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Zuma’s last days ... but will „„Trump’s economy worker„„Tory Brexit chaos Ramaphosa put an end to „„Israel and feminism corruption and cronyism? „„Italy’s parties No 1189 Thursday February 8 2018 Towards a Communist Party of the European Union £1/€1.10 Iran’s anti-hijab protests 2 weekly February 8 2018 1189 worker LETTERS

Letters may have been that’s just to thrash an idealism-saddled where you lifted it from. Why bother International. Politically the working clubs and care homes. Cuts to street shortened because of hobbyhorse of mine. waiting for your crack production team class in the Soviet Union was being lighting have made our pathways and space. Some names Nevertheless, one thing is for certain. to make it look shit? smashed from the October Revolution roads less safe, and cuts to bus services  may have been changed Elsewhere in nature, tension between But thanks for a good laugh. Made on. We saw this defeat in the shape of have had a serious effect on local public conflicting interests often results in my day. increased poverty, actual invasion and transport. The latest round of cuts will Flimsy advantageous and consequently healthy Victor Jenkins then permanent encirclement. further decimate services. The Tory- Ian Donovan alleges that US policy change. Remarkable rewards accrue email Over the last 12 months I have travelled led Warwickshire council has already towards Israel, the Middle East and from apparently ‘unwelcome’ mutations in the US, Canada, Poland, Slovakia, decided that half the proposed £25 million beyond is largely driven by Jewish within life-forces, followed by dynamic Hands off Sadie the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary cuts over the next two years - £12.3 capitalists, who form a disproportionately resolution. Progress and newness I was quite disgusted by Paul Demarty’s and Croatia. For all practical purposes, million - will be to fund redundancy large part of the American ruling class. sometimes are entirely dependent upon attack on comrade Sadie Robinson (‘All we have seen a reversion to imperialist, payments: an admittance that a large They are, he claims, part of a that near-magical process. It goes by the president’s men’, February 1) for her capitalist practices everywhere and the number of local authority workers will worldwide Jewish bourgeois class. But the name, evolution - conveniently January 24 Socialist Worker article. SWP’s ‘second world’ no longer exists lose their jobs. The number looks as as a would-be Marxist he needs to invent summarised as ‘adapt or die’. Firstly, if it is the same person from as a bastard societal form. What is our if it will be in the hundreds, given the a materialist motive driving these Jewish When thinking about what is required Leeds I remember from when I was in approach? And what, for example, can money being put aside. Every worker capitalists to promote Israel’s interests of 21st century Marxist-Leninist the Socialist Workers Party, she was a comrade Hillel Ticktin tell us about what made redundant will see the closure or and override alternative US interests. His revolutionary politics in order to provide principled Marxist who fought for working has happened on territories that were in deterioration of a service. answer is: “The Israeli Law of Return it with far greater appeal, with far more class rule. I doubt anything has changed the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence? Increasing council tax, as Warwickshire gives citizenship rights to all Jews born in meaningful traction, surely just such in all these years. If she has kept with the Anyway, hands off Sadie: she has is also doing, is not the answer either. other countries ... This leads to a situation an evolutionary leap forward should SWP - good. That shows loyalty, and loyally fought with organised Marxists People already pay for local services and … where a substantial group of bourgeois be recognised as both unavoidable and loyalty is a positive human attribute. Back as long as I have been an adult. the majority have no spare cash at all. Over has citizenship rights - ie, ownership essential. In fact, that evolutionary (or then it was the time of the European Social Sachin Sharma 13 million people officially live in poverty rights - over both the Israeli capitalist paradoxically even revolutionary) change Forum - I was recruited to the SWP after Leeds and numbers are rising annually. state and the US capitalist state or that required is a perfect echo of the scenario the Global Gathering Conference in Leeds We realise the Tory government is of some European countries, whichever comrade Linney outlines in relation to and marched in Genoa soon after. Momentum the main culprit, having cut what it gives they are indigenous citizens of, on the the NHS. Sadie saw working class rule as the I have submitted a proposal to the My to local councils every year. However, basis of their Jewish birth. Therefore, we On a more light-hearted note, I’d say basis for overcoming class society as a Momentum website stating that Constituency councils could and should say, ‘Enough have overlapping ruling classes between this. By dedicating their time and intellect whole and thereby destroying absolute Labour Parties should be allocated a much is enough’ and refuse to implement the Israel and a number of European and North into ‘higher form’ rewards available from need and poverty in the process. She greater proportion of individual members’ cuts. Warwickshire County Council American capitalist-imperialist states” the Weekly Worker - such as those provided played an instrumental part in recruiting dues. I would ask that all Momentum should buy time by using its reserves and, (Letters, January 18). by James Linney and others - your readers to the Socialist Alliance and the Anti-Nazi members please consider nominating my if necessary, its ability to borrow money In my letter of January 25, I debunked will be saved the somewhat hideous task League. proposal. If it gets enough nominations, at preferential rates - called prudential this flimsy argument, which elides of wading through far less dynamic and Secondly, the Socialist Worker article then Momentum will propose it as part borrowing. The council should then set potential citizenship rights with actual immeasurably less productive subject was obviously commissioned by the of the Labour Party’s democracy review. a budget that meets the needs of the local ownership of a country; but Ian’s reply matter: topics such as the seemingly editor, who is subordinate to the central You can nominate or comment on my community and join with other local (February 1) shows that he has not inescapable question of whether all Jews committee. The CC in turn is a subordinate proposal at https://my.peoplesmomentum. councils to demand the government grasped the point. Yes, Israeli law does are part of an internationally formulated of the party as a whole during conference com/review/theme/4. I have also submitted makes up the shortfall. allow any Jew to immigrate to Israel and ‘crypto-bourgeoisie’, one nefariously out time. So when a reporter reports, it doesn’t a proposal regarding the Labour Party Cutting public expenditure is a political become an Israeli citizen. It also bestows to manipulate and then plunder the world. mean it is completely them - just like establishing its own press. See https:// choice. Britain is the sixth wealthiest significant, substantial privilege on Jews Well, may either the bony fingers of when the editor of the Weekly Worker my.peoplesmomentum.com/review/ country in the world, and there is plenty who are of poor or modest means, and is the Grim Reaper or a splash of summer commissions an article, it will also reflect theme/10. of money available to protect services. At mainly designed to facilitate mass Jewish sunshine arrive to save us all from that his voice, and the editor is subordinate to Mark Stott national level, we have been saying for immigration to Israel, in order to deal with overblown, cyclical and obsessive the apparatus at hand. It is a great pity that email years that there are other ways to meet what Zionists regard as the ‘demographic nonsense! this news-sheet decided to take their anger the country’s economic deficit, such as: peril’ of the Hebrew settler nation being Bruno Kretzschmar out on Sadie. End austerity  A 5% wealth tax on the richest 10%, ‘swamped’ by Palestinian Arabs. But this email It is sad the SWP got so mashed up over The Rugby Trade Unionist and Socialist which, alone, would resolve the debt. law makes very little substantial material this ‘comrade Delta’ fiasco. You live, you Coalition has criticised the budget just  Reclaiming the £120 billion per year difference to rich diaspora Jews: they, like Old chestnut learn. The SWP had always fought against agreed by Warwickshire County Council. of unpaid tax that rich individuals and all wealthy persons of any religion or none, Given that the letters page has been given male chauvinism, but I’m sure like a lot We are outraged that the Tory majority companies avoid or evade. can in any case easily acquire citizenship over to those that not only believe in, but of organisations found it hard when it is council today confirmed a further £25 The banks, building societies and financial in many countries (including the UK, a actually care about, a ‘witch-hunt’, within happening in their own back yard - and million of public spending cuts over the institutions, which make massive profits, favourite residence of the very rich). My the Labour Party against the left, I just even harder in their front yard. next two years, whilst adding 5% to the could be nationalised, with profits used to tongue-in-cheek remark that, according wondered if you would be entertaining The organised political left is in retreat average council tax bill. Local people maintain and improve our public services. to Ian’s logic, “perhaps it is correct to say discussions on other conspiracy theories? the world over. It is decomposing into will be hit twice. It is disgraceful that Austerity is not the answer. It that the capitalist ruling class, irrespective Did they fake the moon landings? Who more and more informal groupings and I householders are having to pay even disproportionately hits the poor and of religion, is international” was seized shot JFK? Is Elvis really still alive? And, find it a pity that this section of the Marxist more for deteriorating services. The most the vulnerable, who rely on public by him as evidence that I am - quelle finally, who really runs the EU? My money left has found itself having to actually vulnerable will be the most affected by services. Hundreds will lose their jobs horreur - a Kautskyist. is on the freemasons, but other readers deal with such a drop in membership. It is further public service cuts, particularly in Warwickshire. There are alternatives, Of course, the main flaw in the pseudo- may disagree. very sad - a reverse needs to happen, but children with additional needs. as we have consistently pointed out: we Marxist theory of Jewish-capitalist- Though I did laugh at Stan Keable it’s hard. The smaller the identity of an Warwickshire has already cut £100 call on Warwickshire County Council to driven US policy is failure to explain quoting Ken Loach on that old chestnut - organisation, the more in-breeding occurs. million from its spending on public seriously consider them. why the non-Jewish majority of the that Labour lost the election as they were When the International Socialists services since 2010. This has seen the Pete McLaren American ruling class meekly accepts not leftwing enough. Yep, that would were born, comrades saw themselves closure of libraries, fire stations, youth Rugby Tusc the line allegedly laid down by the Jewish explain why the Conservatives are in as a global community; nationally they capitalists, who are a minority (albeit an office, propped up by the Democratic would constantly be in the non-socialist ‘overrepresented’ one) within that class. Unionist Party. Or is that just another press - and if you were lucky in a pub Readers who seek a rather better conspiracy? where you were drinking, because you Fighting fund explanation of US policy are advised to Steven Johnston were at a political event. read the article, ‘Demystifying US and email This has long gone and we are all now Israeli power’, by Susan Cain and Mark in little pools - in the UK sometimes just Mason. Good laugh in a room with a couple of consenting Moshé Machover Your report on the Communist Party of adults trying to resolve ‘Where now?’ Much appreciated! email Great Britain’s annual general meeting I do not see any one organised Marxist ride of place when it comes to from £5 to £30 and totalled £282. is absolutely hilarious (‘No easy road force having the weapons at its disposal Pdonations this week is comrade Altogether we’ve raised £433 in the Sparkling to popularity’, February 1). I refer to the to reverse the retreat - minimal weapons BK, who transferred to the Weekly first week of February - despite the What a superbly informative article from sections where you talk about the Weekly being programme, organisation and depth Worker bank account the unusual fact that a problem with our mail James Linney, within a generally sparkling Worker. Apparently, it’s your “peacock”, of influence in the working class. - but most definitely generous - delivery means that I’ve got no edition (‘Health service we need’, February which was “excellent in 2017” and you are The CPGB has an excellent minimum- sum of £86. But, when it clicked news to report of any contributions 1). As far as I’m aware, the comrade is alone “pleased with the overall standard of the maximum Draft programme, while the that this was the exact amount of by cheque. But don’t worry if you in providing overviews of the national paper”. It’s a bit ironic that this has been Labour Party is organised everywhere January’s shortfall, it all started sent one in - all will be revealed health service that recognise the necessity presented with a really, really big picture of and it is at the head of the working class to make sense! And this from a next week! of holistic restructuring. A sophisticated as god knows what symbolic meaning - were both politically (through the party as a comrade who recently expressed Despite that, though, I can’t help well as root-and-branch redesign springing you struggling to fill the space this week, whole) and economically (through trade regret at having to cut down on his feeling a little concerned by the fact from truly socialist soil, it might be said. comrades? union organisation/affiliation). Jeremy regular donations. Never has the that, seeing this is February, the end The only negative aspect to these I know exactly why you amateurs Corbyn is the leader of the working class phrase, ‘Much appreciated’, been of the first week means that exactly matters at hand stems from the fact that don’t want short articles. More difficult to in this country (whether he wants to be or more appropriate! a quarter of the month has gone by, the comrade’s insights, experience and design, isn’t it, lots of small ones? Come not). Still we live with another six billion Another handy gift was from and four times £433 doesn’t quite expertise are not being expressed via a on, own up - you don’t fool me. people in the world and opening our road comrade TB, who donated £50 via total the £1,750 we need. Especially consolidated/unified communist media Let me tell you a little non-secret. to general human freedom will need to PayPal, having been “encouraged” when you take into account the outlet, here in the UK. What a crying My organisation, the Socialist Party, has involve every single one of them. by the report of the CPGB’s annual fact that BK’s £86 really belonged shame! Just imagine what would be a serious debate about its paper every Through Trotsky the Fourth general meeting in last week’s to January! achievable if there was a pooling of all year and it is free of the hubris and self- International found its feet. But Trotskyists paper. Another PayPal donor was Please do what you can to help skills, knowledge and resources on the justificatory crap you jokers put about. were in a very awkward position, which US comrade PM, who came up with out l Marxist-Leninist left. As the saying goes, Comrades are honest about what is good arose from the fact that they were shunned his usual £15. Robbie Rix the world would be our oyster; anyway, and what is bad. out of the Stalinist ‘second world’ and But the largest number of its shell would be a damned sight easier And it would have been good that the capitalist ‘first world’. Following historic contributors to this week’s fighting Fill in a standing order form to prise open, and so the ‘pearl’ of making Weekly Worker produced all that Lars retreats in the Third International, the fund were those who paid by (back page), donate via our communism attractive to the mass of T Lih stuff in 2017 … if, unfortunately, Trotskyists found themselves just reacting standing order - there were 19 website, or send cheques, our co-citizens far more likely to end most of those interested in the topic hadn’t to what was in their face and constantly of them, whose donations varied payable to Weekly Worker up nestling in the palm of our hand. But already read it on John Riddell’s website, comparing themselves to the Third BCM Box 928, London WC1N 3XX l 07704 903382 l www.weeklyworker.co.uk l [email protected] weekly 3 worker 1189 February 8 2018 USA

