#293 working_01 cover 26/06/2018 08:33 Page 1 CHARTIST For democratic socialism #293 July/August 2018 £2 Taking back control?

Peter Kenyon & Mary Southcott Brexit follies Don Flynn Hostile environment Elly Schlein Italy turns right Glynn Ford Trump in North Korea Anna Paterson Putin’s power-play Duncan Bowie Labour housing plus Book & Film reviews

ISSN - 0968 7866 ISSUE

www.chartist.org.uk #293 working_01 cover 26/06/2018 08:33 Page 2

Contributions and letters deadline for Editorial Policy CHARTIST #293 The editorial policy of CHARTIST is to promote debate amongst people active in 08 August 2018 radical politics about the contemporary Chartist welcomes articles of 800 or 1500 words, and relevance of democratic socialism across letters in electronic format only to: [email protected] the spectrum of politics, economics, science, philosophy, art, interpersonal Receive Chartist’s online newsletter: send your email address to [email protected] relations – in short, the whole realm of social life. Chartist Advert Rates: Our concern is with both democracy and socialism. The history of the last century Inside Full page £200; 1/2 page £125; 1/4 page £75; 1/8 page £40; 1/16 page £25; small box 5x2cm £15 single has made it abundantly clear that the sheet insert £50 mass of the population of the advanced We are also interested in advert swaps with other publications. To place an advert, please email: capitalist countries will have no interest [email protected] in any form of socialism which is not thoroughly democratic in its principles, its practices, its morality and its ideals. Yet the consequences of this deep attach- ment to democracy – one of the greatest advances of our epoch – are seldom reflected in the discussion and debates CHARTIST AGM 2018 amongst active socialists. CHARTIST is not a party publication. It brings together people who are interested in socialism, some of whom are active the Can Labour find winning ways? Labour Party and the trade union move- ment. It is concerned to deepen and extend a dialogue with all other socialists Saturday July 7th and with activists from other movements involved in the struggle to find democrat- Toynbee Hall ic alternatives to the oppression, exploita- tion and injustices of capitalism and 28 Commercial Street E1 6AB class society (Nearest tube Aldgate East) Editorial Board

CHARTIST is published six times a year by the Chartist Collective. This issue was produced by an Editorial Board consisting of Duncan Bowie (Reviews), Andrew Speakers: Coates, Peter Chalk, Patricia d’Ardenne, Mike Davis (Editor), Nigel Doggett, Don Marina Prentoulis, Catherine West MP, Ian Flynn, Roger Gillham, James Grayson, Hassan Hoque, Peter Kenyon, Dave Lister, Bullock, Bryn Jones , Prem Sikka , Becky Puru Miah, Patrick Mulcahy, Sheila Osmanovic, Marina Prentoulis, Robbie Boumelha , Apsana Begum, Duncan Bowie Scott (Website Editor), Mary Southcott, John Sunderland. Production: Ferdousur Rehman

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CONTENTS

FEATURES

BREXIT BROMIDE Peter Kenyon on Labour’s opportunity and the 8 People’s Vote BREXIT & ELECTORAL REFORM Where’s the real democracy in the Brexit battle 10 asks Mary Southcott HOMES FOR PEOPLE Duncan Bowie gives two cheers for 11 Labour’s new housing policy ITALY TURNS RIGHT Curtain call for Brexit follies? - Page Elly Schlein MEP on the dangerous 8 12 challenge by Italy’s new populist right Cover by Martin Rowson VOTER ID Kabul Sandhu and Dermot McKibbin on 14 voter suppression Tory-style CHARTIST CREEPING SCHOOLS PRIVATISATION FOR DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM Miriam Scharf on the pitfalls of academies Number 293 July/August 2018 15 REGULARS HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT Windrush exposed the iniquities of Tory OUR HISTORY 79 16 immigration policy but Labour needs to 4 Let us Face the Future –Labour 1945 sharpen its act says Don Flynn Manifesto EDITORIAL TORY ANTISEMITISM 5 Time to stop Brexit farce Dave Rosenberg on Tory racism POINTS & CROSSINGS 17 6 Paul Salveson on Brexit hits the North Salvini back to Mussolini? - Page 12 NORTH KOREA ACCORD Glyn Ford looks behind Trump-Kim GREENWATCH 18 7 Dave Toke on the cost of nuclear CUBA & CORBYN FILM REVIEW Post-Castro’s Andy Roberts renews calls for 25 Patrick Mulcahy on Whitney a change of approach 19 BOOK REVIEWS 26 Peter Kenyon on banking alchemy and PUTIN’S RUSSIA REALITIES For the Many; Andrew Coates on the While Putin basks in World Cup spotlight Long ’68; Don Flynn on Streeck Anna Paterson says look at the dark side economics and Anthony Barnett’s 20 formula; Nigel Watt on Europe in Africa, Mike Davis on Rowson’s LABOUR LEFT Communist Manifesto; Duncan Bowie Andrew Coates discusses Simon Hannah’s on Kinzer 21 look at the antecedants of the Corbyn left WESTMINSTER VIEW 32 Richard Burden MP on standing up for INTERWAR INDEPENDENT LABOUR PARTY Gaza Duncan Bowie looks for lessons in Ian 23 Bullock’s study of the inter-war ILP Migrants should be welcome here – page 16 GP AT HAND Stephanie Clark exposes private profit in GP 24 services July/August 2018 CHARTIST 3 #293 working_01 cover 26/06/2018 08:33 Page 4

OUR HISTORY

OUR HISTORY - 79 LET US FACE THE FUTURE 1945

his document is the Labour Party’s manifesto “Britain’s coming Election will be the greatest test in for the 1945 General Election. It was the our history of the judgment and common sense of our product of extensive discussions within the people. The nation wants food, work and homes. It party and beyond on Britain’s post-war wants more than that – it wants good food in plenty; future. At the time of the publication, useful work for all, and comfortable, labour-saving GermanyT had been defeated but Britain was still at homes that take full advantage of the resources of mod- war with Japan. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were still in ern science and productive industry. It wants a high the future. Labour withdrew from the and rising standard of living, security wartime coalition to fight the election: for all against a rainy day, an educa- Attlee had been deputy prime minister; tional system which will give every boy Morrison had been Home Secretary; and girl a chance to develop the best Bevin had been Minister of Labour, so that is in them. leading Labour MPs had had extensive “The Labour Party stands for free- experience of government. Morrison had dom- for freedom of worship, freedom of overall responsibility for the preparation speech, freedom of the Press. The of the manifesto, which was drafted by Labour Party will see to it that we keep Michael Young who was Labour party and enlarge these freedoms, and that head of research, having before the war we enjoy again the personal civil liber- directed the political and economic plan- ties we have, of our own free will, sacri- ning think tank. Young later helped ficed to win the war. The freedom of found the Open University, the con- Trade Unions must also be restored. sumers association and the Institute for But there are certain so-called free- Community Studies, later becoming doms that Labour will not tolerate: Lord Young of Dartington and a founder freedom to exploit other people; free- of the Social Democratic Party’s Tawney dom to pay poor wages and to push up Society. Young also published in 1947 prices for selfish profit; freedom to Labour’s Plan for Plenty, just as budget deprive the people of the means of liv- cuts were beginning to bite. Young also ing full, happy, healthy lives. wrote a series of discussion papers for “All parties say so – the Labour the Labour Party, including Small Man; Party means it. For the Labour Party is Big World, which a critique of a cen- prepared to achieve it by drastic poli- tralised welfare state, and For Richer, for Poorer on cies of re-planning and by keeping a firm constructive socialist values in a consumerist society. The best study hand on our whole productive machinery; the Labour of wartime domestic policy making is Paul Addison’s Party will put the community first and the sectional 1997 study: The Road to 1945. Stephen Brooke’s 1992 interests of private business after. Labour will plan book on Labour’s War is also useful on the party’s from the ground up – giving an appropriate place to wartime policy development. There is also a biography constructive enterprise and private endeavour in the of Young by Asa Briggs. Young commented on his ini- national plan, but dealing decisively with those inter- tial draft of the manifesto “It is neither necessary or ests which would use high-sounding talk about econom- desirable for the document to be too long, too detailed, ic freedom to cloak their determination to put them- or to get much beyond what can be done in the full life- selves and their wishes above those of the whole time of a single Parliament…We require a document nation.” that is both broad and clear- constituting a straight We appeal to all men and women of progressive out- challenge from the Left – and which will strike the look, and who believe in constructive change, to sup- average elector as good sense.” port the Labour Party.”

LETTTER Correction & Solidarity Dear Chartist I was pleased to see the photograph of Brent Labour Party members in the last Chartist. However the caption accompanying the photo was incorrect. This was not Brent Labour campaigning. This was a demonstration after swastikas and other Nazi graffiti appeared in our local streets in Dollis Hill overnight, allegedly the work of a Polish far right group. This demonstration brought together predominantly Labour Party members but also other local activists and members of the local Jewish community. This was particularly pleasing given all the hype around the grossly exaggerated claims of anti- semitism in the Labour Party Incidentally we did campaign in the local election and won 60 out of 63 seats. A net gain of 4. Best wishes Dave Lister Brent South CLP

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EDITORIAL

Brexit farce –time running out to stop the show

heresa May’s government stumbles on recovery programme. While there is much posi - towards a massive car crash over Brexit. tive alternative economic thinking, tackling glob - The Withdrawal bill narrowly edged its al capital must be at the heart of the strategy. way through parliament (with vacilla - And that requires at minimum a European per - tions and half promises on a final vote). spective. TBut the big decisions on customs union, trade Storm clouds are gathering over Europe. While agreements and avoiding a hard border in Ireland, beleaguered Greece has been joined by Socialist which could unravel the Good Friday Agreement in led governments in Portugal and Spain the pop - Ireland, remain unresolved. Airbus and Siemens ulists and racists of the far right are gaining illustrate the threat to thousands of jobs. ground. Elly Schlein, an Italian left MEP Divisions deepen between Scotland and reports on the outcome of the March Italian gen - Westminster over removal of devolved powers to eral election which finally produced a coalition Holyrood. A belated bid to offer settled status to between the populist Five Star Movement and the 3.4 million EU citizens in the UK is still short of far right Northern League. Early coalition actions full citizenship. to block refugee ships and deport Roma people Meanwhile the EU negotiators, led by Michel indicate a xenophobic direction of travel akin to Barnier, wait for the government itself to come to a Orban’s government in Hungary and others in settled negotiating position. Peter Kenyon picks Eastern Europe. Whilst this is not the 1930s the over the mess examining the options for the gov - growing crisis of neoliberal capitalism is produc - ernment and more especially Labour. With Keir ing many of the extreme right and fascist move - Starmer leading the challenge and largely keeping ments we saw then. the Tories feet to the fire it’s time for Labour to Don Flynn highlights the shameful policies of move on from its position of studied ambiguity. He the May government in promoting the hostile looks at the People’s Vote option now being pushed environment of which the Windrush scandal is by the transport union TSSA, Another Europe is only one manifestation. He argues Labour needs Possible and 100,000 strong demo on 23 June, with to free itself from any culpability with a forthright pressure for a parliamentary vote and the status defence of free movement putting solidarity in quo until a new arrangement in the EU is agreed. place of hostility, trade union rights and security Mary Southcott speaks up for the 48% remain - in place of exploitation. Dave Rosenberg puts a ers and links the campaign against Brexit to vot - spotlight of Tory double-standards on anti - ing reform. She argues against a second referen - semitism highlighting links to racist groups. dum and for Labour to come out strongly for a cus - Almost daily Trump seems to add fuel the fires toms union and single market. of reaction: the scrapping of the Iran nuclear deal, The message is the same: Labour needs to pre - declaring trade war on China and Europe with pare for a general election at any time and commit big tariffs on steel and alluminium, scuppering to working for a new deal in Europe to protect jobs, peace prospects in Israel/Palestine (see Richard working conditions, the environment and human Burden MP ) while implementing an inhumane rights founded on values of socialist international - family splitting border policy at home. ism . The Tories ever-fearful of the threat of a Glynn Ford reports on the events in North Corbyn government are preparing the ground. A Korea and assesses the meaning of the Kim- combination of sweeteners (£20b over five years for Trump treaty. Authoritarian human rights-deny - the NHS) combined with democratic curbs involv - ing governments need challenging everywhere. ing boundary changes reducing Labour seats and Andy Roberts calls on Jeremy Corbyn to change voter id. in an effort both to suppress votes and tack on Cuba while in midst of World Cup atten - weaken Labour. Kabul Sandhu and Dermot tion A nna Paterson sounds warnings on Putin’s McKibbin report on the id threat. Housing and Russia. education will be critical issues for the campaign. Labour did well in the May local government Duncan Bowie gives two cheers for Labour’s new elections gaining hundreds of seats across the housing policy while Miriam Scharf highlights country. Election psephologist John Curtice put the creeping privatising of schools behind the Labour on course for being the largest party if the academy programme. Stephanie Clark adds a results were repeated in a general election. Brexit further note on the profiteering GP at Hand in the is likely to be the trigger for a government col - NHS. lapse. Labour needs to be ready. That means a The recent 18th May State of the Economy con - manifesto commitment to membership of a cus - ference led by Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell toms union and single market, rejecting any Tory covered many of the key economic battlegrounds: deal or no deal and going into the election with a creation of secure well-paid employment, invest - commitment for a transitional period for as long ment in sustainable development, tackling tax as it takes to secure a new deal with the EU. dodgers, workplace rights, a progressive fiscal poli - Trump is post-referendum. America First trans - cy. The elephant in the room was Brexit with only lates May’s fantasy global Britain into a real vas - one workshop and very little discussion of the sal state. Our closest allies are in Europe. We potential impact let alone a supranational strategy need to reforge a new relationship. for ending austerity through a common European

