Labour MePs voted There has always been a broader case for the tion let's remind ourselves too that after winning that the negotiations proves that Cameron against the Parliament’s resolution on TTIP in July european union beyond just a single market: beyond social rights, the Labour case needs the left in this referendum and 2015 as the text did not fully exclude Isds, and did • Idealistic as the case for an area of peace and encompasses those other key areas where referendum that the left has secured so much in the not suitably exempt public services and safeguard stability based on progressive values. working together there is a clear progres- eu that must not be taken for granted. environmental standards and workers’ rights. It is • Pragmatic in a globalised economy countries sive left case for the eu. Key independent uK The key to winning our case in the eu is also the case that outside the eu a Conservative are increasingly interdependent with a need to find environmental experts in January warned that ensuring we are at the table fighting for progres- government will be free to make a trade deal with common solutions to common problems from the leaving the eu posed a 'huge risk ' to Britain's envi- sive left policies on every subject. It is for this rea- the us without any protections or adequate safe- economy to the environment to justice and migra- ronment and a very sharp decline in pan european son that working with other left and progressive guards. although the final vote on the actual TTIP tion. protections. This is because the uK was instrumen- parties Labour MePs working with social partners agreement may still be some years Labour MePs • economic interest with an estimated 4.2million tal in the eu plan to adopt at least a 40 per cent and other elected politicians have for example have already made clear that when the vote comes uK jobs linked to uK exports and 50% of Britain’s carbon reduction commitment for 2030. The renew- ensured that despite all that is said about the uK to Parliament we will oppose a TTIP agreement that trade with other eu member states, even if such able energy directive has led to a dramatic increase budget contribution between 2007 and 2013 eu is inclusive of Isds and will not support a deal that figures are questioned, there is no doubt the single in renewables capacity in the uK. Whether targets funds to the uK helped create over 87,000 jobs, endangers our public services, our environmental market is a major jobs and prosperity boost for the on air quality , energy consumption, clean beaches , assisted over 29,000 businesses and supported 1,770 standards or our democratic rights. Questions also uK. fish stocks and species protection--the eu has been research and development projects. The key point arise about rail privatisation and state aid. They too Yet the big mistake those on the left would make a progressive success and is part of the reason why here is not that we were ‘recycling’ our own contri- can be answered and must be by those who are in the coming weeks, those who broadly support our Green politicians Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert butions but that our progressive politics has ensured arguing the Labour case for IN. continued membership, is to make such a case on its will also be campaigning for IN. for years that when the left decide, in scotland, We cannot avoid the tough questions about the own. Others can do that, we have to make a Labour as you examine the left case for europe it Wales or the poorest boroughs of London, structural eu’s failings. With the election of a truly interna- case for europe and we have to answer the concerns becomes clear that we are often forced into defend- and other eu funds go to where it matters, to the tionalist leader in Jeremy Corybn MP committed to many on the left have about the eu. This is an ing the organisation as a whole ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. most vulnerable. an eu with human rights at its heart we can see opportunity to do it and we can't be half-hearted But it is critical even in this short campaign to It is the same progressive strain that has seen a that the Labour Party and ultimately Labour mem- about the case or complacent about concerns on the explain that the european union has a right, left strong push by Labour MePs in legislation to bene- bers, supporters and many voters can be identified left including TTIP, state aid, rail nationalisation or and centre. Those in the european Parliament and fit the consumer in their everyday lives against by their internationalism. Yet many are less enthu- the eu response to the refugee crisis or Greece. Commission are of different political parties and of monopolies. In contrast to the powerful multination- siastic about the eu during these difficult times, First, the Labour case. Having spent most of my course member state governments are self-evidently als time and again these benefits have been under- Claude Moraes is and in the context of economic and social crisis. time as an MeP watching the uK's key employment moving from one party to another in electoral cycles. estimated but greatly appreciated at grassroots a Labour MEP for Our job is to show our Labour family that being rights legislated in the eu and before that when I When I was legislating on the race equality level, in telecoms, transport, consumer rights, pas- London an internationalist equates with support for staying worked at the TuC a social rights lifeline thrown to directive I did not expect another MeP, Jean Marie senger rights – the list is endless. This is the pro- in the eu and fighting for a better and progressive the left in Britain in the 'Thatcher/Major years ' - it Le Pen to vote the same way as I did and I do not gressive part of the eu in action. eu after winning that referendum. does not take a 'project fear' to remind ourselves expect people to naively regard both of us as the eu. a crucial part of the Labour case for the eu is to that the uK out of the eu would experience a few I want to stay in an eu where I fight for progressive ensure that both our members, supporters and vot-

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ISRAEL CHILD ABUSE The new pragmatism Israel’s inhuman and illegal jailing Jon Taylor exposes Netanyahu’s hypocrisy in raging against Iran while repressing of children Palestinians ast year (2015) wastrou- ahmadinejad and his extreme col- blesome for Israel. The leagues – is not interested in Cat Smith on the plight of Palestinian children big event was Israeli attacking Israel. If the Mullahs Prime Minister hate Israel, it is more to do with t is profoundly distressing often be rejected, this Netanyahu’s total oppo- Israel’s support for the shah that in 2016, there should leaves many children Lsition to the us-Iran deal on when he was in power. Today the be any need to discuss what serving their entire nuclear power. In his obsession Iranian young are far more inter- uNICeF have termed the sentence without a with this, Netanyahu continues ested in joining the globalised "widespread, systematic visit from a family his disdain for President Obama world and doing business, some- Iand institutionalized” ill-treat- member. and hitches Israel to the ragged thing at which this ancient ment of children who are I welcome the fact cart of the reactionary republican Persian state was once extremely detained by the military of a that in 2012 the party. He has also created strong well practised. country considered to be our ally. Foreign Office funded opposition to his policy amongst Internally, Israel has been all civilians subject to military an independent report american Jews. In one poll, 64% plagued by right-wing attacks on occupation have basic rights, into the plight of expressed grave concern at Palestinians and revenge attacks which almost all states recognise. Palestinian child pris- Netanyahu’s policy and supported by Palestinians themselves and Netanyahu in defiant mood That children should be afforded oners. their own Government. His by an increasing division between extra protection is not only a The top-level legal actions have considerably weak- the right and the left. The situa- al-Hiran must go to make room legal commitment that most delegation reported on ened the Jewish lobby in tion around Temple for Jewish Hiran. nations – including Israeli – have the “undisputed facts Washington. Mount/Haram al-sharif in Netanyahu does acknowledge agreed to, but should be amongst which compel us to con- There is an irony here. One of Jerusalem is tense. There are the need for a Palestinian state the most obvious of ethical imper- clude that Israel is in Education: IDF style Netanyahu’s arguments is that daily attacks from both sides, but then, as always, makes sure atives. breach…of the uN the Iranians will cheat on the with the Israeli army winning to place endless obstacles in the sadly, Palestinian children Convention on the rights of the been held in this status from treaty – the americans are so most battles. We now have the way of serious negotiations. often face ill-treatment at the Child”. The report’s recommenda- december 2011 until October naive. Well, who was it who “Terrorism of the stones” to quote against this has to be set the hands of Israeli forces and are tion formed an important part of 2015. But again the Israeli cheated on the americans in the one Hebrew newspaper; and ter- statement of Naftali Bennett, subject to a wide array of abuses. the pressure that has seen a authorities have resorted to this first place? american money was rorism must be stamped out. leader of the Jewish Home Party: From the use of night raids to number of changes, both legal procedure, which means children given to Israel on the condition Never mind what is happening in “Israel has no interest in the con- effect arrests, to holding children and procedural, introduced. are being held without even the that it was not used to build Gaza. tinued existence of the without access to parents or However, it seems that the knowledge of what they are nuclear weapons. “Nuclear arse- Netanyahu’s response? Police Palestinian authority”. lawyers