London Communist Forum Earthquakes and H-bombs Sunday February 11, 5pm: Weekly political report from CPGB Provisional Central Committee, followed by open discussion and reading group: study of August Nimtz’s Lenin’s electoral strategy from Paul Demarty reports on the heightening drama of US Marx and Engels through the revolution of 1905. This meeting: chapter 3, ‘The “dress rehearsal” and the first duma’ (continued). politics Calthorpe Arms, 252 Grays Inn Road, London WC1. Organised by CPGB: www.cpgb.org.uk; t falls to us to wonder how lucky ‘normal’ American political cycle. and Labour Party Marxists: www.labourpartymarxists.org.uk. Donald Trump is feeling just this We have a president elected in the second. teeth of the most violent opposition Britain-Palestine friendship I Saturday February 10, 9.15am to 5pm: Twinning and friendship Last week has to be called a pretty the establishment can reasonably good one for him, with a ‘state of offer a man who might actually win, conference, Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane, Liverpool L1. the union’ address that managed to whose reign has been as mercurial as Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign: play to the core of his appeal without his campaign. The spectre of another www.palestinecampaign.org/events/britain-palestine-friendship- turning into a screaming tantrum, economic crisis looms, but we are twinning-network-annual-conference. and a slew of economic good news only now truly feeling the political Stand Up To Racism - employment and hourly wages consequences of the last one. Saturday February 10, 11am to 4.30pm: Trade union conference, up, stock market riding high … To On the blue benches, and despite Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1. £10 (£5 unwaged). say that the ‘springtime in America’ the best efforts of the world’s most Organised by Stand Up To Racism: www.standuptoracism.org.uk. shtick was a little short-lived this time well-groomed professional politicians, around would be quite an unTrumpian things are hardly a picture of unity of Stockton Momentum understatement. On Monday, the Dow purpose. The left of the Democratic Monday February 12, 7pm: Meeting to discuss Labour’s democracy review, Jones industrial average - a decrepit, Party - sidelined for so long by the Newtown Community Resource Centre, 123 Durham Road, Stockton-on- but still influential, stock index - permanent Clintonite yuppiocracy Tees TS19. Including a motion from Labour Against the Witchhunt. suffered a record single-day drop, - received a large and unexpected Organised by Momentum: with the misery following the sun to shot in the arm with Bernie Sanders’s www.facebook.com/events/424429657989773. Asia and then Europe. Things seem to insurgent campaign for the presidential Nottingham against war have stabilised for now - the Dow and nomination in 2016, and all the signs Monday February 12, 7pm: Public meeting, St Peter’s Church, St Standard & Poor’s 500 have, at time of are that the congressional primaries are Peter’s Gate, Nottingham NG1. writing, rebounded somewhat, though going to be hard-fought affairs. The Organised by Nottingham Stop the War: it is a rough ride. The picture is not, Democrat right wing currently looks www.facebook.com/Nottinghamstopthewar. however, one of a strong economy almost bereft of purpose - the ones thriving under the leadership of its who pitch themselves as the smartest Britain’s housing crisis perma-tanned helmsman. guys and gals in the room, with their Wednesday February 14, 7pm: Marx Memorial Library, 37A What we can say, indeed, is that this finger on the pulse of history, and yet Clerkenwell Green, London EC1. First in a three-part course. Waged: little wobble - if a wobble it remains - is Finger on the button their great champion was bested by an £15; unwaged: £9. symptomatic of the broader situation in absurd charlatan - but it is not at all Organised by Marx Memorial Library: www.marx-memorial-library.org. which Trump finds himself, and which instruments like exchange-traded funds bereft of institutional power within the he has done so much to create. There is (indexed-linked securities traded like party. A bloodbath beckons - another For an anti-war government a dangerous and pervasive uncertainty stocks) proliferating. variable in an already incomprehensible Thursday February 15, 7pm: Anti-war rally against Trump visit, surrounding the president on numerous This is the situation Trump was midterm equation. Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1. fronts, of which the economy is only boasting about until February 4, as if it Organised by Stop the War Coalition: www.stopwar.org.uk. one: the outcome of the two great were not the case that the stock market Nuclear threat Does socialism have a future? political challenges before him - the was roaring in mid-1929. It is axiomatic It is in this context - war being politics Friday February 16, 7pm, Saturday February 17, 11am to 8pm: ‘Russiagate’ investigations and this for Marxists that capitalist crises shall by other means - that we must evaluate Conference, Goldsmiths College, Lewisham Way, London SE14. ‘The autumn’s midterm elections - are inevitably recur - in theory, it is also the results of America’s latest ‘nuclear world and the left since 1968’. Speakers include Frank Furedi, Boris another. In another sphere, meanwhile axiomatic for most schools of bourgeois posture review’, which had been heavily Kagarlitsky, Lindsey German, Hillel Ticktin. - that of defence and foreign policy - he economics, although they seem to be trailed for weeks. Organised by Platypus Goldsmiths: is very much more securely in power, very good at talking themselves out of Most nuclear arsenals are old; the www.facebook.com/events/2004171789837809/. more’s the pity, for the result is that the it when things are looking up. That kind battle in this country over Trident rest of us stand at the edge of a shift of cyclical naivety was revealed in the is worth fighting, in part, because No to governments of war towards much more aggressive nuclear February 5 trading, and it cannot be there will come a point after which Saturday February 17, 2pm: Public meeting, Mechanics Institute, 103 doctrines on the part of America. long before a more serious blow to the the existing missiles are effectively Princess Street, Manchester M1. world economy is struck. Carl Icahn, inoperable - the last possessors of the Organised by Manchester Stop the War: Irrational the notorious financier and inspiration operational folk-knowledge necessary www.facebook.com/Greater-Manchester-Stop-the-War-Coalition-262524980601747. for Gordon Gekko, suggested that to keep them ready to launch over Coventry Momentum exuberance this was the first rumbling before the decades having died out. Failure to Tuesday February 27, 7.30pm: Meeting to discuss Labour’s democracy Let us look at the stock market chaos earthquake; he has his own interests, renew is to decommission by default. review, United Reformed Church, Warwick Road, Coventry CV1. in more detail, then. of course, but it is difficult to disagree. The USA is certainly not ready to Organised by Momentum: www.peoplesmomentum.com/ There is no shortage of bourgeois The question for Trump is whether give up its nuclear capabilities and a coventry_momentum_meeting_to_discuss_the_democracy_review. economists - wise after the fact in it comes before or after the November programme of renewal was thus quite the usual fashion - lining up to tell us midterms - especially added to his other inevitable. Defend education Wednesday February 28, 12 noon: March for pensions and pay. that this was a long time coming. The worries. Another piece of last week’s What is interesting is the shape of the Assemble ULU, Malet Street, London WC1. American stock market was overvalued; good news, from his point of view, was proposed renewal. The idea is to increase Organised by UCU London region: www.facebook.com/UCULondon. low interest rates shifted investment the concession that it was ultimately the number of ‘small’ warheads - bombs from ‘safe’ bonds to speculation of the Democrats’ opposition research with a modest Hiroshima-esque yield - Labour Against the Witchhunt one sort or another - the most absurd department that fed the highly dubious in the United States arsenal. This is very Saturday March 3, 1pm to 4pm: Organising meeting, Union Tavern, example being the crypto-currency Steele dossier to the authorities, thus worrying, for reasons that might have 52 Lloyd Baker Street, London WC1. asset bubble (Bitcoin, we note, is at beginning the chain of events leading been lifted directly from Dr Strangelove. Organised by Labour Against the Witchhunt: something of a low ebb - at time of to the present investigations of Trump- The trouble with the real world-ender www.labouragainstthewitchhunt.org. writing, again, for it may well soar back Putin collusion in 2016. In the end, the sort of bomb is that … well, it is a world- up to $20,000 in the next 20 minutes, substance of the question - whether he ender. It is effectively unusable without Stand Up To Racism for all anyone knows). or his associates actually did collude, triggering a conflagration that will Rallies to mobilise support for March 17 UN anti-racism day protests: Trump has staked a lot on the and on what scale, with the Russian effectively wipe out the human species. Bristol: Tuesday February 13, 7pm, Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, dramatic rise in equity values since he state, is left unresolved; but it is In that light, however, it is not terribly Bristol BS1. took the reins, for which he naturally certainly a stark reminder that there is useful as a deterrent, since nobody takes Liverpool: Sunday February 18, 2pm, Jack Jones House, Unite the claims all the credit. It is likely that more than the stubborn civic duty of seriously the idea that you will use it. Union, 1 Islington, Liverpool L3. this made things worse: it promoted America’s three-letter agents at work Small bombs, however - America has West London: Wednesday February 21, 7pm, Maxilla Social Club, 2 to Wall Street the idea that Trump in the Russiagate controversy. Yet this used them! They might be used again, Maxilla Walk, London W10. was treating the Dow and the S&P has been just one news cycle on the on battlefields rather than over cities. Nottingham: Wednesday February 28, 7pm, Nottingham Mechanics, 3 as vanity metrics, and thus would be issue - others are still to come before Deterrence is restored, and peace is safe! North Sherwood Street, Nottingham NG1. inclined to artificially prop them up. Americans go to the polls to elect We live now in an age where it York: Wednesday February 28, 7.30pm, Friends Meeting House, Lower The proximate cause for Monday’s congressmen and women. cannot be taken for granted that things Friargate, York YO1. ‘correction’ was the appointment of will be left at the level of ‘deterrence’, Birmingham: Thursday March 1, 7pm, Priory Rooms, 40 Bull Street, a new chair of the Federal Reserve of Bloodbath however (not that it ever could be - Birmingham B4. unknown opinions, and it was merely Those midterms are quite the most ‘mutually assured destruction’ having Oxford: Thursday March 1, 7pm, town hall, St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1. the possibility that Jerome Powell uncertain thing of all; on average, the always been a rotten example of the Manchester: Thursday March 1, 7pm, Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount might be more of an interest rate hawk party of the incumbent president loses complacency of the ‘strategic doctrine’ Street, Manchester M2. than Janet Yellen that set all this chaos 30 seats in the House of Representatives, wonk). Trump is not the only overtly Sheffield: Wednesday March 7, 7pm, Central United Reformed Church, in motion. and four in the Senate (only a third or nationalist executive to be elected in 60 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1. What began as a desperate rearguard so of the latter seats are up for grabs), the recent period and the danger of South London: Wednesday March 7, 7pm, Karibu Education Centre, 7 action to get money circulating again which would be more than enough to war, like economic crisis, is that it is Gresham Road, London SW9. after the 2007-08 banking crisis - put both houses in the hands of the never going to happen, until it does. Newcastle: Saturday March 10, 1pm, Arts Centre, Black Swan Yard, 39 rock-bottom interest rates and money- Democrats. It is hardly surprising: And it happens because it is in people’s Westgate Road, Newcastle NE1. printing - has ended up persisting for just as the campaign trail is a place interests - people like unpopular Organised by Stand Up To Racism: www.standuptoracism.org.uk. the best part of a decade, because any of overpromising and grand vistas of presidents. pace of normalisation higher than the national renewal, so the actual slog America’s fate is uncertain indeed: CPGB wills excruciatingly glacial leads to the first of government in America’s paralytic it may be decided by politics, or by Remember the CPGB and keep the struggle going. Put our party’s name whispers of panic in major investors. constitutional set-up must tip eager politics by other means l and address, together with the amount you wish to leave, in your will. If The result is the situation before us, voters into the trough of disillusionment. you need further help, do not hesitate to contact us. with enormously leveraged financial Today, of course, we are not in a [email protected] 4 weekly February 8 2018 1189 worker LABOUR NEC readmits leftwingers But hopes that this might mark the beginning of the end of the witch-hunt could be premature, warns Carla Roberts ne of the biggest problems the left’s control over the party after continued: “Extraordinary to put you in that we might be seeing the beginning Labour Party has today is its recent elections to its governing body, I responded: “I’m not going to the same article as a holocaust-denier. of the end of the witch-hunt against Olack of a media outlet. Apart where Momentum candidates won a comment on ‘thousands’ instead How utterly appalling. I hope he is the Marxist left in the Labour Party. from the occasional email and snaz- ‘clean sweep’ of new positions”. of ‘millions’, because I don’t not readmitted.” Underneath Janine Her case is, however, quite different zily produced video, we receive very With a bit of detective work, we know” - meaning, of course, I don’t approvingly posted a tweet by Richard to that of the dozens (hundreds?) who little unfiltered, unbiased news from can gather that the NEC on January 23 know why the SWP had said that. I Angell, leader of Progress, who wrote: have been expelled from the party for Jeremy Corbyn. decided that the membership requests have always used the ‘high’ figure “Why the leadership on the verge of their alleged support for groups like Having said that, it is, of course, from three applicants should come of six million Jews who were killed winning an election would want to be Socialist Appeal and Labour Party far from certain that he and his allies “under NEC review”: They are Ken in the Nazi holocaust. Perhaps your associated with holocaust deniers and Marxists. It does, however, highlight would indeed always be prepared Livingstone’s “race tsar”, Lee Jasper, reporter should have read my recent the like?” She comments: “Richard how the rules are being used, abused to share important decisions and who stood against the Labour Party articles on Holocaust Memorial Angell (Progress) makes an even and even ignored, depending on who developments with the membership. for George Galloway’s Respect in Day before typing that reference stronger connection.” is applying them and for what reason. Take the last meeting of the party’s 2012; Kingsley Abrams, who stood into his piece? Or, indeed, any of Well he would, wouldn’t he? No Janine was expelled from Labour national executive committee, on for the Trade Unionist and Socialist my articles. doubt it was his Progress friends on in 2003, after having stood as a January 23 in London - its first Coalition in the 2015 general election; the NEC who leaked the decisions to candidate for the Socialist Alliance meeting since its expansion following and a man convicted for fraud in 1981, Clearly, this man is no David Irving, The Sunday Times - in order, of course, in Hackney in the general election of the election of three pro-Corbyn for which he served a seven-year problematic formulations like the to harm Jeremy Corbyn. 