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P&C

Catastrophe awaits Paul Salveson says it’s time for the North to have an independent voice on Brexit

here’s an easy assump- tion amongst some pro- Remain campaigners that much of the North is a lost cause given the largeT majorities for leave in many Northern towns and cities. Yet there’s growing recognition that a large part of that vote was moti- vated by a vague but real sense of marginalisation and a desire to hit back at ‘them’ – whoever they might be. At the same time, some Labour ‘leavers’ still push the idea that ‘most’ Labour voters in the North voted to leave the EU. This is a very questionable asser- tion – my suspicion is that much of the ‘leave’ vote in Northern working class communities came St George’s Flag over Teeside. Image:Getty from people who were not regular voters at all, many turning out to which has done very well out of IPPR argues for a ‘Northern Brexit put two figures up to the EU and EU research grants and other Negotiating Committee’ to deter- ‘the establishment’. Trying to jus- funding programmes. Many mine” the type of Brexit that the tify one’s acquiescence for Brexit towns and smaller cities – such as North needs, and speak with one on the basis of what MPs’ and Bolton, Huddersfield, Chester, voice in the negotiations, rather pundits think which way Labour Sunderland, Preston and Hull – than have others shape the supporters voted is dodgy, to say are increasingly dependent on the debate”. That’s a valuable sugges- the least. This is on top of any economic clout of their universi- tion and in the short-term is prob- ‘change of mind’ that people ties and any faltering in their ably the only option – but is really might have had since the vote in performance will have huge “mekkin’ th’best out of of a bad 2016. knock-on effects. job” as we might say up ‘ere. What Most Chartist readers would The North needs to fight back the North really should have is an probably agree that the conse- against Brexit with a common elected regional government with quences for Britain in leaving the voice, but how? The IPPR report something like the powers of the UK range from dire to catastroph- makes some interesting points devolved nations (after all, there’s ic. Yet there is a regional element about the lack of a coherent voice 15 million of us). to this, and ironically the areas for the North to articulate a clear But committees and commis- likely to suffer most from Brexit stance on Brexit, unlike the sions tend to attract the great and are the ones that voted so strong- devolved nations and London. It the good who like being on com- ly to leave. says “the nascent and patchy mittees. A Northern Brexit The IPPR has done some very development of combined authori- Negotiating Committee could put useful research on the impact of ties, metro-mayors and devolu- itself at the head of a powerful Brexit on the North. It makes the tion ‘deals’ in the North means movement which brings together point that “The North of England that the region is not well-placed campaigners, local authorities, fur- depends more heavily on trade to formulate a coherent response ther and higher education, volun- with Europe than other parts of to Brexit that will match those of tary associations, businesses and the country, and has been a sig- the devolved administrations for Paul’s website is individuals who want to avoid the nificant recipient of EU funding.” Northern Ireland, Scotland and www.paulsalveso catastrophe which is facing (Brexit North: Securing a united Wales, or that of the mayor of n.org.uk Northern communities, industries voice at the negotiating table, London or other well-established and universities. The risk is that IPPR 2016). lobbying groups. Furthermore, it we’ll end up with a committee of The IPPR paper focussed on is quite impossible for central politicians who don’t want to upset the economic implications of the government to deal meaningfully their masters (Tory or Labour) in result. IPPR argues that along- with the demands of over 30 Westminster. side trade and funding issues, upper-tier local authorities, and There are growing voices across “the North has distinct economic 11 local enterprise partnership the UK arguing for a second refer- assets and interests that will be areas, in the North one by one”. endum that would, in all likeli- affected by Brexit. This includes Can’t disagree with that. IPPR hood, stop Brexit before any more strengths in key sectors such as North has played an important harm is done to the country. The advanced materials and manufac- role in providing space to debate North has very strong and specific turing, energy generation, distri- how the North should be gov- interests in this and needs its own bution and storage, health inno- erned and is one of the few ‘think voice, alongside our friends in vation, and the digital economy.” tanks’ to question the value of the Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Add to that the vibrant higher current third-rate devolution London and the English regions. C education sector in the North offered to Northern cities. The

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GREENWATCH

Nuclear blank cheque Dave Toke on how the Tories are deliberately forgetting their nuclear lessons

Wylfa Nuclear Power Station

or the sake of artificial- would not be any nuclear power bon fuels, but the taxpayer will ly massaging down the stations built since various other end up paying a much higher price paid for electricity low carbon options are much price than advertised through a from the proposed cheaper. But now that memories different route - when the time Wylfa nuclear plant of the past problems with build- comes for the project investors Fthe Government is about to com- ing nuclear power plant have (including the Government) to mit the country to pay for billions receded, or been airbrushed from, pay for the almost inevitable cost of pounds of almost inevitable political memory, this principle overruns. construction cost overruns. In has been gradually stripped away The remarkable thing is that doing so the Tories will be junk- to return us to the past. The past despite this effort at price fakery, ing their opposition to doing such of the nuclear blank cheque. Dr David Toke is the price agreed will still be a lot a thing. In 2010 The Conservative How it can possibly be the case Reader in Energy higher than that available for Party election manifesto stated that the Wylfa project will be sold Politics at the installing large amounts of that: ‘we agreewith the nuclear on a 'cheaper' price than Hinkley University of onshore and offshore wind and industry that taxpayer and con- C (£92.50 per MWh in 2012 Aberdeen solar power. sumer subsidies should not and- prices) despite the fact that the The nuclear industry appears will not be provided – in particu- projected cost of building Wylfa is to have lobbied successfully for lar there must be no public actually higher than Hinklrey C this return to the past, a past underwriting ofconstruction cost per GW of capacity? The Wylfa where nuclear power was overruns’ project is said by Hitachi, the financed by opaque means, and There was a very good reason developers, to cost £20 billion, the its expensive nature hidden by for this manifesto commitment. same as Hinkley C (being organ- the fact that the state effectively None of the nuclear power plants ised by EDF). Yet Wylfa is about offered the developers a blank currently operating in the UK 10 per cent smaller in generating cheque. Of course the British were constructed according to capacity compared to Hinkley C. body politic will find out to its dis- their original cost estimates. Around £77 per MWh have been gust that there will be billions of They were built during the time kited as the suggested price tag pounds paid out when the fund when electricity was nationalised, for Wylfa for electricity con- initially vested in the develop- and so the costs were spread sumers. ment is exhausted - thus reveal- around all consumers and there The price of the contract given ing the grotesque fakery of the was limited transparency about to EDF to build Hinkley C was allegedly 'cheaper' price of the the economics of building nuclear seen to be very large. So there Wylfa project compared to plants. The Tories decided that was great political pressure to Hinkley C. That won't happen for there should be no more wastage reduce this price. But the nature quite a few years since, no doubt, of public money on nuclear plant of nuclear power is that it is very despite the usual wildly opti- which soaked the public purse. expensive, so all the Government mistic projections of delivery They wanted competition in elec- could do was to fake the price by dates, the plant will not be con- tricity generation. giving 'below the counter' finan- structed for a number of years According to the Electricity cial incentives. Of course this yet. It will be long enough to Market Reform law (initially pro- price can be reduced on paper if ensure that the architects of this posed at the end of 2010) nuclear the state takes at least part of the sorry deal are out of office and power should only have the same risk and invests and lends money unavailable for comment from incentives as other low carbon at cheap rates. But in real life not their retirement mansions. C fuels. But it has emerged that if only is this mechanism not being this was done literally, there made available to other low car-

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BREXIT

Brexit bromide While a Brexit bonus is a lie Peter Kenyon checks out progress and sees opportunity at this year's Labour Annual Conference

March for Europe

his is a long shot. But Labour MPs representing Leave ed regions?” Lordy, lordy, his some brothers and sis- constituencies appear to have reaction was very dismissive. ters in Britain's trade been administered the largest “That's not possible,” he asserted, unions, some affiliated doses of Brexit bromide. A recent “We are leaving.” I smiled. like TSSA (the conversation with a northern Mounting interest in a People's TransportT Salaried Staff Labour MP who shall remain Vote offers Labour an opportuni- Association) and others not like nameless told me proudly that ty. This needs to be cast as a ref- the Royal College of Midwives are what his constituents needed was erendum on the Tory mess. Any backing another referendum on a Labour government and its pro- such referendum would be contin- the Tories' Brexit deal with gent on Parliament deciding that Brussels. Public opinion accord- would be appropriate in the event ing to latest opinion polls is in Corbyn's readiness to of the May government losing a favour. Chartist has been equivo- 'meaningful vote' in the House of cal. We would prefer a General risk appearing to deliver Commons opposing whatever deal Election with the Labour Party Brexit has created a the British government is able to positioned to offer the country an secure in Brussels. At the time of opportunity to vote for hope, not running sore both inside writing it looks as though the despair over the Tories' bungled the Parliamentary Government will be defeated over Brexit. this issue in the House of The omens are not encourag- Labour Party and in Commons. So Parliamentary ing. An early General Election sovereignty over Brexit may be seems illusory. The public, having many parts to the Party asserted. All that remains is for been suckered into the Tory civil on the ground the Government to conclude a war over Europe, voted Leave Brexit deal, which looks less like- (maybe shock horror encouraged ly as each day passes. unwittingly by Russian gold). posed National Investment Bank. The choice(s) for Labour are Revelations that there was no Quick as a flash, I said: “Wouldn't continue to depend on parliamen- contingency planning for a 'Leave' it be great if the European tary manoeuvres led by Brexit vote have left Leave voters desen- Investment Bank could back this shadow secretary Sir Keir sitized to the impact of their deci- urgently needed source of addi- Starmer or broaden out its attack sion – post 29 March 2019. tional capital in the UK's neglect- lines by inviting the wider

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forecast before the referendum; *a rise in racist attacks and abuse since the referendum; *an almost 20% devaluation of the Pound in relation to the Dollar and Euro; *a relocation of many businesses to European states; *the threat to the peace process and Good Friday Agreement with the introduction of a hard border in Ireland; *the HMRC estimate of a cost of over £20b to leaving the EU in addition to the £39b settlement: *Trump’s election and declaration of a protectionist trade war: This BLP/Conference further believes the Tories will either exit with no deal or manage a bad deal that will not Who's leading who? Davis & May protect jobs or workplace rights or safeguards for environmental and human rights including full Labour Movement to inform and investment. citizenship rights for EU citizens in future policy. That could be Feeding the groundswell of dis- Britain. linked to parliamentary and content with the Tories – and it This branch/BLP/Conference resolves extra-parliamentary action as must be the Conservative Party to: well as providing a fresh focus in as a whole that is targeted – the event of an early General should be the leitmotif of Call on the party in parliament to Election. Parliamentary Labour Party reject any deal which fails to sustain Recent sessions of Prime activity until a Brexit deal is these current rights and conditions. Minister's Questions show the delivered, whether dead or alive. Support the proposal to negotiate for Labour front bench is ready to Voters need reminding repeatedly as long as it takes to secure these take on the Government over its – there is no Tory Brexit bonus – terms, through a transition period for it was a lie. There are no alterna- continued membership of a Customs tive trade deals under the Tories Union and single market. [T]he HMRC estimate of – it was a lie. National sovereign- Campaign in a general election for ty will be surrendered with a the option of retaining membership of a cost of over £20b to Tory Brexit, and so on. a reformed EU. leaving the EU in This will not be achievable in To work with our European partners current circumstances. Too many for: addition to the £39b of Labour 's elected representa- - an end to EU austerity policies with settlement tives in Parliament are Brexit - a European recovery programme for bromide dependents. For jobs, rights, benefits and economic Labour's electoral ratings to enjoy security that the British another major uptick, Labour and other European peoples deserve, conduct of the Brexit negotia- MPs in so-called Leave con- after ten years of austerity, worsened tions. Piling on the pressure to fix stituencies need to be working employment, reduced pay and welfare the 'Brexit – Tory mess' idea in over the summer wising their vot- deprivation. the electorate's mind would be a ers up to the realities of the Tory valuable preliminary to an mess – surrendering our right to The affiliated trade unions also Annual Conference debate in have a say, continuing to pay into have rights to table such resolu- Liverpool in late September. the Brussels budget, accepting tions. In the face of mounting evi- Corbyn's readiness to risk European Court of Justice rul- dence of the job losses in the UK appearing to deliver Brexit has ings. We should be relaunching arising from Brexit uncertainties, created a running sore both that old rallying cry from across it would seem negligent in the inside the Parliamentary Labour the pond – no taxation without extreme if they did not link stay- Party and in many parts to the representation – to justify the ing in the EU Customs Union and Party on the ground, particularly Remain option, when the time is possibly the Single Market to among younger members. But it right. Labour's ambitious and necessary appears to have kept many Leave Constituency Labour Parties anti-austerity programme for jobs voters on Labour's side, so far. have an opportunity to table so- and investment. What is certain Those inside the Labour Party called contemporary resolutions is they will not seek to embarrass bewailing 'a lack of leadership' or to Party conference. Labour's leadership. Nor should 'a lack of vision' or 'gifting Brexit Chartist editor Mike Davis has rank and file members, but that to the Tories' ought to be asking tabled one for his local party: is an idle wish. As long as Labour themselves how will voters react has dropped any pretense of to Labour reneging on the out- Labour & Brexit - negotiating a 'Better Brexit' or come of the EU Referendum. Conference notes: delivering a Brexit bonus, an Similarly those inside the Party open debate at Conference can demanding Brexit ought to be *British households are £900 worse only help seal the idea in the elec- asking themselves is it going to off following the vote to leave the EU; torate's mind that 'Brexit means deliver better prospects for jobs *the economy is now 2% smaller than a Tory mess'. C

