JANUARY 2015

£1.50

Miami 5 Freed!

Inside: * The English Question * Communists in 2015 * Auschwitz: 70 years on EDITORIAL editorial Dear Comrades,

Welcome to the latest issue of Challenge. This is Johnnie Hunter writing as acting Editor. Our usual Editor James Rodie is retiring after 4 years of editing Challenge. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I thank him for his Johnnie time and dedication, and wish him the best of luck going forward. Hunter We enter 2015 with renewed hope, renewed vigour – and a determination to kick out this ConDem Government in May. comrades There was real sense of energy at our 47th Congress in December. This is in 2015 our something which will need to be carried into the struggles of the new year outlined by our General Secretary in her opening address to Congress(pp. tasks have 28-29). been made We’re living through interesting times comrades with much in British clear, we politics in a state of flux. Dubious constitutional solutions abound, from the must make Smith Commission’s final report (pp. 6-7) to the Tories promise of “English Votes for English Laws”(p.8); but mum’s the word on federalism. Perhaps great strides Russell Brand really does have all the answers? (p.9) forward this As we come towards the 2015 General Election and crunch time for the year and future of the Labour Party we had the disheartening result of the Scottish cannot fail Labour Leadership election (pp. 10-11). to do so But we also have reasons to be hopeful going into 2015. Not least because at long last Cuba has finally secured the return of the Miami 5 (pp. 16-17), Cuban patriots unjustly jailed for fighting terrorism on US soil. The potential rapprochement can only strengthen the Cuban revolution and we must now throw our energies into ending the economic blockade. On the domestic scene there are glimmers of hope too. The student movement here in Britain is showing an increased militancy that must be harnessed with a class conscious direction (pp. 12-14). This was big area of discussion at our congress and something we’ll need to focus on in the coming year.

Thus comrades in 2015 our tasks have been made clear (p. 18), we must make great strides forward this year and cannot fail to do so, history has shown the cost for our class and humanity would be far too great (pp.20- 21). As ever, if you want to contribute to Challenge, either through writing articles, poems, reviews or providing artwork then don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing [email protected] or writing to Challenge, Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, CR0 1BD.

2 CONTENTS editorial in this In the News 4-5 issue Smith Commission 6-7 English Votes on English Laws 8 Russell Brand 9 Smith Commission Scottish Labour Leader- p6-7 ship Elections 10-11 Student Politics 12-14 Die Linke 15 Miami 5 (Cover) 16-17 Miami 5 return home Communists in 2015 18 p16-17 Back 2 Basics 19 Auschwitz: 70 Years on 20-21 Book at Bedtime 22-23 Gen Sec’s Speech Poetry Corner 24 p28-29 Reviews 25-27 General Secretary’s Speech 47th Congress January 2015 Volume 21, Issue 37 Layout & design: Ben Stevenson, James Rodie 28-29 & Johnnie Hunter Print: Communist Party Published by: YCL, Ruskin House, 23 Coombe What We Stand For 30 Rd, CR0 1BD 3 IN THE NEWS in the news Private vultures Class Music visits want to cut losses Edinburgh and run

he first private firm to take over the management Tof an NHS Hospital, Circle Holdings, has announced it would like to withdraw from it’s contract. Circle declared that the contract for Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridgeshire was “no longer viable under current terms”. Their statement failed to mention that the hospital had been placed on special measures by the Care Quality commission. Inspections found risks to patient safety in A&E and medical Calum Baird introduces one of the acts, Ryan Morcambe care, as well as a chronic staff shortages. Local Tory MP Jonathan n the 19th of Decem- (all of the acts can be found events of this sort as often Djanogly, tried to blame the ber, the Edinburgh on Facebook and YouTube for as possible to re-energise the contracts failure on the previ- Obranches of the those who want more infor- social aspects of campaigning ous NHS management of the Communist Party of Britain mation). by the CPB and YCL. hospital. and Young Communist League Although the evening was Ideally, they’ll be held on Apparently for Circle human hosted an evening of ‘Class organised by the CPB and YCL, dates important to the social- suffering just wasn’t profitable Music’ to raise funds for the comrades from Edinburgh ist calendar such as; May Day enough. Sadly this is likely to do two organisations and the against the cuts, Palestine Soli- or the anniversary of Castro’s little to put a halt to the Tory Morning Star, the only daily darity Campaign and friends attack on the Moncada bar- quest to privatise the NHS. socialist newspaper language in of the Morning Star came racks. These events are open ‘Hands Off Hinchingbrooke’ the English language. along to support the evening. to all members and non-mem- Spokesperson Steve Sweeney There were four acts playing In total, over £96 was raised bers – the more the merrier! stated “This shows when the to a well attended night in Mo- and the money was split three going gets tough, the private riarty’s bar in Edinburgh: Jack ways to the CPB, YCL and the Report from YCL sector just cut their losses and Hinks, Ryan Morcombe, Marc Morning Star. Edinburgh Branch walk away.” Livingstone and Calum Baird The hope is to organise Secretary Calum Baird. 4 IN THE NEWS Charlie YCL’s 47th Congress Hebdo Report from first time Congress attender Jon Baldwin from the newly constituted YCL Essex Branch attacked by n the brisk winter is a collection of every issue of very genuine say in the overall jihadists morning of December 13th the Morning Star and the Daily discussion. II travelled from Colchester Worker dating back to 1930. We were not alone in n the 7th of January, to London along with another General Secretary this being our first congress, two Islamic funda- YCLer to join comrades from Zoe Hennessy opened and I think there can be no Omentalist gunmen across Britain for the YCL’s congress with an address greater platform for initiating attacked the offices 47th Congress. on the difficult reality of the comrades within the structure of the weekly French satirical The Marx Memorial Library, present political climate, and of the YCL. newspaper Charlie Hebdo, where this year’s congress the challenges we face as One thing I can say killing twelve people includ- would be held is located in a Communists (read the speech for certain is that I made ing cartoonists, journalists, small enclave in Clerkenwell on page 28). comrades for life! After visitors, caretakers and police Green. It has long been a We then had the the delegates lunch we had officers. pilgrimage site for Britains debate on the EC’s Political Commissions on Challenge The attack claims to have Marxists. and Organisational resolutions. and Student work to formulate been a response to provac- Inside, we received a tour Congress is the supreme and recommend policy to the tive cartoons of Mohammed from the library supporter democratic body of the incoming EC. which have appeared in Char- David Ayrton, who told us YCL and has procedure for Congress closed with a lie Hebdo since 2006. about the full extent of the discussion, debate and voting. right-old comradely rendition One of the police men building’s great history. A simple raise of the hand of the Internationale. Then killed in the attack, executed The library holds a myriad secures one the opportunity onto the YCL social, where at point blank range, was of surprises. The office of V.I. to speak uninterrupted, as there was music, booze, and Muslim. Lenin circa 1902 where he moderated by the chair. After lots of political debate, of The gunmen fled Paris worked upon the journal Iskra thorough debate a vote is course! hiding in a industrial estate (Spark), which was printed in carried out through a showing To our comrades across north-east of the city with a the chambers below. of hands to accept/reject/ Britain, I send our warmest hostage. Another story to be heard abstain. wishes and solidarity from the At 1:30pm on the Friday is that of Georgi Dimitrov’s We heard amendments put YCL’s newest branch in the another gunman stormed a overcoat (on display in the forward by individual branches East. Jewish supermarket in Paris library), which was donated and then voted upon them To the prospective taking 6 people hostage. to CP General Secretary accordingly. comrades, I hope this serves as At 4:30pm French spe- Harry Pollitt who had arrived Taking the courage to step an example of what the YCL is cial forces simultaneously ill prepared for the harsh forward into the discussion all about. What better time to stormed both locations, kill- Moscow winter. proved highly rewarding, and I join the movement? ing all gunmen. In the library archives there felt like we were able to have a There have been over a dozen Islamophobic attacks across France since the shooting, ranging for petty vandalism to gun and grenade Tories Promise to outlaw attacks and bombings. The French Muslim Council stated “This extremely grave public sector strikes barbaric action is also an aunching their 2015 Elec- for intimidation, inducement attack against democracy and tion Drive, the Conserva- to breach contract etc and for the freedom of the press.” Ltives issued a promise for damages for loss of profit. CPB General Secretary new legislation attacking The hypocrisy reeks – only Robert Griffths declared the rights of workers in the 16 out of all MPs gained the “Britains Communists con- Public Sector to strike. same 40% in the 2010 election. demn without reservation This is likely to gain support The ConDems have vetoed the barbarous murders in among dyed in the wool tory measures aimed at increasing Paris”. voters and fit their narrative of turnouts, such as a secure and But he slammed the ‘hypoc- strike happy “union barons.” secret online ballot to replace risy’ and ‘double standards’ of The reality is Britain already the postal vote. politicians and commentators has some of the most restric- Public sector union leaders who deplored the shooting tive trade union and labour have warned the new laws will of Charlie Hebdo journalists laws in Europe. make it impossible for anyone last Thursday, yet who had The new law would make in their sector to take strike justified the US and NATO strikes invalid unless 40% of required. action. bombing of Serbian and all union members voted in Under current Thatcherite One form of ‘democracy’ Al-Jazeera television stations favour of strike action – as legislation unless strikes are for a corrupt political class during the wars in Yugoslavia, opposed to the simple major- ‘valid’ workers can be sacked – another for the organised Afghanistan and Iraq. ity which is the currently and unions sued under tort working class. 5 SMITH COMMISSION