2001 and the local elections of 2002. members. We all know of the decision sentence. “‘high’ figure” above not withstanding. One really has to wonder sometimes She was expelled under rule 2.1.4.A, of the NEC to request a “pause” in the The NEC also decided to reinstate Understandably, the NEC felt it needed about the pro-Zionist AWL. In its blind according to which “a member who housing development in Haringey (we one member suspended for anti- to let him back in. According to The mission to label everybody on the stands for election … in opposition to will come that later). But apparently Semitism (under certain conditions Times, “the NEC voted by 12 to 10 to “fake left” anti-Semitic, it fails to grasp a Labour candidate shall automatically the meeting also took the decision - see below) and that the membership issue Sivier a ‘warning’, but not to expel some pretty basic political truths. The be ineligible to be or remain a party to readmit a number of members applications of two previously him, suggesting the new arithmetic witch-hunt against the left in the party member”. It carries an automatic ban previously suspended or expelled from expelled activists should be accepted. on the body had a decisive impact.” has nothing whatsoever to do with of five years. the party. An important and potentially Here are the cases the NEC dealt with : Indeed. We also know that Jon Lansman wanting to stamp out anti-Semitism, She applied to rejoin in 2015, when very positive development, that we  Alan Fogg was a Labour councillor in particular is a firm believer in the real or imaginary - it has everything the (not yet Corbyn-dominated) NEC were informed of through an acidy in Liverpool, when he was expelled anti-Semitism “problem” in the Labour to do with weakening Jeremy Corbyn ruled that it had no objections to her skewed report in The Sunday Times: from the party in 1985 for supporting Party, so it is more than doubtful that by tainting his supporters on the left. readmission and that it was solely the Militant Tendency (today’s Socialist he would vote for the readmission of Which is, of course, why the witch- up to her CLP (Hackney South and A holocaust denier and a leading Party). He stood for Tusc in the 2016 somebody who is indeed a “holocaust hunt is also directed against members Shoreditch) to decide on the matter. member of Militant during its takeover local elections. The acceptance of denier”. We simply presume, of course, of the AWL. The CLP “objected on the grounds that of Liverpool council are among his membership application is good that it was the NEC left voting in favour Janine Booth also proudly posted a (a) I (allegedly) support Tusc and (b) a first wave of expelled hard-left news for a number of leftwingers who of his readmission, rather than the tweet by Jeremy Newark, leader of the I’m a member of Workers’ Liberty.” activists who have been readmitted have been denied membership on the right - but who knows? Jewish Labour Movement, who wrote: The first accusation is quite funny, to the Labour Party. Activists have grounds that they have stood for Tusc As an aside, we also wonder if the “Putting other politics aside, I know of course, because it shows how little been allowed to rejoin despite or Left Unity. It is also an indication voting figure is correct, seeing as there that Janine Booth’s readmission means the witch-hunters know about the left. still belonging to organisations that Lee Jasper and Kingsley Abrams are 39 members of the NEC and the the Labour Party gains a robust and The AWL never did more than back a ‘proscribed’ by Labour - including will probably be reinstated, too. Good. fact that The Sunday Times got another fearless voice against anti-Semitism few individual Tusc candidates.5 She a Trotskyist group, the Alliance  Author Mike Sivier, according to thing wrong: Sivier has actually not - much needed right now.” “freely admitted the second, arguing for Workers’ Liberty. Others stood The Times, is a “holocaust denier” and (yet) been readmitted, because he is Her lack of political astuteness that there are plenty of factions in the against Labour for hard-left parties was suspended last year for “comments refusing to attend the NEC-instructed (acquired through years of membership Labour Party and that is part of healthy as recently as 2016.1 about Jews and Zionism”: On his “anti-Semitism awareness training”. in the AWL) aside, we do, of course, debate”.6 A week later, she received an website, Sivier, 48, said it “may be  Janine Booth, senior member of the welcome Janine’s readmission into official letter refusing her application Clearly, the information was leaked entirely justified” to say Tony Blair had AWL, has seemingly learned nothing the Labour Party. The party should to rejoin. It mentioned, however, that by a rightwinger on the NEC, with been “unduly influenced by a cabal of from her own expulsion or those of be the home of all socialists and trade she could reapply in two years’ time. the intention of inflicting damage on Jewish advisors”. He also said he was her comrades. On Facebook, she unionists - and there will be plenty of Which Janine did again last year, Jeremy Corbyn. There are no official “not pretending it was a big problem” replied “Indeed” to a comment that members with perhaps even funnier when once more the NEC ruled that reports or records of these decisions if Jews were omitted from a list of repeated the description of Mike Sivier ideas. it was up to her CLP to make the to be found anywhere. In fact, we still holocaust survivors, and claimed “I’m as a “holocaust denier”. The writer Her reinstatement gives some hope decision. This time, the local party do not know how many members have not going to comment” on whether agreed - no doubt a reflection of actually been suspended since Corbyn’s thousands or millions of Jews died the dramatic political changes in its election (and how many remain in the holocaust, as “I don’t know”. membership. suspended) or how many have been Mike Sivier has commented at Jeremy Corbyn: they expelled for ‘supporting’ non-Labour length3 on the “libellous article” are still out to get him Bans and organisations. The Times last week and, while this writer did not have wrote that the party “had to suspend the time to investigate the whole proscriptions 18 members for anti-Semitism”.2 If case or all of the man’s writings, it The Sunday Times complains about this figure is true, that immediately seems pretty clear that his few words her re-admittance: “Activists have begs the question: how on earth can above - which have been taken from been allowed to rejoin despite still the right can get away with continuing a single Facebook thread and seem belonging to organisations proscribed to claim that anti-Semitism is a huge to form the entire case against him by Labour - including a Trotskyist problem in the party? - were presented to the Labour Party group, the Alliance for Workers’ We also do not know if The Sunday by the truly vile ‘Campaign Against Liberty.” Further on though, the same Times is correct when it claims that “the Anti-Semitism’ out of context, out of article quotes “a senior party source” appointment of leftwing members to sequence and in a seriously misleading as saying that the party review leftwing activists’ membership way. appeals was part of an understanding Take his most problematic no longer recognised the list of that would allow centrist members to comments about the holocaust - I proscribed organisations, so people review their own allies’ disciplinary mean, how can you pretend not to linked to them could not be banned. cases”. It seems rather unlikely that the know about it? Sivier explains the “There is a debate about whether right of the party - which, of course, context: a Facebook conversation with these existed at points in Labour initiated the expulsion and suspension somebody called “Ben”, who seemed history,” the source said. “Our view of so many leftwing members - would intent on setting him up. Ben sent is that they no longer exist.” now simply leave everything to the him a link to an article in the Alliance pro-Corbyn NEC left to deal with. for Workers’ Liberty’s publication Labour has not had an official list of Also, how many disciplinary cases Workers’ Liberty, which stated: proscribed organisations since 1973. In are there against “centrist” members? 1930, the party leadership produced its Not many, presumably. But we have In 2008, the SWP issued an explanation first ‘proscribed list’, squarely aimed at to guess here, of course. of the holocaust that referred to the Communist Party of Great Britain, Even the latest, extensive report “thousands” (not ‘millions’) of which included organisations and unions sent out by veteran NEC leftie Pete victims and omitted any reference to influenced by the CPGB.7 In Willsman (Campaign for Labour Party Jews. Whether this was ‘organised’ 1939 the NEC added Democracy) does not mention any of or ‘just a mistake’ seems irrelevant.4 the Socialist this. We cannot even be sure if the January 23 decisions on disciplinary Workers’ Liberty featured alongside it matters are in any way unusual, as we a picture of a scruffy Socialist Worker do not know how many cases have petition against the “Nazi BNP”. And been dealt with at previous meetings. one of the points on the petition does The Sunday Times (and those indeed read: “They [the BNP] deny leaking to it) does, however, present the holocaust, where thousands of the decisions of the meeting as highly LGBT people, trade unionists and unusual, as the outcome apparently disabled people were slaughtered.” “shows the extent of the resurgent Sivier explains: weekly 5 worker 1189 February 8 2018

League to the list, then in 1942 the programme, principles and policy, or Labour Research Department (which distinctive and separate propaganda, or had originally been founded in 1912 possessing branches in the constituencies, as the Fabian Research Department, or engaged in the promotion of an offshoot of the Fabian Society). In parliamentary or local government the McCarthyite atmosphere of the candidates, or having allegiance to any 1950s, a few more organisations and political organisation situated abroad, publications were added, including shall be ineligible for affiliation to the Socialist Outlook and the Socialist party (my emphasis). Labour League (of which Gerry Healy was a leading member). Neither the AWL, Socialist Appeal, In 1973, general secretary Ron Red Flag nor LPM have applied for Hayward abolished the list, because affiliation - though we are very much “Difficulties have been experienced looking forward to the day when socialist in keeping a current record of the organisations can do so again - an absolute many political organisations that are necessity in the fight to transform Labour established, many of which are of short into a real party of the whole class. life, change their names or merge with It goes without saying that both rules other organisations.”8 In other words, should be abolished (along with a few it was not a democratic policy - quite others!) as part of the long process of the opposite. The list had been viewed transformation ahead of us. According more and more like an entry visa for all to rule 2.1.4.B, Janine Booth would now those organisations not featured on it. have to be expelled again, because she For the Militant Tendency (today’s openly admits to being an active member Socialist Party in England and Wales), of the AWL. the bureaucrats had to think of a new While it obviously makes sense to stop trick: after various failed attempts to Labour Party members from standing kick it out, in 1982 they proposed the against the party, rule 2.1.4.B has to go. establishment of a register of non- It is wide open to abuse. Notoriously, affiliated groups that would be allowed Moshé Machover was expelled for to operate in the Labour Party. Militant having articles published in Labour was invited to apply - and was rejected. Party Marxists and the Weekly Worker. Suffragettes: doing their best to shock and terrorise Not a few of its members were expelled That, apparently, was enough to prove his over the next few years. “support” for a non-Labour organisation. The bans continued. In 1990, a After a national campaign, in which proposal to ban the newspaper Socialist dozens of Labour Party branches and Organiser was confirmed at Labour’s CLPs issued statements in opposition, he annual conference. In response, the had to be reinstated within three weeks. ‘I feel intimidated’ Socialist Organiser Alliance dissolved How different from the case of Mike ot everybody likes it when (just like Nelson Mandela was by the PLP meeting also heard MPs and in 1992 launched a new grouping: Palin, who remains expelled under the people get too ‘active’ in Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s). We criticise the “harassment received by the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty! same rule - simply for sharing Facebook Npolitics though. Today’s MPs wonder how many politicians at the Haringey council’s outgoing leader, Some people claim that this means the posts that included a handful of articles and councillors do not just have to time might have felt “intimidated” Claire Kober, who this weekend AWL and the Socialist Party remain the from Labour Party Marxists and the endure having their speeches being by having their windows smashed in revealed she’d been subjected to only two organisations that are featured Weekly Worker.10 dissected, voting records analysed or the letterboxes outside parliament stalking threats, intimidation and on the (unofficial) list of organisations All this proves that the problem is and actions questioned by the media. firebombed? Suffragettes did not just sexist and anti-Semitic abuse”. proscribed by the Labour Party. not the rules in and of themselves. The Thanks to Facebook and Twitter, they throw themselves under horses: they Kober is another politician who Of course, we welcome the news problem arises from those in charge now also get plenty of ‘commentary’ also planted bombs outside the Bank mixes up “intimidation” and “abuse” that the list seems no longer to be of applying them. Of course, we will from normal folk. And no doubt, of England and St Paul’s Cathedral. with ‘criticism of me’ - in order to “recognised”. It has always been a tool continue to demand the abolition of the much of it is not very nice. Still, Theresa May has been damage Jeremy Corbyn and the of the right to keep the party ‘safe’. various witch-hunting rules (like 2.1.4.B In case you have not guessed, enthusiastically supported by some left in the party. She feebly tried to and 1.2.5.A), but an important part of that I am referring to this week’s members of the Parliamentary Labour explain as much in an interview with Whose rules? fight is to get Labour Party members and announcement by Theresa May that Party, including, unsurprisingly, the deliciously sceptical Guardian While Marxists today are not being branches across the country to protest she would engage in consultations on John Mann and Stella Creasy. journalist, Decca Aitkenhead: excluded for membership of explicitly publicly. The active involvement of the possible introduction of a specific Miraculously, their contributions “proscribed” organisations, they are, of the largely pro-Corbyn membership offence of “intimidating a political to this week’s - closed - meeting Why did Kober cite “sexism course, still being expelled. In the wake of is the best way to aid this necessary candidate”. Rather incredibly, of the PLP made their way into and bullying” in her resignation the publication of Tom Watson’s ridiculous transformation - as will continuing she squeezed this move into her the bourgeois press. Creasy in letter? “Well, I don’t think the ‘Reds under the beds’ dossier of 2016,9 pressure from campaigns like Labour much-publicised speech on the 100th particular was as outspoken as ever argument that I’m incompetent supporters - and alleged supporters - of Against the Witchhunt l anniversary of the Representation of on the “abuse” she claims to have would even have been marshalled Labour Party Marxists, Red Flag and the People Act, which gave all men over received - mainly from pro-Corbyn if I was a man. Because I think it’s AWL have received a standard expulsion Notes 21 and some women (those over 30 members of her own party, naturally. incredible - absolutely incredible. 1. The Sunday Times February 4. letter, which reads: 2. The Times February 2. and “with property qualifications”) She will happily jump on Theresa I almost wince in saying this, 3. https://voxpoliticalonline.com/2018/02/04/ the right to vote and be elected to May’s bandwagon if it means she because I’m not trying to say I’m It has been brought to our attention that my-complaint-to-the-sunday-times-about-its- parliament. (It took until 1928 for can get one over on Jeremy Corbyn. great, but I’m the chair of London you have been closely involved with libellous-article. women to be granted the same voting Apparently, “Creasy made an councils, I’m the most senior 4. www.workersliberty.org/story/2008/08/18/has- and supported [named organisation], swp-discovered-jew-free-holocaust. rights as men.) impassioned plea for action, as she councillor in London, I lead on whose programme, principles and 5. www.workersliberty.org/story/2010/03/05/awl- Like most newspapers, May detailed how she and her family had finance in the Local Government policies are not compatible with those and-trade-unionist-and-socialist-coalition. falsely claimed that the introduction been targeted for over 20 months and Association nationally, I’ve led of the Labour Party. Chapter 2.I.4.B of 6. www.janinebooth.com/content/my-exclusion- of the legislation in 1918 was the demanded to know why the party a borough for 10 years - yet the labour-party. the Labour Party’s rules states: 7. www.labourpains.group.shef.ac.uk/dust. result almost entirely of the campaign had allowed suspended members national executive of my party has “A member of the party who joins 8. R Hayward, ‘Discontinuation of the proscribed by the militant suffragettes, ignoring to continue with misconduct” (my people in it saying I’m incompe- and/or supports a political organisation list’ (circular to secretaries of affiliates and Labour not only the labour movement and the emphasis).2 tent.” She’s sure this would not other than an official Labour group or Party organisations, July 1973). far larger and peaceful “suffragists”, As the term “misconduct” remains have been said to a man? “Utterly 9. http://labourpartymarxists.org.uk/trotspotting- unit of the party … shall automatically a-field-guide. but also the small matter of the unqualified and undefined (just as inconceivable. I cannot for the life be ineligible to be or remain a party 10. www.labouragainstthewitchhunt.org/ Russian Revolution of 1917. The “intimidation” is in Theresa May’s of me, in any way, think a man member” (my emphasis). suspensions-and-expulsions/mike-paling-expelled- Women’s Social and Political Union plans), it is safe to assume that she is would be bullied in that way.”3 for-sharing-facebook-posts. in fact suspended its campaign at the referring to suspended members like The first paragraph does, of course, give beginning of World War I, rallying Tony Greenstein, David Watson and This episode beautifully sums up the impression that there is - perhaps in patriotically behind the British troops Jackie Walker simply contacting and/ who this type of legislation would some well guarded location - a secret (as did the Labour Party, of course). or criticising her. If anything more be designed to serve - and why: list of dangerous organisations or some LAW The WSPU formally dissolved in had happened, we would surely have parliamentarians threatened with sort of overview of banned terms (like BCM Box 8932, 1917. It was to a large degree the been told by now. deselection; councillors criticised ‘revolutionary’) that could explain what London WC1N 3XX fear of the ‘red threat’ spreading to Jackie Walker in particular has for signing one PFI contract after makes a group incompatible with the Tel: 07817 379 568 western Europe that forced bourgeois indeed been trying to contact Stella another; politicians expecting to go Labour Party. leaders across the continent to grant a Creasy for the whole of last week, in about their daily business without It seems not. More likely the Email: info@labouragainstthe range of social and political reforms. order to get her to comment on the being criticised for their actions. bureaucrats have been picking and witchhunt.org May also applauded the now infamous recent tweet by her Most likely, it will not be choosing from the rulebook as they see “heroism” of the suffragettes,1 while boyfriend, Dan Fox, a former director implemented any time soon. In truth, fit. According to the constitution, it does Web: www.labouragainstthe Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson of Labour Friends of Israel, which it is merely a symbolic gesture by May not actually matter if the programme witchhunt.org enthusiastically joined calls by reads: “Jackie Walker - so thick, - which also serves to support the right of the organisation you are deemed to various newspapers (and Jeremy if you tried to drink her through a in the Labour Party in its ongoing civil be supporting is “incompatible” with Facebook: https:// Corbyn) to pardon them all. Home straw, your ears would bleed.” The war against Jeremy Corbyn l that of the Labour Party. Indeed, the www.facebook.com/ secretary Amber Rudd has since put a story even made it into the Daily organisation in question does not even Labouragainstthewitchhunt/ damper on this campaign, referring to Mail, who will happily print Creasy’s Notes have to have a programme to lead to the the militant history of the women as anti-Corbyn tirades, but will also have 1. www.itv.com/news/2018-02-06/vote-100- instant expulsion of any “supporter”. Twitter: @LabourAW “more complicated”. no qualms turning on her when it representation-of-the-people-act-centenary. 2. www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/plp-labour- The witch-hunters have mangled up Just a bit. Even the most cursory suits the Mail’s much broader agenda. mps-stella-creasy-and-john-mann-urge-nec-to- 2.1.4.B with rule 1.2.5.A, which deals Individual membership: £10 per glance at the actions employed by Needless to say, Theresa May’s dream get-tougher-with-online-abuse-haringey-theresa- with organisations wanting to affiliate: annum, £5 (unwaged). the women - in line with their motto, legislation would not be for the likes may_uk_5a78e699e4b018ad894f0bae. “Deeds, not words” - would lead of Jackie Walker, who is of course 3. www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/02/ haringey-boss-claire-kober-the-argument-that- Political organisations not affiliated or Affiliates: Local or Regional: anyone to suspect that the suffragettes one of the bad guys in this story. im-incompetent-would-not-have-been-used-if- associated under a national agreement £25pa. National: £100pa would today be vilified as “terrorists” The Huffington Post claims that i-were-a-man. with the party, having their own 6 weekly February 8 2018 1189 worker EUROPE 21st century global reality Eddie Ford looks at the growing Tory infighting over Brexit