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BREXIT

Shifting the Paradigm Mary Southcott argues that not only does our voting system warp our politics and divide our country but explains the narrow EU referendum victory for LEAVE. She believes a Labour victory from reengaging our heartlands, reversing BREXIT during the transition or backstop is better than desperate calls for ‘Norway’ or a people’s vote. n a Somali café in St Paul’s, referendums. Bristol, on 23 June 2016, EU citizens who have lived in during Eid when normally the UK for years should not have closed in daylight, Labour been deprived of a referendum ran a REMAIN committee vote which affected them directly. Iroom. People came in from the The quick fix of a people’s vote street to discuss how they would which might at the margins vote. The WARP knock-up sheets reverse the result, but will still excluded core Labour voters but leave the divisions and disillu- we went out to them and sion, is not the answer. We need although tempted by the LEAVE to see this for the constitutional promises on NHS and jobs which crisis it is. With no written con- resonated with older Jamaicans, stitution this is difficult for the we won them round. But Labour UK and marks us out from other did not trust its supporters, who who under our current voting sys- EU countries. We need an oppor- needed often to be told Labour’s tem could be taken for granted. tunity to update the way we are policy was REMAIN and was We fought elections at the mar- governed. frightened we would be knocking gins with switch voters and Those watching Poldark can up for BREXIT. dumbed down our policies to fit see the relationship that some Think back to when Labour their priorities and anxieties. In MPs have with their constituen- thought that the rise of UKIP was 2017, Labour changed the centre cies has not changed much, but a good thing as it “split the Tory of gravity by arguing for the pop- people have. No one person can vote”. In 2015, Lynton Crosby ular vote so voting Labour made represent the political views of worked out exactly what policies sense wherever you live. We their constituents, particularly on would prevent their vote haemor- fought a PR election without a PR cross cutting issues which divide rhaging, Cameron won the elec- voting system, and lost. most parties. We need to recog- tion outright and the referendum Now areas which were ignored nise that populism is not the only was legislated. For those who say are waking up to the fact that thing invading our politics. The extremists would benefit from PR they too need the voting system to social media, with or without con- if UKIP had MPs, look at how change so their ‘vote mountains’ straints expected in press and they hijacked the country under translate into influence. This broadcasting, education levels, first-past-the-post. Our voting Bootle or Easington effect is the onset of automation, the system gives us a winner-takes- where turnout is lowered by our money slushing around in cam- all culture. voting system. Other voter sup- paigns, the accurate targeting of When half the country votes pression measures are highlight- individual voters (did I mention one way and the other votes ed in the Conservative mani- Cambridge Analytica, Paul Dacre another, there is no “will of the festo:- or Richard Murdoch?), means it is people” or “democratic mandate” • Boundaries based on catch up time for politics. Jacob for BREXIT. We know from the equalising the registered vot- Rees-Mogg is not the only person British Election Study that ers underestimate the popu- living in the wrong century. Our “Labour is the party of REMAIN lation often living in Labour whole system and political culture not just in the south and London, seats, especially where the is. not just among the young, but in population ‘churns’ with The blame game UK politicians every age group, every social young people and others liv- and media played over Europe, grade and every region of the ing in multi-occupation. taking credit for all the good and country. In safe seats and • A reduction in seats down pointing to the EU for the rest, marginal seats, in REMAIN vot- to 600 will affect the precious has to stop. We need a paradigm ing seats and LEAVE voting MP-constituency link and shift in our politics. We need to seats, it was the REMAIN voters, leave more people unrepre- move from binary to what Rawls whether Labour supporters, new sented. called “overlapping consensus”. voters or voters from other par- • Identification to vote is not Of course we need to bring back ties who helped deliver Labour’s so much about absolute num- control but to the lives of individ- shock result in June 2017.” bers who are turned away uals, by devolving down and shar- What we witnessed was an but those who are put off vot- ing up. Soft power is not exer- inducement to non voters in gen- ing before they go. cised just at Westminster or in eral elections, due to voter sup- • Not having votes at 16 the EU. It needs people to know pression in Labour majority seats, linked to citizenship educa- how they can influence decisions to vote because in a Referendum tion and registration in made in their name. It is wherev- they counted. Pre-Corbyn Labour schools affects the result not er people meet and can have was not about appealing to people only of general elections but influence. C

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HOUSING

Two cheers for Labour housing policy

Mind the gaps says Duncan Bowie but the new policy does put social housing back centre stage.

bout two weeks before the local elections, Jeromy Corbyn and shadow housing min- ister, John Healey launchedA a new housing policy. While this got little press cover- age and came out too late to influ- ence local Labour election mani- festos, it is nevertheless an important document and more lengthy and detailed than policy statements the party has pro- duced recently on other policy areas. There is much in the state- ment to be welcomed and an advance on previous Labour Party policy statements on hous- Labour’s policy yto help the homeless ing, which have generally focused far too much on helping home new social housing (though not tions to fund family sized homes owners. The new focus on the nearly enough) but is also looking as well as smaller homes. These need for more social rented at issues such as land acquisition should be at social rents (dis- homes, including homes to be pro- costs and land value capture. counting the value adjustment vided directly by local housing Labour still has some catching up factor in the target rent regime). authorities is long overdue, as is to do. Grant funding for shared owner- the proposal to suspend the ‘right One of the key problems with ship homes and other forms of to buy’, though the statement housing policy is that what is now discounted home ownership could have gone a step further called ‘affordable housing’ is not should be terminated and with a commitment to follow affordable by many middle- replaced with equity-based loans. Scotland and Wales by abolishing income households, and certainly It is important that resources the scheme once and for all – not by lower income households. be allocated on the basis of rela- something we should have done The term ‘genuinely affordable’ as tive housing needs, not just under in 1997. We also now have a com- used by Sadiq Khan and in the competitive bidding regimes or mitment to requiring a ballot of new policy statement is inade- bilateral agreements with city existing tenants and leaseholders quate. Social rented housing regions, local authorities or on estate regeneration schemes, affordability should be defined as Duncan Bowie is Housing Associations. Councils as which follows Sadiq Khan’s rent and service charges being no author of Radical statutory housing bodies must change of tack in London in greater than 30% of net average solutions to the have the central role. There must response to tenant lobbying. household incomes for the lowest housing supply be a nationally consistent The review has adopted a rela- quartile of household incomes in crisis (Policy methodology for assessing the tively narrow framework and the the relevant local authority or Press 2017) comparative housing require- statement does not adequately housing market area. We also ments of each local authority consider a number of policy areas, need clear criteria for determin- area, both in relation to the needs including planning policy, finan- ing affordability for other forms of the existing stock and the need cial policy, fiscal policy and bene- of sub-market housing including for additional homes and national fit policy, which impact directly shared ownership. Planning poli- resources should be allocated to on the ability of national and cy targets relating to affordable local authorities (and not directly local government to deliver hous- housing should be applied on this to housing associations or private ing policy objectives, and on some basis, with developments not developers) in relation to this aspects seems to be behind rather meeting the appropriate afford- needs assessment. While we than ahead of government think- ability definition being treated as should support the removal of ing. The Conservatives and the market provision and not comply- nationally determined limits on civil servants in Whitehall have ing with affordable housing policy local authority borrowing, the finally realised that there is both or contributing to affordable Labour Party needs to be explicit a shortage of social housing and a housing targets. in recognising that direct central problem with the quality of the We need more clarity on government subsidy is required existing housing stock. The fire at Labour’s social rent targets – rent both in relation to the improve- Grenfell has forced a policy levels, security and volume – with ment of existing stock (including rethink and the Government has sufficient grant per home for local retrofitting in relation to fire not just brought back funding for authorities and housing associa- CONTINUED ON PAGE 12>> July/August 2018 CHARTIST 11 #293 working_01 cover 26/06/2018 08:33 Page 12

ITALY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11>> which involve loss of social hous- sustainable development, clear safety), the undertaking of estate ing. criteria for Green Belt reviews regeneration schemes which pro- There are several other gaps in and a commitment to the aboli- tect the quantity and quality of the Labour Party’s policy. We tion of Permitted Development social rented homes and for new need to be more specific about for office/industrial conversion to social rented homes (to avoid reforms to the local government housing. We need a policy on den- dependence on private funding regime, including reten- sity to ensure densification is funding/developer-led schemes). tion of needs-based formula grant managed to support appropriate The cost of land, investor spec- and the removal of national caps housing supply rather than focus- ulation in land and in planning on council tax levels. Councils ing on maximising returns for permissions is one of the main need the flexibility to introduce developers and investors. obstacles to the provision of hous- new council tax bands with high- While the focus of this review ing affordable by households on er rates. The party must develop is on increasing housing supply, lower and middle incomes. a policy to reform stamp duty, the party needs to develop Policy Current legislation (including the council tax, capital gains tax and on homelessness and supported 1961 Compulsory Purchase Act) inheritance tax to make the hous- housing. We also need to ensure must be amended to give a power ing market more stable and to that housing associations return to LAs and Mayors to CPO land incentivise effective use of exist- to their original objectives of at Existing Use Value. We also ing and new housing stock. focusing on meeting the needs of need direct central government The section on planning in the lower income households and oth- funding for Local Authority led policy statement is weak. We ers who cannot access market estate regeneration (separate need a policy on national spatial housing and to have much tighter from funding for new build) to planning on housing growth, regulation of housing associa- avoid dependence on private regional and sub regional plan- tions. Tenant empowerment on funding/developer led schemes ning, appropriate locations for its own is insufficient. C Italy’s new government’s liasions dangereuses Elly Schlein outlines the dangers of the new populist/rightist coalition

hree months after the risk a diplomatic crisis by claim- The real surprise was the impres- Italian general elec- ing that Tunisia “is only sending sive result of the Northern tion, which represented criminals to our country”, to League that for the first time a real shock for the announce a political alliance with overtook its ally Forza Italia, national political Viktor Orban “to rewrite EU questioning Berlusconi´s undis- framework,T a new government rules”, and to close down the har- puted role as leader of the coali- was sworn in on the June 1st. bours and leave the Aquarius tion. Led by Giuseppe Conte, a politi- ship in the middle of the sea with The M5S, founded by the come- cally inexperienced academic, its 629 desperate people fleeing dian Beppe Grillo in 2009 and led with the support of the Five Star the hell of Libyan jails. With by Luigi di Maio, became the Movement (M5S, with 32% the these three moves he completely largest party. Matteo Renzi’s largest vote share) in coalition overshadowed both the new Democratic Party was outdis- with the extreme right, former Prime Minister and the M5S giv- tanced by M5S recording its secessionist party Northern ing a strong signal to the EU: the worst result in its history, with League (that managed to over- nationalists are growing on a about 19% of the votes, halving come Berlusconi within the cen- common front. There is a paradox Elly Schlein is an the historic 41% obtained in 2014 tre-right coalition with 17% of the when it comes to the new nation- Italian left MEP European elections, and confirm- votes). alists: they’re strengthening each ing the crisis of European social After protracted negotiations other with the same rhetoric of democracy. the two parties adopted a con- hatred and walls, that in the end The result was unexpected by tract as a programme of their would put them one against the other forces on the left, including government. It includes contra- other. In such a context both the the recently established left coali- dictory measures (a flat tax and a EU and Italian people have a lot tion ‘Liberi e Uguali’ led by the minimum income scheme, just to to be worried about. former president of the Senate mention two of them) which will To understand this unprece- Pietro Grasso. The coalition, be impossible to implement. dented situation, we need a deep- aimed at creating unity between While commentators were still er analysis of the March election. Possibile, Sinistra Italiana and reading through the contract and At the last elections the centre- Movimento Democratico trying to figure out how to define right coalition, formed by Progressista, was unable to offer such a coalition, it took less than Berlusconi´s Forza Italia and the a convincing alternative and two weeks for the new Minister of extreme right Northern League innovative leadership and lists. It Interior, Matteo Salvini, leader of and Fratelli d´Italia, emerged as just exceeded the 3% threshold, the Northern League, to make it the biggest block with around entering Parliament with 18 clear. 37% of the votes. This outcome MPs. The first three moves were to was again expected and foreseen What led to such an outcome? in the polls during the campaign. First of all, there was clearly a

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strong wave of protest against were criticised for adopting right receive those fleeing war, torture, ‘the system’, against a political wing policies, with very few extreme poverty and hunger. The class that has been basically the exceptions. This created a frac - failure of the relocation mecha - same over the last 20 years and ture with traditional centre-left nism stands as an example of the has failed to address the struc - voters, who either abstained, or national selfishness of European tural problems of the country or decided to vote for what they per - partners. Of 160,000 relocations deliver the answers the citizens ceived as a radical change. promised by EU Member States, need. The winning forces have Furthermore, the Democratic only 30,000 migrants have actual - managed to present themselves Party suffered from the strong ly been relocated from Italy and as something new and with no rejection of the constitutional Greece in two years. The political responsibilities for the failures of reform with the referendum held forces that have used a stronger the past, despite the fact that the in December 2016, which led to language against migrants and Northern League participated in Renzi´s resignation as Prime promised harder measures on previous Berlusconi governments, Minister. However, the resigna - irregular migration and massive despite the internal democracy tion did not bring any self-criti - returns, have managed to boost issues and the disappointing per - cism or a real change in the line their support following the wave formance of the M5S in governing of the government led by his suc - of other extreme right and Rome. cessor Gentiloni. nationalist forces in other coun - The protest is also the sign of The March vote was not so tries. an entire country struggling much an anti-European vote, It is difficult to predict how the because of the persistent econom - since the winning forces decided balance within the new govern - ic crisis since 2007. This has not to campaign openly against ment’s partners will develop. But affected people´s income and well- the Euro (even if both the one thing is certain, the country being - the middle class in partic - Northern League and the M5S has gone to the right, therefore ular - but also their expectations were quite openly against it in the progressive, left and green about the future. For the first the past). forces, in all their forms, must time since the end of World War Yet, the stance of the M5S on really get their act together. We Two, living conditions have dra - the Euro is also, at best, ambigu - need to reconnect with the most matically worsened through the ous. In the past few years its vulnerable, the excluded, the crisis, and sons and daughters positions have been markedly many that feel left out and face a much more difficult and anti-European, to the point that deprived of any hope for their precarious situation than their the Movement had supported the future. It means rebuilding a parents had in previous years. idea of a referendum on Italy’s vision that puts centre-stage the Yet, the country appears exit from the Eurozone. It even fight against inequalities, fight - deeply divided not only in terms formed an alliance with Nigel ing the xenophobic rhetoric that of inclusion, but also geographi - Farage’s Ukip in the European directs people’s anger towards cally. The map of the electoral Parliament. More recently, how - migrants, while hiding much big - results cuts the country in half: ever, the M5S has gradually ger issues, like multinational the colours of the League in the shifted to a more nuanced, companies evading taxes and Northern area (the League start - eurosceptic posture. stealing huge resources that ed as a regional secessionist At the same time the vote could be used for welfare services party, and was recently trans - appears to be a vote against big and improving lives. formed, under the leadership of coalition governments, as the vot - It’s going to be a long and diffi - Matteo Salvini, into a nationalis - ers expressed a strong negative cult path to regain credibilit. But tic party of Le-Penist imprint); judgement on the last four big no-one else will do it for us, so and the colours of the Five Star coalition governments and pun - we’ll have to get even more Movement in the Southern area. ished the two forces that kept engaged, to build a common pro - The main reforms pushed by that option on the table, namely ject that offers new solutions former Prime Minister, Matteo the Democratic party and Forza based on old values to the chal - Renzi, became very unpopular Italia. Funnily enough, we ended lenges on which our future is at among citizens. The employment up with a new big coalition gov - stake: migration, climate change, reforms drastically decreased the ernment between two forces that tax justice, common foreign poli - rights of workers and increased in the campaign were opposing cy, and the social dimension of labour market flexibility, but the idea, but also opposing one the EU that is still underdevel - failed to deliver the promised another. oped. But since these are all results (90% of the new contracts Their success can also partially European and global challenges, are time limited). The school be explained by their policies for we have to face them together at reform, aimed at imposing a busi - the economy. On the one hand, the right level. That’s why, in ness oriented management of the institution of a flat tax, pièce order to confront the global front education, raised protests by both de resistance of the League and of the nationalists, we need a teachers and students across the much to the liking of the industri - European front of the left, pro - country. Even on environment al North’s demands for a lower gressives and environmentalists. the choices of the youngest Prime fiscal pressure. On the other, the We should resist the polarization Minister in Italy’s history were introduction of a basic income for between establishment and quite conservative: no embrace of citizens promised by M5S, nationalism and find our space by a new and more sustainable appealed to the Southern voters pushing for a radical change of model of development based on torn apart by unemployment. EU policies and structure, in limiting emissions, energy effi - Both parties have also exploit - order to give substance to the ciency and renewable sources, or ed the issue of migration, fanning same principle of solidarity that opposition to the concrete and oil the flames of the hardship faced today is dangerously at risk. lobbies. by Italy with respect to the recep - Without solidarity there is no In summary, the Democratic tion of migrants. Italy was indeed European Union. Let’s build it for Party-led coalition governments left alone, alongside Greece, to real. C