THE SMITH COMMISSION RYAN BOYLE looks at what the Commission on further devolution means in class terms Since the publication of the Will the Smith Commission Already the cuts are being and air passenger duty, these Smith Commission report last proposals make it possible to felt at Glasgow City Council, powers are not beneficial in month, the focus of debate change this? with the Labour-run executive and of themselves. has been almost entirely on recently committing to a 40 how much tax power it gives A positive aspect is the per cent cut to the Glasgow MSPs have to be willing to the Scottish Parliament and retention of the Barnett Association of Mental Health use them in a country where whether this matches the formula. This will continue despite widespread opposition. there is quite as much income “devo-max” pledge made by to give Scotland a higher inequality as in England and Better Together. proportional block grant per The forecast is even worse, Wales. head, in light of greater social with devastating cuts expected There has been very little need in Scotland, and give the in 2016-17 within the council The SNP’s new November assessment of what these tax Scottish government greater area. 2014 programme makes no powers means in class terms freedom to allocate it as it With services already proposals at all to use the — how far they can be used sees fit. struggling, the Smith existing powers the Scottish to strengthen the bargaining However in light of the Commission proposals for Parliament already has to position of working people. Chancellor’s Autumn more tax powers for Scotland increase income tax or For a care worker in the Statement imposing additional itself will only provide a shield business rates. community and voluntary austerity cuts of 40 per cent if there is the political will to The programme proposes to sector, the human across the public sector, a use them. retain the freeze on council consequences of existing cuts little more per head can only While it is proposed to give tax until 2017-18, and while are all too obvious. mitigate a massive slaughter of the Scottish Parliament full the latter may be a popular services. control of income tax, half VAT policy among the electorate, 6 SMITH COMMISSION particularly among the better off, it leaves local authorities financially hamstrung and Communist University in forced to cut public services. South London (CUiSL) Many in the Yes camp have condemned the Smith 7pm on the first Tuesday of every month Commission for not devolving taxes on wealth and control Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, over corporation tax. But this Croydon,CR0 1BD again has to be looked at in class terms. Allocating 100 per cent Classes on Marxist theory from an of income tax to Scotland open access institution without fees, has already enabled David Cameron to demand that sponsored by the Communist Party Scottish MPs be excluded but with no party line to adhere to. from voting on income tax in The teaching method is participa- Westminster, making it much more difficult, after the next tory and interactive. All Welcome. election, for the Labour Party to secure one of its more progressive demands — a 50 www.communistuniversity.wordpress.com per cent rate for top earners. We must be email:[email protected] The same would apply to taxes on wealth if they were fully aware of devolved. where the use the proposed powers in not between unionist and real battle their interests — we will see nationalist sentiments but With wealth a significant swing away from between the power of big disproportionately lies, which is the neoliberal orthodoxy in business and organised labour. concentrated in the south- not between political and economic spheres. east of England, the devolution unionist and This in turn depends on the of wealth taxes would If there is little or no pressure, clarity of a left perspective detrimentally affect, in terms nationalist nothing is stopping the major — and today in Scotland of the voting balance at sentiments parties introducing tax cuts in some heart can be taken Westminster, any attempt to but between the interests of big business from Neil Findlay’s showing introduce a more progressive or in the mistaken belief that in the Scottish Labour Party tax system. Scotland would the power of it will stimulate investment leadership election. suffer along with the poorer big business which will make us all The mobilisation that secured regions of England. prosperous. 35 per cent support for a and organised socialist opponent of austerity However, the Smith labour A final blind spot in the debate politics represents a base to Commission contains no is the lack of any discussion of be built upon in the immediate discussion of the uneven the EU. The Smith Commission future. distribution of wealth across proposes additional borrowing Britain or of the need for powers for investment. But any Of one thing we can be higher rates of tax overall to attempt to use these funds to sure. The impact of the ensure greater social equity. develop public ownership or proposed powers will only As any trade unionist will fund industrial redevelopment be felt positively if we force know, any real change for the would be blocked by EU state the Scottish government to better in terms of the working aid and competition rules. implement them on the basis class will depend quite as of social need. The same much on the strength of the Unless EU powers over battle also needs to be taken labour movement as on formal the economy are removed, to Westminster, and this can tax powers for the Scottish which can only by achieved only be done through a united Parliament. at British level, true working-class movement economic democracy — a across all nations of this island. On this front, on equalities and democracy based around If we can do this, there is workplace rights, the Smith the transformative potential nothing that can stop us. Commission proposals are of public ownership and disappointing. redistribution — is impossible. Ryan Boyle is a member of the YCL Executive And workplace and So while the Smith Committee, a Unison community power is crucial. If Commission offers some member and sits on the all the major parties are faced positives, it also presents STUC Youth Committee with the pressure from an significant dangers. and the STUC General organised working class to find We must be aware of where Council. alternatives to austerity — and the real battle lies, which is 7 ENGLISH VOTES ON ENGLISH LAWS

Tories plot EVEL JOHNNIE HUNTER on the Conservatives electoral manouverings and why the left must respond

The Tories have announced legislation. With a few minor on Three Fronts). These 2015 without a majority in they will put EVEL at the differences this is one of the interests include the right to England. heart of their manifesto 3 Tory options and seems the English people to self- for the May 2015 General likely to be what they will determination Communists oppose EVEL Election. While pure evil favour in their manifesto. for two reasons in particular. being top of the list of any Labour also sitting on This Grand English Chamber By tying it to the result genuine Tory’s priorities, this the fence, fearful of how might seem like, if you’re Scottish Referendum (EVEL is a different sort of EVEL any reform could affect being generous, a somewhat was announced the day (and no, that’s not a spelling their potential to form a reasonable quick fix solution. after the NO vote) the mistake). government capable of The reality is it’s a rhetorical Tories are punishing Scots legislating for England, have device which will cause far for daring to exercise our EVEL stands for “English pledged a constitutional more problems. It is not right to self-determination. Votes for English Laws” convention. easy to identify laws which They are seeking to divide and it relates to the “West only affect England, especially us along national lines. The Lothian Question”. The Communists are given Scottish Barnett contradiction is not between West Lothian Question unambiguous about formula consequentials. the Scottish and the English, refers to the anomaly in the the sham of bourgeois British governments could but between labour and Westminster Parliament democracy - the have a ‘shifting majority’ capital – the working where Scottish MPs can Westminster Parliament when it comes to England classes of Britain and the vote on legislation which remains fundamentally only matters. Meaning a ruling class. Secondly it is only affect England (or a veil for naked ruling “Grand English Committee” totally unsatisfactory. The England and Wales as may class domination. But could prevent a left English need a proper forum be appropriate) whilst the electoral arena and government legislating for through which to express English MPs cannot vote on Parliament are also an England. their own national identity, the same matters affecting arena of struggle. “Here the not a new Parliamentary Scotland– as they have been main strategic objectives The West Lothian Question Committee or stage in the devolved to the Holyrood are to protect and extend very, very rarely (this can’t passage of a bill through the Parliament. democratic freedoms and be overstated) makes a Commons. Only devolution to take the political struggle difference to votes in the to English regions and a new Their proposals come in the into every sphere of the Commons. The Tories are federal settlement can do “Implications for Devolution state apparatus – not least seeking to make political this. in England” Document parliament, the government capital out of it by pledging published by William Hague. and the civil service – to try EVEL. Eager to be seen as A positive and unexpected The Tories give 3 options in to impose the interests of the English party in the result of the NO vote was the document (it appears the working class and the face of UKIP ascendancy it sparked discussion of they haven’t quite decided people generally” (Britain’s in their heartlands. It also devolution in England - we yet). The LibDems favour a Road to Socialism, An could be a useful block on cannot let the right seize the “Grand English Committee” Alternative Economic and Labour should they (despite initiative. to veto “England only” Political Strategy: The Fight their best efforts) win in 8 RUSSELL BRAND RUSSELL BRAND: HELP OR HINDRANCE? LAURA-JANE ROSSINGTON plots the trajectory for aspiring left-wing firebrand, Russell Brand’s,‘Revolution’

Russell Brand has certainly been making a lot of noise in the media over recent months with his views on voting and elections and the publication of his recent book “Revolution”. But is he a valuable and genuine contribution to the struggle, or a counter-revolutionary hinderance?