his week saw the 11-strong wilful fantasy of his own. It is surely a Brexit cabinet sub-committee statement of fact that the UK will take T(or ‘war cabinet’) get together some sort of negative economic hit to draw up the UK’s negotiating posi- from pulling out of the EU. Virtually all tion on its “future relationship” with economists say there can be no substitute the European Union, in preparation (such as a deal with China or India) that for four days of intensive talks from would make up for what Britain will lose February 13 with their European by doing so. counterparts. Sub-committee members Cars, for example, require multiple include Boris Johnson, the improbable imports/exports as part of the production foreign secretary, and the even more process - a near ceaseless toing-and- improbable environment secretary, froing of parts and components. If you Michael ‘Brutus’ Gove - both leading suddenly throw up trade barriers or figures in the ‘leave’ campaign. And tariffs, then it is only to be expected from the solidly ‘remain’ camp there is that car manufacturing companies will chancellor Philip Hammond and home seriously consider moving production secretary Amber Rudd. out of Britain. Nor would it be a surprise Of course, many people find it if financial institutions were to move incredible that the British government staff out of the City to Paris or Frankfurt, has not sat down and formally discussed with the intention of opening up parallel this matter of vital importance before headquarters in order to continue trading - yet again giving the impression that freely in Europe. That is just sound UK officials are bumbling around like 1930s game: empire days are long gone business sense. And many companies are amateurs in the Brexit dark 19 months putting investments plans on hold until after the referendum, unclear as to what Everything clear now? Meanwhile, the orchestrated leaking minister: we will get a devastating hard things become clearer - or maybe not it wants or what is possible. by various factions and leadership Brexit, which will cause huge damage to investing in Britain at all. Why bother The sub-committee’s main focus is on Unavoidable hopefuls within the Tory Party - as our economy for generations to come”. with the hassle? Just go elsewhere. Northern Ireland, immigration and trade, Obviously not. Former attorney general well as other forces - continues apace. But if someone like Jacob Rees- With regards to the BuzzFeed but Theresa May is facing increasing Dominic Grieve said he found Downing According to a legal document splashed Mogg deposed Theresa May then leaked document and forecasting, it calls to “clarify” her position on Brexit Street’s intervention “rather strange”, since across the media on February 7 - she “couldn’t stay in a party led by is important to note that we are not - with businesses, big and small alike, the UK would have to maintain some form revealed in a draft section of the UK-EU somebody like him” - with “his views on talking about an actual 5% drop in becoming increasingly unhappy about of “customs union or alignment” with withdrawal agreement which has yet to things like abortion … somebody who gross domestic product, but 5% less what they see as constant dithering. the EU if it was to honour the terms of its be finalised - Europe wants to be able says that even if you were to be raped by than it would have been 15 years from The British Chambers of Commerce agreement to prevent any hard border on to restrict the UK’s access to the single your father you wouldn’t have a right to now if Britain had stayed in the EU has written to the prime minister asking the island of Ireland. Nor can this writer market if there is a dispute after Brexit. choose to have a termination”. Finally, and single market. In other words, we for a “clear, unequivocal statement of comprehend how you can leave the single As mentioned in the final footnote of she slammed the “undue influence” are talking about relative, not absolute, intent”, as the “perception” is one of market and customs union and still have papers leaked to journalists in Brussels, exerted by Rees-Mogg’s European decline, not the apocalypse - though you “continued division” - even “amongst a “frictionless” Irish border. Amber if referring a dispute to the European Research Group - which in her view might well think so given some of the the many optimistic, future-oriented” Rudd, appearing on the BBC’s Andrew Court of Justice would take too long, the was “forcing” Theresa May to rule heated rhetoric used by establishment firms “patience is wearing thin”. The Marr show, claimed the prime minister withdrawal agreement “should provide out staying in some form of customs ‘remainers’. BCC also warns that “directly affected has an “open mind” about a customs for a mechanism allowing the Union to union: effectively meaning that the Liam Fox’s comment last July about companies” are “poised to activate arrangement or customs partnership suspend certain benefits deriving for prime minister is “in hock” to 35 hard how a free trade deal with the EU “should contingency plans” if the confusion with the EU - further remarking she has the United Kingdom from participation Brexiteers who “don’t represent my be one of the easiest in human history” continues: indeed, “worryingly”, some “a surprise for the Brexiteers,” which is in the internal market” - though it does party” - or those “who voted ‘leave’”. was obviously being stupid. As we are companies “have simply disengaged”. that the sub-committee is “more united not go into detail about what disputes At the end of last week, Rees-Mogg seeing, the EU will not give Britain an The EU too, unsurprisingly, stated this than they think”. could trigger the powers being used or upset the civil service, and general easy break - quite the opposite. It is not week that there was “not a moment But moments later on Sunday with which parts of the single market could establishment opinion, by accusing in the interests of European leaders, to lose” in finding a deal. Senior Paterson on Sky TV, Dominic Raab, or might be suspended. The document treasury officials of “fiddling the or the wider EU project, for Britain to government sources, however, have the housing minister and Brexit true also says the UK would be “consulted” figures” over Brexit in a document that come out economically better off from played down the likelihood that any believer, said he did not think that “we about fishing quotas, and would have was leaked to BuzzFeed on January Brexit - even if that was possible, which agreement will be reached this week. will be in any form … of customs union, to pledge not to act against the EU in 29. This analysis showed that over is clearly not the case. Reports last week had suggested that because ... we would have our hands international organisations. Sanctions a 15-year period national income The idea that Britain can leave the EU Downing Street was willing to remain in tied while negotiating trade deals with the EU could feasibly impose include would be 8% lower under a ‘no deal’ and strike so many lucrative trade deals a customs union with the EU for goods, other parts of the world”. Rudd and Raab tariffs on goods, the enforcement of scenario, around 5% lower with a so as to put the ‘Great’ back into Great but not services - though the chances appear to have a different understanding customs checks or the suspension of the free-trade agreement with the EU, Britain is just post-imperial fantasy, of European leaders accepting such a of what is meant by a customs union. aviation agreement giving UK carriers and about 2% lower with a soft Brexit though delusions of this nature partly proposition is near zero. Naturally, the Showing the immense difficulties the right to fly between Britain and the option of single-market membership. explain the reason for the Brexit vote Brexiteers sensed betrayal. Liam Fox, confronting the British government, at continent. But for Rees-Mogg this evaluation in the first place: it is hard to imagine the semi-invisible international trade the beginning of the week the EU’s chief was “politically influenced”: treasury any other country behaving so stupidly. secretary, and the deeply weird Jacob negotiator, Michel Barnier reminded ‘Sling out’ forecasts were “rigged”, because the May’s recent trip to China is Rees-Mogg, chair of the European May that the UK will face “unavoidable” Theresa May has so far avoided a full department was “determined” to keep instructive on this score. Her hosts Research Group of Tory backbenchers, barriers to trade if it leaves the customs discussion of these issues on the Brexit the UK in the customs union. were pressuring her over its Belt and both retorted that any move in such a union and single market - therefore subcommittee, it is claimed, because of He also repeated his assertion that Road Initiative to build infrastructural direction would stymie effort by the the “time had come” for the UK to the “sensitivities” involved. MPs from he had heard Charles Grant, the head development across Asia and into UK to make new trade deals with other choose what it wanted after its 2019 both sides of the Tories’ Brexit divide of a pro-EU think-tank, the Centre Europe: the new Silk Road. If May were countries. exit. He went on to say that there was have told the press that the prime minister for European Reform, saying treasury to sign up to the $900 billion scheme In what was presumably an attempt “some divergence” between the two is at least partly to blame for the internal officials had created an economic model against US wishes, then Washington to show resolve and stave off leadership sides, when it came to issues relating crisis by failing to spell out what she to show that all options other than would punish Britain in some way or challenges, an official Downing Street to transition and how the exit deal wants from this week’s crucial meetings, remaining in the customs union were another. Similarly, if Britain were to source issued a statement late on would be enforced. Whilst, of course, which means that everyone thinks there bad. He claimed on BBC Radio 4’s throw all its efforts into striking deals February 4: “To put this to rest, we he “respected” the UK’s decision to is still “all to play for”. Today programme that Grant is getting with the US, then it would lose out on are categorically leaving the customs rule out any form of long-term customs The Sunday Times reported that “private briefings from the treasury a deal with China. After all Donald union.” It added: “It is not our policy union and other so-called “red lines”, he Boris Johnson had said “the cavalry” against government policy”. Trump and his administration have been to be in the customs union. It is not emphasised how it was a prerequisite for was coming to block any customs union In turn, Andrew Turnball, who led talking the dollar downwards and are all our policy to be in a customs union” any possible future deal that “everyone scheme when the sub-committee meets. the civil service under Tony Blair, said but promising a trade war with China. (my emphasis). But this just begged plays by the same rules” during the It is understood that he plans to argue that Whitehall officials had become the Welcome to the global realities of the more questions than it answered, with transition period - when the UK would against a customs union in Downing victims of “pre-emptive scapegoating” 21st century. government ministers contradicting each have to comply with existing EU laws Street this week but will still publicly by Brexiteers in a manner akin to pre-war Britain - no matter how much Jacob other left, right and centre. and regulations. back the prime minister for the time Nazi Germany - when it was argued that Rees-Mogg might lament - is no longer Only a few days earlier when Barnier sought greater clarity being. The paper also claimed that “our great army was never defeated, but a top dog: its current position as a questioned in China, Theresa May from the UK about what “ultimate Johnson, Gove and Rees-Mogg have it was stabbed in the back by the civilians, permanent member of the UN security refused to rule out involvement in a partnership” it wanted with the EU been urged to form a “dream team” of liberals, communists, socialists and Jews”. council is owed purely to its imperial customs union. Hardly bringing clarity after its departure, expressing his hope Brexiters to take over from May’s failing This, believes Turnball, is what “these past. When the UN was founded, in to the situation, the same Downing Street that an “official position” would be put administration. critics are trying to do” - they are “losing 1945, Britain still had a global empire source said a customs union was entirely forward soon. Replying, Davis said the Tensions rising high, leading pro- the argument, in the sense that they are and counted as one of the ‘big four’ different from a “customs arrangement” UK’s position was “perfectly clear” - Europe backbencher Anna Soubry urged unable to make their extravagant promises (the US, the Soviet Union, Britain or partnership - which would supposedly that it wanted a “free trade deal” with Theresa May on BBC’s Newsnight to stack up” - so they need “someone to and China). Today, at least in terms of allow the British government to strike the EU, but also the freedom to strike “sling out” arch-Brexiteers from the blame” for their own failures. economics, it is the US, China, Japan trade deals with countries outside the deals with other countries throughout party altogether, as they are “not proper and Germany, who are the ‘big’ four. EU. The source also claimed that there the world, where “trade opportunities” Conservatives” (February 5). In her Fantasy The Soviet Union is history, so is the had been no change in government were apparently growing. Needless opinion, “something is going to have to Rees-Mogg may complain about officials British empire l policy - merely a “reiteration” of policy to say, the Brexit secretary’s response give”, because otherwise “not only will “fiddling” the statistics and running outlined in a paper published in August. clarified nothing. we get Jacob Rees-Mogg as our prime Britain down, but he is indulging in a [email protected] weekly 7 worker 1189 February 8 2018 SOUTH AFRICA Zuma on the brink Cyril Ramaphosa now looks set to become president a year earlier than scheduled, writes Peter Manson fter a frantic few days for the postponed tomorrow’s state of the African National Congress, it nation address by president Jacob Zuma Alooks as though Jacob Zuma yesterday over opposition threats of is about to succumb to the pressure disruption,” wrote James Tweedie. Surely and agree to resign as South African measures to minimise such “disruption” president. could have been put in place? Ever since the election of Cyril Similarly Tweedie junior played down Ramaphosa as ANC leader in December the significance of the (subsequently it had been a matter of time before his abandoned) special NEC meeting. His supporters on the national executive only comment was: committee made a move against the head of state. True, Zuma’s second and The ANC national working committee final term as South African president was said on Monday that it had called a set to end immediately after the 2019 meeting of the 80-member national general election in any case. But the executive committee for today to discuss argument had been that, with Zuma still the “transition” between Mr Zuma’s at the helm, the ANC would be severely presidency and Mr Ramaphosa’s.9 handicapped and would perhaps lose its parliamentary majority. There are still 783 corruption charges SACP fury hanging over him and are supposedly due But the SACP itself had no such reticence to be reinstated in a few weeks time. Then about the turmoil in the ANC. The party has there is the commission of inquiry into long been calling for Zuma’s resignation - a ‘state capture’ - ie the corrupt influence Jacob Zuma: end game call opposed by