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VOTER ID

Bromley pilot problems Dermot McKibbin l ooks at the scheme in Tory dominated Bromley romley Council was a council has not published any essary identification. They agreed pilot authority for detailed information about the to promote the use of a postal the voter identifica - impact of the scheme to facilitate vote for this group. This did not tion scheme in the public scrutiny. happen. recent local elections. 2. Labour lost 1 seat by 20 6. Publicity that was paid Both the council and the votes with the Lib-Dems losing for by central government gave Electoral Commission admitted another by less than 50 votes. It the misleading impression that that there had never been any is entirely possible that this you could only vote in person at electoral fraud in the borough, scheme cost Labour this seat on the election. though that was the rationale for the council. 7. The treasurer of the scheme. 3. The council had to be Beckenham CLP was told initial - Bromley opted for a system lobbied to publish their equality ly by the polling clerk that he whereby voters had to show impact assessment. could not vote. When he chal - either a particular form of photo - 4. This assessment did not lenged them, the clerk relented. graphic identification or a partic - accept that the 8% of the bor - We do not know how many voters ular alternative form of identifi - ough’s population who do not lacked the confidence to challenge cation. Alternatively, a potential speak English would be adversely council staff. Nor do we know how voter could apply to the council affected by the scheme. However, Dermot Mckibbin many people did not vote as they for a certificate of identification. following the intervention by a is a member of had no identification at all. All postal and proxy votes are Labour councillor it was agreed Beckenham CLP 8. In one Tory marginal exempt from the requirements for that translations would be pro - ward, 28% of the votes cast were

C the scheme. vided. There is no evidence that postal votes. All Tory election There were numerous prob - this decision was carried out. leaflets promoted postal voting. lems with the scheme:- American studies have revealed There was no co-ordinated bor - 1. According to the BBC that ethnic minority groups suffer ough-wide campaign by Labour to website that relied on informa - disproportionately from voter encourage postal voting or to stop tion supplied by the council, 154 identification schemes. the scheme. voters were unable to vote and 5. The council accepted Labour needs to devise a strat - 400 returned later with the cor - that some elderly people in the egy to stop this scheme being rect identification. However, the borough would not have the nec - rolled out nationally. Voter ID - using the American playbook Kabul Sandhu r eports on Tory plans to suppress voting he local elections in 37. As for the second point: when latest weapon in the Tory May witnessed the voting, citizens are not asking for armoury. Universities can no introduction of voter a service but demanding to exer - longer bloc register their stu - ID in five council cise a right to cast a ballot. dents. Individual rather than areas, four Tory and Why this sudden interest by householder registration will oTne Lib-Dem controlled. There the government in voter ID? The reduce the numbers of young eli - was no uniform requirement. In Tories have been looking across gible voters in this age of ‘genera - some a driving licence or a bus the Atlantic. The US has a long tion rent’. pass; in others a birth certificate. and inglorious tradition of voter The tactics are clearly designed There will be a repeat trial next suppression of African Americans to hurt Labour support. What year and if considered successful and minorities. The Democrats in should be the response? Labour it will be rolled out nationally. the southern states formerly should call these measures what What does success mean? The maintained white political they are: anti-democratic, tilting Electoral Reform Society has said supremacy through the erection a level playing field that should that nearly 4,000 people were of such hurdles as literacy tests exist between opposing political denied the vote in these trial and poll taxes. Nowadays it’s the parties in a liberal democracy. areas. So, a successful democra - Republicans engaged in reducing Kabul Sandhu is Labour should point out that cy? the votes of sections of society a member of the real problem is not voter Mendacious self-serving argu - unlikely to vote for them, once Basildon CLP fraud but rather woefully lower ments have been put forward by again African Americans and voter turnout, especially in local the Tory press and supporters minorities. Their tactics include elections where 30% can be a suggesting voter fraud is photo id, fewer polling stations, good turnout. Surely in a healthy widespread and that we already shorter opening times, polling democracy a ruling party would need id for a whole host of ser - stations located in places requir - want all its citizens to vote? But vices. ing a car to access and depriving maybe not this survive-at-any- The counter to the first point is ex-felons of the right to vote. cost government and party. that at the evidence points to The Tories have observed and voter fraud being miniscule. In learnt. They too are trailing in data relating to 2015 elections support among minorities and there were 26 allegations of in- young people. Suppressing their person and 11 relating to proxy vote is the name of the game. voting fraud - a massive total of Voter ID requirement is just the

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ACADEMIES

Save our schools

Miriam Scharf explains how academies have drained resources from public to private and looks at a Newham fightback. cademies came in under Blair with loads of money and the remit to improve under-performing schoolsA in deprived areas. But the programme was a way to intro- duce privatisation into education. The Tories recognised the poten- tial of academisation, and the number grew dramatically under the coalition government, from 203 in May 2010 to nearly 4,500 by 2017. Local authorities were not allowed to bid for new school places, which were to be provided only by academies and free Protest against academies schools. Maintained schools were encouraged to become academies my chains abandoning schools, 21 anti-academy union members and big business entered the edu- in the case of WCAT in address their governing bodies cation market, starting up acade- September 2017, was one pre- and speak at staff meetings. But my chains taking on more and dictable outcome. Money for chil- the level of school union meet- more schools in Multi-Academy dren’s education going to sky-high ings, petitioning at the gates, loud Trusts. salaries and pension pots for parent meetings, lobbies of gov- Damien Hinds, the new academy CEOs, freed from erning bodies and bigger union Secretary for Education, has con- national agreements, was anoth- meetings, led to indicative and firmed that academies are no bet- er. The Tories had already formal ballots for strike action at ter than maintained schools. dropped the policy of total a number of schools. Indeed the National Education academisation. In May 2018 The battle to save our schools Union has data from government Hinds announced that only in Newham had started. Union sources showing that on many cri- schools in Special Measures members leafletting at school teria from pupil results, progress would be forced to academise. gates tapped an extraordinary of disadvantaged students, num- So the academisation pro- level of parent support. bers of qualified teachers, teacher gramme has faltered, but what The struggle from below at retention, and others, maintained are we, the unions, the Left, and every school threatened with schools are better than the Labour Party doing about it? academisation has to continue. academies. On school improve- The NUT opposed academisation Wherever union members and ment local authorities do better in 2008 and the Anti-Academies parents respond there is a chance than academies. The taxpayer Alliance, supported by the union, of winning. But in the face of edu- has footed the bill for academy was set up. But there has never cation cuts, and with no change of conversions, at 25k a time, and been a national fightback; schools government imminent, school watched as land, building, assets were left to fight alone. And they leaderships will continue to feel and the service itself, are trans- have. vulnerable. Schools can retain ferred from public to private Cut to Newham, September autonomy, forming alliances, hands. 2017, where the council was drop- partnerships and federations with It became clear, however that ping the last vestiges of school other schools. just leaving to market forces was support, trading its remaining An important problem is that not going to work and neither was services and introducing a com- the Labour Party’s National leaving the only oversight of all missioning model. Ambitious Education Service proposal is not schools to central government. headteachers set up MATs and clear about academisation. Something between the govern- were looking to take over or in Labour talks of ‘standards not ment and the schools was needed, their words ‘help support’, other structures’, cover for keeping hence the creation of a ‘middle schools. Over 50% of secondaries academies. Corbyn has said he is tier’. Regional Schools and over 60% of primaries were opposed to academization and the Commissioners were appointed, not yet academised. Left need to hold him to that. supposedly to oversee the system. But something was stirring: it Academies should be brought But in fact RSCs often commis- was the union. The NEU sent in back into local authority control sioned academies and then moved new organisers. Petitions outside so that we can build an education on to become CEOs of those same school gates revealed strong par- service where every local school is academies! When schools became ent interest. The union branch a good comprehensive school, and businesses it’s not surprising that saw a dramatic shift electing a where problems arise, the local corrupt practices bloomed. Many new strong team of activists and a authority and community have a started to fail, both as businesses new Branch Secretary. A minority role in resolving them. There is a and schools. The scandal of acade- of headteachers were happy to let lot of work to be done here! C

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IMMIGRATION

Solidarity is answer to hostile environment Following Sajid Javid’s appointment as Home Secretary Don Flynn looks at the harms caused by the ‘hostile environment ‘ policy, prospects for change and what a serious Labour policy might look like. ne of the advantages that lessons were being learnt of having to follow up about the nature of immigration on an act as draconi- enforcement that would bear fruit an and wrong as the in a new Labour approach. Diane ‘hostile environment’ Abbott is working hard to set out Oscandal is that you have plenty of a platform for policies which have space to row back from and get a stronger base in human rights accolades for doing ‘the right and a social justice perspective; thing’. but how deep is that going into That is the place where the the party’s mainstream? new home secretary Sajid Javid Gordon Brown for one does not got himself to in the weeks follow- seem to be on the email list on ing his appointment as Home thousands’, has finally been which new ideas are being thrown Secretary. His insistence on the achieved. about. True, the ex-Chancellor of term ‘compliant environment’ has Less reassuring the Exchequer and ex-PM is a been interpreted by some as a Javid’s package stands a good somewhat marginal figure as far start to unpicking the policies chance of placating at least some as the current Labour leadership which had been responsible for of the government’s journalist is concerned, but it is likely that the hounding of people who had critics who were drawn into con- his views still have a degree of been resident in the UK for demnation of the hostile environ- influence among the large body of decades but not always having ment policies by the manifest evi- centrist Parliamentarians. documentation in a neat and tidy dence of the harm being done to In a speech reported in The fashion to prove it. luckless long-established UK resi- Guardian given in London in Elderly Commonwealth nation- dents. Those closer to the coal- Don Flynn is early June the former Labour als it seems are now been invited face of control policies as they former Director leader is reported as setting out a to attend hospitals for radiothera- impact on migrant communities of Migrant rights “six-point plan for dealing with py treatment which they had pre- in the parts of the country where network concerns about migration.” The viously been told would only be they are established are a long items listed were a mixture of, in provided after an upfront pay- way from being so assured on themselves, anodyne concerns ment of £50,000 plus. In Jamaica these matters. about the need to ensure no the hunt is on for 63 people Though Home Office enforce- undercutting of wages by wrongly deported from the UK, ment officers might feel them- migrants; registration of jobs to (though, and whisper it quietly, it selves a little more reigned-in give local people a chance to seems that some of these were regarding the exuberance of the apply; registration of migrants on shipped out during the last years way they descend on workplaces arrival in the UK; through to the of the Labour government). and neighbourhoods where tougher-sounding ‘possible’ There are other beneficiaries migrants are present in dense removal of migrants if they failed from the mood change. Self- numbers, the system still equips to find a job within nine months. employed highly-skilled migrants them with a formidable array of Economic migrants threatened with removal because powers which grants them the This is the sort of vacuous over- of minor errors in their tax authority to question, arrest and claiming for the capacity of the returns have been told their cases detain indefinitely anyone whose state to manage economic migra- will be looked at again. The papers are not entirely in order. tion through tinkering with NHS, banned from recruiting Whilst 60-plus year olds might be labour market structures which migrant doctors because of a treated with more circumspection got Labour into such big trouble requirement that this was only we should still be alert to the with a large part of its electorate possible if they paid wages of over plight of people in their mid- in the first place. The insinuation £300,000 a year, has been told twenties with not much more that migrants pursue strategies this policy will be eased. claim to being British than living to deliberately undercut estab- The Holy Grail of the demand here since they were toddlers. lished wage levels now looks pret- for immigration reform for the Is there any sign that the ty feeble given the evidence of last eight years – that interna- Labour party is learning any of resurgent wages and conditions tional students be removed from the lessons of this debacle and battles taking place in sectors like net migrant targets – also stands building them into its policies? cleaning, catering, and delivery a chance of being granted, with The impressive charge against work, where the newcomers seem the advantage to government the hostile environment, led by to be the one group of workers being that it can then claim to David Lammy, Diane Abbott, still trying to wage war on the have hit the magic figure of Dawn Butler, and others with industrial front. An unequivocal ‘immigration in the tens of thou- intimate connections with the policy from Labour in this issue sands, rather than hundred of ‘Windrush Generation’ gave heart would simply say it will do what