during interrogations, level of abuse has largely accused of having done. nal? We couldn’t possibly confirm snipers shooting stone-throwers Interestingly, Israel has been con- one can hardly think of a less remained unchanged and that I urge the Minister to redouble that….” from afar. Plus long mandatory ducting secret discussions with appropriate way to treat minors, rather than being a diminishing efforts aimed at ensuring that no Once the accord was signed, prison sentences for those who Hamas, following the offensive by some of whom are not even yet problem, the number of children child should be subjected to the government blitzed the make it to court coupled with IsIs on the egyptian army in teenagers. being processed by Israel’s mili- administrative detention. media. It was a new Munich heavy fines for the parents of sinai. Former Government advi- tary is now greater than it has agreement; Obama was the new those under the age of responsi- sor eiland declared: “strange as Conviction rate been for many years. Child prisoners Chamberlain appeasing the bility. If the parents cannot pay, it may seem, it is in Israel’s inter- according to the Israeli Prison Hitler in Teheran; were it not for they will lose their social security est to bolster the rule of Hamas in as the us state department service there was an 80 per cent More generally, it is vital that Netanyahu, the situation would benefit on which so many depend. the Gaza strip as a bulwark has noted, “the Israeli military jump in the number of minors in we see continued pressure from have been far worse. Their next Those in control do not seem to against IsIs”. It’s a strange courts had a conviction rate of military detention in October the uK for a complete overhaul of goal ? To persuade Congress to learn: the more you ratchet up world indeed. more than 99 percent for 2015 - the highest monthly level Israel’s treatment of child prison- vote against the accord. They the punishment, the more you What is the outcome of all this Palestinians”. This is no doubt since april 2010. ers. I hope that the Minister will failed again, spectacularly. In the encourage the very incidents that turmoil in Israel? Overall, there helped by the continued practice a further area of concern is the ensure that the concerns raised event, the sum total of lead to the punishments in the has been a distinct shift in mood. of issuing documents without an use of ‘administrative detention’ here today are communicated to Netanyahu’s efforts have been to first place. army Chief of staff To quote Micah Goodman, arabic translation and of extract- to hold children without charge or the Israeli government in the turn even more american Jews eizenkot understands something director of a pluralistic academy ing confessions through coercive trial. Our responsibilities as a strongest possible terms. (and Jews elsewhere) against however: “already, since the for young adults in the West techniques. country are particularly acute in This is an edited Britain must play its part in Israel and to make the govern- beginning of the year, 19 Bank: “The right believed that another concern is the location this area, given the ordinances text of a speech bringing these abuses to an end. ment look very foolish in the eyes Palestinians were killed by Israeli settling the biblical heartland of and manner in which children Israel uses are derived from the Cat Smith Labour supporting a follow-up to the of the world. The treaty was gunfire in the West Bank….This the West Bank would hasten sal- are detained. Half of all powers created by the British MP for Lancaster 2012 delegation, focused on signed by all the leading world is a high figure which is not con- Jon Taylor is a vation and bring on the Messianic Palestinian child prisoners from Mandatory authorities in the and Fleetwood ensuring the implementation of powers. ducive to calming the situation”. long standing era. The left believed that a with- the West Bank continue to be 1940s. was unable to the earlier recommendations Would it have benefited Iran to Is anyone listening ? Chartist drawal from all the territories transferred to prisons inside make in a would be a very welcome step. have been able to deliver a nucle- arab villages continue to be supporter, a conquered in the 1967 war would Israel – a practice the British Administrative detention Parliamentary Whilst our ultimate aim must ar bomb? With its economy in destroyed to allow for the building retired teacher, bring peace and allow Israel final- government has described as an debate on Israel be for Israel’s system of military free fall under sanctions, it would of (illegal) settlements. The latest lecturer, social ly to become part of the family of unjustifiable breach of article 76 Four Palestinian teenagers Palestine earlier justice to be dismantled as part of have brought intolerable pressure is um al-Hiran in the Negev in worker and nations….Over the last 20 years, of the Fourth Geneva Convention. from occupied east Jerusalem this year the ending of its occupation of on the country’s finances. Would southern Israel. despite the fact director Israelis stopped believing in both This is not only a breach of the and two children from elsewhere Palestinian land, in the mean it have sought to destroy Israel – that the villagers have offered an ideas. The new left does not basic laws of war, but makes it in the West Bank are currently time, we must do all that we can a country with a substantial arse- alternative solution which would speak of peace but of occupation. massively more difficult for chil- held under administrative deten- to ensure that all children - nal of nuclear weapons? a highly leave their village standing with The new right does not speak of dren held prisoner to receive any tion. This is an example of the whether they are Israeli or unlikely prospect. Would Israel the new settlement – Hiran – salvation, but of security”. It visits from family, who must situation having moved back- Palestinian - are treated fairly be sitting round waiting? In any built alongside, the Israeli gov- seems that pragmatism reigns. apply for permits to enter Israel. wards in recent months. No chil- and equally. case, Iran – aside from ernment is adamant: Bedouin um Given these applications will dren from the West Bank had

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FRANCE US PRIMARIES France shifts right A political revolution in the USA? Andrew Coates looks at the crisis on the left and the rise of the extreme right Paul Garver on the politics of an insurgent democratic socialist

dramatic electoral nationals for the difficulties it he campaign of inde- at the cost of bailing out financial rupt domination of the political shift to the right hit associates with migrant labour. It pendent democratic institutions and retaining Wall process by the economic elite. He France last december advocates a strong welfare sys- socialist Vermont street bankers in control of a sums this up in his call for a polit- in the wake of the tem. But it is the FN’s strident senator Bernie sanders stagnant economy. Obamacare, ical revolution against economic Paris atrocities. claims to defend national is transforming the which extended healthcare insur- and political plutocracy that has Presidenta Hollande’s socialist sovereignty - leaving the euro, if Tamerican political landscape. ance coverage through a patch- to extend far beyond his candida- Party took a hammering in not the european union, and eco- His call for a political revolu- work of individual subsidies, was cy. regional elections. In elections to nomic protectionism - which tion has mobilized the enthusi- secured by guaranteeing profits after sanders’ sweeping victory regional councils, the union de la marks it out. asm of a post-Cold War Millennial for the private insurance and over Clinton in the early primary droite won 42.83% of the vote in France, according to daniel generation that rejects growing pharmaceutical industries from in the state of New Hampshire, the second round against the Lindenberg, is undergoing a ‘con- political and economic inequality the start. universal healthcare Clinton-supporting political Left’s 28.86%. The far-right Front servative revolution’ in which the and is open to socialist ideas. advocate sanders pragmatically action committees (PaCs) are National (FN) made the head- ‘neo-reactionaries’ he attacked in a spiritual grandfather to this provided an essential vote for expected to open a concerted lines. It topped the first ballot, a 2003 pamphlet (le Rappel à l’or- Hollande: will need more than prayers in 2017 new political generation, sanders Obamacare after insisting on the media campaign running negative just above the mainstream right, dre) are winning. More striking is the longest-serving inclusion of funding for communi- attack ads against sanders. and still scored over 27% in the than hostility to Islam and migra- ment. These centre on weakening Independent political figure in ty health clinics needed in rural The positive early gains of the final one. Marine Le Pen’s party tion is the attraction for the FN’s labour legalisation. They are the u.s. an unusual combina- Vermont. sanders campaign include small was only blocked from victory in ‘sovereigntist’ ideology for both unlikely to be popular and will tion of dogged determination, By late 2010 the billionaire- financial contributions from over regional assemblies such as Nord- traditionalists and some former add to the feeling of disillusion stubborn adherence to principle, funded right-wing populist Tea a million supporters; large and Pas-de-Calais-Picardie, and left-wing intellectuals. Belief, if already seen in a new wave of and pragmatism brought sanders Party was in full voice, driving enthusiastic rallies, many of them Provence-alpes-Cote d’azur - not worship, of the nation state union demonstrations and other slowly up the political ladder from the republican Party to the young; strong organized volunteer where they initially scored over has brought them together. The social conflicts. as minds concen- student socialist to mayor of the right. In this context, the efforts that