Tweedie senior, by the said to be exerted over government way. (Like father, like son?) appointments by Zuma’s close business desirable, under any circumstances.” with president Jacob Zuma.”5 not to mention the SACP-led Congress The party issued a furious statement contacts. This commission is about to The reason she gave was: “Our most So what agreement did the two come of South African Trade Unions. On the late on February 6 condemning Zuma start its hearings and Zuma has been important consideration is that we don’t to, which caused Ramaphosa to pull back other hand, it is well aware of the role of on two counts: firstly his “tribalism” summoned to appear before it. believe South Africa should wish for from an open confrontation? It seems the SACP and its use of ‘Marxist’ terms in allegedly mobilising fellow Zulus to But even more pressing was the us to embarrass the president of the more than likely that Zuma has now in keeping the ‘NDR’ within safe limits. demonstrate in his support, so that he ‘state of the nation’ address (Sona), due republic, in any way whatsoever.”3 In agreed to step down - although “It is not In addition, the SACP is hardly could “continue overstaying his welcome to be delivered by Zuma on February 8. reality the matter most likely to qualify yet known when Zuma will tender his making a fuss about, for example, the in office”: Clearly he would have used it to blow as the leadership’s “most important resignation, as the terms of his exit are anti-working class legislative package his own trumpet, while the left-populist consideration” was the belief that the being finalised.”6 that is currently before parliament. The The SACP reiterates its decision for opposition party, the Economic Freedom replacement of the president ought to be proposed amendments to the Labour president Zuma to resign and for Fighters, would have played into his driven by the ANC itself. Getting it wrong Relations Act would make it much more the ANC to recall him if he remains hands by trying to prevent him speaking, Duarte also remarked: “The inability Interestingly, on the very day that both difficult to legally call a strike - employers intransigent by refusing to resign. The allowing him to pose as a patriotic of the NEC to have a decision has the NWC decision to call a special NEC would be able to win a binding anti-strike constitution of our country requires the democrat. But on February 6 the two already had an impact on members on the meeting and the postponement of the judgement much more easily from the president to unite, and not to divide, parliamentary speakers, or presiding ground, creating confusion, indecision Sona were announced, the Morning Star Commission for Conciliation, Mediation our nation. President Zuma’s conduct officers, announced that the Sona had and is creating what we saw on the carried a short report, which noted the and Arbitration. Meanwhile amendments is reckless and unacceptable. The been postponed. streets of Johannesburg yesterday.” “speculation in white-owned anti-ANC to the Basic Conditions of Employment SACP is calling on all South Africans Apparently, the two speakers had She was referring to the February 5 media that Mr Ramaphosa and other ANC Act would reduce the already minimal to unite in defence of our country and been “dismayed in the past four years at clashes between Zuma and Ramaphosa officials elected in December had urged protection enjoyed by low-paid workers not allow him to go down with our the disruption, anarchy and chaos that supporters, when members of the black- the president to step down at a private in sectors where union organisation is hard-won democracy.10 have been characteristic of this annual nationalist pro-Zuma faction, Black meeting on Sunday”. It added: “No weak. I have yet to see any statement joint sitting”; and “Developments this First Land First, were attacked outside confirmation of that emerged yesterday, condemning the package of amendments Secondly, the SACP claimed that Zuma year - particularly the calls for disruption the ANC headquarters by Ramaphosa suggesting the rumour was false, as with from either the SACP or Cosatu. had been planning to fire Ramaphosa as ... have, therefore, caused us great partisans. Zuma’s proposal - announced many earlier reports.”7 The truth is that, while sections of deputy president and “replace him with concern.” So they “decided to approach without warning at the December elective Well, I am afraid the rumour was not the bourgeois media would certainly Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who he wants the president of the republic to propose conference, in favour of legislation false on this occasion. The author of the prefer the solidly rightwing Democratic to position to take over as acting president, that we postpone the joint sitting in order allowing for the expropriation of land report was a certain James Tweedie, who Alliance to the ANC, most know full should he find himself removed from to create room for establishing a much without compensation - had obviously is not only the Star’s foreign editor, but well that a DA government is just not office”. Dlamini-Zuma is the president’s more conducive political atmosphere”. gone down well in some quarters, but the son of the South African Communist going to happen any time soon. What ex-wife and was his preferred candidate to But - would you believe it? - “When we the presence of the BFLF outside the Party’s main internet hack, Dominic is more, they now have, in the shape succeed him as ANC leader and eventually met the president, we then learnt that he head office was not to the liking of one Tweedie. So perhaps he ought to have of Cyril Ramaphosa, someone who state president. was already writing to parliament to ask pro-Ramaphosa thug, who viciously known better. For example, on the same says he is committed to eliminating the The SACP concludes: for the postponement.”1 attacked a BFLF woman, while the day the South African website, Eyewitness overt corruption seen under Zuma, thus police stood by. News, described what a number of insiders clearing the way for profitable capital To that extent it would be very clear Behind the scenes When asked what would happen had been telling the press: investment. After all, Ramaphosa, as that president Zuma is also determined What had happened was that some - or if Zuma refused to resign after being South Africa’s 12th richest man (and to divide and destroy the ANC through perhaps all - of the ‘top six’ ANC national recalled, Duarte said such a thing had Since Tuesday morning, several African second richest black man), has substantial unrepentant factional conduct. The officers had had a private meeting with never previously occurred: “I have National Congress leaders who attended interests in several large companies. Until SACP calls upon the whole of our Zuma on February 4, when they insisted not met a deployee that has refused an the national working committee (NWC) recently he owned the South African movement, as well as South Africans that he must not address parliament (the instruction by the organisation. That meeting on Monday have been speaking franchise for the chain of McDonald’s in general, to reject regressive forms of idea held by at least some of them being has not happened.” In other words, the to Eyewitness News about the likelihood restaurants, and he was a director and mobilisation and abuse of state power to that if the Sona was delayed then perhaps dismissal of Zuma was more or less a of Sona being postponed. The reasons major shareholder of the UK-owned try and manipulate and further polarise the speech could be delivered very soon fait accompli. But, of course, it was not they gave included, if president Zuma Lonmin, the company employing the 34 internal ANC and alliance politics. by the acting president of the republic - ie, beyond the bounds of possibility that the was not to resign before Wednesday’s Marikana strikers massacred by police Ramaphosa). This postponement was president would go quietly, in exchange national executive committee meeting, in 2012. Unlike the Tweedies then, the SACP is ratified the following day by the ANC’s for a deal whereby Ramaphosa would the party’s highest decision-making And now he has a new soulmate. open about the ANC crisis - a crisis that, national working committee, which agree to protect him from prosecution. body would move to recall him and Another announcement made on for the moment at least, seems likely to meets between gatherings of the national Then, suddenly, late in the evening there wouldn’t be enough time for the February 6 was the appointment of be resolved in favour of the Ramaphosa executive. The NWC then authorised an of February 6, the ANC announced party to finalise who would deliver Pule Mabe as the ANC’s new national faction l NEC meeting for February 7. that the special NEC meeting, called the address. spokesperson to replace Khusela Diko. Incredibly, although the ‘top six’ just hours earlier, had been cancelled. Some sources are telling EWN that Like Ramaphosa, Mabe is a prominent officers were supposed to be evenly According to Business Live, the ANC the president will be recalled on capitalist, one of whose companies Notes split between the pro-Zuma and secretary-general’s office sent an email Wednesday night and that his removal allegedly was “improperly” awarded a 1. www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/ statement-presiding-officers-parliament-2018- pro-Ramaphosa wings, both factions to NEC members, which read: “By will be put to a vote if his supporters contract worth R33 million (£2 million) state-nation-address. seemed to be united on the need for the directive of the ANC president we don’t give in. They say if he refuses to from the state-owned national rail 2. www.news18.com/news/world/south-africas- both the suspension of the Sona and hereby inform you that after fruitful and go even after a decision is made, MPs company without the correct tender anc-to-decide-matter-of-serious-concern-in-zuma- for the position of Zuma to be urgently constructive discussions between the will be instructed to vote in support processes being followed. What was that showdown-on-tomorrow-1652699.html. 8 3. https://mg.co.za/article/2018-02-06-decision- discussed. Jessie Duarte, the ANC deputy ANC president and [Zuma] held this of a motion of no confidence in him. about eliminating corruption? It is clear on-zumas-fate-is-urgent-duarte. general secretary elected on a pro-Zuma evening … [Ramaphosa] has postponed that the ANC is already being shaped in 4. www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2018-02- ticket, told the press: “The NWC has the special NEC meeting ...”4 Despite such commentaries, the implication Ramaphosa’s image. 07-countdown-to-change-ancs-zuma-exit-talks- discussed the issue surrounding the future ANC spokesperson Khusela Diko of Tweedie’s report is that the “white-owned But, not content with dismissing the progress. 5. The Mercury February 7. of president Zuma and the matter that we confirmed that the meeting would be anti-ANC media” are exaggerating the talk about Zuma’s impending departure 6. www.timeslive.co.za/ideas/2018-02-07-zuma- had discussed will be taken to the NEC.”2 delayed until February17. It turns out divisions. After all, they are all opposed as just another “rumour”, the story in the has-bowed-to-pressure-and-the-recent-sona-farce- There was also the question of the that Zuma and Ramaphosa had had to the ANC-led “national democratic next day’s Morning Star focused almost is-over. no-confidence motion against Zuma a last-minute face-to-face meeting: revolution”, aren’t they? It is true that the exclusively on the postponement of the 7. Morning Star February 6. 8. http://ewn.co.za/2018/02/06/is-sona- that was due to be moved in parliament According to Diko, “The postponement bourgeoisie (both black and white) would Sona - which apparently had nothing postponement-the-end-of-the-road-for-zuma. on February 22 by the EFF. Duarte came on the advice of ANC president prefer the ANC to drop such language whatsoever to do with the leadership 9. Morning Star February 7. said: “A vote of no confidence is not Cyril Ramaphosa after his engagement and dissolve its alliance with the SACP, crisis: “South Africa’s parliament 10. www.sacp.org.za/main.php?ID=6530. 8 weekly February 8 2018 1189 worker IRAN

Women protesting against the imposition of the hijab in 1979 Just and progressive struggle No to neoliberal feminism, yes to women’s rights. Yassamine Mather calls for the left to support the anti-hijab protests

he events of the last few weeks champion of women’s rights! how much suffering we’ve caused our women of all classes live and dress one and similar attitudes have allowed in Iran, where dozens of women The truth is, the struggle for the womenfolk by turning headscarves into way at home and a completely different middle class and upper class women Tof all ages haven removed their right to dress or not dress in a particular symbols - and using women as pawns way in public. That is why we stand unprecedented access in political, headscarves in public places, reminded way started from the moment in March in a political game.” four-square with those courageous economic and social spheres, their me of Orhan Pamuk’s wonderful book, 1979 when Khomeini imposed the women who have publicly removed effect on the day-to-day life of Snow. veil on Iranian women and when tens Challenge their headscarves in the last few weeks working class women has been more The story, written in 2002 - long thousands of women, supported by Both Atatürk and Reza Shah were and why we should make their struggle problematic - indeed often negative. before Recep Tayyip Erdoğan came the radical left, came out in militant aware that the Bolshevik revolution had against Iran’s Islamic republic our own. You do not need to be an economist to power - deals with political and opposition. fundamentally challenged conservative It is only by doing so that we can expose to know that it is women who pay the cultural tensions over the hijab in the It is true that the hijab is not the views on women’s rights. Wary of the the false defenders of women’s rights main price for neoliberal deregulation eastern Turkish city of Kars: there was a principal issue concerning working threat now posed, reactionaries felt it in the Middle East. at work, and have borne the main spate of suicides amongst teenage girls class women in Iran and I do understand necessary to adopt some superficial Unfortunately many young Iranian brunt of the tough measures adopted, determined to wear it despite the state the reluctance of sections of the Iranian aspects of women’s rights. But the women are under the illusion that as recession took over. Neoliberal ban. The narrator, Ka, an atheist, tries left to prioritise this struggle. However, brutal imposition of unveiling in 1938 in the west women have achieved feminism also ignores a widespread to understand the story from several there is another aspect to the whole created huge resentment amongst Muslim equality because they are not obliged form of violence against women: the points of view: a former communist, story: the imposition of the hijab was women and men, just as any attempt to cover up. Recent news items such suffering caused by the pressure on a secularist, a fascist nationalist, a part and parcel of a series of legal and to do the same now or in future would as the scandals of the film industry, them to appear attractive to men. Naomi possible Islamic extremist, Islamic semi-legal measures that deprived create enormous problems. the Harvey Weinstein affair, the way Wolf, in the introduction to her book, moderates, a young Kurd, members women of the right to work, that We should not forget that between businessmen in London think it is The beauty myth, writes: of the military, the secret service prevented them taking up specific 1938 and 1979 middle class and upper appropriate to entertain corporate and the police - and, in particular, an jobs, such as in the judiciary, which class women looked down on working customers at a President’s Club dinner The more legal and material hindrances actor-revolutionary. were considered to be beyond women’s class and peasant women who wore the at the Dorchester hotel, the fact that women have broken through, the In Iran, the reverse is happening: capabilities. In that respect opposing headscarf or the chador (full-length women are still fighting for equal more strictly and heavily and cruelly women are prepared to be arrested for the Islamic regime’s forced veiling of veil) and used the term ‘chadori’ as pay for equal work - all this points images of female beauty have come refusing to wear the headscarf and this Iranian women is a just and progressive a class-based insult. Here I speak to the continued inequality, not to to weigh upon us ... During the past makes for a rather more complicated struggle and it does not matter if some from the experience of my own close say misogyny, still prevalent in the decade, women breached the power story than the one put forward by of those involved in this movement relatives, whose reactionary, class- west. And, instead of just cheering structure; meanwhile, eating disorders Iranian royalists and their main backer - are unsavoury characters. However, based view of veiled women made on the anti-hijab protestors in Iran, rose exponentially and cosmetic the misogynist, Donald Trump - as well in supporting their struggles, we me very sympathetic to those who did it is also our responsibility to expose surgery became the fastest-growing as their not so intelligent supporters on must expose the hypocrisy of their not want to remove their headscarves. the neoliberal, corporate version of speciality.2 the Iranian right and left. imperialist supporters in the west. Unlike the bully, Reza Shah, whose feminism for what it is. The New York Times tells us: The New York Times article correctly police tore the hijab from women’s Mainstream feminists have Plastic surgery has now become part tells us: heads, or his incompetent misogynist concentrated on the career prospects of the lives of many young women. A These bold acts of defiance against son, who openly mocked women’s of professional women, while ignoring total of 43,172 surgical procedures were the hijab are unprecedented in