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is necessary to ensure that trade tion must produce some activity role in sustaining the – what? – union membership and represen- in the way of enforcement which hostile environment? tation rights will be available to the government can put to the That is Labour’s dilemma. You migrant workers and that people to show it really is trying. play the game of running a employment and living wage leg- The Tories gave us the fully- labour market that delivers job- islation will work in their inter- fledged hostile environment as a ready proles to capitalist busi- ests. demonstration of its intent, and nesses; you strive to manage the But so much of the conversa- now seems to be living to regret political problem of massaging tion around immigration policy it. What will a Labour version of the resentment that will come on the centre left concerns itself the same look like? from generating a mass of bull- with making gestures intended to Lefty journalist Paul Mason shit jobs for citizens, and a ‘hos- placate the anxieties about immi- offers something in a recent New tile environment’ for migrants gration that Labour itself allowed Statesman article: “suspend free will appear somewhere along the to grow out of control during its movement temporarily while line. thirteen years in power. Even signing up to the principle.” There is an alternative. Take though there is no evidence that Thanks Paul – that is going to the principled high ground. hollowing out the rights to free- make a lot of sense to the good Challenge the very idea that the dom of movement which EU folk of Stoke-on-Trent and interests of British workers are nationals enjoy will translate into Sunderland. in fundamental conflict with secure jobs with better wages and A Labour ‘hostile environ- those of migrants. Overhaul conditions for natives, it remains ment’? immigration policy to rid it of all the presumption that these will More realistically ideas contin- the threats to secure residence have to go as a part of a renegoti- ue to circulate about the ways in rights and equality of treatment ated agreement with Brussels. which flows of migrant workers for newcomers. Throw open the No real gains for Labour’s can be channelled into specific doors of the trade unions to working class voters maybe, but jobs and industries – requiring everyone who arrives here from at least it will be an opportunity vigorous policing of the internal day one. Come up with a battle to revel in the one way in which borders of the UK jobs market to plan to challenge exploitative solidarity can be demonstrated ensure that no migrant ends up working conditions and minimal nowadays – solidarity with the in a job she has not been certified level wages. In other words, do prejudices which have been as being entitled to take. A diffi- all that is needed to transform allowed to take root in the nation- cult task but manageable maybe the hostile environment into a al conversation about immigra- if we presume that we can get the place where real solidarity tion over the last fifty-odd years. social security system, the banks, between all working people is The down-side is that tough- the NHS, private landlords, the once again possible, and let’s see talk about controlling immigra- DVLA on-board, all to play their where all this takes us. C Stand up to all racism Dave Rosenberg highlights Tory links to antisemites & racists ntisemitism, as the Traditional Britain Group Islamophobia and (TBG). This group was founded other forms of racism by Tory Party member Gregory rise in tandem, as we Lauder Frost (currently its Vice- have seen in Donald President), and presided over by ATrump’s America, and are seeing Tory peer Lord Sudeley. today in central and eastern In the 1990s Lauder Frost hap- Europe, where far right forces are pily shared a platform with growing in strength and entering Holocaust revisionists and government. deniers such as David Irving and Jewish bodies report a signifi- Ernst Zundel. He has described cant increase in antisemitic abuse the Nuremberg trials as a “farce”, and attacks in 2017. Where the Jacob Rees Mogg and Gregory Lauder Frost at a meeting and said he was opposed to perpetrators and their motives of the Traditional Britain Group Britain declaring war on Nazi have been identified, most of Germany. Much more recently he these incidents are connected the Jewish Leadership Council, was taped by an undercover with far right ideology. And on and their bigoted DUP friends, reporter calling Stephen the watch of Theresa May. Yet, want to belatedly take a stand Lawrence’s mother, Baroness bizarrely, Jewish leaders are try- against all racism, they might Lawrence, a “nigger”, and radio ing to damn Jeremy Corbyn and want to look instead at the presenter Vanessa Feltz, a “fat the Labour Party, the very party groups attached to the Jewish slag”. responsible for practically every Conservative party who are Tory MP Jacob Rees Mogg gave piece of anti-discrimination law developing ever closer relations a talk to The Traditional Britain in Britain, laws which were first with the Alt-Right and Group, led by Tory members. put in place while many Tories Identitarian Movement, and who They have called for the removal were investing in apartheid are promoting white of one monument from South Africa and condemning supremacism, opposition to multi- Parliament Square – the statue of anti-apartheid activists as com- culturalism, and state-assisted the great anti-racist fighter and munists and extremists. repatriation of immigrants to leader Nelson Mandela. Why am If the Board of Deputies and their “natural homelands”, such I not surprised? C

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NORTH KOREA

The Pyongyang Paradox Glyn Ford on the Trump gamble in Korea

yongyang is trapped in a paradox. The very measures it felt essen- tial to ensure its long- term survival were pre- Pcisely those that put it in short- term jeopardy. Kim Jong Un’s Byungjin Line - which gave equal weight to the building of the nuclear deterrent and the devel- opment of the economy - was designed to provide the security, time and space to allow the econ- omy to grow. The ultimate inten- tion was to see the country trans- formed into a variant of Vietnam or China. Yet the nuclear strand of the policy threatened to precip- itate a ‘preventive’ strike by Washington and its ‘Coalition of the Willing’ including the UK triggering a second Korean War with devastating consequences for Northeast Asia, millions dead on the Peninsula and a global recession. Burnt deeply into Pyongyang’s psyche is the fate of earlier coun- tries targeted by Washington. The demise of Iraq, Libya and Kim and Trump Syria are understood as the result not from their possession of Despite spending a quarter of its substance. That was the easy Weapons of Mass Destruction, GDP on the military, the North is part. Thrashing out the detail and but rather from their lack. When, outspent by the South - which delivering the process over years in 2003, Libya formally has an economy that is fifty times will be orders of magnitude more renounced its nuclear pro- larger - by a factor of five, year on difficult with lots of opportunity gramme, a sceptical North Korea year. Every time there is a naval for allegations of cheating and rejected the immediate invitation clash along the Northern Limit non-delivery and mission creep by from Washington to follow suit. Line (NLL) (the disputed mar- Washington, like with Iran, Barely a month before Kim Jong itime boundary between North demanding compliance with ele- Un succeeded his father in 2011, and South), awareness of the dis- ments not covered by the the film of Muammar Gaddafi’s parity is reinforced by the com- Agreement. It will be all too easy brutalisation and murder was parative casualty figures. A con- to fail. Yet the alternatives are seen as proof positive of the perils ventional war between North and worse. All the options facing the of trusting in the ‘international South would see Seoul victorious. US as regards North Korea take community’. Trump’s National The nuclear deterrent’s second Glyn Ford is the the world to hell in a handcart Security Advisor, John Bolton’s rationale - after ensuring the author of Talking save for diplomacy. The three recent exhortations of the ‘Libyan safety of the regime - is to free to North Korea; alternatives are: first a preven- model’ is the cross before the manpower and resources to be Ending the tive military strike; second vampire. It was this that trig- decanted from the army into Nuclear Standoff ‘changed’ regime through covert gered the pushback from industrial and economic develop- to be published action and subversion; third the Pyongyang and the consequent ment. Industrial and economic by Pluto Press in imposition of an increasingly bru- threat by Trump to cancel the growth requires manpower. September tal sanctions regime barely short Summit before Bolton was tem- Instead, manpower has been of an economic blockade leading porarily sidelined and the North sequestered in Pyongyang’s mil- to military adventurism by toned down the rhetoric. lion-man army. This reserve Pyongyang or civil unrest. In The North’s belief that while army of labour needs demobilis- practice this deadly trinity will be the US continues to pose an exis- ing if the economy is going to intimately interlinked as a three tential threat, regime survival take-off. Yet all is rendered moot lane highway to war. Yet despite necessitates both an independent by the economic embargo. Theresa May’s complicity by send- nuclear deterrent and economic The question for Kim after ing UK military assets for Joint growth. But the nuclear defence Singapore is can he trade his Military Exercises in South is also driven by military necessi- nuclear deterrent for internation- Korea, that may involve Britain ty and labour shortages. Going al security guarantees and a com- in another interventionist war, nuclear is a sign of weakness not prehensive settlement of out- Labour in the Commons remains strength. North Korea has long standing issues. The Trump silent. C lost the conventional arms race. Summit was more spectacle than

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CUBA

Cuba –time for human rights & democracy An end to the Castro regime in Cuba prompts Andy Roberts to call on Jeremy Corbyn for a change of approach.

n April 2018, Miguel Díaz- whoever they want.” In her 2016 Canel was sworn in as the article, following the death of new president of Cuba. He Fidel Castro, Forget Fidel has promised ‘reform’, but Castro’s policies. What matters is how radical will this be? that he was a dictator, Zoe IAnd what will the attitude of Williams comments that: Labour’s leadership be? “Pluralism, democracy and uni- Jeremy Corbyn has a very good versal rights are the foundations record on human rights – in some of progressive politics. One man, cases. Not least his doughty sup- even if he’s a woman, does not get port for the rights of the Chagos to govern by force and decree. Islanders, for whom I have also One oppressed group, even if it’s campaigned for many years. dentists, is an oppression of Corbyn was for many years the everybody. One nation, even if it’s much-respected Chair of the tiny and exports a lot of doctors, cross-partyAll-Party is as great an insult to the princi- Castro and his successor Parliamentary Group on the ples of the left as one dictatorial Chagos Islands, and is knowl- superpower”. law technically allows the forma- edgeable and eloquent on this Even more seriously, this tion of independent unions, in topic. recent report from Human Rights practice Cuba only permits one However, I am extremely trou- Watch, World Report 2018: Cuba. confederation of state-controlled bled by his strong advocacy for Events of 2017, details the contin- unions, the Workers’ Central the Cuba Solidarity Campaign uing systematic repression of dis- Union of Cuba.’ 4,537 arbitrary and the one-party regime in senters in Cuba. It reports detentions in 10 months are not Cuba. While I do not agree with (among other things) that: ‘The just ‘flaws’, as Corbyn shamefully the counter-productive US eco- Cuban government continues to implied in a statement following nomic blockade on Cuba, as a employ arbitrary detention to the death of Fidel Castro, but are democratic and libertarian social- harass and intimidate critics, an inherent feature of the repres- ist, I object fundamentally to a independent activists, political sive one-party political system in regime which fails on every basic opponents, and others. The num- Cuba. democratic principle: freedom of ber of arbitrary short-term deten- To support a regime which speech, freedom of assembly, free tions increased dramatically commits such abuses of basic elections with a plurality of politi- between 2010 and 2016, from a human rights and democratic cal parties, the existence of inde- monthly average of 172 incidents principles is a deplorable double pendent non-governmental and to 827, according to the Cuban standard. Labour should be sup- civil society organisations, and Commission for Human Rights porting the earliest possible intro- not least, independent trade and National Reconciliation, an duction of basic democratic princi- unions – trade unions in Cuba are independent human rights group ples and standards in Cuba, with- state-controlled organisations, not that lacks official authorization out any “ifs and buts”? autonomous workers’ organisa- and the government considers to I recently spent time in tions. be illegal. Gdansk, Poland, where I visited Owen Jones, rightly, drew The number of detentions the Solidarity Museum, which attention to this issue in his dropped significantly in 2017, was for me a very moving and Guardian article of 18th with 4,537 reports of arbitrary emotional experience, as I was a December 2014. “The US embargo detentions from January through strong supporter of the Polish is disappearing; so, too, must October, a decrease of 50 percent Solidarity Campaign in 1981-83, Cuba’s dictatorship. “There were compared to the same period in during the period of martial law. I many dictatorships that called 2016. know very well that the tyranni- themselves “socialist” in the 20th Detention is often used pre- cal form of “state socialism”, century: almost all fell, and their emptively to prevent people from which existed in this region lasting contribution has been to participating in peaceful marches before 1989, and on which the sully the cause of socialism. or meetings to discuss politics. Cuban political system is con- Democracy is a universal right, And on trade unions: ‘Despite sciously modelled, is not, in any not something that only some updating its Labor Code in 2014, way whatsoever, the way forward peoples or some cultures deserve. Cuba continues to violate conven- for the left in the UK or else- Having an exceptional healthcare tions of the International Labour where. and education system, or defying Organization that it has ratified, Quite apart from the issues of a concerted attack by a global specifically regarding freedom of moral principle involved, any sug- superpower, does not mean being association, collective bargaining, gestion of sympathy for such let off the hook when it comes to protection of wages, and prohibi- regimes actively undermines the allowing your people to vote for tions on forced labor. While the democratic left in our country. C

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RUSSIA

From soviet state to capitalist kleptocracy Anna Paterson & Alexandra Zernova say the left needs to see Putin’s Russia for what it is n the Summer of 2017 tary spending is disproportionate- Buzzfeed published an ly huge. Russia spent 17.5% of investigation of 14 recent overall government expenditure suspicious deaths in the on the military in 2016, propor- UK of opponents of the tionately more than the US. This IRussian regime. Then in early funds Russia’s military involve- March came the attempted mur- ment in Ukraine and its support der in Salisbury of former double of the murderous Assad regime. agent Sergei Skripal and his Wealthy Putin associates love daughter, using a military-grade London. They own property here nerve agent. Eight days later, and send their children to British another Putin opponent was mur- schools. Expressions of outrage dered in London. No serious inde- and diplomatic expulsions, in the pendent Russia or security ana- absence of stronger measures, lysts believe there is any plausi- arguably allowed Putin to use the ble explanation for the Skripal Skripal incident to maximum attacks that does not involve effect domestically without paying Russian security structures in much of a real price. But the UK some way. Moreover, Russia has is in a uniquely powerful position form – having murdered to apply pressure on the Putin Alexander Litvinenko with polo- Putin andclose friend Arkady Rotenberg regime where it really hurts – in nium in London in 2006. the lifestyles and pockets of The attack came during an Development in January. Theatre regime cronies. Yet our govern- election campaign in Russia in director Kirill Serebrennikov was ment has been reluctant to apply which Putin hailed Russia’s abili- unable to attend Cannes this year the same level of stringent finan- ty to upset the international as he is under house arrest on cial measures targeting the assets applecart. Putin, who has served embezzlement charges. He had of corrupt foreign officials held as President for 14 of the last 18 criticised Russia’s annexation of abroad that the US passed in years, was re-elected on 18 Crimea and voiced support for 2012. The conservatives need to March. Two serious opposition the LGBT community, which be held accountable for their candidates planned to stand faces appalling abuse and harass- reluctance. These points were against Putin in 2018. One was ment. It is not only individuals made by Labour after the Boris Nemtsov, murdered near who are targeted. In January, a Salisbury attacks, but they were the Kremlin in 2015, on the 2012 law requiring NGOs with fatally diluted by hesitant, even orders, the Nemtsov family any foreign funding to register as obfuscatory, language over believe, of human rights-abusing ‘foreign agents’, already used to Russia’s responsibility, and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. target a range of civil society unhelpful noises off from some Kadyrov was awarded a medal by organisations, was used to dis- who have a track record of Putin the month after Nemtsov’s solve a well-known trade union. defending Putin. murder. The other serious opposi- Meanwhile Russia’s economy is Parts of the British left strug- tion candidate, Alexei Navalny, smaller than Italy’s, has a modest Anna Paterson gle to grasp the authoritarian whose exposure of corruption has per capita income, but an unusu- has a PhD in capitalist kleptocracy that is post- been a thorn in Putin’s side, was ally high number of billionaires. Russian Foreign soviet Russia, still seeing Russia prevented from running. Some 77% of wealth is held by Policy, and is a as a helpful counterweight to US Putin’s regime comprises a the richest 10%. Putin’s first two member of Tower power. Unfortunately, in a multi- group of cronies around the terms saw a rise in living stan- Hamlets Labour polar world, those whose foreign Kremlin who use their power to dards but years of low or no Party policy is based the crude principle loot the public purse and rely growth from 2012 have seen Alexandra that ‘my enemy’s enemy is my increasingly on repression of all wages and living standards fall Zernova is a friend’ are apt to end up with the opposition. Left wing activist and the poverty rate increase. human rights wrong friends. The current Sergei Udaltsov and liberal Sanctions have played some role, lawyer Labour leadership would be wise Alexei Navalny were both arrest- but this is also the result of to consult, and actually listen to, ed and detained after protests in falling prices for oil and commodi- a wider range of academic and 2012, and were described by ties exports, on which the econo- other expertise on Russia, as well Amnesty International as ‘prison- my remains chronically depen- as Russian activists. Opposition ers of conscience’. Udaltsov dent. Federal budgets have been figures in Russia are paying a served over four years in prison. cut, the Kremlin has increased personal price for their activism Many Putin opponents have been the income it extracts from which few of us have ever had to imprisoned on trumped up regions, and increasingly indebt- pay. The least they should expect charges, including two regional ed regional governments are from a party built on principles of governors last year, and the for- struggling to meet their social internationalism is some measure mer Minister of Economic spending requirements. Yet mili- of solidarity. C 20 CHARTIST July/August 2018 #293 working_01 cover 26/06/2018 08:33 Page 21