go far beyond the 40% - by calls from the Parti idea that clawing back national trate on 2017, when Presidential small city of Burlington, the u.s. Progressive democrats of reach of the official sanders cam- socialiste to vote for the right. ‘independence’ can solve France’s elections will take place, there House of representatives and america (Pda) launched a paign, ranging from Labor for The FN ended up with 358 seats difficulties echoes many other have been calls for open primaries u.s. senate. Though running as national petition, encouraging Bernie (thousands of dissident but with little effective power. european populist parties and embracing the entire left to select an Independent and not adhering sanders to run for President in local union members whose Control in a majority of regions the arguments of those in the uK a unifying candidate. Neither to any socialist organization, he the democratic primaries. Pda national union leaderships now rests in the hands of the arguing for a ‘Brexit’. Hollande, nor his self-appointed never shied away from a ‘demo- was adamant that sanders should endorsed Clinton), People for party of Nicolas sarkozy, Les socialist President François rival, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, are cratic socialist’ designation. run as a democrat. Pda, formed Bernie (led by former Wall street républicains, and its allies, Hollande responded to November enthusiastic. although his urban Brooklyn in 2004 by veterans of the failed occupiers) and hundreds of local The collapse of the left is both 13th by declaring a state of The French left is in dire accent is still strong and his poli- democratic presidential cam- and regional grassroots organiza- emotionally and politically dis- emergency. This restricted politi- straits. all the surveys of opinion tics, well to the left of most paign of populist senator dennis tions and endorsements for turbing. at just over 9% for their cal protest and as part of a crack indicate a heavy defeat in 2017. Vermonters, sanders won the Kucinich and earlier of Jesse sanders from two loosely orga- diverse lists in the first round, down on violent Islamism and They can draw small comfort trust and support even of conser- Jackson in the 1980s. nized but very large Internet- left competitors of the governing amongst other measures, from divisions on the right, vative rural dwellers. as a sanders took many months to based organizations (democrats socialists, from the Front de assigned suspected supporters of notably between Nicolas sarkozy Federal legislator from Vermont, decide to run. His candidacy for america and MoveOn). Gauche, to the Greens did not do the genocidal daesh to house and his rivals in Les he championed the interests of would have to garner real grass- The surge of mass support for well, the Greens halved their sup- arrest. arbitrary implementation Andrew Coates is républicains. Marine Le Pen’s dairy farmers, military veterans roots support and have at least sanders appears to be less tied to port. Cities, towns and rural and abuses have followed with Chartist ’s press Front National is considered a and gun owning hunters, not the some plausible prospect of victory. his calls for a widely supported areas which were the birthplaces demands from many on the left to officer threat to democracy by 56% in a usual constituencies of the u.s. secondly, he had to choose universal health insurance sys- of French socialism and the call a halt to them. There are now recent poll (Le Monde. 6.2.16.). as Left, while caucusing with the whether to run as an Independent tem and free public college labour movement, have turned to proposals to make these excep- well she is. democrats. However he strongly or to run in the democratic pri- tuition. rather it relates to his the right, if not the Front tional measures easier, and revise supported unions and workers’ maries, where he would get more call for political revolution. National. the Constitution to remove rights, frequently joining picket media attention and be able to However sanders fares as a The mass Islamist killings in French nationality from those lines at strikes, as well as advo- participate in debates, but would candidate, the real question is Paris on the 13th of November convicted of terrorism. In practice cating immigrants’, women’s, and come with the liability of having whether the enormous energy put terrorism on the political this will only be applicable to gay rights. In his 2012 re-election to promise to support the generated by his candidacy can agenda. The hard right exploited those with dual nationality. From to the u.s. senate he won an democratic candidate if he lost continue in a more lasting struc- the revulsion that followed. But the Ligue des droits de l‘Homme incredible 71% of the vote in his bid. tural way to carry out this revolu- research indicates that fears aris- to supporters of Hollande’s own Vermont. When sanders decided to run tion. even though dsa is being ing from mass unemployment Parti socialiste, there has been along with many on the Left, as a democrat, the Clinton-domi- rejuvenated by energetic new (heaviest in regions where the FN strong opposition to the change. sanders supported the 2008 nated democratic National recruits as new local organizing did well), more than anxiety One of the last left-wing members Presidential campaign of Barack Committee calculated that his committees spring up around the about Islamism or prejudice of the Valls’ cabinet, Minister of Obama and shared its frustration challenge would strengthen country, the organized socialist against Muslims, played a deci- Justice, Christiane Taubira, when the Obama administration Clinton by engaging a part of the Paul Garver is a movement in its entirety is cur- sive role in its support. 43% of resigned in protest. In February, quickly demobilized the huge vol- activist base in the party struc- member of rently far too small for that task. those without a job and those in as the legislation was going unteer campaign organization tures. Democratic The transformational changes manual work backed Marine Le through the National assembly, a and reduced it to a cheering sanders has avoided personal Socialists of required in american politics to Pen’s lists. another reaction was hefty number of 92 socialists, squad for his administration. attacks on Hillary Clinton, while America (DSA) roll back growing political and mass abstention at over 50%. voted against the clause. Though he campaigned in poet- stressing her financial and politi- and sometime economic inequality and establish The Front National is in fact Hollande and his Prime ry, President Obama governed in cal reliance on major financial national board greater social, racial and climate not simply an anti-immigrant and Minister, Manuel Valls, have prose, choosing neoliberal eco- and healthcare corporations. member justice must be a protracted mis- anti-Islamic party. It has announced plans that claim to *Subscription £25 per year - details at nomic advisors, pushing through The sanders campaign has sion stretching over generations denounced globalisation, blaming tackle one of the main themes of www.labourbriefing.org* an economic stimulus package remained focused on growing eco- of struggle. international finance and multi- his original victory - unemploy- that prevented a deep depression nomic inequality and on the cor-

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US DEMOCRATS

over for Hillary: this election is a mass insurrection against a rigged system” gives an historical The rise of Bernie Sanders background for the sanders/Clinton clash in the democratic Primaries: “…In the Dave Cunningham sees a critique of the corporate Democrats behind his success 1990s a near bipartisan consen- sus celebrated a new age of glob - alization and information technol- he four year electoral portrayed as an unserious trick- nature of the Iowa caucus system, ogy in which technology and trade cycle leading up to the ster drumming up attention for see the PBs Newshour January spur growth that in turn fosters a November elections has his television shows and his 16, 2016 analysis broad and inclusive prosperity. been the oddest and ‘brand’. everyone knows how (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/run Government’s job is to deregulate most unpredictable well that assumption worked out. down/heres-how-the-iowa-caucus- finance and trade and work with Tsuch experience I can recall. as referring to the use of this works/). business in ‘public private part- of about a year ago conventional kind of conventional wisdom Perhaps the most important nerships’ for progress. wisdom had it that the 2016 run- endemic in media journalism, aspect of the Iowa caucuses was up would see a contest of the Josh Marshall of Turning Points not sanders’ speedy rise to a vir- Rose-coloured glasses dynasts who had dominated the Memo recently sardonically tual tie with Clinton, but the highest branches of the state for observed that it “has been com- extent to which sanders won over “Twenty years on, Hillary still the past four decades: Jeb, scion pletely thrown out between for- the young adult vote by an even sees the world through the rose- of the Bush family (2 presidents, mer Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s dis- larger percent than Barack coloured glasses of that ‘90s con - 12 years in office, a CIa appointing showing in the GOP Obama had in 2008. 