Something to Brand’s ad- vantage is that he seems to resonate with the public - especially the young. Brand provides a voice for the anger that many feel in response to the multitude of attacks by the ConDem government, this has gained him increasing popularity. The celebrity has used his popularity and fame to highlight and draw attention to local class struggles - for example the Focus E15 Mums campaign to fight eviction from Russell Brand addressing the People’s Assembly march and rally social housing in east London outside Parliament on June 26th 2014 and the battle of the New Era estate. change in his flowery lingo and Whilst Brand is useful in draw- even titling his book ‘Revolu- ing attention to various causes, Perhaps the fact that Brand is tion’, Brand seems to lack any Brand focuses his ideology is full of pit falls despised by mainstream media clear socialist alternative. It is far too much on that must be addressed for shows us that the bourgeoisie all very good chanting ‘smash those seriously interested in are somewhat worried about the system’ but until you know the individual overthrowing capitalism. him, or rather the seeds he is what it should be replaced rather than Clear socialist analysis of planting in the brains of the with no progress can or will how society exists and how general public? Surely then if be made. the collective it needs to be changed is the super-rich are that con- organisations essential – as Engels said cerned, he is a valuable asset We can argue also that Brand of the working “Practice without theory is to the cause? focuses far too much on the blind”. Engels also points to individual rather than the class. Brands second mistake in Brand can certainly be collective organisations of the overlooking trade unions and credited for the fact that he working class. He suggests that the other mass organisations recognises that capitalism isn’t all we have to do is change by observing the world do we of the working class: “Theory working and any attempt at re- the way in which we think, make it real) and in doing so becomes a material force as forming it would be a waste of withdraw our consent from totally rejects the philosophy soon as it is absorbed by the time - that therefore it must capitalism and then the revolu- of materialism, a fundamental masses.“ be overthrown and replaced. tion will just happen. To back concept for the revolutionary However, this is where we this up he uses the Copenha- - an understanding of how the Laura-Jane Rossington start to see the cracks. Whilst gen interpretation of quantum processes in society work is is a YCL Executive he eloquently calls for social physics (which argues that only the key to changing them. Committee Member, 9 LABOUR PARTY Scottish Labour Leadership Election RYAN BOYLE discusses the disastrous result of the Scottish Labour Leadership Election in the run up to May the General Election Last December the Labour as was exemplified in his pro- was simply a warm-up for the Party in Scotland elected Jim posed policies. This is some- top job in the Scottish Labour Murphy as its leader. Im- thing that was and is lacking in Party. Many appeared to feel Jim Murphy, mediately after his election, Murphy’s persona. It appears that as Murphy is more of a ex-chair of many on the Left and labour he cannot escape superficiality known quantity, he will be able movement came out in con- when trying to engage with to challenge the SNP’s near Labour friends demnation of the party and the electorate. hegemony in Scottish politics. of Israel is the the usual calls of trade union It also wouldn’t be inaccurate epitome of disaffiliation and demands to His uninspiring ‘100 towns to state that many lay mem- form a new ‘party of labour’ in 100 days’ speaking tour bers of the Labour Party are the sleazy, were heard. The result is only resulted in a significant less-inclined to a decisively unscrupulous undoubtedly a regressive step number of the population left wing brand of politics. It is for socialists and progressives detesting him. However, it did indicative of the low level of and immoral within the party, but it also has give him a lot of exposure, class consciousness prevalent Blairite. repercussions for the future of with some cynics stating it in Scotland. the party as a whole.

The run up to the election was billed as a battle between the right and left wing cur- rents within the party. To the right was Jim Murphy MP, a man who regularly lambasts the trade union movement, has an appalling voting record on critical issues like the Iraq War, is a member and ex-chair of Labour friends of Israel and was at the centre of an expenses scandal in 2012. In essence, he is the epitome of the sleazy, unscrupulous and immoral Blairite.

On the left we had Neil Findlay MSP, a committed trade unionist and socialist who has been active on Labour’s left since his joining of the party. Early on, Findlay nailed his principles to the mast and wasn’t afraid to criticise party policy - such as its decision to engage in the Better Together campaign – and also offered a refreshing change in the calibre of politician we are used to. He started out as a bricklayer, became a teacher and is now Lothians MSP. This varied life experience made him more attuned to the needs and aspirations of working people, 10 LABOUR PARTY

However, according to the to adopt a different approach proach they will suffer severely most recent ICM opinion poll, through its link (however tenu- come election time, they must Murphy and the Scottish La- ous) with the trade unions and realise this. The Labour left and bour Party are in for a tough the socialists and progressives Campaign for Socialism group time. The SNP, who received within it. There is no other po- within the Scottish party has around 20% of the Scottish litical party that has this. Until undoubtedly been strength- vote in 2010 General Election, such a time when the labour ened despite their preferred are expected to double it to movement, or at least major candidates failing to win the an estimated 43%. This trans- key unions within it, choose to The coming leadership contest, but it does lates as a loss of 31 seats, from disaffiliate from the LP and set show that there is still fight 41 to 10, for Labour. A stagger- about the establishment of a year promises within it. As to whether they ing number for a party which ‘mass party of labour’, voting to be a defining will be able to significantly not so long ago considered for another party at Westmin- influence policy remains to Scottish seats as it’s bread and ster only increases the chances one for the be seen. The coming months, butter. It may be the deciding of a Tory victory. future of the upon which the party will factor in whether the elector- Labour Party, release its manifesto propos- ate return a Labour govern- That time may not be too als, will give us fair warning of ment or embark on another 5 far away, already there are not only in what to expect. Should the years of Tory austerity. rumblings within several trade Scotland but party continue to commit to unions about the condition of across Britain as an austerity-lite agenda they Many voters, particularly those the Labour Party, whether it will reap what they sow and in the nationalist camp, would is redeemable or whether it a whole. should expect serious conse- question if there was any dif- should be abandoned. Unite’s quences in its relations with ference. Yet the fact remains Len McCluskey spoke only a the labour movement. The that even the worst Labour few months ago about the par- coming year promises to be a government is better than the ty reaching a ‘crossroads’ and defining one for the future of very ‘best’ Conservative one. I that if it does indeed go down the Labour Party, not only in say this not as a cynic or pes- the path of ‘pale austerity’ he Scotland but across Britain as simist, it is simply the reality expects it to be defeated. The a whole. that faces us. This is not to say policies that the Labour Party that we should tacitly accept put forward, both in Scotland Ryan Boyle is a member the austerity-lite policies that and at a British level, will have of the YCL Executive Labour seem likely to take, it is to inspire people to vote for Committee only that we have the potential them. If Murphy and Miliband to pressure the Labour Party follow a ‘business as usual’ ap- NEW COMMUNIST PARTY PAMPHLET: Fancy Writing Labour: Is the Party Over? for Challenge?

A Communist Party pamphlet If you want to contribute discussing the to Challenge, either future of the Labour Party through writing articles, and the Labourt poems, reviews or Movement in the run up to the May providing artwork then 2015 General don’t hesitate to get Election. in touch by emailing Written By [email protected] Communist Party General Secretary or writing to Challenge, Robert Griffths. Ruskin House, 23 Coombe £2 +p&p Road, CR0 1BD. available at www.communist-party.org.uk/

11 STUDENTS FREE EDUCTION NOW! DARAGH O’NEILL on the student movement in 2014, the tasks ahead and signs of hope On the 19th November, 10,000 students participated in the largest demonstration for free education, since tuition fees were raised to £9000 a year. Following this, on the 3rd of December actions were taken by students on campuses across the country. The violent crackdown by the police at Warwick University meant it was the most well known occupation that week, and this reaction provoked hundreds more students to join in. After 3 years students were making noise about the crippling costs of higher education again. The rise in the last year of the Student Assembly Against Austerity, the explosion of the Young Greens, especially at universities shows that young people are willing to get involved once they see an alternative as viable, and these organisations, along with the Students marching through Westminster in 2014 against rising tuition group set up during the last fees and cuts to university budgets. round of students action in 2010, the National Campaign of students. The NUS doesn’t due to failing to engage with Against Fees and Cuts, operate like a normal trade people and other students. organized the 19th November union, it’s actually a federation For too many, the aim is too march. By engaging of each university’s student often to recruit people to unions. This means that each their organisation rather than The National Union of with trade student union is autonomous see the struggle succeed, and Students, however, despite unions, vital in reality for many things that as a result there is also an endorsing free education, this helps the inward looking unwillingness to work with and supporting a march at links with mentality of student politics. others. This often goes hand its 2014 conference, actually the labour The NUS is also organised in hand with ‘pure’ ideals that didn’t support this one, citing movement more like a business than are sometimes an excuse safety concerns of those a trade union, providing not to work with people involved. The NUS is a strange are built and discounts with chains is now because they don’t agree with organisation, and the fact it students can the main activity. everything they say. didn’t support free education how learn for over a decade should show One problem that we have There are many of this sort of both how bizarre student to organise in universities is that we have group - who almost exclusively politics actually is, but also effectively plenty of radicals, socialists recruit at universities so the how much there is to do in and Marxists, but their lack of practical application of making the NUS an effective, relationships to the wider their ideas, is insulated in the and truly representative union body of students is often poor student bubble. 12 STUDENTS