LABOUR LEFT

Can Labour be a party for socialism? Andrew Coates on a history of the Labour Left he election of Jeremy appeared to be rethinking the discarded AES. This idea remains Corbyn as leader of the ‘balance’ between public and pri- popular on the left amongst those Labour Party in 2015 vate in the opposite direction. wishing for an independent and his re-election in The Alternative Economic Britain ‘taking back control’ from 2016 have been fol- Strategy (AES) came onto the the European Union. lowedT by a number of pacy Labour agenda. Stuart Holland’s Hannah surveys the left’s biographies. There have been version of the AES aimed to cre- defeats in the 1980s. The first other efforts to explain the victo- ate “new public ownership and pitched battle was on the question ry, often as part of a global rise of social controls in the meso-eco- of inner-party democracy. The ‘outsider’ politics. By contrast nomic sector”. It included nation- chapter The Broad Church Simon Hannah’s A Party with alising the 25 top manufacturing Collapses is valuable in covering Socialists in it, is an account of companies to “harness the mar- with a critical eye the main play- the North Islington MP’s leader- ket power of big league firms”. ers, the inward looking and often ship within the long history of the Along with planning and rights to fractious activities of the Labour left inside the party. workers’ participation, it aimed to Campaign for Labour Party An issue hangs over A Party tackle inefficiency, to create jobs Democracy (CLPD) and the with Socialists in it. There may and end the decline in British Labour Coordinating Committee be socialists in Labour but can profits and competitiveness. (LCC). Labour become a vehicle for Hannah notes that the AES Neil Kinnock’s modernising socialism? The late Ralph included protectionist measures ambitions, a move to the centre, Miliband, Hannah observes, came (Strategy for Socialism. Stuart are widely said to have foreshad- to consider the party unfit for Holland, 1975). owed the 1990s dominance of socialist purpose, unable to create As Hannah notes, capitalists Tony Blair’s team. Did Neil a “radically different social order” were unlikely to welcome the Kinnock isolate the left only by (Postscript to Parliamentary AES without ferocious opposition. ditching radical policies and purg- Socialism. 1973) Wilson, the leader of the ‘integra- ing organised factions? Certainly The Labour Party, Hannah tionist’ wing of the party, never Kinnock’s moves to remove policy states, was created as a Broad intended this to happen. Only a making from Conference and Church designed to represent the shadow of the AES, a National NEC control were important to “entire labour movement”. He Enterprise Board, that helped activists. suggests that the seating is prop up some failing enterprises Others suggest that the search arranged around two wings. and the Bullock Report’s plans for for policies adapted to new con- There is the ‘transformative’ cur- corporatist works’ councils, torpe- stituencies appearing with ‘post- rent - the socialist left - which doed by the unions themselves, Fordist’ times played a part in the aims to change society radically, remained. Avoiding ruffling the modernising agenda. A fierce facing sustained opposition from established powers ended with inter-left polemic took place on the Establishment. Seated sepa- accepting an austerity pro- the decline in the power of the rately have been the ‘integrative’ gramme in response to IMF industrial working class (The battalions in the Parliamentary demands. For Hannah this was Forward March of Labour Halted? party and major trade unions. “capitulation to international 1981). Ideas about a post-Fordist Outside and inside office, they try finance”. Efforts to bring together production or a postmodern world to avoid friction by making peace companies and workers through may have had a limited appeal. with the Powers that Be. ‘Social Contract’ wage restraint But wholesale industrial run A Party with Socialists in it ended in the 1979 Winter of down, the defeat of the miners’ ably covers more than a century Discontent. strike, and the widespread clo- of differences between right and The 1980s rise and fall of sures that followed, saw the pil- left from the foundation of the ‘Bennism’, with Benn’s narrowly lars of the labour movement dis- Labour Representation thwarted deputy leadership bid appearing. Committee in 1900 onwards – a in 1981, saw the left rally around There were efforts to develop a vast sweep. But historical the former Cabinet Minister. His response through new left policies reminders are often extremely socialism, in Hannah’s account, in the late 80s, notably at the relevant. was that of a “constitutionalist Socialist Movement Chesterfield To explain the background to political reformer”. He based his Conferences called by Tony Benn, Blair and Brown’s modernising ambitions on “genuine national the Socialist Campaign Group project it is useful to look at the sovereignty” and wider democra- and the Socialist Society, includ- 1950s ‘revisionist’ debate, cy including extra-parliamentary ing Labour left journals and radi- between figures such as Anthony activism. Some saw this as trans- cal non-Labour forces. They Crosland and Aneurin Bevan. formative ground for socialist attempted to learn from the expe- This centred on the balance activism; others considered that riences of municipal socialism between social and private own- it placed too great a hope in a shut down by Thatcher and the ership and making property serve reformed Parliamentary system. balance-sheet of the 1980s class “social purposes”. In the 1970s It encouraged the belief that if conflicts. This initiative merits this again became a live issue. the levers of the Labour Party more coverage than the many While the first stirrings of the were won, a sovereign left govern- pages devoted to the expulsion of neo-liberal privatisation agenda ment could detach itself from the the Militant platoons that could be seen inside the world economy, and bodies such CONTINUED ON PAGE 22>> Conservative Party, Labour as the IMF and implement the July/August 2018 CHARTIST 21 #293 working_01 cover 26/06/2018 08:33 Page 22

LABOUR LEFT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21>> claimed to represent the socialist open-minded socialist ideas into Blair-Brown years largely put an vanguard. Blair and Brown may effect. If Labour came to power end to this way of thinking. For have ended in a progressive would it also be needed to counter many on the left the turn to umbrella hard to distinguish from business and right wing attempts ‘social liberalism’ cut the ground a liberal desire to inject justice to sabotage the project? Could it under the feet of any common over market outcomes. Yet they develop a new, better version of endeavour. were not only an acceptance of the AES that avoids its pitfalls? Another initiative, which the neoliberal consensus but also The alternative, offered by the Hannah could have mentioned, is a response to its appeal and to a factionalising remnants of the the People’s Assembly movement changing class configuration. modernisers, is an attempt to of protest against austerity that Their relaxed attitude to finance jump on a ‘progressive’ bandwag - united trade unionists, both the and acceptance of privatising on driven by French President Labour and non-Labour left and a public services, not to mention Emmanuel Macron. It is a bit of wide range of activists. The sta - participation in the invasion of everything, except a realistic way tus of affiliated supporters Iraq, were disasters. The Third of tackling a decade of govern - allowed many to have a voice Way ideology was vapid cover. ment austerity. within the party, which it was But not every single policy was Those who had given up on easy to transfer into full member - unwelcome, as can be seen as transforming the Labour Party ship after Corbyn’s election. Universal Credit replaces Tax would also deserve a mention, not It is striking that British Credits. Stealth redistribution, least because many of them are Labour, alone among established nevertheless, now means little as now against party activists. A European left parties, has under - the modernisers’ centre-ground Party… has nothing about the gone this development, perhaps has dried up. There is little space short-lived Socialist Alliance (its A Party with indicating that its structures are for Labour in a ‘neo-liberal’ con - main challenge in the 2001 elec - Socialists in it. A not such an obstacle to the left sensus following the 2007-8 bank - tion, with derisory votes), Respect History of the after all. ing crisis. Accepting Conservative (George Galloway MP), or the Labour Left. The Blair leadership appeared austerity plans, apparently eter - more recent Left Unity Party. All Simon Hannah. to cut off any chance for the nal fiscal features, means attacks of these bodies involved ex- Pluto Press Labour left or these ideas contin - on bedrock public services. Put Labour left-wingers. Many could £12.99 uing as a serious ‘transformative” simply, why indeed should the offer not entirely happy experi - current in the party. Leo Panitch majority pay for their mistakes? ences of working directly with left and Colin Leys, dedicating their This is an invaluable account factions and the larger Leninist book to the independent left-wing not just of the history of the groups which shape their take on academic, concluded, at the Labour left but of the future Corbyn’s Labour left and zenith of New Labour, that the prospects of the Corbyn leader - Momentum. This gap too con - “route to socialism does not lie in ship. Hannah ends with hope trasts with the large space devot - transforming the Labour Party” that ‘capitalist realism’ is ending. ed to Militant. No doubt it was (The End of Parliamentary Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership may ‘witch-hunted’, but Militant’s top- Socialism 1997). open up many possibilities As down discipline and claims to Nevertheless in the mid-1990s John McDonnell puts it in his lead the socialist fight have long the Centre Left Grassroots Introduction, Labour can be a limited its impact within the Alliance (CLGA), broke the “genuinely transformative party”. Labour left and more recent ‘sealed tomb’ of the left under Momentum, in this view, is not attempts to form electoral alter - Tony Blair, and in 1998 got four just an effective electoral natives to the party. left-wingers elected to Labour’s machine to support Jeremy Hannah states that the 1940s NEC. The CLGA was broader Corbyn. It helps extend Labour’s left tended to assume that their than the CLPD or Labour influence amongst the public, and main disagreements with the Briefing. There is no account of tips towards being a social move - Labour leadership were over the the role in the CLGA or Labour ment for change. It would equip speed of change, not over princi - Reform and other ‘soft left’ forces, the practical idealists with the ples. The collapse of the ecu - including Tribune and contribu - Parliamentary muscle to carry menical endeavour during the tors to the present magazine. C

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ILP

Democratic reformism or revolutionary centralism? Duncan Bowie on the interwar Independent Labour Party

an Bullock’s new book, Class against Class period of movement. Under Seige, is a study of 1929-34, in which both Labour The ILP were supporters of the the Independent Labour Party and ILP members were United Front, despite their trou- Party in the interwar peri- seen as ‘social fascists’, commu- bled relationship with the od. It should be of interest nists were often members of the Communist Party, but as the toI Chartist readers as the ILP Labour Party and/or the ILP. Communist Party moved to advo- tried to find a political route The ILP, as a marxist party, was cate a Popular Front , including between the reformism of the respectful of the achievements of members of ‘bourgeois parties’, Labour Party and the revolution- the Soviet Union and as a sup- not just liberals but dissident ary centralism of the Communist porter of socialist unity, was Conservatives, the ILP found Party. Its traditions combined tempted by the apparent world- itself on the left of the ethical socialism and Marxism. It Communist Party and host to a sought to combine the advocacy of group of Marxist critics of socialism within parliament with Stalinism, led by C L R James. the development of socialist agita- The main threat to the ILP’s sur- tion outside parliament. It was vival however came from a group nor anti-parliamentary or anti- of communists within its ranks, state. It had a strong focus on led by Jack Gaster and Carl building democratic organisations Cullen of the London based at all levels of the political struc- Revolutionary Policy Committee, ture as well as a strong belief, who sought to achieve the incor- almost obsessional on intra-party poration of the ILP into the democracy. Communist Party and nearly suc- Much of the book focuses on the ceeded in doing so, only them- ILP’s troubled relationship with selves abandoning the ILP once the Labour Party. With the they had weakened it through Labour Party’s 1918 constitution establishing what was in effect allowing individual membership ‘a party within a party’. and leading to the establishment It was the ILP’s decision to dis- of constituency Labour Parties, affiliate from the Labour Party in the ILP’s historic role as the 1932, just as the Labour Party organisation of individual social- was moving to the left, that led ists (in contrast with trade both to its marginalisation and unions) was superseded with the increased factionalism. With its ILP’s new role becoming one of a parliamentary representation pressure group within the party. reduced to five as the vast majori- As many of its leaders such as ty of ILP members who were MPs McDonald and Snowden moved to choosing the Labour Party over roles within the Labour Party, the ILP, the ILP’s political power and then to roles in government, base was reduced to Glasgow, and first in 1924 and then in 1929, even in Glasgow, Pat Dollan, many ILP members faced con- leading ILP’er who became flicts of loyalty while as an organ- Glasgow Provost seceded to form isation, the ILP’s challenge was his own Scottish Socialist Party. how they could advocate policies The Lancashire ILP, the ILP’s to the left of the mainstream view of the Third International, main working-class base in party, and at times criticise while opposed to its rigid central- England, led by Elijah Sandham, Labour in government, while still ism. The book therefore focuses seceded to establish and being seen as part of the Labour on the ILP’s attempt to promote Independent Socialist Party. Ex family and avoid either the unity of the world socialist ILP’ers within the Labour Party, marginalisation or expulsion. and communist movements including Noel Brailsford, estab- The title of the book however through its prominent role in the lished the Socialist League, fund- refers primarily to the ILP’s rela- Vienna Union, known as the 2 1/2 ed by Stafford Cripps but an tionship to the Communist Party, international and its attempts to effective policy making group although the ILP could be seen to have an associational relationship until it was itself expelled from be under siege by other chal- with the Third, which was not the Labour Party. Clifford Allen lengers. As an organisation to the acceptable to the Comintern lead- had joined MacDonald’s National left of the Labour Party, the ILP, ership. With the ILP’s disaffilia- Labour Party in 1935, becoming from Bullock’s perspective, was tion from the Labour Party, and Lord Allen of Hurtwood, and under siege from the Communist with the Labour Party banning active in the cross-party Five Party and from communist sup- communist members, the ILP Years Group until his early death porters. Throughout most of the became a target for communists interwar period, leaving aside the seeking to influence the wider CONTINUED ON PAGE 24>> July/August 2018 CHARTIST 23 #293 working_01 cover 26/06/2018 08:33 Page 24