the The founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, struggles for equality, we have to important issues, such as the capitalist carried out in 2012, according to the nearly 40-year history of the Islamic Reza Shah, banned the hijab, in a respect the wishes of Iranian, Turkish commodification of women’s bodies. British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Republic, but a movement that gesture of modernisation, in 1936, or Arab women who choose to wear Of course, there are exceptions - mainly Surgeons. Neoliberal feminism has may have helped inspire them has which effectively put some women the headscarf. US-based Marxist women who have nothing to say about this - in fact some been going on for years. It began under house arrest for years, since However, in the same way the very examined how gender, identity and such feminists tell us it is a woman’s on the social media account of a they could not bear to be uncovered idea that in the 21st century a religious culture affect class politics. But the right to use such drastic measures to Brooklyn-based Iranian journalist in public. The leader of the Islamic state could force generations of women dominant feminist discourse is used look better, but we Marxists should named Masih Alinejad in 2014.1 Republic, ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, to cover themselves is an outrage. As by neoliberal capitalism to intensify remind everyone of the fallacy of the made the hijab compulsory in 1979. in everything else in the Shia republic, the exploitation of the working class “beauty myth” that claims so many Not quite true. Even though Ms Alinejad all this is mired in hypocrisy. The very in a globalised economy. Writers such victims amongst my gender every year. was a paid supporter of US-driven ‘regime While Khomeini’s rules were deplorable, clerics who insist on the flogging of as Hester Eisenstein and Johanna Supporting Iranian women without change’ and we should not be surprised the NYT fails to remind its readers young girls caught breaking their Brenner argue that the hegemonic form mentioning all this does nothing except at the credit given to her by the US media that the very same shah supported strict hijab rules in public turn a blind propagated by neoliberal feminists create illusions in western, ‘neoliberal’/ (whether pro-Democrat, mainstream Hitler and was deposed by the allies eye to the fact that their own wives or has become an integral part of what is corporate feminism l Republican or even pro-Trump), she in 1941 (sent into exile for his Nazi daughters quickly remove their scarves considered common sense. was a reformist who for the first few sympathies!). Here lies the similarity as soon as their plane takes off from It is true that overt discrimination is Notes years in exile wore a hat covering her with the Turkish nationalist, Kemal Tehran airport. It is time to say no to now frowned upon in most countries, 1. www.nytimes.com/2018/02/03/opinion/sunday/ hair in all TV appearances. This was Atatürk, in Orhan Pamuk’s story! He this hypocrisy. It is time to say no to the but we must constantly remind women iran-hijab-women-scarves.html. outside Iran, so she was not exactly a writes in Snow: “The real question is current schizophrenic situation, where in Iran and elsewhere that, while these 2. N Wolf The beauty myth London 1990. weekly 9 worker 1189 February 8 2018 ISRAEL Two-faced hypocrisy The Ahed Tamimi affair exposes the failure of western feminism to oppose Zionism and imperialism, writes Tony Greenstein

ver the past month a 16-year-old but from Israeli soldiers, regardless of girl, Ahed Tamimi, has become sex. Who, for example, could doubt that Oa Palestinian heroine compared for a Rohinga woman the experience to Joan of Arc. Israeli Zionists - both of being driven out of Burma (often ‘doves’ and ‘hawks’ - were in uproar with the help of Israeli arms) is more when on December 15 Ahed was immediate and dangerous than the filmed slapping an Israeli soldier. He oppression they experience in their had invaded the grounds of Ahed’s relationship with men? Or that the house in the village of Nabi Saleh, a primary experience of Jewish women militant village of around 600 people, in the camps of Nazi Germany was not about 12 miles from Ramallah. It is a that of Jewish men, but the Nazi state? village that has seen its lands and even There is no evidence I have seen that its sole freshwater spring confiscated Nazi guards who were female shared by the nearby settlement of Halamish. any sisterhood with Jewish women. Violence against Palestinians is The relationship between feminism, taken for granted. But the slapping of an racism and imperialism has been a Israeli soldier? This was a shock to the vexed one for over 30 years. When Israeli psyche - a national humiliation the issue of Zionism first manifested and completely unacceptable. A teenage itself in the pages of Spare Rib, the girl challenging a heavily armed soldier magazine of women’s liberation, in and forcing him out of the grounds of 1982, at the time of the invasion of her house caused national apoplexy. Lebanon, it split the editorial collective The fact that Ahed’s 15-year-old in two. An article, ‘Women speak out cousin Mohammed had been shot in against Zionism’, caused an explosion the face with a rubber bullet half an of fury amongst Zionist feminists, hour before and had to be put in an Ahed Tamimi: her treatment highlights the true nature of Zionizm who asserted that support for the induced coma in order to survive was Palestinians and Lebanese was a form not, of course, made much of in Israel. minister Eli Dahan, they are “animals”.5 Ahed gathered in the courtroom at “pride” in the Israeli soldier, whose of anti-Semitism (shades of the Labour Such things happen. Death or serious ‘Liberal’ journalist Ben Caspit had Ofer military camp. Gaby Lasky, the “restraint prevented the situation from Party today!). injury of Palestinian children is not a slightly more sophisticated approach. Tamimis’ lawyer, reminded the court deteriorating further”. Ben-Ami did The debate has not gone away for a matter of any great interest. But He wrote in Maariv: “In the case of the of “the right to resist the invasion not mention the shooting of Tamimi’s the simple reason that, not only do slapping a soldier? This is completely girls, we should exact a price at some of one’s home” and “right to object cousin, nor the calls for violence against different women experience different unacceptable to the Herrenvolk. other opportunity - in the dark, without to occupation.” While those like the Tamimi. He did not demand that Israel forms of oppression, but women can The reaction of leading Israeli witnesses and cameras.”6 This has been Tamimis are being prosecuted for should free Ahed Tamimi. themselves be both the oppressors of politicians was as if a stake had been widely interpreted as a call to sexually assault, incitement and violence, Contrast this with Gideon Levy’s other women and oppressed themselves driven through the heart of Zionism. abuse Ahed - and we know that she has there was no mention of the soldiers’ fiercely argued support for Ahed in by virtue of their gender. Although ‘Culture’ minister Miri Regev - a been verbally and physically abused by violence during the trial, nor the fact Ha’aretz. He asked “How is it that gender oppression will be felt most virulent racist who has compared women prisoners in her many shuttles that they were on land that is deemed Israelis are totally indifferent to the acutely by women who are least Israel’s African refugees to ‘cancer’ and between different Israeli prisons. to be occupied in international law. plight of the blonde girl behind bars oppressed by virtue of class or race, it who subsequently apologised to cancer One of the charges being presented This is a military court where there is a who could easily be their child?” As is of lesser importance to women for victims1 - was livid. “When I watched at my hearing against expulsion conviction rate of 99.74%. In the West Levy notes, whom their status as an ethnic or racial that, I felt humiliated, I felt crushed,” from the Labour Party is calling MP Bank there are two legal systems and minority is primary. she said. The incident was “damaging Louise Ellman a supporter of Israeli two different court systems. Yet even Ahed Tamimi’s non-Arab Can anyone doubt that in Israel to the honour of the military and the child abuse. This execrable woman, But, despite her ordeal, Ahed has not appearance hasn’t managed to Jewish women - like white women state of Israel”.2 vice-chair of the Jewish Labour lost her sense of humour. At one remand touch any hearts here. The wall of in apartheid South Africa before it - Naftali Bennett, the far-right Movement, defended Israel’s treatment hearing the judge asked her how she hit dehumanisation and demonisation identify first and foremost with the racist who masquerades as education of Palestinian children in a debate in the soldier, to which she replied that if that has been built through vile system of racial supremacy they were minister, was full of righteous anger. the House of Commons in January they took her handcuffs off she would campaigns of incitement, propaganda born into? Racial oppression cuts across Ahed and her fellows should “finish 2016.7 The treatment of Ahed and other be happy to demonstrate! and brain-washing against the gender and thus we see, for example, their lives in prison” he said.3 A life Palestinian children has not even been Ahed is one of over 300 Palestinian Palestinians has trumped even the in the United States that a majority of sentence for a slap! Of course, no mentioned by those intrepid fighters children who are currently detained by blonde from Nabi Saleh. white women voted for Donald Trump Israeli Jewish child should suffer such against ‘anti-Semitism’, the JLM. Israel. The images of Ahed’s “calm, She could be your daughter, or despite his overt misogyny. They a penalty: it is the Untermenschen who Always eager to conflate anti-Semitism precocious face, framed by the obdurate your neighbour’s daughter, yet the identified with his attacks on Mexicans must be taught to respect their masters. with anti-Zionism, the British wing shoulders of uniformed guards, go abuse she suffers rouses no feelings and Latinos, amongst others. Michael Oren MK, the former of the Israeli Labor Party has gone round the world, radiating strength and of solidarity, compassion or basic In response to my own article, many ambassador to the United Nations, silent over the treatment of Palestinian resistance”.8 humanity. After the outburst of women have argued that anti-colonial had a different take on the matter. The children - including, of course, the Ben Ehrenreich wrote in The Nation anger over what she dared to do resistance had nothing to do with problem was that Ahed Tamimi not proposed expulsion of African refugees that the slapping has revealed Israel came the imperviousness. She’s a feminism l only wears western clothes, as opposed from Israel. to the world as a bully and exposed terrorist. She couldn’t have been to traditional Arab dress, but she is “a hideous nerve” in Israeli society. our daughter; she’s a Palestinian.12 Notes white with blonde hair. This poses a Harsh treatment Israelis are in “sheer denial” that their 1. https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali- problem. She might be mistaken for a Shortly after the slapping incident country has any responsibility for the abunimah/israeli-lawmaker-miri-regev-heaven- Nordic Aryan. Even worse, people in Ahed was arrested. Heavily armed “humiliation, violence, and terror of Feminism forbid-we-compare-africans-human-beings. the west might identify with her. Oren soldiers arrived in the early hours of the occupation”.9 A few weeks ago I wrote an article 2. www.nbcnews.com/news/world/palestinian- girl-ahed-tamimi-praised-hero-after-confronting- claimed that Ahed had been dressed the morning at her house, dragged her The Tamimi case has also exposed entitled ‘Feminist silence over Ahed soldiers-n831571. by her family in western clothes. out of bed, handcuffed and blindfolded the utter paralysis of liberal Zionists, Tamimi exposes the racist consensus 3. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/idf- The Tamimi family were suspected, her and took her to a military detention their inability to face what Israel has at the heart of western feminism’.13 In arrests-palestinian-teen-girl-who-slapped- with their “blond hair, freckles and centre. There was a determination by become.10 Phillip Weiss has noted over a decade of blogging it has been soldiers-1.5629071. 4. www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/ western clothes”, of not being ‘real’ the military and political echelons that that “the main response of liberal my most popular article, attracting palestinians/.premium-ahed-tamimi-s-family- Palestinians. this slight 16-year-old would be made Zionists has been silence”. The three some 105,000 hits. Why? Possibly the ridicules-israel-s-secret-probe-of-their- Bassem Tamimi, Ahed’s father, who to pay for having humiliated the Zionist leading liberal Zionist organisations guilty conscience of western feminists, identity-1.5765380. has been arrested many times and even military machine. - Americans for Peace Now, the New who are all too aware of their own 5. www.timesofisrael.com/new-deputy-defense- minister-called-palestinians-animals. tortured, asked: By all accounts her treatment in Israel Fund and J Street - have had oppression as women, but fail to see the 6. www.maariv.co.il/journalists/Article-614459; custody has been harsh. She has been almost nothing to say about the case. interconnections with the oppression of http://mondoweiss.net/2017/12/should-israeli- How did such a fool get to be your kept in cold cells, without access to her But, when they do have something other women for whom their gender is journalist. ambassador to the United States? parents (her mother too was arrested to say about it, they praise the Israeli not the totality of what it means to be 7. http://azvsas.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/louise- ellman-mp-for-liverpool.html. How does the state of Israel allow when trying to visit her) or a lawyer, soldiers for not responding violently oppressed. 8. http://mondoweiss.net/2017/12/liberal-zionists- such a thing? If that’s your elite, I’m deprived of sleep and sanitary products. to Ahed Tamimi. Peace Now called Western feminism operates on nothing/?utm_source=Mondoweiss+List&utm_ not sure how you manage to beat To understand the racism involved, the soldiers “heroes”. The reason for the basis that there is a system called campaign=9436b2b8d8-RSS_EMAIL_ us … The fourth strongest army in compare this to an Israeli Jewish child this closing of ranks by liberal Zionists patriarchy, an all-encompassing CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ b86bace129-9436b2b8d8-398519413&mc_ the world is afraid of a family and living in a settlement on the West Bank, is because they too are signed up to a oppression of women by men, whilst cid=9436b2b8d8&mc_eid=ce892c63fb. a girl ... When your enemy is angry who would have immediate access Jewish state. They too accept the logic failing to account for the fact that 9. www.thenation.com/article/ahed-tamimi-has- and nervous, it means you’re on the to a lawyer, their parents and social that such a state implies. women are divided by class, race, become-the-symbol-of-a-new-generation-of- right track.4 workers. There would be no question J Street is the leading liberal Zionist ethnicity and colour. Women living palestinian-resistance. 10. http://mondoweiss.net/2017/12/ending-crisis- of being shackled. And slapping a group. When it finally got around under the heel of imperialism or zionism. The Zionist reaction is, of course, policeman or soldier? This would not to mentioning the case, its leader, colonialism are thus not only oppressed 11. http://jstreet.org/thoughts-tamimi-case-answer- understandable because Palestinians are even be considered a crime. But then Jeremy Ben-Ami, wrote an anguished as women, but as colonised people. isnt-arresting-16-year-old-girl-ending-50-year- sub-human in Israeli eyes and as such Ahed’s real crime is being a Palestinian piece saying that the case exposes For women such as Ahed Tamimi occupation/#.Wno1CXzLiHt. 11 12. www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-and-if- do not have western-style families or and resisting the occupation. the “tragedy” of the conflict. As or her mother, Nariman, the primary she-were-your-daughter-1.5630005. the kind of emotional attachment we are On the evening of December Weiss notes, the most prominent oppression they experience is not at 13. http://azvsas.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/feminist- used to. According to deputy defence 28, family members and friends of emotion in Ben-Ami’s article is the hands of the males in their family, silence-over-ahed-tamimi.html. 10 weekly February 8 2018 1189 worker ITALY PD left up in arms Matteo Renzi’s purge is unlikely to halt his party’s decline, argues Toby Abse