Another problem that needs to be understood is how to organize. The inherent one is NEW COMMUNIST PARTY PAMPHLET: that of turnover. The YCL by not being an exclusive student organization overcomes this problem, as we have From Each According to their Means young workers providing a more permanent anchor in our branches. This turnover The economics commission of the CP problem has seemed to has produced this hard hitting discussion aid the bubble that student pamphlet on the essential tax reforms which politics finds itself, partly as should be featured in a left progressive many student organisations programme, including: radical proposals are run by the more or less to tackle tax evasion; restoring fair rates of ‘permanent students’ doing PHDs etc. The gap between corporation tax; introducing an innovative students and our greatest alternative to existing property and council ally the labour movement is taxes with one based on the actual value therefore large, Some of this of land; and the introduction of an annual is to do with class, especially wealth tax aimed at the super-rich. historically, and especially to do with the various myths around the ‘middle class’, It's a critical and comprehensive contribution something which is indicative to an often neglected incredibly topical £2 +p&p of the general level of class- issue, a must buy for any labour movement consciousness in the student activist. movement, as well as the country in general. Developing class-consciousness among available at: www.communist-party.org.uk both young workers and students; showing both how free education is a class issue, and how students as future them to people’s material importantly, it is outward workers must be engaged conditions then they are looking, pointing to the with the labour movement. simply abstract. By engaging real enemy that is austerity, with trade unions, vital links while also free from many There are things we can do with the labour movement of the constraints of other to improve this relationship are built and also students can organisations. The thing that and Unite Community, of how learn to organise too and makes the People’s Assembly which I’m a member (I draw from others experiences. Developing so successful, and can make joined before I came to This social trade unionism class the Student Assembly as well, university in October) is has problems too, but it is a is the fact that people can take vital. Students need that positive step in the adaption consciousness part individually, or as affiliated trade union culture, the of the labour movement to among both groups, allowing a different basis of class-consciousness. organising in the more casual young workers viewpoints to come together YCLers who are students and fragmented modern with different strengths and should join this trade union working environment. and students; weaknesses, while still making for the unemployed and showing both people focus on the common underemployed. It gives The Student Assembly enemy of austerity. This means trade union experience, Against Austerity is the how free people do not have to submit including that of working organization that must, education is a themselves to the wider with everyone and anyone and is, bringing about the class issue, and organisation, but instead work to achieve common aims, mobilization of students. The as an organising umbrella and it’s political trade unionism, Student Assembly can bring how students a national movement, rather especially for issues that hit the successful work of the as future than a series of isolated young people hardest like People’s Assembly in uniting workers must struggles. zero hours contracts, but also people, slowly spreading its builds those links with people ideas in communities and be engaged Over the next year, the beyond the student bubble. trade unions, to campuses. with the labour student movement needs This means that you have to It makes links to activists to do more to engage more able to be able to argue with beyond the campus, with movement. students on these issues, but people on their terms, and a class understanding, that also think about how to turn real issues rather than treating austerity isn’t just bad but that a series of protests for free politics just like a seminar. austerity is working for the education into a movement, Having the right ideas are capitalist class in maximizing as the People’s Assembly is fine, but without being able profit at our expense. As an now doing, with free education to communicate, and relating organisation though, and most becoming a major issue for 13 STUDENTS supported by students, teacher lecturers and more. Free education is already one the YCL T-SHIRTS aims of the People’s Assembly and those who support free education should be involved, otherwise winning support from trade unions will increase support for them amongst £14.99 students, which is crucial for + £1.99 p&p more recruits to the labour movement. Students then in supporting the Student Men’s and Assembly should try and get as much support as possible Women’s Fit on campuses with the groups that already exist there, to make this a united movement. Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL Thought should then be given as to how to improve the NUS internally, and encourage Available at: www.communist-party.org.uk participation from students at every level, with the aim to end the corporate-model NUS. Students should also try to be bolder in challenging the university management too. improve Claiming space for students in one of the many businesses the NUS Constitution of the YCL that take up space in most internally, and IV. Membership student unions, as study encourage Members shall be expected to: spaces. This can be visible, but also easier than a normal participation occupation. It will discourage from students Sell, read and encourage businesses and student unions at every level, from dealing with them, and other young people to read encourage students to start with the aim and support the Morning Star taking what is, after all, theirs! to end the Which is a good place to start in developing people’s corporate- confidence in wanting to strive model NUS for more, and can open the Do your bit and support the debate with students about what the education system People’s Paper! is that they want. The YCL can play a positive role in developing what this could be. Daragh O’Neill is a We’re relaunching the member of the Executive Committee of the Young Challenge Letters Page! Communist League. There has been a call by the National Campaign Ask a question, Against Fees and Cuts start a debate, for local ‘Free Education’ marches on the 31st comment, January. criticism or Interested in getting praise - all involved with the YCL’s student work or building welcome! a Communist Society at your uni, college or school? Send letters to: Email [email protected] [email protected]

14 DIE LINKE RED-RED-GREEN

PIERRE MARSHALL analyses a historic breakthrough win for the Left Party in Germany

Bodo Ramelow (pictured), Die Linke’s leader in Thuringia, will be their first federal state’s prime minister since the destruction of the German Democratic Republic.

The German Left Party (Die any alliances with them until After only around two months left-wing of the SPD. Thuringia Linke) made a landmark now. in office it’s too early to judge is now a platform to dem- victory after the regional elec- the Left on its experience of onstrate how politics can be tions this year, taking office in One of the conditions of regional government, never- done differently. Even in the the regional state government the agreement between theless the coalition in itself few short weeks in power the of Thuringia. A coalition was the Greens and the Social shows the weakness of the Left has pushed for greater de- formed with the Social-Dem- Democrats was that the Left Christian Democratic Union mocracy, expressed in practical ocratic Party and the Greens Party renounce the GDR as an at a national level. For over a terms by a reduction in the which gave the Left Party a illegitimate state, thus conclu- decade the Christian Demo- legal voting age from 18 to 16. very slim ruling majority in the sively severing the link with its crats governed Thuringia in Left Party politicians have is- Thuringian parliament. past. When I spoke to voters partnership with the Social sued statements in support of during the European elections, Democrats while the Left striking workers, and made an It’s an important step for the many those supporting the remained in second place. attempt to raise taxes on large party as it’s the first time it has Left made reference to the This time around the SPD inheritances. These are not taken a state position since social gains of the GDR; they (and a section of the German particularly radical initiatives, its predecessor, the Socialist still cling to that legacy and bourgeoisie) have identified and it’s likely that some of Unity Party, was swept from the position of the Left Party the Left as a more reliable them will not be realised, but if power before the abolition of has caused some controversy. organisation to keep them in they manage to raise the living the German Democratic Re- It’s true that the era of the power. This should be taken standards of the people of public in 1990. In the 24 years GDR was long ago and its as a warning for Chancellor Thuringia it will set an exam- since that event the party relevance is fading with the Merkel and her fellows in the ple for the rest of the country. has reformed and adapted to ages, but even the Greens still CDU-CSU. new times, but its association trace their history back to the Pierre Marshall is a with the Democratic Republic GDR’s opposition movement, Secondly, this could be used as member of Die Linke. has led other parliamentary and that is also noted in the an opportunity to strengthen parties to treat it as a pariah. coalition agreement. the Left throughout Ger- Nobody was willing to form many, including those on the 15 MIAMI 5 FREEDOM FOR THE MIAMI 5 A CHANGE IN CUBA-US RELATIONS ?

ROBIN TALBOT celebrates the release of the Cuban 5 and considers what it might mean for relations with the USA On Wednesday, 17th groups operating out of Miami. and returned to Cuba, will not MPs to Britain to speak in December the presidents of Whilst those terror groups have to finish their callously the House of Commons, but the United States of America bombed Cuban hotels during lengthy terms. In the case of his visa was denied (for the and socialist Cuba, the tiny the 1990s and constantly Gerardo Hernández, double second time) by the British island to the south of Florida violated Cuban airspace in life. Instead, they are back in government. The first time, that for over half a century order to drop propaganda, Cuba with their friends and he had been due to speak at has thwarted imperialism, the United States government loved ones; Gerardo and his the International Commission simultaneously announced to took no action, compelling wife Adriana are expecting a of Inquiry into the case of their peoples a historic change the Cubans to take their child. the Cuban Five, organised to their troubled relationship. own action. The Cuban Five in March 2014 by Voices for even shared their information The Cuba Solidarity Campaign the Five at the Law Society in One of the most celebrated on the terrorists with the in Britain, independently as London with generous help advances must be the long- FBI at the request of the US well as part of the Voices from the trade unions. Three awaited release of the government – leading to their for the Five international well regarded, independent remaining Miami Five, often arrest, with no punishment for coalition of solidarity groups, judges from around the called the Cuban Five in the the real criminals. has played a huge role in world heard evidence from United States and elsewhere, securing and mobilising public, witnesses, testimony on the who for sixteen years were It is cause for celebration that parliamentary and trade humanitarian and legal aspects unjustly imprisoned in the the three Cuban heroes who union support for the Five. In of the case from expert panels, US for gathering intelligence remained in United States jails, September, René Gonzalez, and concluded with a verdict – information in the public the other two having already the first of the Five to be – available in the Final Report domain – on right-wing terror completed their sentences released, was invited by 27 online. 16 MIAMI 5

The international stand with partner.” (CubaSí, edition Cuba and the Miami Five Autumn 2014) was recognised by the White House alongside their historic With the Miami Five free, the shift: “We will end an outdated Cuba solidarity movement approach that for decades has can focus on opposing the failed to advance our interests economic blockade, which … US policy towards Cuba is ongoing and continues has isolated the United States to affect overseas trade from regional and international with Cuba. Companies with partners.” subsidiaries in the United States can be fined millions This perhaps best summarises of dollars through their the motivations of the United subsidiaries for interacting States. They have recognised with Cuba - or, in the case that their longstanding of banks, for processing methods of aggression (the Bay the payments of others for of Pigs), isolation (economic Cuban goods. Therefore, and political) and subversion companies shy away from (USAID, Cuban Twitter) have trade with Cuba and, ultimately failed with respect when they do not, their to Cuban socialism. And they custom is rejected by their have recognised that it has transnational bank for fear of turned the region away from US reprisal. As acknowledged the United States, whilst other in President Raúl Castro’s ‘international partners’ have speech, the blockade has been benefiting handsomely caused “enormous human and from a functional relationship economic damages” to Cuba. with Cuba. However, the blockade is One example of the former is also subject to change as that Costa Rica is planning to part of the rapprochement. investigate the latest covert The Cuban president also After returning to Cuba the very same USAID programmes, which observed that “though the Wednesday, the Five had the pleasure used their country as a base blockade has been codified of attending a concert, hosted by Silvio of operations, “regardless of into law, the president of Rodriguez, where they were welcomed what ideological side … It’s the United States has the home by the Cuban people. a matter of sovereignty and executive authority to modify respect”. They re-established its implementation.” The US will stop blocking the Cuba remains an inspirational diplomatic relations with Cuba Cuba solidarity movement importation of certain kinds example of the real life in 2009 (CubaSí, publication can defend the other changes of communications equipment, achievements of Socialism. As of the Cuba Solidarity in policy that Obama has including computer hardware young communists we must Campaign, edition Autumn promised from the right wing and software, to Cuba. Blocks lead the struggle defend it 2014). This is yet another and continue demanding more: to certain banking transactions from imperialism. And always symbol of the United States’ will be eased. remember - the greatest form regional isolation, with the Making it easier for US citizens of solidarity we can show is developments of the ‘pink to visit Cuba, spend money An end to the US Guantanamo building towards revolution tide’, Bolivarianism, Mercosur, there, and use US credit and Bay torture camp on Cuban here in Britain! Unasur, ALBA, CELAC, etc. debit cards while in Cuba. soil. Even right-wing Latin American Robin Talbot is a YCL governments oppose the Establishment of full In Britain, the task today of Executive Committee exclusion of Cuba from diplomatic relations between the Cuba Solidarity Campaign Member, the OAS (Organisation of Cuba and the United States. is no longer freedom for the American States). Currently, there is only a Miami Five, but – as they state *You can learn all about the case of low-level diplomatic presence on their website - to “redouble the Miami Five, now fortunately a Meanwhile, at the expense of the United States in Cuba our efforts to ensure that the memory, with a download of the Final of US business interests, and Cuba in the United States, British Government moves Report and other detailed testimony Cuba has opened the huge called the US and Cuban forward to develop strong from the International Commission Mariel seaport and Special ‘Interests Sections’. diplomatic, trade, scientific and of Inquiry, as well as a short video Development Zone with cultural relations between our documentary available at www. Brazilian cooperation, and Removal of Cuba from the two countries based on mutual voicesforthefive.com/commission/ signed 29 new cooperation US government’s list of State respect and understanding”. report/ agreements with Chinese Sponsors of Terrorism, after *You can see more photos as well president Xi Jinping, agreeing ‘review’ by the US State And we can help. Join the as footage of the Five singing at to “collaborate economically, Department. Cuba Solidarity Campaign Cubadebate.cu http://bit.ly/1wgDGOU culturally, educationally … to stay up to date with their (in Spanish) [and] in biotechnology and It will be easier for magazine, get involved in your *And you can join the Cuba Solidarity renewable energy … China is businesses, US and foreign, local group, and drink Havana Campaign for £8 unwaged at www. Cuba’s second largest trading to trade with Cuba. The Club instead of Bacardi! cuba-solidarity.org.uk 17 FORWARD IN 2015 What will Communists be striving for in 2015? Asks Communist Party General Secretary ROBERT GRIFFTHS looking towards a year of struggle for social justice, peace and socialism Britain is a society disfigured by poverty, food banks, mass unemployment, enormous social injustice and chronic corruption. Our top priority must be to help sweep away the unelected Tory-LibDem regime at the General Election on May 7.