NHS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23>> in 1939. historic anti-war if not totally notably Dowse’s 1966 pioneering The ILP’s commitment to inter- pacifist position. Neither John volume – Left in the Centre. We nal democracy can however be Paton, the secretary or Fenner also have Pimlott (1977), Jupp seen as one of its weaknesses, Brockway, the chair, could hold (1982), Corthorn (2006) and though Bullock clearly views this the party together, with Paton Spalding (2018) on various as one of its strengths. On its leaving, becoming Labour MP for aspects of the British Left in the foundation in 1893, the ILP’s Norwich in 1945. Brockway only 1930’s. Much of the second half national administrative commit- rejoined the Labour Party after of Bullock’s book parallels the tee (NAC) was neither a policy- 1945, returning to parliament in narrative of Gidon Cohen’s 2007 making or directing body. Its suc- 1950, joining the House of Lords Failure of a Dream on the post cessive leaders, of whom Clifford in 1964 and continuing his politi- disaffiliation ILP. The advantage Allen and James Maxton were cal activism until his death in Under Siege of Bullock’s book is that it focuses the most prominent, repeatedly 1988 at the age of 99. It is howev- Ian Bullock as much of the development of acted independently of the NAC, er not surprising that in the Athabasca the ILP’s policy as on the faction- while divisional groups and ILP months before the outbreak of University Press al disputes, and the coverage of MP’s alike often disregarded or war in September 1939, that the £34 the ILP’s political advocacy in the contested ILP conference deci- ILP, recognising how 1920’s, including its living wage sions. The establishment of an marginalised it had become, was campaign, is excellent, bringing Inner Executive committee in considering reaffiliation to the to the fore some of the ILP’s lead- 1934 not only belied the ILP tra- Labour Party. The war however ing thinkers such as Fred Jowett, dition but failed to resolve inter- deferred this decision and the ILP Fred Henderson, Frank Wise, nal conflicts as this committee in fact struggled on till 1975, John Middleton Murry, Arthur was not itself united. The when it converted itself into Creech Jones, Charles Trevelyan Abyssinia crisis of 1935 demon- Independent Labour Publications and Noel Brailsford, socialist the- strated that the ILP leadership as a publishing and pressure orists and activists from whom could not resolve conflicting views group within the Labour Party. we can learn much. C on imperialism, self-determina- The interwar ILP has been the tion, political democracy and an subject of previous studies, GP at Hand (in till) Stephanie Clark reports on shocks on the road of NHS ‘modernisation’

P at Hand is a new £18m of losses to the health com- threat on the scene, missioners hosting GP at Hand in based in London. It west London. Discussions with offers fast access to NHS England on a bailout are in an NHS GP via a train, and a planned roll out mobileG app, but excludes complex beyond London has been halted health needs or complications for the time being. such as pregnancy, and only GP at Hand ‘s technology part- affords face-to-face contact with a ner is Babylon Healthcare, owned GP to those able to travel to its by Ali Parsa, a former investment nearest centre. It is a clear exam- banker and CEO of Circle Health. ple of cherry picking. The unwary SubCos 2015 contract for hospital trans- have signed up in thousands in Part of the trend of privatisa- port in southern England for its London not realising that they tion of non-clinical services, creat- shambolic performance of missed are automatically de-registered ed since the Health and Social appointments. from their local GP practice. Care Act are NHS Subsidiary A report by the NHS Support Local GPs in east London report Companies (SubCo). Set up by Federation documents the shock- confused and angry people turn- NHS Trusts ostensibly to avoid ing prevalence of failure by pri- ing up at the surgeries they were VAT, SubCos employ hospitals’ vate companies in delivering previously registered at when ancillary staff transferred across NHS services since 2012 - pulling denied the care they need by GP to them. Cost savings will be Bryn Jones is a out of contracts because of failing at Hand. achieved by employing new staff sociologist and to make profits or recruit enough It is not clear how GP at Hand below NHS rates. The nature of Labour Party staff or to meet standards of care has secured a contract when it the companies also allows for a member or falling into insolvency. Circle’s does not meet the GP require- future sale to the private sector. catastrophic failure in care stan- ment to be open to all. GP at To date, 19 providers have estab- dards as well as financial man- Hand is destabilising general lished a subsidiary company to agement at Hinchingbrooke practice through siphoning funds manage their estate, and 16 more Hospital is an example. Now away from GPs who serve the have told staff they are consider- comes news in 2018 that Circle is whole community and whose ing the move. backing out of bidding in the patients with high health needs Contract Failures renewal of its contract to continue are cross-subsidised by the large- Elsewhere we have Serco’s fal- running the Nottingham ly well majority. And now the sification of its performance data Treatment Centre - whilst threat- rapid expansion of, mostly young, in its out of hours GP care in ening to sue the local health com- patients registered with GP at Cornwall ending its contract in missioners for reducing the value Hand has also caused a shock 2013, and Coperforma losing its of the contract.

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FILM REVIEW

Death of a Superstar cclaimed as one of the for Bobby Brown, a hit singer some extent, by home movie most successful with ‘My Prerogative’, who was footage, including some that female entertainers of singularly unable to cope with shows Whitney and Bobby out of Patrick the 1980s and 1990s, her stratospheric rise, after the synch in the recording studio and Whitney Houston success of her first foray into act- the pair completely high on drugs. Mulcahy achievedA notoriety as an out-of- ing, ‘The Bodyguard’. We see her nosedive interview control drug addict whose mar- As we watch the highlights of with Diane Sawyer, in which the on a riage to fellow celebrity Bobby her career, a pattern emerges, interviewer confronts Whitney Brown ended in divorce, whose though not one pointed out by about her substance addiction. troubling (former manager) father John any of the interviewees, including ‘Crack is wack,’ Whitney Houston tried to sue her for $100 many members of her extended announces. Most shocking of all in biopic million dollars and whose only family and Bobby Brown himself: the interview is the absence of an daughter, Bobbi-Kristina, took Whitney adapted and then tran- authentic voice, a consciousness her own life three years after scended the material she was freed to speak for itself. Even in Whitney’s own death by one-to-one interview, drowning on February 11, Whitney sounds mediated, 2012, aged 48. Her tragic at best and most relaxed story is told in the troubling relating the plot of someone and troublesome documen- else’s story. tary, ‘Whitney’, helmed by Behind Whitney’s decline British documentarian and is a mitigating factor which feature film director, Kevin Macdonald delves into in MacDonald (‘Touching the the final twenty minutes – Void’, ‘The Last King of that as a young girl, Scotland’). Whitney was abused by her The documentary is trou- cousin Dee Dee Warwick – bling because its subject Macdonald shows Whitney never appears to speak for speaking out passionately herself, not in a way where against child abuse in an she appears to have control. interview in 1990, one of Born and raised in Newark, the few times where she New Jersey, Whitney began sounds authentic. It her career by literally mim- accounts for Whitney not icking her mother, Cissy leaving Bobbi-Kristina Houston, a backing singer behind when she went on for Aretha Franklin tour, though Whitney’s (amongst others) at a con- daughter underwent a trau- cert in which Mom was ma of a different sort, apparently too indisposed to watching her mother disap- perform. ‘I wanted to see if pear into addiction. she could cut it’, the elderly The film is troublesome but still formidable Cissy because, finally, it is made tells an off-screen by a (white) director who to MacDonald sternly. some extent is exploiting Whitney’s first television Whitney’s fame and decline appearance in 1983 (singing for an awards magnet docu- ‘I wish I was home’) went mentary. down a storm and after elic- It is telling that Whitney iting interest from two record given, be it a Dolly Parton song (‘I bonded with Michael Jackson: companies, who showered her on Will Always Love You’) or the both were driven by disciplinarian successive nights with flowers American National Anthem, tak- parents, came from musical fami- and increased financial offers, ing each piece to soaring heights, lies, achieved superstardom when she ended up signing with Arista losing herself completely in per- they least able to cope with it, had Records. Her success was mete- formance. She irked the ‘black issues with working within white oric, with songs like ‘The community’ (a phrase used in the culture (one interviewee speaks of Greatest Love of All’ and ‘Saving film but a contentious one - there a ‘double consciousness’ necessary All My Love for You’ but her pri- is no more a consensus ‘black’ for black talent to thrive) and vate life was more complex. Her view than a consensus ‘white’ finally succumbed to drugs. closest friend and confidante, one) by appearing in her adaptive Macdonald reflects on the paral- Robyn Jackson, who subsequent- phase as too white, too pop, not lel, but doesn’t hold ‘white culture’ ly joined her staff as advisor, was enough soul or gospel – we see to account. The movie isn’t that a lesbian. Rumours abound – the her booed at the Soul Train much different from a sensation- absence of Jackson’s voice is a awards. We sense that she gravi- alist TMZ documentary and great gaping hole in Whitney’s tated towards Brown as much to frankly Whitney Houston and narrative – but Whitney dated prove her credentials as a black African American artists in gener- guys, including Brad Johnson, artist – he was accepted where al deserve better. ‘Whitney’ pre- who though interviewed offers lit- she was not – as out of playing to miered at the Edinburgh tle insight. Eventually, at an convention. International Film Festival and awards show, Whitney bee-lined The film is illuminated, to opens in UK cinemas in July

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BOOK REVIEWS

A check list for the next General Peter Election Kenyon FOR THE MANY: PREPARING LABOUR defining a political terrain from many people up in his contribu- FOR POWER which nobody can depart for any tion on security. But Jeremy on Labour Ed Mike Phipps distance.” In plain language, I Gilbert offers some relevant O/R Books, £12 think Gilbert meant 'Blairites – insights into the manifesto sec- policy piss-off'. Phipps reminds his read- tion on “Leading Richer Lives” He ike Phipps has done the ers that the Manifesto was a tackles a mealy-mouthed Labour Movement a statement of hope, and its policy approach to devolution head-on. Mgreat favour. Who reads provisions offered a sense of tak- “What is missing is any real Election Manifestos? Come on, ing back control of Britain's econ- acknowledgement – even implicit- hands up! This handy 225 page omy from the forces of globaliza- ly – that social change depends collection of essays brings togeth- tion. Moreover, Phipps concludes on actually building up forms of er contributors from the left of the Corbyn himself extended authen- democratic power which are movement sandwiched between ticity to the electorate. appropriate to the challenges of Ken Loach – Preface and Jon So far so good. Personally, I'm 21st century capitalism.” En pas- Lansman – Afterword. John obsessed with Macmillan's readi- sant, he blames Labour's McDonnell MP endorsed Phipps’ ness to defer to events, and economists who authored the book as a “vital contribution”. Wilson's maxim that “a week is a manifesto for losing their way. Most commentators agree the long time in politics”. So, readi- Well, things can only get better. Labour Party 2017 Election ness for another General Election David Beetham's contribution on Manifesto was a significant con- is an ever-present preoccupation. Extending Democracy has some tributor to an astonishing out- In this regard, Phipps' compendi- highly relevant observations come at the polls. Phipps in his um falls short. Brexit is the ele- about the revolving doors Introduction sets out a credible phant in this tome. Or at least the between government and the pri- case for using it as a template for 'real politik' of the Tory civil war, vate sector which have to be leg- the next election. “the key to which Labour has been dragged islated against in his view. But understanding Corbynism lies in into, surely deserved an honor- he concludes by genuflecting to recognizing that it combines able mention? In the context of a proportional representation. much more long-standing demo- 'no deal' or a Tory Brexit, Labour Enough said. Chapters on cratic socialist values with an is going to have its work cut out Equality and a Global Britain inclusive and unifying approach (should it win power at the next bring up the rear together with a to political practice”, he writes. election) – 'Creating an economy self-congratulatory Afterword by Irrespective of whether May's that works for all' penned by Momentum leader Jon Lansman. government collapses tomorrow Hilary Wainwright just ignores For those Labour Party members or clings on until 2022, Labour the issues. A chapter on negotiat- pressing for an Annual has to hold on to that idea. One of ing Brexit by Ewa Jasiewicz Conference debate about Brexit his more erudite contributors, remains an enigma – just like and Labour's position in the Jeremy Gilbert describes the 2017 Brexit itself. Happily, contribu- event of an early General General Election as an historic tions on Education, Health and Election, there are useful sound- turning point in which “neo-liber- Housing include pertinent check bites for your two minutes at the alism no longer presents itself as list material. Chris Williamson rostrum in Liverpool at the end of unchallengeable common sense, MP skips over why we lock so September. Peter Kenyon Wishful thinking on The End of Alchemy able when the 20 year rule per- helm in Threadneedle Street? Mervyn King mits their release, he tells us. Perhaps, Labour's Treasury team banking Little, Brown, £25 Frankly, I wonder why should seize the opportu- there isn't a public clam- nity King offers when and the his tome has been lurking our for them to be they gain office. In his future of in the Chartist list of books released immediately for concluding chapter enti- Tto review for too long. No those better placed to tled, The Audacity of wonder. Authored by a former analyse them to deploy Pessimism (whatever the global governor of the United Kingdom's their skills and cast that means) King tells economy central bank, the Bank of some light on the events us: “Events drive ideas, England, it reveals little sense of for which King and oth- and the experience of cri- responsibility on the office hold- ers were responsible and sis is driving economists er's part for the financial crash of paid not insignificant to develop new ideas 2007-08. “There was a general salaries to oversee the about how our economies misunderstanding of how the banking system on our work. They will be need- world economy worked,” King behalf. ed to overcome the power pronounces. He justifies the book King calls for reform of money of vested interests and lobby as an opportunity to explore eco- and banking. If that was his con- groups.” I can't help thinking that nomic ideas. His own record of clusion after the crash, why so lit- politicians and activists on the events and the accompanying tle progress in the years that fol- left are already ahead of the Bank papers will be made avail- lowed while he remained at the curve in that regard.