84% of voters sensus. Not Bernie. He sees that directorate thrown in) versus race, sen. Bernie sanders’ insur- under thirty, and 58 % of voters in 2016 rising tides don’t even lift Hillary Clinton, a former presi- gent campaign giving Hillary between the ages 30 and 44, sup- most boats, that growth comes at dential wife for two terms, former Clinton’s vast operation a run for ported sanders. equally, in New a steep price when it comes at all, New York senator, former its money and a former reality TV Hampshire, he won with 83% of and that new technology costs secretary of state. In addition, star handily winning the New voters under 30. more jobs than it creates. He both had access to tons of money Hampshire primary.” understands that when jobs flow Sanders and Clinton: the Democrats’ odd couple (by mid-February, Jeb is said to The problem with using the Unanticipated to countries with weak govern- have burned through 50 million results of the Iowa and New ments and low wages, the Michigan among them), deregula- dollars with not a lot to show for Hampshire votes is demographi- These figures are amazing and american middle class can’t get a tion in general, ‘welfare reform’ it). Outfits like this float on a were completely unanticipated. raise. He sees that public-private and the beatification of alan cushion of money. Hillary still sees the world through the The most succinct interpreta- partnerships meant pay-to-play Greenspan, and more. Both presumed nominees were tion comes from Corey robin, politics, and that the whole sys- seen as carrying a lot of baggage. rose-coloured glasses of that ’90s author of The Reactionary Mind tem runs not on innovation but Total capitulation Jeb, a former Governor of Florida, consensus. Not Bernie. He sees that and professor of political science corruption. My guess is the mid- was generally regarded as at Brooklyn College. He wrote: dle class sees what he sees and The Clinton Presidency did not appallingly bad at the job. He was in 2016 rising tides don’t even lift most “The youngest voting generation wants what he wants: a revolu- initiate all or most of this, of also running only a few years boats, that growth comes at a steep today is the most liberal bloc in a tion. If he can continue to drive course, but it supported these after the disastrous regime of his long, long time for three reasons. the debate, they may get one.” policies in a real continuity. even brother, George W. Bush, today price “First, they're young and poor, (see Curry’s Salon article more: this is the period when, as derided as one of the worst presi- and young, poor people are histor- online at: Michelle alexander demonstrated dents in us history, with his cal. Iowa is a small rural state ically more liberal. second, http://www.salon.com/2016/02/07/ in her book, The New Jim Crow, sloth and neglect when Hurricane with no large cities, a largely they're historically non-white. its_almost_over_for_hillary_this_ President Clinton, with the Katrina demolished much of New white population and few minori- non-white americans are histori- election_is_a_mass_insurren- expressed support of Hillary Orleans, his sponsorship of the ties. according to the us Census cally liberal, too. Third, their tion_against_a_rigged_system) Clinton (who publicly called war against Iraq, and his catas- Bureau, in the year 2010 its total white demo is historically liberal young black children “super- trophic 2008 Great recession. population was 3,107,126, of compared to older white voters…., More interesting predators”), helped usher in the Meanwhile many democrats were which white people made up “It's not just a function of income period of mass incarceration in leery of the war hawk Hillary, 92.1% and afro-americans 3.4 %, … a question of race and life More interesting than the the black communities and per- purported friend of Henry and a household income less than experiences. Non-white millenni- severe tone with which Bill Curry formed a total capitulation to the Kissinger, and who had voted for the national average. The situa- als who've been discriminated treats Hillary Clinton here is the reagan and Bush right wing con- and supported Bush’s invasion of tion is even more atypical in New against—whether for reasons of fact that Mr. Curry was himself a ceptual universe of taxes and wel- Iraq (an act which probably cost Hampshire: its total population is race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual White House counsellor to fare and race and crime. (It’s her the 2008 nomination) and estimated at 1, 326,813 with orientation—prefer socialism to President Clinton and that in his worth noting that The New Jim who was instrumental in the sub- whites representing 94% of the capitalism and favor an economi- former role he presumably sup- Crow has recently acquired a sequent destabilization of the population and afro-americans Dave cally egalitarian society over a ported those policies and parts of mass readership among support- Middle east. 1.5%. (It however has some cities Cunningham is a competitive, meritocratic society. that ‘consensus’ he now derides. ers of the Black Lives Matter and a household income much long-time “That's why young people are This may very well represent Mr. movement). Conventional wisdom higher than Iowa or the national Chartist rallying to sanders: no other can- Curry’s mea culpa moment, but it and that is the ‘consensus’ that norm.) correspondent, a didate has made economic is also part of an historical revi- Hillary Clinton sees through “rose still, no one thought this con- Iowa uses a caucus rather than retired hospital inequality, the growing divide sionism: the attack on middle colored glasses”! I think I ventional wisdom (actually a primary voting system, which is a and library between the haves and have-nots, and working class lives in those wouldn’t describe the situation hardened mindset) was seriously jerry-built, arcane and baroque worker, long- so central to his or her campaign.” years was far worse than he sug- the same way. askew. When Bernie sanders system no one understands but is time trade robin goes on to point out that: gests. The Clinton In this light, and assuming announced he was running for profoundly undemocratic. It privi- unionist living in “Nearly 70% of college graduates administrations of the 90s were sanders can maintain his present the President’s office in the late leges party activists over rank Silicon Valley carry, on average, a student loan the period of NaFTa and the influence over younger voters for spring of last year he was derided and file voters. You really can’t (San Francisco debt of $29,000.” World Trade Organization and the rest of this year there would as a crank or a ‘gadfly’ or just extrapolate values and attitudes Bay Area) an article which has received a the hollowing out and deindustri- not seem to be any way this can ignored. as for donald Trump, from there. lot attention in the online journal alization of the ‘rust Belt’ of the end well for Mrs. Clinton. his arrival on the scene got him To understand the bizarre Salon, Bill Curry’s “It’s almost us Midwest (Flint and detroit,

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ECONOMY FILM REVIEW Market jitters Anyone can be special We have seen the future and it doesn’t work writes Frank Lee nyone can be special until they sound tock market prices, in their own companies. This would fall and wages would also Patrick like everyone else. This is the main that everyone makes the same observations. The along with bond, interest pushed up the paper value of the rise. Investment would increase Mulcahy observation made in Anomalisa, writer- broad details define a place and these somehow are rates and commodity shares – paper value since there and the economy would surpass director Charlie Kaufman’s first foray the only things people care to mention, anxious not prices are generally was no productive investment in its past cyclical peak in two or on an into animation, co-directed by duke to alarm. regarded by economists capital stock, and inflated stocks. three years. Johnson.a Kaufman has long been preoccupied with Kaufman’s dry humour – a lengthy ordering of sas leading economic indicators. However, this increase in stock The Fed’s fateful decision to animated existentialism, explored in his screenplays for Being room service is followed by an announcement of That is to say these various prices was counted as growth, raise interest rates by a tiny baby John Malkovich, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of when Michael will receive the meal – belies indices indicate the present and when in fact it was nothing of the step of 0.25% represents the first 24-hours the Spotless Mind and, most recently, Synecdoche Michael’s aching sadness. He speaks to Bella for the possible future trajectory of the kind. such rise in base rates for seven New York. When Kaufman does animation – or first time in ten years, invites her for a drink and economy. recent high levels of similarly, unemployment was years but seems to have con- indeed anything – you can be sure that it is not like then is misconstrued. He wants to understand why volatility in all of these indicators another blatant example of statis- firmed what was always suspect- anything you’ve seen. It is surprising that the he broke up with her, what drew him outside of has given rise to increasing anxi- tical jiggery-pokery. Headline fig- ed with regards to the current Oscar-nominated screenwriter had to resort to himself. The disastrous encounter leads him back to ety about the global economy. In ures for us unemployment show ‘recovery’- namely that it has Kickstarter (funding from the public in exchange for his room, but then he hears a voice unlike any he the us the dow Jones Industrial a consistent fall from roughly 10% been kept going by cheap money rewards) to get this film made but then his work, has heard before, that of Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Index (the us stock Market, at the depth of the recession to a from the Fed and this would con- whilst critically-acclaimed, has never been huge Jason Leigh) who has come to Cincinnati with her dJIa) staged a technical ’recov- low of 5% at the present time. tinue in perpetuity. Once the Fed, box-office. friend emily to hear him ery’ which began in 2009 and However, this does not mean soon to be followed by the Bank of a typical Kaufman film is speak. It is during this reached its apogee of 18,312 more of the us workforce was Japan, the european Central concerned with the percep- encounter that Michael points in May 2015. However, gaining employment. Check out Bank and the Bank of england, tion of reality. In them, char- becomes besotted with her. from this latter date it has been the us Bureau of Labour did raise base rates, even by a acters play God, either as a anomalisa is notable for a