The only realistic alternative is a Labour government. But we also realise that Labour’s manifesto will not provide the radical alternative needed to challenge state- monopoly capitalism in Britain. The front of the Communist Party contingent at the TUC’s ‘Britain That’s why we must redouble Needs a Payrise’ demonstration on the 18th of October 2014 our efforts to strengthen the trade unions and trades councils and build the People’s political agenda. right and other reactionary On the international front, too, Assembly and the National forces to divide the working intensifying momentum behind Assembly of Women as broad This perspective would class and people generally the Boycott, Divestment and popular movements against provide the best conditions in along national, racial or Sanctions campaign and for austerity, privatisation and which to resolve the crisis of religious lines must be met recognition of Palestinian inequality. political representation in the by the case for unity against statehood should be a top labour movement. big business and British priority. After putting a Labour imperialism. government in office, the Communists also have to win In all this work, a stronger workers and peoples of urgent support for our policy In particular, the advance Communist Party and bigger Britain will have to put the of ‘progressive federalism’, of UKIP can be rebuffed by readerships for the Morning maximum pressure on it placing real powers and pointing to its pro-austerity, Star and Britain’s Road to to put the interests of the resources in the Scottish and pro-privatisation and pro-City Socialism can play a key role. millions before those of the Welsh parliaments and in agenda. However, reactionary We must therefore turn millionaires. Before, during and English regional assemblies to opposition to the EU will not decisively outwards, projecting after May 7, renationalisation implement left and progressive be defeated by reactionary the party at every level, taking and public ownership must be economic and social policies. pro-EU arguments, but by our own initiatives alongside pushed towards the top of the Attempts by UKIP, the Tory opposing the EU from the left even greater engagement and winning more people to in broad campaigning that position. movements, drawing new NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN THE members into public activity, Whoever comprises it, the political education and cadre STRUGGLE FOR SOCIALISM next government will decide development. whether the Trident nuclear Don’t stop being angry at the greed and weapons system is renewed Building Britain’s party of or replaced. Communists must working class and people’s waste of capitalism. help strengthen determination power is the single biggest GET INVOLVED, GET ORGANISED, JOIN in the peace, labour and other contribution we can make to progressive movements to the struggle for social justice, THE CP & YCL TODAY! scrap Britain’s weapons of peace and socialism in 2015. mass destruction altogether, Apply at: www.ycl.org.uk as part of the ongoing Robert Griffths is struggle against militarism and General Secretary of the www.communist-party.org.uk imperialist war. Communist Party.

18 BACK2BASICS Back 2 Basics Part seven: Imperialism

Back2Basics is a regular feature linked to the Chase Manhattan Bank (now Exxon-Mobil and in Challenge, an ongoing series JP Morgan Chase), followed by of articles of Marxist concepts Royal Dutch Shell and Anglo- Persian Oil, both linked to the made easy. Also available as a City of London (now Shell and BP-Amoco). These three firms paperback pamphlet. still dominate oil production Any clear analysis of the world inevitably to the annexation of and are all in the top ten of the we live in today requires an smaller companies by larger world’s largest Trans-national understanding of the current enterprises. Corporations (TNCs). stage of capitalism, to which Marxists refer as imperialism. This leads to the concentration As monopolies developed with- The term ‘imperialism’ itself is of production and capital in in and between the advanced much more commonly used fewer and fewer hands, causing capitalist countries, the race to in the peace and anti-war monopolies to develop within secure control over economic movements than it was even specific sectors of the economy, ‘spheres of influence’ began. ten years ago. Despite this, it first within one country (and By the early 20th century, is a term which is frequently its colonies, semi-colonies and the world had been entirely in their operations, remain misunderstood, or only partially neo-colonies), then across the divided up into colonies or based firmly in one specific -ad understood. The purpose of world market. During this pro- other spheres of influence and vanced capitalist country. As the these articles is to lay the foun- cess, finance capital is created each imperialist power could struggle between rival imperial- dations for an understanding of by the merger of bank capital only expand at the expense isms intensified, the monopolies imperialism. with industrial capital, creat- of another. Due to the uneven began to fuse their economic ing a financial oligarchy which economic development caused power with the political power The process which Marxists derives profit primarily from by the capitalist system, no they exercised through the refer to as imperialism has also the export of capital from the stable re-division of the worlds state to form state monopoly been referred to in its latest developed capitalist world to resources and markets was capitalism – characterised by phase as globalisation. However, less-developed and developing possible, leading to constant the “closest collaboration and this term fails to characterise countries to invest in cheaper conflict or inter-imperialist ri- joint involvement of the capital- the key features of imperialism labour and raw materials. valry. It was this situation which ist monopolies and state appa- in the world today. led to the First World War as ratus in economic, political and Much of this monopolisation the faster-growing industrial military affairs.” (from Britain’s Lenin argued that “the most occurred during the second power of Germany came to Road to Socialism). deep-rooted economic founda- half of the 19th century. In challenge the economic domi- tion of imperialism is mo- 1917, Lenin referred to the nation of Britain. Today TNCs based in the nopoly” and that imperialism example of the oil industry leading imperialist countries could be briefly defined as “the which operated as a monopoly In the countries where they account for one-third of the monopoly stage of capitalism” on a world scale. Two or three operate, TNCs need to protect world’s production, two-thirds (Imperialism, 1916). Under companies controlled produc- their investments through of world trade and three-quar- capitalism, cyclical economic tion and distribution of most political or military control. Key ters of international investment. crises, combined with the ad- of the world’s oil and each to this is the state apparatus of This economic power is backed vantages of scale held by large was closely linked to national the TNCs’ ‘home’ countries, en- up by the political and military companies over small- and banking operations. The largest suring that Transnational Cor- power of the advanced capital- medium-sized businesses, lead was Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, porations, whilst international ist nations, which is used to ensure access to raw materials and markets across the world. Further Reading It is this which has caused the wars and conflicts we have ex- Imperialism the Highest Stage of Introducing Marxism, a CP study perienced throughout the 20th Capitalism - VI Lenin course - available at www.ycl.org.uk century. In the next article we Imperialism, a study paper - available The Development of Capitalism & will look at how, and why, this at www.ycl org.uk Imperialism, Britains Road to Socialism process has accelerated over the last 10–15 years. 19 FASCISM Auschwitz: 70 Years On