he Movimento Cinque Stelle (Five centre-left parties) than any other age in this rightward shift, the gradual the lowest level of education (only Star Movement - M5S) is still group. This is probably because their Italian parliamentary capitulation to neoliberalism by the the primary school certificate), who Tthe strongest single party in the world-view was formed in the days elections looks set to post-communist successor parties account for about one in four voters, opinion polls, while the centre-right when the Partito Comunista Italiano deliver another blow to of the PCI over nearly 30 years, the PD is the first party on 30% - but it coalition of Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza (PCI) and the trade unions were ‘centre-left’ aggravated by Renzi’s virulently should be stressed that many of these Italia, the Lega, the Fratelli d’Italia strong - in the 1970s - not because of anti-working-class zombie Blairism are older voters, who are more inclined (FdI) and the centrist Noi Con L’Italia any great enthusiasm for an arrogant (eg, the Jobs Act), has made a massive to vote for the PD anyway, especially is still the dominant bloc. The PD and young(ish) neoliberal like Matteo contribution to this disastrous decline if they are retired manual workers its allies in the centre-left coalition Renzi. in class-consciousness.5 who received little or no secondary are still some distance behind the Contrary to much superficial As I have already indicated, LeU education in the immediate post-war other two major groupings. Whilst journalism, particularly in the has, so far, not made a great deal of decade. It is worth pointing out that the minor changes shown in the most Anglophone sphere, M5S is not Matteo Renzi continues headway amongst the traditional core amongst practising Catholics (ie, those recent Ipsos poll reported by Corriere strongest amongst 18-24-year-olds. to promote his zombie of the working class. It has gained far who go to mass every Sunday) the PD della Sera on January 27 are within Indeed, its rating amongst this age Blairism more support among students (10%) is the leading party, whilst the Lega the usual margin of error, they do group is, at 28.1%, lower than amongst and is doing reasonably well amongst has below-average support. show a further decline in the PD’s any age cohort other than the over-65s, teachers and other white-collar share of the vote to 22.7% (down amongst whom, more predictably, employees (7.4%) - perhaps reflecting Racism by 0.4% compared to the January 13 the internet-obsessed populists only higher degrees of unionisation Although the PD is a fusion of former poll), as well as in its allies’ combined command 18.8% support. The greatest amongst public sector workers. It has communists and former left Christian share of 4% (down by 0.4% as well).1 enthusiasm for M5S comes from also done better amongst pensioners Democrats, I would be wary of ascribing Sadly, the social democratic Liberi e 35-44-year-olds (36.5%). (7.5%), for the reasons I explained in the current situation to a merger that Uguali (Free and Equal People - LeU) Turning to occupational groups, my general analysis of age cohorts. took place back in 2007-08. It seems has not, so far anyway, benefited from it is revealing that the two most Somewhat surprisingly, LeU is more plausible that recent statements by the centre-left’s decline, and is down popular parties amongst what the also doing relatively well amongst pope Francis and the leadership of the 0.3% to 6.1%. pollsters call operai e affini (roughly ‘entrepreneurs, professionals and Italian Bishops’ Conference, particularly Perhaps of greater interest than ‘factory workers and other manual leaders’ (presumably a category cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti - attacking the minor fluctuations over the last labourers’) are the right-populist resembling the ABs in comparable racism and xenophobia in general, month is the analysis of vote shares in ones - M5S has 40.6%, and the Lega British opinion poll surveys) at 8.2%. and the Lega in particular - have had terms of gender, age and occupation. 19.6%.3 Forza Italia comes third, Although Forza Italia’s lowest some effect. Their statements came in Both the PD and Forza Italia are more on 14.1%. The PD only has 13.6% scores are amongst students (10%) and response to shocking remarks by Attilio popular amongst women than men support - less than it has amongst ‘white collar employees and teachers’, Fontana, the Lega and centre-right (23.7%, compared with 21.9%, for the any other occupational group, even it would be wrong to be too smug coalition candidate for the Lombard PD; and, more significantly, 19.9%, including the unemployed, amongst about the positive effects of higher regional presidency - about “defending compared with 14.2%, for Forza whom it scores 18.3%.4 If one adds education as a preventative against the white race”. Italia), whilst M5S is markedly more the other centre-left parties (3.8%) and rightwing demagogues, since the Lega Fontana is pretty unrepentant, and popular amongst men than women LeU (3%) to the PD total, only 20.4% is doing rather better amongst students has - quite possibly correctly - suggested (32.4%, compared with 25.6%)2. of the core of the traditional working (13.2%) and amongst the group that such a stance increased his support. The In marked contrast to the UK class is now prepared to vote for even includes teachers (14.6%). Contrary to neo-fascist FdI leader, Giorgia Meloni, electorate, with its concentration of nominally left parties. what is sometimes assumed, students hypocritically criticised him, since in elderly Tory Brexiteers, Italian voters Although undoubtedly are slightly below average in their public utterances she, like shrewder over the age of 65 are more inclined casualisation, the shrinkage in the degree of support for M5S (28.3%), far-rightists everywhere, talks in terms to support parties that are at least number of large factories and the but the group including teachers shows of cultural and religious identity - not nominally on the left (36.1% for the considerable decline in trade union slightly above-average support, at ‘race’, with its Nazi associations. PD, 7.2% for LeU, 2.7% for the minor membership have all played a role 33%. Conversely, amongst those with Fontana - an elderly lawyer and former weekly 11 worker 1189 February 8 2018 What we fight for

after prime minister Paolo Gentiloni, with a 42% n Without organisation the mayor of the small town of Varese, with led by Andrea Orlando and Michele constituency in Bolzano. approval rating, compared with Renzi’s 31% (joint working class is nothing; with no national reputation - was misleadingly Emiliano, refused to participate in Although Boschi’s leading public fourth with Berlusconi). the highest form of organisation presented as a relative moderate by Lega the vote to ratify the definitive lists. role as minister for reforms meant that 2. For what it is worth, LeU has 6.3% male it is everything. standards, when his patron, Matteo Even the report by Filippo Ceccarelli her political reputation suffered as a support and 5.9% female. Its presentation to the Salvini, was faced with an attempt by in La Repubblica (January 28) - a result of Renzi’s humiliating defeat foreign press in Rome on January 30, which „ There exists no real Communist had three male platform speakers, provoked a Party today. There are many Berlusconi and Forza Italia to claim paper broadly sympathetic to the PD in the December 2016 referendum female Canadian television journalist to walk the centre-right Lombard candidacy - referred to Renzi’s “crocodile tears” on constitutional reform, the main out. That was somewhat unfortunate, as was the so-called ‘parties’ on the left. In for their party in the wake of Roberto when the PD secretary claimed that reason for popular hostility to her is attempt by Chiara Geloni, an LeU candidate in reality they are confessional sects. Maroni’s unexpected decision not to what many journalists have described far more personal - her connection the Massa constituency who was present at the Members who disagree with the event, to laugh it off by saying, “What should prescribed ‘line’ are expected to stand for a second term as Lombard as his ‘Night of the Long Knives’ was with the Banca Etruria scandal in her D’Alema have done? Go to Casablanca to become regional president. Fontana is regarded “a devastating experience from the home town of Arezzo. Her father was a woman? We have many women at the head of gag themselves in public. Either by the PD as a weaker candidate than personal point of view”. vice-president of the bank at the time our lists’. That was the sort of remark guaranteed that or face expulsion. to offend the canons of North American political n Maroni would have been, but, as current Andrea Orlando is alleged to have of its collapse, in which thousands of correctness. Laura Boldrini has indeed been Communists operate according projections (La Repubblica February told “his friends” that “Renzi is carrying local small investors lost their entire life placed at the top of four Lombard lists, while to the principles of democratic 1) for the Lombard single-member his ultra-loyalists into parliament and savings. He has already been subjected Rossella Muroni, LeU’s main election organiser, centralism. Through ongoing debate first-past-the-post constituencies give then transforming the PD into a ‘bad to massive fines by the regulatory also heads four lists. we seek to achieve unity in action 12 3. The FdI, coming from a more classically neo- the centre-right’ a massive majority of company’”. Ugo Sposetti, the former authorities and is apparently still under fascist tradition, only scores 3.2% amongst this and a common world outlook. As seats, it seems very unlikely that they treasurer of the Democratici di Sinistra criminal investigation. group. long as they support agreed actions, will lose a regional contest to be held (DS) - the ex-communist component of Faced with an M5S motion of no 4. Whilst some of the Italian unemployed may members should have the right to on the same day as the general election the PD - was even more brusque in his confidence, Maria Elena claimed in be graduates, this reversal of the traditional speak openly and form temporary 6 correlation between a class-conscious employed (March 4). reaction: “Renzi is a serial delinquent. a famous and tearful parliamentary proletariat and an atomised and demoralised or permanent factions. It is unlikely to be coincidental that Right now we are mounting an election speech to have had no involvement with lumpenproletariat is worth pondering. n Communists oppose all impe- the recent anti-racist comments from campaign for the PD. After March 4, the bank during her period as a leading 5. I acknowledge that similar trends can be found rialist wars and occupations but Catholic church leaders have occurred however, we will concern ourselves minister in Renzi’s government, alleging elsewhere in continental western Europe - with racist, xenophobic and Islamophobic right- constantly strive to bring to the fore more or less at the same time as with the delinquency.” she was being persecuted as her father’s populist forces making headway amongst the the fundamental question–ending war president Sergio Mattarella’s decision According to La Repubblica, Renzi daughter. However, the parliamentary traditional proletariat (and not just in their more is bound up with ending capitalism. traditional petty bourgeois constituency). But to fill the first vacancy for a life senator has sought to insure himself against commission of enquiry into Italian n Communists are internationalists. that has arisen during his term of office any serious rebellion amongst the PD banks - set up in the last months of the in other countries stronger remnants of ‘official communism’ (the PCP in Portugal, PCF in France Everywhere we strive for the closest with Liliana Segre, an Auschwitz parliamentarians in the event of the outgoing legislature, largely because of and KKE in Greece) or new left-populist forces unity and agreement of working class survivor. Segre’s recollection of being PD’s electoral defeat, and has done Renzi’s obsessive and ill-advised desire (Podemos, Syriza, Mélenchon) have put more of a brake on this phenomenon. Obviously, workers and progressive parties of all countries. excluded from school at the age of eight his utmost to pick a team that would to pursue his vendetta against the Bank We oppose every manifestation by Benito Mussolini’s racial laws had have no hesitation in following him of Italy - demonstrated that she had been, in the UK - or more specifically in England and Wales - can be seen as showing some signs of of national sectionalism. It is an obvious parallels with the experience into a coalition with Forza Italia if the to put it politely, somewhat economical moving in the same direction, but this article internationalist duty to uphold the of migrant children in present-day parliamentary numbers for such a two- with the truth. Various leading officials does not seem the most appropriate place to principle, ‘One state, one party’. Italy, as did her descriptions of her party majority stack up after March 4. from other banks, as well as the outgoing discuss either the very negative developments traumatic journey back to Italy at the Renzi has calculated, on the basis of head of the Consob (roughly equivalent seen in the June 2016 referendum or the slightly n The working class must be 7 more positive outcome of the June 2017 general organised globally. Without a global end of the war. current opinion polls, that around 200 to the Financial Conduct Authority in the election, with Labour’s greatly increased share of The inflammatory rhetoric of Attilio PD parliamentarians will be elected, of UK) all claim to have had conversations the vote, even if by no means all of this increase Communist Party, a Communist Fontana about “the defence of the whom 155 will be his ultra-loyalists, with her during her period in office about came from traditional working class supporters. International, the struggle against white race” may well have helped 15 will be supporters of currents led by matters directly or indirectly related to 6. The Lazio regional election is also taking place capital is weakened and lacks on March 4, but I have seen no explanation as to coordination. to push Luca Traini - a 28-year-old figures like Dario Franceschini (who her father’s failing bank. Unsurprisingly, why similar elections in a few smaller regions unsuccessful Lega candidate in the June have generally voted with him against her threats of a defamation action due this year have not been incorporated in the n Communists have no interest 2017 municipal elections - towards the PD’s residual left minorities, but against a former Corriere della Sera so-called ‘election day’, given the widespread apart from the working class his murderous shooting spree in the sometimes have serious reservations journalist, who had already made some preoccupation with turnout in recent contests, such as a whole. They differ only in as that in Sicily last November. city of Macerata on February 3, in about his rash decisions) and 20 will reference to one of these meetings in a 7. The centre-right remains as shameless as ever: recognising the importance of which six Africans, of a variety of be supporters of the broadly social book published some months before the Forza Italia is running Alessandra Mussolini as Marxism as a guide to practice. nationalities, were wounded. Traini democratic minorities associated with commission hearings, have not been parliamentary candidate, while Giorgia Meloni’s That theory is no dogma, but claimed to be avenging the death of Orlando and Emiliano. Press reports followed through. FdI - not to be outdone in the use of the Mussolini must be constantly added to and surname - are running another of Il Duce’s 18-year-old Pamela Mastropietro, estimate that amongst the full lists Her attempts to defend herself have granddaughters in a different Lazio constituency. enriched. whose dismembered body was found of candidates - some with little or no sometimes been both ruthless and 8. This claim was implied by Berlusconi’s n Capitalism in its ceaseless at Pollenza, near Macerata, on January hope of being elected - 18 are Orlando ludicrous. She unearthed an old email reference to “the action of a madman” without “a search for profit puts the future 31 (a Nigerian has been arrested and supporters, four back Gianni Cuperlo, from the Head of Consob sent around lucid political connotation”. 9. Forza Nuova’s leader, Roberto Fiore, of humanity at risk. Capitalism is charged with her murder). Although who stood against Renzi in the 2013 midnight, asking to see her at his house announced in the aftermath of Traini’s arrest: “We 13 synonymous with war, pollution, Traini’s family own a house in Pollenza, PD leadership election, and just three at 8am on the following day, implicitly shall side with him and pay his legal expenses, so 14 exploitation and crisis. As a global Traini does not seem to have ever met are followers of Michele Emiliano. trying to get journalists to depict him he does not feel alone.” system capitalism can only be Pamela, so any claim that his actions Renzi’s purge was not confined as some kind of Harvey Weinstein 10. Maroni clearly distanced himself from the Lega’s new leader by saying of Traini: “This man superseded globally. were a personally motivated vendetta, to the obvious rebels linked to character. In reality, it seems far more is a fascist criminal, and does not have anything to 8 n The capitalist class will never is absurd. Three of the victims were the left minority faction. Ermete likely that this strange episode was some do with the glorious history of the great Lega.” not even Nigerian, but from Gambia, Realacci, a long-standing friend of kind of clandestine attempt to pass on 11. Renzi’s use of minor allies is purely willingly allow their wealth and Ghana or Mali, and none of them had prime minister Paolo Gentiloni and private financial information before the instrumental. Provided they each get more power to be taken away by a than 1%, but less than the 3% threshold for parliamentary vote. any link with the Nigerian drug-dealing a leading environmentalist, has been stock market opened for the day - insider parliamentary representation, all their votes 15 murder suspect. judged unsuitable. The internationally trading, not sexual harassment. get added to the PD’s total - just one of the n We will use the most militant It is quite clear that Traini was respected sociologist, Luigi Manconi, In any event, the PD’s falling opinion undemocratic features of the Rosatellum (new methods objective circumstances going around Macerata shooting at has also been dropped, presumably poll ratings in December were directly electoral law). allow to achieve a federal republic 12. This is a fairly obvious reference to Renzi’s anybody with a black skin; in short, he because his last-ditch, principled correlated with the claims about Boschi dream of emulating Emmanuel Macron and of England, Scotland and Wales, was a politically motivated neo-fascist defence of the Ius Soli (‘right to at the commission hearings. It became creating a new centrist formation devoid of any a united, federal Ireland and a terrorist - a skinhead who wore a Celtic the soil’ - a law giving Italian-born apparent that if she ran as PD candidate ex-communist from the DS. United States of Europe. cross, had the Wolf emblem of the children of immigrants citizenship in her family’s home town of Arezzo, 13. Cuperlo himself discovered at 3am on the Saturday morning that he had been assigned a n Communists favour industrial ‘Third Position’ tattooed on his face, on certain conditions) was regarded where the Banca Etruria was based, ‘safe seat’ at Sassuolo, an area with which he had unions. Bureaucracy and class and seems to have had links with both as a liability when there were racist the enraged savers and their families no previous links, without any discussion with compromise must be fought and Casa Pound and Forza Nuova.9 Lega votes to be courted. Senator Sergio Lo would vote for whichever opposition local party activists. He chose to reject Renzi’s the trade unions transformed into leader Matteo Salvini responded to Giudice, who played a prominent role candidate was most likely to boot her offer and abandon his parliamentary career out of respect for the rank-and-file members. One schools for communism. the shootings by claiming that “the in the parliamentary struggle for civil out of parliament. Subsequently, Renzi suspects that Cuperlo now wishes he had been n Communists are champions of moral responsibility of any violent partnerships, of which Renzi claimed imagined it might be possible to put more loyal to his old patron, Massimo D’Alema, the oppressed. Women’s oppression, and followed him on the path to LeU, instead of episode that occurs in Italy” should be to be so proud, has been deselected, her up as a candidate elsewhere in her combating racism and chauvinism, shouldered by “those who have filled perhaps to appease homophobic allies native Tuscany, but local PD activists attempting a partial reconciliation with Renzi. 