downhill all the way. The first statistics and you will find that tiny 0.25% the markets went into puppet master offering the scene of ‘puppet sex’ that week of January saw the largest the figures for employment have meltdown. public the chance to experi- invites us to see our fall of the dJIa in the history of been consistently falling to a fig- ence life through the eyes of behaviour outside of our- the dow. ure that was last reached in the Ponzi scheme John Malkovich or a theatre selves, how the giving of Of course this doesn’t mean the 1970s. Now how can it be that director re-creating his life pleasure is a matter of end of the world. stock markets both unemployment and employ- Whether central banks around on a stage. Kaufman films sequencing. Then the film can experience short-term rallies ment are falling concurrently? the world can get away with this have a highly-controlled takes an odd direction, in conditions of general stagna- forever is a moot point. It is in all tone. It is no surprise that including a detour into tion, but it is the trend that is But after looking at the leading essentials a Ponzi scheme where he has turned to animation Kaufman’s trademark surre- important. during a depression, existing debt is rolled-over by to refine his effects. alism – Michael is called to which is usually defined as a indicators, we look to be on the more debt. debt is essentially an anomalisa is his most the manager’s office. long-term period of sub-optimal cusp of a big deflationary unfinished transaction and debt- simple film. It follows one The film is set during growth, it is quite usual for cycli- fuelled growth is merely bringing day in the life of Michael George W. Bush’s presiden- cal upturns and downturns to downturn. down consumption from the (voiced by david Thewlis) cy. Kaufman seems partly continue. Plausibly exactly the future. The Keynesian view that who has travelled to nostalgic of a time when peo- situation in which the global Well if you redefine unemploy- we can grow our way out of debt Cincinnati to give an inspir- ple could smoke in their economy is at the present time. ment and disqualify those who only holds when growth outpaces ing talk on customer service. hotel room. (I don’t share his have given up looking for work, debt. at the present time however He is the author of a best- enthusiasm.) It builds Drip feed discouraged workers, or the opposite is happening. Public selling book on the subject, unsurprisingly to Michael’s marginally attached workers it is and private debt are expanding responsible for a 90% rise in breakdown and the presen- The world economy never real- possible to disappear millions of exponentially. productivity in the compa- tation of an odd purchase ly recovered from the 2008 crash out of work americans from the Other troublesome factors nies who take his lessons to from an ‘all-night toy shop’. and has been kept alive on a drip unemployment statistics. almost include the bursting of the heart. Whilst Michael might Thewlis is cast for his feed of artificially low interest 40% of the us labour force, that’s Chinese stock and property mar- advocate smiling and being cheerful, he is far from Lancastrian vowels and propensity to be misunder- rates courtesy of central banks 94 million americans are not in ket bubbles. Chinese growth is happy himself. His marriage is flat. His son is only stood when he says something deviant. Michael isn’t around the world. This goes by gainful employment. faltering which means China’s interested in the gift that he’ll bring back and modelled after him. The Thewlis film this most the name of Quantitative easing. as for low inflation, Keynesians hitherto insatiable demand for Michael associates Cincinnati with Bella, the resembles is Mike Leigh’s Naked, with its series of a technical recovery is when the like Paul Krugman argue that primary commodities – real mate- woman he walked out on for a reason he cannot encounters and perpetual anger. I suspect Kaufman macroeconomic indicators seem to there is no correlation between rials, like iron ore, copper, cement explain. Over the course of 24 hours, he will have an thought of it when casting him. be pointing the right way as money supply and inflation, see – has boomeranged onto commod- experience that will serve as a reminder of how he I could say something about the other characters regards, growth, employment and the low inflation figures Qe ity producers like australia, behaved in the past. but that would be a spoiler. Kaufman’s return to the inflation. But this has been due notwithstanding. Wrong on both Canada, Brazil and russia which The characters in anomalisa are three-dimension- status quo is decidedly strange. undoubtedly, largely to financial engineering counts. The fact is that Qe are now experiencing downturns. al dolls with photo-realistic skin and thick lines that anomalisa is a statement against the homogenisa- and statistical ledgermain rather monies never got into the real World trade is contracting as extend from their eyes to the sides of their faces. tion of culture, of life, of emotion. It is about the than a genuine recovery involving economy. In the us for example commodity prices collapse. The fronts of their faces are detachable; when search for the different, equated with authenticity. falling unemployment, real Qe went to private banks which economic forecasting is of removed they resemble the aliens in John The twist is that it is perhaps we who make the growth and low inflation. then deposited most of it straight Frank Lee is an course a mug’s game. But after Carpenter’s They Live, automatons in human form. world un-special. We’re programmed to process Taking the rise in stocks back into the Fed’s excess reserve economics looking at the leading indicators, Their dialogue is naturalistic, monotone, exchanges what we experience and perceive it as mundane. We around the world into account - it funds. during the whole period of teacher and we look to be on the cusp of a big often extended beyond the length at which Michael look for the fork against our lover’s teeth or the worked like this. Investors bor- Qe money supply as measured by member of deflationary downturn. Not nec- can endure. The taxi driver extols the virtues of mouth agape whilst eating. If it is our fault that rowed money at near zero % M4 broad money actually con- Chartist EB essarily tomorrow, but it is baked Cincinnati zoo and the city’s chilli (‘not like any existence seems stifling, what then do we do? interest rates from the central tracted. Thus no inflation. in the cake for some time in the you’ve ever tasted’) just a little too much. The joke is bank. With this essentially free a real recovery looks rather dif- future. cash, they purchased stocks and ferent from a paper one. real out- Anomalisa opens in UK cinemas on March 11th shares, sometimes stocks/shares put would rise, unemployment

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BOOK REVIEWS Tracing anti-authoritarianism Democracy corrupted A QUIET WORD: LOBBYING, CRONY cluding: “It is increasingly clear while charities and trade unions Duncan WE DO NOT FEAR ANARCHY – WE Peter CAPITALISM AND BROKEN POLITICS IN that lobbying in this country is are being pilloried by this ideolog- INVOKE IT Kenyon on BRITAIN getting out of control. We can't go ically driven government for lob- Bowie on Robert Graham (AK Press, £17) Tamasin Cave and Andy Rowell on like this”. Yet, as the authors bying on behalf of civic society, crony (Bodley Head, £20) remind us, ‘it has gone on.’ the profiteers can carry on libertarian SOCIAL DEMOCRACY AND ANARCHISM successive chapters detail access: regardless while the Tories are in Rene Berthier (Merlin Press Anarres capitalism ew Labour, Conservatives a Business of Insiders highlight- power. This well researched socialists Editions, £16.95 and Liberal democrats ing cosy relationships that help account provides valuable at work Nhave much to answer for to commercial interests shape public insights into another scandal at hese books both examine the British electorate. That policy in their interests rather the heart of our democracy that th e r ol e of anar c hi st s w i t hi n includes their collective failure to than those of the electorate, must be brought to account by the Tthe First International address the corruption of our media manipulation, hiding next Labour government. (I Wa ). B oth book s a re w el c ome i n political system by professional behind third parties, outwitting that they shift attention away lobbyists. authored by Tamasin the opposition, silencing the pub- from the conflict between Marx Cave, director of spinwatch and lic, facing down threats, and cre- and Bak uni n to r evi ew t he di ffer - her colleague andy rowell, this ating more opportunities to profit. ent tendencies within the anti- book chronicles the efforts of a £2 all of which lead the authors to au th or itar i an tr adi t ion w i t hi n t he billion industry to operate in the conclude Lobbying will stay in the international, something I tried shadows. Just in case you are in shadows. to c over , if br i efly, in m y c hapt er any doubt about the existence of This is not surprising since the on the libertarian socialist tradi- The european International Marxist secessionist congress in crony capitalism, they devote an Conservatives won an overall tion in Chartist’s Beyond Blair was however to survive until 1877 Geneva in 1873, which many his- opening chapter to Lobby: majority in the House of bookl et ten year s ago. with a series of anti-authoritarian tories ignore. The book provides a Introducing the Influencing Commons. even under the former Graham has already edited congresses, hosted by the swiss detailed analysis of the 1877 Industry. coalition government with the three volumes of anarchist writ- and Belgian federalists. Cesar de Ghent congress and the positions In the run up to the 2010 Liberal democrats, the Tories ings, and has written widely on Paepe organised a congress in of the different tendencies with it, General election, Conservative published legislation to establish anarchist history and theory as Ghent in 1877 which sought