CALUM BAIRD remembers the 70th anniversary of the Soviet libertion of Auschwitz and warns of the resurgence of fascism across Europe When the Third Reich was the 27th of January 1945 Situated in Eastern Poland, as homosexuals and those of crushed into the wind of by the Red Army. It was a this camp was to be central to non-german nationality. Many history in the late spring of camp like no other in the the Nazi’s war of annihilation of those not killed in the gas 1945, many would be forgiven Nazi fascist plot to destroy with the Soviet Union. chamber were worked to for believing this to be the the Jewish race - and any Auschwitz became a main death, starved, succumbed to end of Fascism in Europe. dissenter who stood in tool in the Reich’s plans of disease in appalling conditions, However, 70 years on from their way. Auschwitz was a systematic murder. Of those individually executed or died in the liberation of one of the complex made of three camps. held prisoner there, 1.1 a twisted medical experiment. most notorious camps in the Auschwitz 1, the original camp. million people died; 90% of Only 15% of the camps elite Nazi’s genocidal network, the Auschwitz 2 (Birkenau) a them Jews. In fact, 1 in 6 Jews SS staff were ever prosecuted fascist beast has reared it’s concentration and death camp murdered in the Holocaust, for their crimes. ugly head once more. And and Auschwitz 3 (Monowitz) died in Auschwitz. Others who perhaps, most shockingly of all, a labour camp and a super perished in the camp were 150 From November 1944 peddling of holocaust denial factory for German chemical 000 Poles, 23 000 Romani, 15 onwards the SS began and justification of the crimes conglomerate: IG Farben, a 000 Soviet prisoners of war, removing evidence of their of the Nazis. company that still operates 400 Jehovah’s witnesses and crimes by burning documents today. hundreds of others deemed and digging up mass graves. Auschwitz was liberated on degenerate by the Nazis; such As the Soviet soldiers 20 FASCISM approached the camp, they it’s existence display it as a steadfastly stands with our fled West and sent thousands polar opposite to the barbaric comrades in the CPU and of prisoners on a death fascism. other anti-fascists organisation march to camps in Germany. operating, perilously, in 7500 were left behind and However the recent Ukraine. were set free by the Soviet resurgence of fascism in liberators. Consequently, the Europe means that it is not The rise of of fascism in 27th of January is marked at all surprising that the role Ukraine merely reflects a as International Holocaust of socialism against fascism is trend which is washing across memorial day, as a mark of called into question. Europe. Hungary’s fascist respect to those murdered by party, Jobbik currently sits fascism. Between October 2013 and 3rd in national elections and February 2014, the so-called made gains in local elections Since the end of the Cold ‘Euro-maiden’ movement in last October. Among Jobbik’s War, the bourgeois media and Ukraine overthrew of the policies is a Charter of Jews, the ruling class have sought Yanukovych Government. forcing every Jew living in to equate Soviet Communism A sinister undercurrent ran Hungary to make themselves and Nazi Fascism. This through these demonstrations. known to the authorities. A amounts to nothing more than Joining the protests were regurgitation of Nazi tactics a slander against socialism. members of the ultra before the ‘Final Solution’. Presumably they would argue nationalist Svoboda Party, the that as both were one party far-right Right Sector party and In France too, the Front states (this article does not the fascist Fatherland party. Nationale has made huge deny that) they must be the They have become outright inroads as working people same thing. This, along with leaders of the movement, with in France are taken in by ‘evidence’ provided by a range fascism, members of these parties Marine Le Pen’s (FN leader) of anticommunist sources that taking up ministerial position sinister message. Assisting claims socialist governments monopolies in the coup government. The the rise of fascism has been murdered over 60 million and tolerance of the Nazi jackboot the complete failure of the people, presents a version of capitalism are in Ukraine by authorities and Social Democrats under history which is incompatible outside powers, particularly Francois Hollande to challenge with reality constructed by systematically the EU and US who plotted the problems created by the West to discredit the linked. the coup, is truly alarming. capitalism, imperialist wars and achievements of socialism Fascism is EU sanctioned austerity. and to hide the failings of Since it seized power, the capitalism. a tool to be fascist junta has massacred With the resurgence of used to divide trade unionists in Odessa, fascism and ultra-nationalism At this point it should be made repressed minorities, sought in Europe, it is of vital clear that the objective is not and smash to ban and suppress the importance that communists to partake in the politics of working communist party (a party and allies of the left unite body counting. What is being people which carried 13.2% of the against this threat to peace, established is that one of these vote prior to the coup), and and answer prejudice and systems created a systematic set about recognising Stepan hatred with a political agenda scheme for murdering an Bandera, Ukrainian Nazi that exposes the failings of the entire race of people, enslaving collaborator, as a national capitalist system; a system that a whole other race of people hero. Bandera’s Galicia cannot provide for everyone. and creating a free reign regiment of the Waffen SS It’s vital that the role of the for German monopolies were responsible for the capitalist class is exposed in from Bordeaux to the Ural round of Ukrainian Jews and this resurgence as it has been mountains. Whilst the other the genocidal attacks on poles shown to be clear, particularly - the USSR- smashed Nazi and other minorities within in Ukraine, that fascism, fascism almost single handedly, Ukraine. On New Years day, monopolies and capitalism are supported countries like itself Svoboda and Right-sector systematically linked. Fascism is that were built on foundations organised a march through a tool to be used to divide and of peace, internationalism, Kiev commemorating 106 smash working people. There solidarity and socialism; the years since Bandera’s birth. is also the need to agitate for complete polar opposite of an economy that provides Nazi fascism. It’s sad that The YCL- alongside our allies for all, and a society based on these points need made in Solidarity with Antifascist solidarity and mutual respect when one considers that the Resistance in Ukraine - and understanding. With Soviet union lost 27 million opposes, unreservedly, the the 70th anniversary of the citizens during the second actions of these fascists liberation of Auschwitz upon world war and, in the words who have once again aided us we are reminded the choice of Winston Churchill: “ripped a section of the capitalist really is socialism or barbarism the guts from the Nazi beast”. class in their manouverings The liberation of Auschwitz by suppressing communists, Calum Baird is a YCL by the USSR and the Soviet socialists, trade unionists Executive Committee Union’s commitment to and any other opponents Member. internationalism throughout of capitalism. The YCL also 21 BOOK @ BEDTIME book @ bedtime In our latest (and slighty ‘heavier’ than usual!) instalment, OWAIN HOLLAND explains why the works of Gramsci should be a key feature in your bedtime reading in 2015

The recent rise of the opportunity to sway class who A) are directly Whilst Fascists have not populist right across Britain public opinion by pointing responsible for the acheived state power and Europe bears stark the finger at immigrant ‘recession’ and B) are using anywhere in Europe in parallels to the rise of communities rather than the opportunity of the the present period, apart Fascism in the 1920’s and at the ruling Capitalist market slump to take more from forming one wing 30’s as a reaction to the wealth from the working of the junta in Ukraine, failure of capitalism and a class, retrenching they have made worrying subsequent market crisis. themselves in gains. Notably in Greece, Opportunist politicians ever more Hungary, France etc. and their parties advantageous Britain’s own embodiment have seized the positions. of this phenomena manifests itself in the form of the saggy-faced Nigel Farage who’s party confesses itself to be neoliberal in the extreme rather than BNP-lite. However, UKIP is not free from ties with far-right groups such as Britain First and certain BNP splinter groups, who are genuinely fascist.

No-one knew the risks of Fascism more than Antonio Gramsci who headed the Italian Communist Party at the same time as his contemporary, and founder of Fascism, Benito Mussolini. Gramsci like many of the German and Italian Communists of the time, paid the price for not tackling Fascism early enough and was imprisoned and eventually died at the hands of the Fascist regime.

In his writings Gramsci lays out the historical Antonio Gramsci, Leader of the Communist Party of Italy development of Fascism, its reliance on extreme 22 BOOK @ BEDTIME nationalism and the way or economic rule over a different manners thus the ideology attempts to society. In the present day creating a social distinction unify a people against UK the Tory Party would within an economic class. internal and external be the hegemonic power. elements as a response But this is a physical What we as the YCL, part to the failures of the power structure whereas of the vanguard of the capitalist market to culturally the Tory Party proletariat, need to be provide effectively for could not be said to be doing is recognising the people. Gramsci tells us close to mainstream added potential youth how when the traditional culture or to what ordinary have for creating and political representatives of people identify with, indeed influencing culture and use a class in society become they often come under that to influence all the detached from that class attack by various cultural strands of working class that a vacuum is left to be forces such as celebrities culture that we can. Social filled by another power, and comedians, which media, party literature, undoubtedly plays a role in posters and stickers can all “At a certain point in their undermining their physical play a role in the cultural historical lives, social hegemony when it comes struggle as can winning classes become detached to voters going to the ballot a debate or successfully from their traditional box. presenting a point of view parties. In other words, the in a conversation. There traditional parties in that So we can see how really is nothing too big or particular organisational particular currents daunting for everyone to form, with the particular within the cultural power do on a daily basis. men who constitute, What Gramsci struggle can be brought represent and lead them, is describing to bear against the ruling For further reading various are no longer recognised here is how authorities. Gramsci collections of Gramsci’s by their class (or fraction of proposes a ‘war of position’ work are available to a class) as its expression. the British using the intellectual order online from various When such crises occur, Labour Party, and cultural arms of the different publishers and the immediate situation and other revolutionary movement the Communist Party has becomes delicate and to overthrow the existing published a pamphlet dangerous, because the ‘Socialist’ cultural hegemony and called ‘Was Gramsci field is open for violent parties establish a new cultural a Eurocommunist?’ solutions, for the activities hegemony that represents which looks at the of unknown forces, around the working class. Once misappropriation of represented by charismatic Europe have this is done he writes that Gramsci’s writing by the ‘men of destiny’.” become a ‘war of manœuvre’ can Eurocummunist movement be used to effectively usher that undermined and What Gramsci is describing distanced in a socialist government did untold damage to here is how the British from their either through the use of many Communist Parties Labour Party, and other class physical force or through throughout Europe during ‘Socialist’ parties around the voting system. This the last few decades since Europe have become is made possible by the the 1980’s. distanced from their strengthened position of class by their fascination the vanguard due to its with careerism and their having brought about its Owain Holland is a YCL inability to distance domination of the cultural Executive Committee themselves from their realm and thus having won Member. big-business donors. This a basis for mass-support has resulted in them being meaning it can wield a able to offer very little that large army of supporters. appeals to the working Why not write in class in their electoral It would be foolish to think to let us know manifestos. He warns of that culture is so monolithic the charismatic politicians. that it could be wielded how you get Picture Farage swilling his as one weapon. Gramsci on with this pint at the bar, always sure recognised that within an to get caught by the media. economic class there may edition’s Book@ be many different social Bedtime? Gramsci is also known classes. We can see this for his theory of cultural today when economically hegemony, which is an working-class people take Email: extremely important aspect cultural differences with challenge@ycl. to society and the way their fellow workers and org.uk a dominant culture can believe themselves to be be used to enact or keep middle-class because, for control over a society. example, they speak with a ‘Hegemony’ means military different accent and adopt 23 POETRY CORNER Poetry Corner

Who built seven-gated Thebes? A Worker Reads In the books you’ll find the names of kings. Was it the kings that lugged !those hunks of rock? & Asks Questions And what of Babylon, so often demolished? Who rebuilt it time and again? In which Of golden Lima’s houses lived its builders? by Bertolt Brecht On the day the Chinese Wall was finished where Did the masons go in the evening? Great Rome Is full of triumphal arches. Who raised them? Over whom Did the Caesars triumph? Had Byzantium of the songs Palaces only, for its inhabitants? Even in fabulous Atlantis, The very night the sea swallowed it, The drowning still bawled for their slaves.