10 16 14. Naturally all three have been assigned and the struggle for peace and it with illegal immigrants”. M5S like Pierluigi Casini. Giusi Nicolini, refused to touch her with a bargepole. constituencies in Puglia, the area where Emiliano ecological sustainability are just leaders Luigi Di Maio and Alessandro former mayor of Lampedusa and PD members in various other regions is regional president, to avoid any danger of as much working class questions nationwide oppositional coordination. Di Battista appealed to all politicians winner of the Unesco Peace Prize showed an equal lack of enthusiasm as pay, trade union rights and to “stay silent” - in effect once again for her tireless work with refugees, for running her as a candidate in a 15. Renzi has always been irritated by environmentalists complaining about oil drilling demands for high-quality health, refusing to condemn racism and was also regarded as unworthy of a single-member constituency in their in the Adriatic, or poor safety standards at the housing and education. fascism. Whilst the now marginalised parliamentary candidacy, presumably local areas. Taranto steel works. long-standing M5S activist, Roberto because Renzi suspected she could Ultimately, she was found a seat in 16. This Christian Democrat was always eager n Socialism represents victory Fico, disagreed with his leaders, the duo not be trusted to keep quiet about the Bolzano as a result of a deal between to rant against homosexuality and abortion at in the battle for democracy. It so-called Family Day gatherings of Catholic is the rule of the working class. represent the official position of M5S. appalling fate of black refugees in the the PD and the regional party, based on fundamentalists promoted by popes John Paul Libyan camps, which the PD leadership the German-speaking population in Sud II and Benedict XV. On March 4 he will be Socialism is either democratic or, PD rebellion regard as such a convenient way of Tirol/Alto Adige. It will be extremely standing in the ‘safe’ constituency of Bologna as with Stalin’s Soviet Union, it Whatever assistance the pope and keeping Africans out of Italy. interesting to see if she makes good on for Civica Popolare with PD support. (One of his turns into its opposite. opponents will be the former regional president of president might have been attempting Whilst some of Renzi’s exclusions her very recent promise to learn German. Emilia Romagna with a PCI/PDS/DS/PD history, n Socialism is the first stage to give the centre-left, Renzi seems bent may pass unnoticed amongst the Since Forza Italia’s Micaela Biancofiore Vasco Errani, who is standing for LeU. It will be of the worldwide transition to on political suicide. The PD secretary wider electorate, even if they may is regarded as a strong candidate, who interesting to see if any vestigial trace of ‘Red communism–a system which has shown absolutely no mercy in his demoralise some PD activists - not might, despite the odds, win in Bolzano, Bologna’ will be found in the polling booths on knows neither wars, exploitation, March 4.) choice of PD candidates, making a a good idea in closely fought single- Renzi clearly felt he had to ensure 17. Whilst two other PD women are also on five money, classes, states nor nations. complete mockery of any claims to member constituencies - one of his his favoured minister had five other such lists, they have been given second or even Communism is general freedom be committed to a broad, pluralist positive choices is bound to further parachutes elsewhere in Italy l third place on some of them. Given Boschi’s lack and the real beginning of human centre-left.11 erode the PD’s vote share. This is of any previous connection with Sicily, where she history. The final decisions on the PD the arrogant and reckless decision is top of three lists and where allegations have Notes already been made about other PD candidates in The Weekly Worker is licensed by lists were taken during a marathon to place Maria Elena Boschi at the 1. It seems reasonable to assume that ‘+ Europa’ this election, the PD’s enemies - particularly in November Publications under a Creative meeting in the party’s headquarters top of no less than five lists (the is the strongest of the three minor allies, given the the Lega and M5S - will doubtless make further Commons Attribution-NonCommercial on the night of January 26-27. This legal maximum) in multi-member much greater media visibility and popularity of insinuations along the lines of the ‘fake news’ 4.0 International Licence: http:// its leader, former foreign minister and European that was widely circulated on the internet, falsely creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ ended in extreme acrimony at 4am, constituencies in the proportional claiming she had been present at the funeral of legalcode. ISSN 1351-0150. 17 commissioner Emma Bonino. According to a poll when the representatives of the more section, even though she had already reported in La Repubblica (January 27), Bonino Mafia chief Totò Riina, who in reality was secretly social democratic minority factions, been given a ‘safe’ single-member is the second most popular Italian politician buried. No 1189 February 8 2018 Is China weekly capitalist or state capitalist? worker Or still Maoist? Alternative to Marxism Is ‘trading economics’ China’s new ‘ideologically acceptable’ theory of capitalism? Michael Roberts looks at the thoughts of a major figure in the People’s Bank of China

n my view, the Chinese economy also create.” He means that to the “masterpiece” work of rightwing The irony of Wang’s view is that, remains at a structural crossroads.1 This all sounds promising. Wang is going monetarist Milton Friedman’s analysis since the global financial crash, empirical IThe state and state enterprises ... the outbreak of each crisis gives to ‘rethink’ economics6 and return it to of the cause of the great depression of studies have come back into favour continue to dominate the economy in rise to new economic theories. Marx’s reality. And what does he come up with? the 1930s. Friedman argued that the in looking for the causes of the great investment, employment and production. theory of surplus value was created Behavioural economics. And “Behavioural failure of the Federal Reserve Bank to recession, because mainstream and That means that foreign capital, domestic amidst frequent economic crises in economics experiments have demonstrated properly control the money supply was behavioural theory had failed. Despite private capital and market forces do not the late 19th century and Keynes’s that choices are characterised by variety - the cause. The banks collapsed because that, Wang wants us to ditch Marxist hold sway, even though they have been revolutionary theory was put forward there is no single answer to all situations.” of an unnecessary monetary squeeze. But macro theory for Keynes’s psychological increasing in weight and power over the during the great depression in the 1930s. Now this is not so promising. others argued that the economy collapsed ‘animal spirits’ or the micro ‘nudge’ last 30 years. Today, with a worldwide financial Economics is reduced to considering because of a change in ‘expectations’. theories of behaviourists like Richard My view is controversial in Marxist tsunami only now receding, people are each situation or problem as having a Wang concludes: “It is impossible Thaler.7 circles. The vast majority of Marxist expecting a new economic theory in different answer. That would suggest we to find a single factor among various Is the way forward really through economists and ‘experts’ on Marx’s response to the failure of the pre-crisis cannot find any generalised laws about events to explain the great contraction.” behaviourists developing computer ‘theory of the state’ reckon that China mainstream.5 the world economy and its crises. You see, it is just too complex for models, where the idea is to populate is capitalist or ‘state capitalist’. But for According to Wang, ordinary mainstream theory. So Wang virtual markets with artificially intelligent me the class nature of the Chinese state So for Wang Marx has had his day in the says we must “give up on simple agents who trade and interact and remains open. theoretical limelight (ie, 19th century) Trading economics differs by recognising causal relationships”. Instead, using compete with each other, much like All I would add at this point is to and, for that matter, so has Keynes (20th that different people have different “trading economics”, we can get “a real people? Sure, every situation is remind readers of the data that I have century). The recent global financial crisis information, in part because they have concrete structure through the trading different, but anyone who makes a previously published on the sheer weight needs a new theory for the 21st century. different experiences. So, while each network.” Then, apparently, “various living out of data analysis knows that of the public sector and public assets in Marx and Keynes apparently have nothing trading subject seeks maximum profits, possibilities of economic operation can ‘heterogeneity’ is limited enough, so the Chinese economy.2 The International more to offer. the ‘maximum’ differs from one subject be predicted, including the fluctuation that the well understood­ past can be Monetary Fund has published a full And what is this new exciting theory to another, even when trading and of economic cycles, the probability of informative about the future. data series on the size of public that Wang is proposing to his students to constraints are the same. Therefore, crisis, assessment of policy effects, etc”. In my view, if economists want to sector investment and its growth going explain the world economic crisis? He if the behaviour model in neoclassical Wang provides no evidence in his understand the causes of financial and back 50 years for every country in the calls it “trading economics”: economics is the absolute maximum, FT article for his claim of the power of economic crises, they need to look world.4 It shows that China has a stock then it is the relative maximum in prediction enabled by trading economics. away from individual behaviour models of public-sector assets worth 150% of ‘Trading economics’ is one new trading economics. This is where the And here is the nub of his theory: and instead look to the aggregate: from annual gross domestic product. Only theory emerging against this backdrop. difference lies. namely its close “connection between the particular to the general. And they Japan has anything like that amount, Mainstream economics deduces macroeconomics and behavioural need to turn back from deductive a at 130%. Every other major capitalist the macro whole by extrapolating Hmm. I am still none the wiser. economics”. According to Wang, priori reasoning alone towards history: economy has less than 50% of GDP in from the behaviour of individual What Wang really seems to be the evidence of the past. History may not public assets. Every year, China’s public ‘representative agents’. Trading arguing for is free trade and international The behaviour of each trading subject be a guide to the future, but speculation investment to GDP is around 16%, economics replaces this with a systematic integration: and the ways in which they react to without history is even less based in compared to 3%-4% in the US and UK. and comprehensive analysis approach. external disturbances can be informed by reality. Economists need theories that can There is nearly three times as much It stresses that, in an interconnected From the study of the development rules the research of behavioural economists be tested by evidence - but the evidence stock of public productive assets to world, the interaction between trading of economic system, it is found that and psychologists. The economic of the aggregate and history, not the private capitalist sector assets in China. subjects is the fundamental driving force global economic integration is neither operation simulated in this way is laboratory. In the US and UK, public assets are behind the operation, development the innovation of a single politician, better targeted and the analysis has Yes, Wang recognises that mainstream less than 50% of private assets. Even and evolution of economic systems. nor a strategy implemented by a certain more solid experimental foundation. economics is no good at explaining in ‘mixed economy’ India or Japan, country to pursue its own interests. developments in modern capitalism, the ratio of public to private assets is Well, I am still no wiser. Wang explains that Instead, it is the only option following but does “trading economics” take no more than 75%. This shows that in mainstream neoclassical theory is stuck the development rules of social economic ‘Great leap’ us any further? It seems more like an China public ownership in the means with “representative agents” who have system. Today’s world has shifted from There we have it. Far from carrying out ideologically acceptable theory as an of production is dominant - unlike any “rational expectations” for maximising an isolated island, through small-world empirical research for cause and effect, all alternative to Marxism in the country of other major economy. But the IMF data utility and profits, while market prices development, to a network without we need is to go back into the laboratory ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics’ also show that, while public-sector assets move up and down to achieve equilibrium. marks. To achieve comprehensive of behaviour and do ‘experimental l in China are still nearly twice the size of As Wang says, this bears no relation to the progress and development, the world research’. Wang claims that this “is a capitalist-sector assets, the gap is closing. reality of modern economies and never economy must promote the integration great leap in methods of economic theory Michael Roberts blogs at Private (capitalist) investment stock is did. In contrast: of trading network among countries. research, because it represents the unity https://thenextrecession. growing faster than state-sector assets. We need to listen to the warning of of economic research and natural science wordpress.com. Trading economics chooses a different trading economics in a world awash in methodology”. Balance path. Everyone participating in economic with anti-globalisation thoughts. Actually, a behaviourist approach is an Notes In this article, I want to show that, because activities is put in a specific organisational economics cul de­ sac­ . Before the global 1. See https://thenextrecession.wordpress. the Chinese economy is balanced between structure. As a result, their behaviour This is shades of the very line presented financial collapse, this micro-motivation com/2015/09/17/china-a-weird-beast. the power of the state and the market, this becomes affected by culture, morality, by president Xi Jinping at Davos 2017, approach to economics was popular with 2. https://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2017 is increasingly reflected in the ideology property and system. There is no where he claimed that China is the leading young economists, who had turned away 3/10/25/xi-takes-full-control-of-chinas-future. 4. www.imf.org/external/np/fad/publicinvestment/ and economic thinking of Chinese ‘economic person’ like Robinson globaliser. Now the economic theorist of from questions like poverty, inequality pdf/csupdate_jan17.pdf. officials and academics. There are still Crusoe in trading economics. Trading the People’s Bank of China is offering or unemployment to study behaviour on 5. November 6 2017: https://ftalphaville. many academics in Chinese universities economics only has organisations with “trading economics” to support Xi. television game shows. Looking at the ft.com/2017/11/06/2195583/guest-post-trading- that hold to what they think is Marxist specific internal structures: households A key feature of Wang’s “trading ‘irrational’ behaviour of people’s brains economics-a-new-theoretical-system. 6. See https://thenextrecession.wordpress. economic theory and categories. But there and enterprises. This is the first step economics” is that it rejects the idea and thinking was substituted for the com/2014/06/30/rethinking-economics. are many more - particularly officials to bring economic theory back to the of looking for causal relationships aggregate trends and changes in modern 7. See http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/ in government and state enterprises, reality. between economic variables. 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