to before examining the collapse of Party leader david Cameron a register of lobbyists. The well as writing a blog: bring together the two wings of the anti-authoritarian interna- made a pledge to 'sort it out' con- authors describe it as ‘a fake’. so https://r ober tgr aham .w ordpr ess.c the original International, and tional at Fribourg in 1878. om/2014/08/02/from-anarchy-to- while the German social Berthier appears to welcome anar c hi sm / democrats participated, the anar- this, as he sees the adoption of His book is the most thorough chists led by Brousse (who was anarchist communism, as promot- The new dangerous class study I have yet seen on anar- later to lead the French municipal ed by Kropotkin, by the Jura chism in the european socialist socialists or possibilists) Federation at La-Chaux–de- movement between the 1850’s Guillaume, schwitzguebel and Fonds in October 1879, as repre- PRECARIAT agencies on zero hour contracts. importantly economic rights are and the late 1880’s. The first Kropotkin moved towards a focus senting a final breach with social Robbie Guy Standing (Bloomsbury, £12.99) They receive the majority of their denied to the precariat and con- c h apter is espec ia ll y u seful in pr o- firstly on extra-parliamentary democracy. The anarchists now Scott on income through wages rather siders what type of new politics viding a review of the works of activity and then on propaganda rejected all forms of organisation. uy standing’s Precariat is a than rights based state benefits might best realise ideas pertain- Proudhon, but also covering in by deed. The German socialists as argued by Kropotkin, they marginal- good starting point for like pensions and are ing to the ‘Good society’. c on sider abl e detai l t he wr i t i ngs of led on the founding of the second were ‘looking for progress Gthose seeking to under- marginalised as a consequence. standing argues that the pre- other early French anti-authori- International in 1899, by which through the widest emancipation isation stand the new obstacles in the a lack of economic, political cariat ought to be recognised as a tarian socialists such as Joseph time French libertarians such as of individual initiative from the way of what amartya sen called and cultural rights erodes ideas of distinct grouping. I did not think dejacque, anselme Bellegarrigue Benoit Malon and Jules Guesde authority of the state and in the positive freedom. Interestingly, citizenship trapping members of he made strong enough efforts to an d e rn est Coeu r der oy. had adopted social democratic limitation of government func- standing’s Precariat is drawn the precariat in cycles of insecuri- reinforce the idea particularly in Th e c hapter s on t he 1864 -1872 parliamentary approaches. tions’. Berthier’s volume also from a broad spectrum that isn’t ty, poverty and decline. When iso- light of the fragmented nature of p e r io d e x a m in e t h e d if f e r e n t t e n - rene Berthier is not a profes- includes extracts from key anti- defined by ethnicity, class or edu- lated in this way standing refers the precariat. Gender, ethnicity dencies within the First sional historian but a French authoritarian documents and a cational attainment. Often char- to members of the precariat as and even geography are likely to Inter na ti onal w i th a foc us on t he anarcho-syndicalist activist, chronology. acterised by youth, they are unit- denizens. Looser ties with gov- have a profound impact on the French Proudhonists and the though this is not his first histori- Both books are highly recom- ed by their marginalisation from ernment sets them apart from viability of groups to form, articu- French anti-authoritarian social- cal study as he has written a book mended. Many of the original mainstream society and the those who enjoy higher incomes late a clear set of demands and ists led by Cesar de Paepe and on the russian revolution of sources have not previously been absence of any occupational iden- and stronger links with the state. seek effective representation. eugene Hins. some attention is October 1917. The new book was available in english, as both tity. Their heterogeneity is high- The reluctance of successive uK standing suggests a set of actions al so gi ven to th e en g l i sh feder al - published in French in 2012 and authors draw heavily on the col- lighted as a strength and is a Governments to cut generous that ought to be undertaken to ists such as John Hales. Both has been translated by Merlin’s lections of IWa material by defining feature throughout. benefits associated with ‘silver bolster the position of the precari- Hales and the London German anthony Zurbrugg. Berthier’s his- Freymond and Guillaume, both of Immigrants, graduates, the voters’ becomes all the more at or a citizen’s charter. The key tailor, Georg eccarius were to torical span is shorter, focusing which are in French. Many working class young are all dis- thought-provoking. pillar of the charter is the idea of reject Marx’s centralising on the 1871 to 1877 period. as Chartist readers will share the posable and find themselves on standing’s Precariat Charter a citizen’s income payable to all approach which tried to turn the might perhaps be expected, libertarian socialist traditions of the same conveyor belt to an gives life to the aspirations of which would increase the life London based General Council Berthier sides with Bakunin in the IWa federalists, and some uncertain future. standing brings those struggling to survive the chances and prospects of those at into a directing central commit- the dispute with Marx’s coterie. may even have some sympathy into sharp focus the declining for- challenges of a globalised world. the bottom whilst giving them a tee. as th e I n ter n ati on al expa nd- The first section of the book with the anarchist tradition tunes of working people whilst However, It would be a mistake sense of security in an economic ed i n to I tal y an d spai n , the ant i - usefully focuses on the key theo- developed by Kropotkin and col- highlighting the role governments to view them as victims. They system now characterised by flux. authoritarian federalists became retical disagreements between leagues. Both books move beyond have played in helping to create should be seen as new agents of The book is accessible and will d omi n an t w i th i n th e I Wa’ s m em - Marx and Bakunin. Berthier then a focus on the competing egos of harsher working conditions. The social change embodied in organi- interest anybody interested in ber sh i p, w h i c h i s w h y M ar x dec i d - provides a detailed narrative of Marx and Bakunin to examine precariat is vulnerable to fluctua- sations like Momentum, Occupy welfare reform or shifting work ed to wind up the organisation, the IWa conferences from the the struggle over ideas and the tions in the job market and all the Wall street and 15NOW. patterns. (the intention of the transfer of 1871 London conference through important role of international- financial instability that goes standing discusses how political, th e G en er al Cou n c i l to N ew Yor k the series of anti-authoritarian ists, who were not necessarily with it – often working through civil, social, cultural and most i n 1872). conferences and includes the bound to either party.

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BOOK REVIEWS Game of Thrones School facts losing to fiction Duncan WINTER IS COMING tunately pre-warned by ‘spoiler Trevor THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS Things get Carolyne Larrington (I B Tauris, alerts’. Melissa Benn & Janet Downs worse. I am writ- Bowie on £12.99) The book is a serious academic Fisher on (Routledge, £12.99) ing on February study, but no doubt one that is 6th, when the the This book is not to be confused going to generate higher royalties education he print version of an front page of both historical with the book of the same title than academic books normally already successful e-book is the Guardian and which is Garry Kasparov’s cri- generate. Larrington traces the strategy Ta welcome dose of sanity in the Times head- tique of Putin’s rule in russia. origins of George G r Martin’s the mad world of education poli- line a report from basis of This book is an academic study of parallel universe in an impressive tics. The usual job of a reviewer to the TES written fantasy the origins in medieval history of knowledge of both european and assess the value of a work is, at by Lord Lucas the popular television series asian medieval and renaissance least for a left of centre audience, that the state sys- Game of Thrones. Larrington is a history – Kings’s Landing with The book analyses the political not needed as the value of the tem is now mirac- fellow in medieval english litera- medieval england and France and religious symbolism of the book is well established. ulously improved, ture at st John’s College, Oxford. and the Wars of the roses; the series as well as tracing some of routledge would not have due to govern- I was late to Game of Thrones Wall with Hadrian’s wall; the Martin’s material to attitudes to brought it out if there was not a ment policy, and and ended up watching the box Ironborn with Viking history; power, marriage, sex and gender market for it, and it is essential it is now better set of the first four series over a Bravos with Venice, the slaver in medieval periods. I found reading to counter the myth that than the indepen- few weeks in 4-8 hour sessions cities with the early Ottoman Larrington’s study convincing in comprehensive education is not dent system. as which I suppose makes me an empire; dothraki with the demonstrating the extent to successful. But the consensus in Lucas is editor of addict. For those who have not Mongols. which the fantasy of the Game of the Westminster bubble is not the so-called Good seen the fifth series, not out until The study is well researched, Thrones has a sound historical going to change its mind because School Guide, he next spring, be warned that with Larrington demonstrating a basis, with even the dragons hav- the facts don't support their anti- is taken for Larrington’s study does make ref- wide reading of medieval ing a basis in medieval literature, comprehensive attitude. Indeed gospel. The erence to some later episodes, for- european and Norse literature. if not in historical fact. the progressive lobby has become Guardian educa- invisible because of systematic tion editor, machiavellian tactics. richard adams, Peter Mortimore makes the does not appear to A catalogue of errors essential point in the introduc- have read his own tion, writing of the ‘frequency writer, John Peter FIVE MILLION CONVERSATIONS – HOW asks: ‘as self-proclaimed winners • Labour appears to be missing with which obviously untrue com- Harris, who on LABOUR LOST AN ELECTION AND of the 'ground war', how could warning signs of how their oppo- ments have been disseminated by February 2nd Kenyon REDISCOVERED ITS ROOTS Labour have got it so wrong?’ He nents will fight that campaign commentators and repeatedly wrote a powerful piece about which Machiavelli would have Iain Watson (Lauth Press, £12.99) uses Labour's wipeout in scotland • The lack of consultation and parrotted by politicians and the state teachers being driven to recognised, the facts are off lim- on to expose the electorally fatal engagement with some shadow media’. This refers to a paradigm breakdown by the system which its. This book provides abundant s a BBC Political weaknesses in Labour's doorstep Cabinet members becomes obvi- deeply rooted in the Bubble which Lucas extols. It is impossible to factual evidence against Bubble Corbyn's Correspondent, Iain campaigning to those of the tri- ous when not all of them know is massively resistant to factual run schools without teachers, or Think, and it is essential reading. aWatson had direct access to umphant sNP – 'Facebook v Foot how many election pledges will be evidence and which dates back to finance, and both are in short alas the core idea that there is a inheritance Labour's former leader ed Weary: right People, Wrong unveiled the Black Papers of the early sev- supply. Whatever Lord Lucas debate taking place, essential to Miliband, his entourage, friends Conversations'. The sNP's can- • Those around ed Miliband enties, which as richard Pring says, a brutal reality is emerging. the Local schools Network that and foes before, during and after vassing was more sophisticated seem to be in denial about his reminds us constantly, were Neither the two papers nor the both authors belong to, is mistak- the 2015 General election. than Labour's and started much lack of popularity never properly critiqued and TES pointed out that Lucas is a en. We are invisible and have to Watson provides a vivid diary sooner. In his concluding paragraphs, choked out the reality of compre- government spokesperson, and break out of the ghetto into which of daily events in the run up to In my experiences, those 'con- Watson warns that a ground war, hensive success. part of the Bubble. In this world, they have put us. and during the short campaign versations' were voter contacts of necessary as it may be, is no sub- from 14 March (with the prema- which only a tiny proportion stitute for ‘lacklustre leadership, ture disclosure of election promis- could properly be described as or a political offer people don't A life well lived es) until Miliband's resignation conversations. Proper conversa- want to purchase’. For a clearer on 8 May. This crafted account is tions require high grade intelli- understanding of what that might cleverly sandwiched between an gence and a clear narrative from involve for Corbyn, buy this book, Duncan SEEKERS: A TWENTIETH CENTURY LIFE in the Friends ambulance unit opening chapter on the election of the leadership. Labour has nei- read and inwardly digest. I hope Michael Barratt Brown (Spokesman, during the second World War Jeremy Corbyn declared on 12 ther modern means of collecting that you have a stronger constitu- Bowie on £18.95) before joining the uN relief september – 'The accidental data about voters' intentions, nor tion than the Labour Party hier- organisation in Yugoslavia. Leader' and a detailed 34-page did it have coherent, credible archy. a political Barratt Brown was active in The book is an interesting concluding chapter – 'The messages for the electorate left politics from the 1930s to the memoir of a life on the left – sin- aftermath – a Question of around which to persuade voters memoir 1990s. His father was principal of cere but also honest and not self- Leadership'. that they should vote Labour. On ruskin College, Michael was the serving. The book is about his For anyone who is active in the page after page Watson provides founder of Northern College. friends as well as his political life Labour Party, it is painful read- searing examples. Barratt Brown was primarily an – though his wide network of ing. Hopes endowed in the Leader Pulling no punches, Watson educationalist, active throughout friends was part of his political dashed. Mistakes highlighted offers bullet points to summarise his life in the workers education life. The book is very personal and that are all too likely to be repeat- each chapter. The first chapter in movement, but he was also active full of illustrations of friends and ed again. The title itself reveals a the diary section of the campaign in the Communist Party, CNd acquaintances – from Gandhi and profound deceit – there never is entitled, ‘There may be Trouble and the New Left, as an editor of GdH Cole to Tito and Ben Bella were five million conversations. ahead: The election in the New Left Review. and his own daughter’s university But Watson is merely reporting Microcosm’. 14 March – we are He was a political economist also contributed to Coates’ series graduation ceremony. Well worth what was said by Miliband: “We told: and wrote books on african eco- of Renewal pamphlets criticising reading as a reaffirmation of the have had five million conversa- • ed Miliband reveals his elec- nomics and later collaborated New Labour. For much of his life purpose of a political life. tions. This will go to the wire.” tion pledges before the start of with Ken Coates at the Bertrand Barratt Brown was active in the and quite reasonably, Watson the official election campaign russell Peace Foundation. He Quaker movement, having served

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BOOK REVIEWS Planning for Kosovo A future with Podemos Sheila KOSOVA LIBERATION ARMY: ly depicts the internal struggle of UNDERGROUND WAR TO BALKAN the mobilisation of the Kosovars Marina POLITICS IN A TIME OF CRISIS Osmamovic INSURGENCY 1948-2001 around the perpetual dual abyss Pablo Iglesias (Verso, £10.99) James Pettifer (Hurst, £15.99) of Marxism versus Nationalism Prentoulis on the approaches. In other words, the short introduction of Pablo ettifer does an excellent job dichotomy of whether the upris- on charting Iglesias book ‘Politics in a emergence in explaining the birth, sub- ing would take the shape of the aTime of Crisis’, written by Psequent development and social revolution or that of a mere Europe alexis Tsipras, establishes from of a military efforts of the Kosova national liberation was a defining the very start the relationship Liberation army (KLa). In a feature of the albanian insur- away from between the two parties, syriza liberation detailed manner - at times over- gence. at times the internal and Podemos, and beyond that, whelmingly fine - the reader is struggle was gleefully exploited neo- the importance of fighting the force taken back into a history of unfa- by serb intelligence which suc- catastrophic politics of neoliberal- miliar corners of the albanian ceeded in manoeuvring the emi- liberalism ism and austerity across europe. insurgency. albanian endurance gration of the albanians to dis- The book, the bulk of which was boils down to the lack of national tant countries such as united future KLa were diligently work- written in 2013, before Podemos recognition since the end of the states. These channelled migra- ing on the realisation of the long- became the third political force in Balkan Wars in 1913 and contin- tions, in turn, were essential in standing dream of liberated spain, sets out the theoretical ual struggle for albanian cultural forming the foundation for the Kosova. and political foundations of the survival amidst serbian hegemo- secret organisation that would despite careful strategic plan- party. as Pablo Iglesias admits, it Pablo Iglesias: proposing an assault on neo-liberalism ny. serve as a basis for the emer- ning and the military brilliance of is not a sustained theoretical The book offers a fresh perspec- gence of the KLa. the KLa guerrilla warfare, the expose but rather a glimpse of the interested in using the energy of and ‘disenchantment’ with social tive on the nature of the Kosovo a significant part of Pettifer’s lack of robust state-building Podemos phenomenon. the Indignados movement to chal- change. The consensus estab- war in the sense that it covers a analyses is on the role of the capacity amongst the KLa lead- Today, Iglesias’s argument lenge the spanish political estab- lished during this period ensured much broader historical perspec- albanian diaspora in mobilising ership hindered the fulfilment of that the economic crisis of 2007-8 lishment, or ‘la caste’, on the par- ‘spain’s entrance into the tive of the conflict. although at funds and manpower for the for- the ultimate independence goal. was nothing more than the liamentary terrain. drawing on european sphere with the lowest times scattered with insufficient- mation of the KLa and the prepa- The KLa efforts to achieve full attempt of the world financial the work of ernesto Laclau and possible cost to business and ly explored examples from the ration for the war. Pettifer sovereignty were further cur- system to bailout the banking Chantal Mouffe and the history of finance’. end of Ottoman rule in the nine- explains that the most substan- tailed by the sophisticated diplo- sector by imposing the burden on left-wing populist governments in although at the time when the teenth century, the book very tial help did not come from matic mechanisms deplored by the citizens of europe has been south america, ‘la