Young Alexander conquered India. All alone? Caesar defeated the Gauls. Didn’t he have so much as a cook with him? Phillip of Spain wept when his fleet Sank. Did no others shed tears? Frederick the Second won the Seven Year War. Who else?

A victory on every page. Who cooked the victory feast? A great man every ten years. Who paid the bill?

So many accounts. So many questions.of kings. Was it the kings that lugged those hunks of rock? And what of Babylon, so often demolished? Who rebuilt it time and again? In which Of golden Lima’s houses lived its builders? On the day the Chinese Wall was finished where Did the masons go in the evening? Great Rome Is full of triumphal arches. Who raised them? Over whom Did the Caesars triumph? Had Byzantium of the songs Palaces only, for its inhabitants? Even in fabulous Atlantis, The very night the sea swallowed it, The drowning still bawled for their slaves.

Young Alexander conquered India. All alone? Caesar defeated the Gauls. Didn’t he have so much as a cook with him? Phillip of Spain wept when his fleet Bertolt Brecht was a German Marxist poet, playwright Sank. Did no others shed tears? and theatre director. Frederick the Second won the Seven Year War. Who else? Brecht lived through a turbulent era. Narrowly avoiding conscription at 16 during World War One, he A victory on every page. worked prodigiously through throughout the period of Who cooked the victory feast? the Weimar Republic. Brecht was forced to flee with A great man every ten years. the rise of the Nazis in 1933. He left the USA during Who paid the bill? the McCarthyite “Red Scare” returning to what was then the German Democratic Republic. So many accounts. So many questions Bertolt Brech died on the 14th of August 1956. Translated by Jack Mitchell

24 REVIEWS Music Reviews Frank Turner - The Third Three Years Frank Turner’s latest offering leaves much to be desired, both in terms of his ill thought out attempts at political and social commentary and his usually much more reliable artistic talent. Being a political creature my first instinct was to turn to the more overtly political songs on the album. Having been exposed to Turner’s lyrics for nearly as long as he has been writing them I should have known better.

Frank has come far, far, from his anti-capitalist roots. Whilst his lyrics are a little cryptic he appears to be attacking certain anti-capitalist schools of thought and lashing out at the criticism he’s been under for years. He sends out the message to his detractors that they know nothing of freedom and thus falling into the oxymoronic school of thought that thinks that because the phrase ‘free market’ has the word ‘free’ in it then it can actually offer freedom. You can take some consolation from the fact that the album does have some good songs on it-albeit ones that you may be familiar with if you bought his last album, Tape Deck Heart. Which was a fine collection of music, not least because he concentrated on poetry rather than politics. By Owain Holland

Jamie T - Carry On The Grudge After five years without realeasing an album Jamie T makes a fantastic comeback with “Carry On the Grudge”. I’ve always really enjoyed his albums for a few reasons. There’s a lot of working class realism in the songs he sings, the situations and the characters he describes. Coupled with that he’s a fantastic poet, lots of the metaphors he uses and his language is moving, funny and evocative.

Jamie T in his first two albums “Panic Prevention” and “Kings and Queens” is a brilliant – but still accessible – example of UK hip-hop. Surprising, there’s no trace of his hip-hop roots in this album, quite different from his previous pop-py indie style it’s more of the alternative rock genre.

One can only speculate as to the reasons for his long hiatus – but the themes in the album certainly hint at emotional ruin and drug abuse. The pressure of fame perhaps? But he’s hardly the first artist to have a third album of that ilk. Most of the tracks are dark and brooding, introverted even particularly “Peter”. The singles “Zombie” and “Rabbit Hole” are a bit more of what you would expect from Jamie T and a bit more upbeat – Zombie especially is really fantastic. Overall well worth the money. By Johnnie Hunter

25 REVIEWS Film Reviews Northern Soul I wasn’t there. No one from the YCL of today was there, yet this gritty working-class film authentically ‘keeps the faith’ of the Northern Soul scene that filled the dance floors of places like Wigan, Manchester and Blackpool in the seventies.

The plot is centred around the main character, John (Elliot James Langridge), who leaves his troubled childhood home and meets, Matt, who inducts him into the soul scene. The pair soon take over their local youth club but run into the older Sean at the factory where they work who invites them to the infamous Wigan Casino and introduces them to the darker, illicit side of the scene.

The pair have their ups and downs as you would expect from a night of all-night dancing and drug taking, but all seems to be well when John finally manages to get some alone time with Angela (Antonia Thomas), a half African-American, half Lancastrian nurse. Angela with her large ‘afro’ style hair looks much like her namesake, a young Angela Davis. Thomas is best known for her role in the 2009 Channel 4 drama Misfits.

The crisis occurs when John gets chosen over Matt to play a set for famous DJ Ray Henderson. This ruins the admittedly one-sided partnership and leads to a series of events culminating in the death of their dubious mentor Sean. John blames Matt for Sean’s death although the pair finally reunite when Matt follows a trail of soul lyrics daubed onto the ends of terraces and the sides of bridges.

The film’s Manchester premiere attracted several members of the Stone Roses and the Smiths as well as former YCLer and Shameless star Maxine Peake. Ian Brown of the Stone Roses said that it was, ‘great that someone’s done a working class film for once in the 21st century.’ By Owain Holland Game Reviews Insurgency Insurgency is an online first-person shooter which began its life as a free Source engine mod and was re-launched as a new paid ver- sion this year. The original mod suffered a little from competition with other similar games set in a the same generic middle-eastern environment. It’s definitely impossible to think of Insurgency with- out Counter-Strike, which provided the inspiration for the basic ‘terrorist vs. counter-terrorist’ scenario and coincidentally also originated as a Source mod.

Strangely what defines Insurgency is its unflinching insistence on authenticity. Rather than opting for a cardboard cut-out arena it pitches its battles in Iraq, along with all the thematic baggage that entails. In some ways it makes the game richer, but the war was initiated over a decade ago and the context has drastically shifted since then.

As a game it detracts significantly from its contemporaries by em- phasising tactics over speed or twitch-reflexes. Your character is still weak enough to be downed by a few shots so running around in the open is a losing strategy. The most skilled players are careful, they wait to pick off enemies one by one, and that slow game can be surprisingly rewarding. By Pierre Marshall 26 REVIEWS

Claude Cahun, Art Reviews untitled The Modern Lens: International Photography and the Tate collection Tate St Ives: Exhibition 14 October 2014 – 10 May 2015 £7, concessions available

This exhibition features a varied range of photography from modern Latin American artists to Parisian surrealism, US modernism and the Bauhaus of pre-war Germany and Japan.

Nowadays photography is something that almost anyone can indulge in but 50, 30 and even 10 years ago it was an art that was reserved to those with access to and knowledge of rather expensive cameras. Perriand, Nowadays photography equipment is readily available with most mobile phones having built in cameras. In past times serious photography was Léger, separated into two disciplines, art and documenting. With the advent Jeanneret of apps such as Instagram the lines between the two can often seem Objects blurred. This exhibition is very much about the abstract artistic side of Reacting photography. Poetically 1931-36 One thing that may strike you is how nearly all of the photographs are in black and white. Often this can be ascribed to the age of the photo’s as many artists would not have had the choice of colour. Only the works of Henry Callaghan in the latter part of the last century feature colours. Even then he chooses to use black and white in much of his work.

The heavily industrial themes of the Bauhaus school were very suited to the black and white style. This school developed in Weimar Germany and soon found that it had to spread from city to city to evade the Nazis. Due to its industrial theme and situation in the political turmoil of Weimar Germany it is not surprising that some of the Bauhaus school were Communists. One Bauhaus magazine was even calls Russland and featured socialist realist images on the cover.

Parallels are drawn with Japan. Many Japanese artists travelled from the east to study Bauhaus in Germany and taking those influences with them. Picture two heavily industrialised societies heading for war where a movement is flourishing and yet leans towards the tendency of the early soviet era to glorify everything urban and industrial. Most of the Bauhaus pieces tend to depict skewed images of brutalist architecture. There was one artist who stood out from the rest which was the Hungarian Judith Kárász who was a member of the Communists Students’ Association who’s worked featured agricultural themes. Geraldo de My favourite had to be the French artist Claude Cahun who was a Barros, French-Jewish female artist using a male pseudonym. Her work featured Abstraction, two types of photo, the self-portrait where she attempted to look as Sao Paulo androgynous as possible to hide her gender and challenge normative 1949 gender roles and her surreal modelling which is often comical and highly amusing. Claude fled France to the Channel Islands as the Nazis invaded but she left some humorous anti-nazi propaganda in her wake. Claude was evenutally jailed for her work in the French Resistance and although spared the death sentence presided over her she suffered terribly from the imprisonment and died not long after the war ended. By Owain Holland 27 47TH CONGRESS YCL General Secretary’s Address to the 47th Congress The speech reproduced here was delivered by YCL General Secretary Zoe Hennessy on 13th of December at the Marx Memorial Library to open the YCL’s 47th Congress.