caste’ concept book was written, there was not much draws examples from the america as serbian propaganda the British-led ‘international widely accepted by most progres- has been used by Podemos in yet a clear policy platform (not at post World War Two albanian claimed. The carefully planned community’. Pettifer’s major con- sive forces across europe and the order to create a dividing line least one articulated in the book), efforts to accommodate the new activities, mobilisation and funds tribution is to carefully explain us. The rise of syriza in Greece, between ‘the people’ and the cor- the references to Gramsci and his serbian rule under the Yugoslav came from switzerland where a the joint conspiracy of the major Jeremy Corbyn’s election as the rupt, undemocratic political ‘war of position’ or ‘chess game’ is blanket. The narrative successful- majority of masterminds of the international players against the leader of the Labour party in establishment, the ‘them’ that central in the book’s narrative, Britain, Bernie sanders’ as a seri- Podemos was fighting against. articulating some important ous contender for the democratic insights on political power. The Party in the us, are some of the Popularisation rule of law is nothing more than Reviewing and reviving most notable victories against the the will of the victors and Iglesias dominant neoliberal discourse. The popularization of these through theoretical and popular Mike Davis CORBYN’S CAMPAIGN with its ‘private good public bad’ ideas started as early as 2010 culture references seeks to set out Tom Unterrainer (Ed) ethos. Moving on with Miliband Voting is not sufficient with the TV programmes La the process of a counter hegemon- on a guide (Spokesman, £7.95) he identifies the problem as ‘aus- Tuerka and, later, Fort apache. ic discourse. although never spo- terity lite’. Miliband turned the The recognition that voting is undermining the ruling ideas ken explicitly but often alluded to Labour s the blurb says ‘defying all page on Blair but did not follow not sufficient to counteract the and testing their own through the to, the ‘enemy’ is global capital- expectations, Jeremy through. The 2015 manifesto was assault on the people of europe most influential medium of TV, ism. With references to david renewal aCorbyn was elected Labour full of tortured compromises, a and the realization that eco- suggests how progressive forces Harvey’s Party of Wall street, the leader with a resounding man- confused message and lack of nomics is politics (the title of have to engage with the complex author is trying to show how date. His campaign rewrote the ambition allowing uKIP and the Iglesias’ third chapter) resulted and diverse contemporary com- institutions like the european rules of British politics by mobil- sNP to outflank the party. in the eruption of indignant munications ecology. although Central Bank, the International ising tens of thousands of sup- Instead of taking the Tories to movements across europe and utilizing digital technologies Monetary Fund and political par- porters both within and outside task for ‘presiding over a the us. In spain, cuts to public enabled the Indignados to experi- ties and leaders like angela the Party.’ This 148 page book grotesque increase in poverty and sector jobs and spending by the ment with digital democracy and Merkel, all have one allegiance: contains essays by activists inequality’ Labour stuck to the Mariano rajoy (leader of the thousands of Podemos supporters to a global capitalist system. involved in the campaign for a line of fiscal credibility and cuts. right wing PP party) government to vote on the organizational and new socialist Labour Party and a Christine shawcroft untangles left one quarter of spanish fami- political principles of their party, Assault on neo-liberalism record of a talk given by Corbyn Labour’s over-centralist rules and lies living below the poverty line, the break into mainstream media himself. unterrainer sets two poor organisation while Tony one quarter of the spanish people enabled people like Iglesias and after the december 20th 2015 aims: to record how a rank out- simpson and the editor outline unemployed and led to hundreds Inigo errejon to address larger election we are still waiting for sider won a huge majority against paign making policy messages an internationalist course with of thousand of evictions, a dire audiences. the formation of a progressive all odds and secondly to provide accessible and popular in print renewal and empowerment of situation matched only by Greece. In January 2014 Podemos was alliance between PsOe, Podemos debate about the road ahead. and broadcast media and a strong working people at its heart. The politics advocated by established as a party aiming at and other political forces in It certainly achieves the first counter narrative ‘to the storm appendices cover Corbyn’s eco- Podemos are rooted in these social change, a social change spain. Iglesias’ book becomes and goes some way to delivery of coming our way’. nomic and housing policies and indignant movements of 2011. that neither PP nor PsOe could highly significant in articulating the second. Ben sellers in In perhaps the sharpest analy- the case for defence diversifica- The later Podemos leadership deliver. Iglesias gives a convinc- the counter-hegemonic assault on ‘JezWedid’ highlights the role of sis defeated derby North MP tion. a must read for activists was originally a group of young ing account of spanish politics neo-liberalism that has just social media is Corbyn’s victory Chris Williamson shows how the wanting a place to start the academics at Complutense post-Franco, a democratic transi- begun. stressing that winning in 2020 rot in Labour set in with Blair’s uphill struggle for a new politics. university in Madrid. They were tion leading to ‘cliquish elitism’ will need a mass education cam- election enshrining neoliberalism

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WESTMINSTER VIEW Demolishing affordability

Karen urely, before the whilst it may be the worst piece of from seeking a pay rise and even- Buck on Housing and Planning housing legislation in modern his- tually ensuring that social hous- Bill, now before tory it achieves a neat symmetry. ing is only a sector for the very the Parliament, was draft- It manages to achieve almost the poorest. ed, Government exact opposite of what it is at a stroke (or series of Housing sMinisters sat down with officials intended to do. strokes), affordability and work and drew up a list of the chal- extending the right to Buy to incentives are demolished, com- and lenges facing housing policy? The the Housing association sector, munities undermined, security Planning crisis of affordability would have funded via enforced sales of high removed, and another boost given featured on that list, with partic- value council housing, creates no to the private rented sector Bill ular reference to London, where new homes, but will further (which will, in turn, add to the home ownership is plummeting, reduce the housing stock for those cost of Housing Benefit). Higher especially amongst the under- unable to buy. With ex-council levels of homelessness are guar- 35s, and where rents routinely flats changing hands for £500k anteed, and the housing interests take up half or more of income. and more in London, those buying of the seriously well-off priori- attention ought to have been will certainly not be in the same tised over those on middle and paid to the importance of work category as those on council wait- lower incomes. incentives and rewarding work, ing lists. Worse, in future devel- The election of a Labour Mayor in housing, as was meant to be opers must provide ‘starter in London would not mean the the case with end of this changes to most ill- the tax and thought out benefits sys- and perni- tem. The cious piece of strain on legislation. Housing What it gives Karen Buck is Benefit must Londoners is MP for have been a chance to Westminster considered. try a differ- North rising levels ent strategy. of private London renting and Labour incomes still recognises below 2008 the impor- levels all add tance of pressure onto boosting sup- the HB Bill, ply of all bringing that tenures; down has securing a been a key fair share of objective of new develop- ‘ w e l f a r e ment for reform’. Affordable housing: is this what the Tories have in mind? a f f o r d a b l e rising home- homes to lessness, manifested on the homes’ for sale instead of a per- rent and buy, ensuring Londoners streets and in Bed and Breakfast centage of new build (admittedly, get first call on a new generation Subscribe tohotels, CHARTIST may not have beenat a top often an inadequate percentage) of shared-ownership homes and priority, but it would have made for rent. Capped at £250,000 out- pays attention to the needs of pri- an appearance. some nodding side London and £450,000 in vate renters. These are all vitally recognition of the importance of London, these join other so called important in themselves. www.chartist.org.ukstable, mixed communities ‘affordable’ schemes which can’t Yet a victory for sadiq Khan may have been made. so, be managed on an MP’s salary, will also make a wider point. It armed with this list, the let alone an average one. Far will confirm that housing has at Housing and Planning from helping middle and lower last come to feature as a political 6 issues a year Bill was drawn up. earners, it ensures they are and not merely a private story, Perhaps the priced out still further. one which commands the atten- kindest thing Back in the social sector, fixed tion of politicians and policy mak- that can be tenancies are ended in favour of ers. It would send a message that said about fixed term ones, ending security the Housing and Planning Bill is the Bill is for families, and a ‘pay to stay’ the wrong answer to Britain’s that policy is intended to transform growing housing needs and social rents to market ones for affordability crisis. households with annual incomes That would be a decent start over £30,000 (over £40,000 in until we can secure a change of London), discouraging tenants government.