Welcome to the 47th congress of the Young Communist League. We are meeting at a critically important time for the left in Britain. In his autumn statement George Osborne announced a further round of cuts that will take public spending back to levels not seen since the 1930s.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies said these cuts would force a “fundamental re-imagining of the role of the state”. By their own admission, austerity is ideological, it is a class war aimed at clawing back every gain working people have made in the labour and trade union movement since the post war period.

The left still have not reached out to working people to people, there is plenty of jobs which don’t exist, and benefits - one can only convince them that the potential. face welfare sanctions meted imagine. massive rise in unemployment, out with little regard for One of the most disgraceful poverty and inequality is not University is now prohibitively their survival or wellbeing. and cruel outcomes of this accidental, it is a deliberate expensive for many working These sanctions mean that coalition government’s attempt aspect of capitalism, trying class families. Those graduating unemployed workers cannot to destroy the welfare state is to further reduce the power with tens of thousands of buy food, cannot afford to the huge number of foodbanks of workers, and shore up pounds worth of debt are heat their homes, and cannot springing up across Britain. In profits by redistributing money discovering that there is little even afford to travel to the job the last year, a million people away from workers and to hope of finding a job, given centre or job interviews. across the UK have been given the rich. We have also not that there are 85 applicants a 3 day emergency supply of adequately convinced people for every graduate job, The number of unemployed food from the Trussell Trust that of course there is an compounded by the fact that people claiming welfare has Foodbanks. alternative, and that alternative private firms reserve 40% fallen from 98% twenty years is socialism. of graduate jobs for unpaid ago, to just 53% currently. As the welfare state is interns. It is clear that the aim of rolled back, it is women Our role as young communists the reforms to the benefit who are picking up the is to make socialism relevant The youth are working in system is not to help people pieces. It is women who are to young people. We are not increasingly low paid, highly find work but to stop them overwhelmingly affected here just to try and stem exploitative and insecure jobs. from accessing state support through pay freezes and the tide, we also need to be Currently three-quarters of a altogether. benefit cuts, and it is women building a future movement million people aged between who suffer when access to which can fight back. 16 and 24 are unemployed There are no statistics for domestic violence centres Our generation is at the sharp across the UK, and are forced where these people end up are withdrawn. Despite this, end of attacks on working to search far and wide for once they give up claiming women are under-represented 28 47TH CONGRESS in our organisation. This needs good year in terms of its influential unions voted for the to be addressed as a matter of industrial and political work. Collins review. urgency. However, we are clearly not at a point of critical mass and The Labour Party has never Although the ConDem much more work needs to be lead us towards progressive government tries to argue done. policies, and that has never unemployment has fallen been the party position. slightly, we know that the Our membership remains The Labour Party has only problem of underemployment small, and our base of active, implemented progressive and the outrageous use of reliable YCL members is even policies during periods of class workfare across the UK is smaller. Too often the burden struggle. Currently our class a serious misrepresentation of work falls on a few people. forces are weak, the Labour underpinning official We need to increase our Party reflects this. There is no government reports. membership, and we need basis for thinking the Labour to develop a proper base at Party should be to the left of Approximately 1.46 million universities and reach out to the trade unions. people are working part time students in schools. We also because they can’t find full need to insist on consistency Our priority is to build the time work. 1.4 million workers and discipline. party and the YCL, build the are employed on zero hour trade union movement and the contracts, therefore denying I think that in recent years People’s Assembly. them any guarantee of work young people have reacted or earnings, and no holiday against austerity. However, I will finish by saying that we or sick pay, whilst giving in the absence of a strong must promote class politics employers a license to use as long as the Communist Party highlighting and our party and league. It employees as an expendable the relevance of class politics, really is a choice between and cheap, reserve workforce. working class and putting forward an barbarism or socialism. No one should have to work believes that alternative to capitalism, i.e. for their poverty. job losses, socialism, these protests have Social democracy has made petered out or been side significant improvements to We know that the rise of poverty and tracked into opportunist people’s lives, but ultimately UKIP and other far right strain on movements not rooted in it rehabilitates and preserves parties across Europe is a class. It is up to communists to capitalism, a system of direct product of austerity our public make the case for socialism. injustice, poverty and war. and the vacuum caused by services are the lack of working class the fault of There are now only 6 months The ruling class, in attacking representation in politics. As to go until the 2015 General us the way they are, sow the long as the ruling class is able immigrants Election. If the Tories win seeds for their own demise. to conveniently deploy the they will another term they will claw We must take advantage of politics of division, as long be unable back our post war gains and this crisis, to make the case as the working class believes welfare state with renewed for socialism. It will ultimately that job losses, poverty and to see that vigour. They will further be up to the working class strain on our public services capitalism is attack our trade unions and to strike capitalism the death are the fault of immigrants our human rights. They will blow, and they will never they will be unable to see that the root of the destroy our National Health do this without a strong capitalism is the root of the problem Service. The only practical communist movemnt. problem. step towards a solution in this time frame is the election of a Our enemy is strong, and Some parts of the media Labour government. However, united. But our enemy is not pretend to scrutinise UKIP, it will be a hollow victory and has never been invincible. but all they do is give them if Labour fail to break with The working class, despite all oxygen to breathe. Moreover, austerity politics. the attacks it has sustained, a privileged liberal elite despite all the battles it has mocking the far right and the There are a number of lost, still has the potential to people that vote for them considerations to make in our fight back. The Communist doesn’t address the reasons fightback. Party, despite all the attacks why people are turning to it has sustained, despite the the right.The media and the The Communist Party is battles it has lost, is still here. mainstream political parties influential for its size, but it is We are still relevant because are unable and unwilling not big enough, and it is not the Marxist Leninist doctrine to challenge UKIP, because influential enough. is true. talking about solving the housing crisis, about the The number of workers Zoe Hennessy is YCL causes of unemployment and organised in trade unions General Secretary. inequality, necessarily means has declined heavily since talking about socialism as a the 1970s. The number of solution to these problems. workers covered by collective bargaining has fallen to The YCL has had a relatively 20%. The biggest and most 29 YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE What we stand for The Young Communist League is...

...Communist ...The youth wing of the Communist Party We work to abolish capitalism and establish a socialist society based on The YCL aims to build support among young people for the Communist common ownership and democratic control, drawing on the ideas of Marx, Party’s programme, Britain’s Road to Socialism and to increase young Engels, Lenin and others, as well as on the experience of socialist countries people’s involvement in politics. The YCL is autonomous and decides its since 1917. In the context of this struggle we seek to defend and strengthen own activities and priorities. public services, the welfare state and the NHS. We believe that everyone has the right to free and inclusive secular education including access to nursery care, schools, universities, community colleges and adult education centres. ...Democratic The struggle for socialism must go hand in hand with the struggle to protect the environment, which is wilfully damaged by trans-national corporations and Policies are formulated by a Congress which must be held at least once capitalist governments in the drive for short-term profits. every two years, and are carried out by an elected Executive Commit- tee. The YCL also fights to defend and strengthen democratic rights. It rejects unfair discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, sexuality or ...Part of an international movement religious or other belief. It calls for the abolition of the monarchy and the House of Lords and regards the European Union as an undemocrat- The YCL has been a member organisation of the World Federation of ic and reactionary institution which serves the interests of big business Democratic Youth since its foundation in 1945. WFDY represents millions of rather than those of Europe’s working people. progressive anti-imperialist youth in more than 100 countries. We campaign in solidarity with sister Communist Youth organisations around the World and defend existing socialist countries. We fully support the right to self determi- ...Centralised nation and oppose any attempt by imperialist countries & forces such as Brit- ain, the USA and the EU to impose their will on the peoples of the world or Democratically taken decisions are carried out across the organisation, to exploit and control the world’s resources and markets for capitalist profit. although local YCL groups decide how best to implement them in their We call for unilateral, immediate and unconditional nuclear disarmament. own areas. ...Revolutionary

...Part of a mass movement We aim not to mend capitalism, but to end it. This does not mean that the YCL calls for an armed uprising in modern Britain, although we We never put the interests of the YCL above those of the movement as defend the right of the oppressed to take up arms for their liberation. It a whole & we always strive to build the widest possible coalition behind means realising that only a fundamental shift in power from the capital- progressive policies. The Morning Star, Britain’s only socialist daily newspa- ists to working people can guarantee democratic rights and social pro- per, plays a vital role in strengthening the left and the YCL actively works to; gress. Socialist revolution in Britain can and should be achieved through support the paper; provide a daily voice for Britain’s youth; raise its circula- a combination of mass popular struggle in the labour movement & tion. We recognise the importance of trade unions as the broadest mass society as a whole as well as struggle in the electoral field. We publicise organisations of the working class and we fight against all anti- union laws. our activities, theory & revolutionary perspective on the day to day struggle through our magazine Challenge, which also provides a channel for debate within the YCL and the wider movement as a whole.

The Young Communist League was formed in 1921 as the youth If you’re under 29 and want to join the YCL write to the address below or visit our website. If you want to subscribe to Challenge wing of the Communist Party. The then fill in this form & send to. YCL has a long and proud his- tory in the struggle for Socialism YCL, Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Rd, London CR0 1BD amongst young people in Britain

Name: and most of the broad based pro- gressive youth organisations that Address: exist today owe their existence to Postcode: Phone: the initiatives and work of the YCL. The YCL has always and continues E-mail: to play a vital role in the struggles for peace, against racism and fas- Age: Place of Work/Study: cism, for gender equality, and all Challenge subscriptions are £15 for two years (twelve issues), £18 for Europe, other popular struggles that in- £21 for Overseas (please pay by international money order). Cheques & P/O should be made payable to YCL. Order online at www.ycl.org.uk volve young people across Britain. NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN THE YCL! JOIN THE STRUGGLE !

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