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Reflections after 50 years

Andrew The Long ’68 International party (Yippies). The backlash, from within the Richard Vinen counter-culture had a global gauchiste movement. Some from Coates Allen Lane £20 impact, not just in music and art the ‘Mao-spontex’ Gauche but also in journals such as the Prolétarienne went from attack- on Political ichard Vinen begins The UK International Times, Oz, the ing the Communist Party, and Protest and Long ’68, trying to pin French Actuel and others. exalting the Chinese Cultural Rdown ‘the thing’--radical The sections on France focus Revolution, to hysterical rejection Its Enemies movements and rebellion that more on the year itself and its of Marxism and socialism. marked the year. His focus is on aftermath. There is a strong nar- (French Intellectuals against the the democracies of the industrial rative leading from the Nanterre Left. Michael Scott West. Countries, from the USA, to occupation, the ‘Sorbonne Christofferson. 2004) The legacy Western Europe, above all Commune’ “the night of the barri- of this ‘anti-totalitarian’ moment France, saw “generational rebel- cades” the mass strikes, the in the mid-1970s forms the back- lion of the young against the old, Grenelle trade union accords, and drop to the present crisis of the political rebellion against mili- the Gaullist counter-march on the French left and its efforts to find tarism, capitalism and the politi- 30th May. He is keen to root the an identity after the collapse of cal power of the United States, events beyond the doings of fig- Communism. and cultural rebellion that After the relative calm of revolved around rock music and British protests, its student lifestyle.” movement and new left, The The book captures working Long 68 turns to the German left class revolts, not only the whose extra-parliamentary oppo- largest General Strike in sition could be considered as a French history (22% of the pop- precursor of the once radical ulation), which saw student- Green Party. Germany was worker solidarity, but the rising marked by another post-68 turn. industrial militancy in Britain The attempt by the Red Army and the Italian ‘Hot Autumn’ of Faction to wage war on the 1969-70. As this date indicates, German state ended with a poi- Vinen’s panoramic history does sonous complicity with pro- not end in one year. It covers Palestinian terror, tainted by “les années soixante-huit”, the anti-semitism. One could say long 68, not just the événéne- that much larger Italian armed ments of the year itself but also fractions involved a fringe of the the movements and the turmoil left in an equally disastrous – that endured into the 1970s morally and politically – cycle of with long-term effects. murder and repression that only This is an excellent starting benefited the right. point from which to consider Is free-market capitalism, the “the long term importance of ‘consumer society’ a spectacle 68…in the ways that it interact- that has re-sold what it can ed with mainstream politics.” absorb from the long 68? Over the last months a flood of Certainly a wish to break down French politicians and commen- hierarchies and a desire for tators have endorsed this take. ures like Daniel Cohn-Bendit, but greater personal autonomy and The legacy of inter-sectional in “new forms of regionalist respect could be seen as part of “gauchisme culturel” (cultural protest” Later in “missionaries to the new Spirit of Capitalism. It leftism) and the reaction of the the working class”, Vinen benefits could equally be seen as the “génération anti-68”, from conser- from recent studies of ‘établis’, premise for demanding universal vative liberals to Marine Le Pen, leftists, (not exclusively Maoists, human rights, and the multitude remain very live issues. as he appears to think) who post- of post-68 movements, from femi- The Long 68 traces the origin of 68 took up jobs in factories and nism, gays, to a humanist the American New Left, to the farms. approach to ecology. post-war writings of Michael The King’s College historian These could be seen as individ- Harrington and C. Wright Mills, could have also taken advantage ualist themes that sap still fur- the radical Students for a of the celebrated studies of 68 by ther the already declining pillars Democratic Society (SDS) and the Hervé Hamon and Patrick of the left in the organised labour civil rights movement. Vinen Rotman (Génération.1987) not to movement. Vinen discusses these emphasises that this left had long mention the 2016 history of the issues lucidly but in an avuncular been suspicious of the “labour largest new left group committed tone. But amongst those who are metaphysic” and the organised to the 68 movements the Parti ‘anti-68’ we see cultural issues working class. The “Vietnam gen- Socialiste Unifié by Bernard that have again become political. eration” had good reason to resist Ravenel. These would have The right wants to re-establish being drafted to fight US wars. helped fill in the sketchy details the Sovereignty of the Nation, an There were protests against the of leftist personalities, from the Identity that is first in a world war, for racial justice and student Trotskyist Alain Krivine to future hierarchy. Against this the gener- radicalism, violent American Parti Socialiste PM, Michel ous internationalist spirit of the policing of dissent, alongside Rocard. More serious is little con- long 68 is needed as much now as colourful groups like the Youth sideration of the intellectual then.

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BOOK REVIEWS

Will social democracy be the end of Don Flynn capitalism? on a rebel How Will Capitalism End? ities in wealth and power have the other cash-strapped Walter Streeck the effect of demoralising civil Mediterranean nations, but even voice Verso £10.99 society and rendering the rebirth prosperous Germany, which has of solidarity and collective action imposed a veritable wage freeze omer Simpson once to remedy social wrongs less and on its working class and commit- lamented that ‘To Kill a less likely. Capitalism becomes ted itself to years of austerity in HMocking Bird’ had abso- increasingly disordered, but no its public finances. lutely nothing to say about how to successor as yet appears on the The EU misled the social demo- kill a mocking bird, and the same horizon. cratic parties of the continent into pang of disappointment grips the In the face of these develop- thinking that the goal of reader of this book on reaching its ments Streeck refuses the route improved public welfare could be concluding pages. Capitalism, that most of his fellow social pursued by encouraging popula- shabby, inefficient, exploiting and democrats opted for: the attempt tions to act as consumers in a sin- cruel, unfortunately remains in to reconstitute the democracy gle market, rather than citizens situ as the final chapter on the which he sees as once holding within a political state. But the ‘public mission of soci- market was constructed ology’ draws to a close. out of a jumble of out- Streeck is the rebel sourced business con- voice in Germany’s cerns, private debt mis- Social Democratic managed by finan- Party – hostile to glob- cialised credit systems, alism and austerity; and mechanisms that hostile to the erosion of demanded labour sup- national democracy; ply be kept high and and hostile to the wages low. Working European Union itself. class citizens were The reasoning that never going to prosper brings him to these in this arrangement. points is impeccable Their disillusionment is enough in itself: the being felt today in the abandonment of the right wing populist post-war settlement in revolts underway the 1970s in response across the region. to a global profit Streeck’s account of squeeze and the conse- capitalist decline and quent world-wide infla- corruption is com- tion; the explosion of pelling and, speaking public debt in the for myself as a critical 1980s; the rise in pri- ‘remain’ voter, his cri- vate indebtedness that tique of the EU rings triggered the collapse of true enough as far as it financial markets in goes. But, having lam- 2008 are the staging basted his social demo- posts in the three crises cratic comrades for the which have brought us choice they have made to where we are now. across the last four All of this moved the decades he has little to world along from an say about the weak- epoch of collective nesses of a political tra- action to a place where dition, the embodiment managerialist jargon of the virtues he extols rules and the policy ini- of citizenship, solidarity tiatives become the and collectivism, which exclusive preserve of capitulated so compre- technocrats. Polyani’s warnings capitalism in check at the level of hensively when the neoliberal about the dangers of the over- the nation state, and reproduce tide swept in during the 1980s. commodification of society – this restraint by way of a supra- This is a great weakness in a extending it to cover labour, land national European res public. body of work that appeals for a and money – went unheeded as This was always going to lead return to the social democracy of neoliberal ideologues won influ- progressive politics down a blind the 1960s as the best that is on ence over politicians for a doctrine alley. The task of integrating offer for the left today. It might be that unfettered markets would diverse nations into a single sys- the case that there are other ways prove to be self-regulating. tem which, above all else, would of awakening the slumbering It was not long before ‘systemic facilitate the accumulation of cap- beast that is the European work- disorders’ began to show them- ital, was doomed to overwhelm ing class but waving the flag of selves in the form of oligarchy the democratic principle. He sees the supposedly trente glorieuse is and corruption. Obscene inequal- the victims as not just Greece and not one of them.

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Exploitation rules

Mike The Communist Manifesto panoramic scenes of machines Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels and exploitation peopled by Davis Adapted by Martin Rowson oppressors and oppressed with Self Made Hero £12.99 the ubiquitous Marx and Engels on a in various commentary positions arking the 200th anniver- clutching a red banner. Marx is graphic sary of Karl Marx’s birth later depicted at a Q&A gig in a Mour resident cartoonist ‘Kapitalist Komedy Club’. manifesto Martin Rowson has conquered A great introduction for those new heights in this graphic adap- who haven’t read the original tation of Marx & Engels’ classic with some timely comic quips on work. parallels with our current politi- Written in 1848 at a time of cal and social scene. revolutionary upheavals across Satirical, witty, funny, yet Europe The Communist darkly relevant this book should Manifesto stands the test of time be an international best-seller. In in many of its predictions in fact, I’m told translation rights terms of wealth inequalities and have already been bought in class struggle, though not yet the Germany, Russia, France, Brazil demise of capitalism. and China while it sold out its Quoting sections of the first UK print run in less than Manifesto Rowson creates vast two weeks. Post-colonial scramble?

Nigel Why Europe intervenes in Africa more decisively than France and united in its approach. Anglo- Catherine Gegout it has only intervened militarily French rivalry has a long history Watt Hurst £35 five times (and in some cases just and has more recently become a to protect British citizens) but it battle for linguistic supremacy. on African his book is an amazingly has been quite active diplomati- The division became glaring in comprehensive study of all cally and financially. Its interest the case of Rwanda, where France wars Tthe different interventions - has remained with the ex- played a dirty role, being solidly military, diplomatic, financial – colonies: a military presence in behind President Habyarimana of by France, the UK and the Kenya and direct intervention in Rwanda and helping Hutu European Union from 1986 to the ‘Blair’s war’ in Sierra Leone. The refugees escape to the Congo present. (Europe of course EU has spent lavishly though the where they re-formed after the includes the UK.) The author has genocide; Britain and the US formulated a theory, classifying were not innocent either. Both each intervention according to voted to reduce the UN perforce what she perceives as the at the crucial moment. Both were European actor’s motive as core behind the RPF and Kagame has realism (concern for its own inter- rewarded them by detaching his ests, especially security), econom- country from Francophonie, ic realism (trade relations), nor- changing to English and joining mative realism (prestige), ethical the Commonwealth. Elsewhere realism (usually humanitarian) the UK reckoned places like Ivory and neo-colonialism (post-colonial Coast and Mali were French prob- spheres of influence). lems and the French left Sierra There are chapters detailing Leone and Zimbabwe to the Brits. the many interventions by Libya was different. The divisions France, the UK and the European here were within the EU, with Union, and US participation is Germany sensibly declining to often referred to as well. France, European Development Fund and take part. The Libya attack was the biggest player, has intervened it has supported initiatives, espe- also dependent on US support, as no less than 35 times. Up to 2004- cially conflict resolution, in indeed indirectly were some of the 7 the former French countries Burundi, the DRC, Darfur, Chad other interventions. were a neo-colonial backyard orig- and the CAR. Gegout denies that This is a fascinating subject inally named Françafrique and humanitarian relief has ever been and the author casts a critical eye France was the main trading a major motivation for any of the over all of it, but a relaxing read partner with very chummy rela- players, just a contributory factor. it is not, as much of it consists of tions with many African presi- One exception might have been if a detailed catalogue of events dents. The language has changed the Nigerian president, Goodluck which can seem repetitive in the but the prestige of France and its Jonathan, had not rejected the sense that the same interventions weight in the EU are still bound British offer to help recapture the are referred to under different up with its African links. girls abducted by Boko Haram headings in different chapters. The UK withdrew from its from Chibok. It’s the sort of book that is best African empire much quicker and Europe has not always been kept on the shelf for reference.

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BOOK REVIEWS

How Brexit made the left wing case Don Flynn for democratic renewal on BREXIT The Lure of Greatness opportunities for life. Westminster rather Brussels. and Trump Anthony Barnett He persuasively argues that Wales, with its majority 52.5 to Unbound, £8.99 the anger and disillusionment 47.5 percent vote in favour of with the way they were governed Brexit, seems to subvert this take nthony Barnett is best was displaced onto the EU and its on the matter, which Barnett known for his work as pro- Brussels-based commission, hints as coming from the fact that Atagonist of a democratic rather than the Westminster gov- it is a ‘long-colonised and linguis- revolution which, when it takes ernment which has been the real tically divided country’. But it place, will provide the people of driving force behind neoliberal was in England-without-London, these northern European islands open markets and the constraints with 46 million inhabitants, and with the sort of constitutional placed on the public sector. He an 11 per cent majority vote in arrangement which will make tests this thesis against the favour of Brexit, which swamped their rulers accountable. the pro-remain Though influential with majorities in the parts the Charter 88 movement he of the UK with set up thirty years ago to devolved government. campaign for a written con- Barnett argues stitution, and through the from this that the his- openDemocracyUK website toric failure to devolve which he cofounded in 2001, government to the Barnett’s ideas have been English regions had treated with something close contributed to the to contempt by ‘practical’ widespread feeling of politicians operating in the ‘they’re not listening established mainstream. to us’, evident Those disdaining throughout these Barnett’s enthusiasm for recent years of pop- things like electoral reform ulist agitation, to be and a legal basis for popular deflected onto sovereignty dismiss him as a Brussels and the EU metropolitan chatterer who rather than stands aloof from ‘bread and Westminster. He sees butter’ issues which are sup- the governments led posed to be the content of by Blair and Cameron ‘real life’. ‘Ignore democracy as playing an active issues at your peril’, is the role in sustaining this response that has been com- delusion; each creat- ing back across the years: ing an aura around ‘One day your neglect of the themselves that they system which is supposed to were acting in the UK make our governors account- national interest, and able to the people they gov- shared the frustra- ern will come back and bite tions of the British you’. That day came about in people whenever their the small hours of Friday aspirations were 24th June 2016, when the apparently blocked by result of the referendum on some EU regulation. membership of the EU The book deserves became clear. response of people in other parts a wide readership among the left Barnett’s argument is that the of the UK and had a devolved in the UK. There is much to be slim vote in favour of Brexit came executive authority which has picked over on points of detail in about because of the frustration had some capacity to deflect the Barnett’s analysis, but his grand which the people-of-England- worst of what government from thesis that the UK is a poorly without-London felt on precisely No 10 has had to fling at them governed country, equipped as it this issue of the way in which during this time. is with a constitution that fails to they were governed. That seg- The evidence for this proposi- place power close to the people ment of the UK population that tion comes from the referendum and grants the ruling elites the lives in English towns with popu- results in Scotland, Northern maximum discretion to do as they lations of less than 300,000 had Ireland and London. Devolved please, has to be right. The good reason to feel this angst. governments in the first two and struggle for a better democracy Over the years since the 1980s a powerful executive mayor in the ought to be as much a part of the they had been exposed to the third had helped sustain a view- left’s programme for change in debilitating effects of globalising point which saw the real source the UK as opposition to austerity economic policies which stripped in the creation of austerity and and the socialisation of the econo- away a large part of the indus- hardship in the shape of the my. This book hints at what this tries which had provided their immediate protagonist of national advocacy for democracy might communities with decent jobs and and regional authority as being look like.

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Birth of American Empire

The True Flag by the Americans who they Duncan Stephen Kinzer thought had come to their assis- Bowie Henry Holt $28 tance. Guam and Puerto Rico also on his is a study of the origins became American colonies with- of American Imperialism in out representation in the US American Tthe 1898 Spanish-American Senate or Congress. Kinzer War. Kinzer is an American jour- relates the story of the American Imperialism nalist who writes on contempo- imperialists, led by Secretary of rary American foreign policy and State for War, Theodore this book is clearly written to Roosevelt and more reluctantly demonstrate the dangers of impe- President William McKinley, and rialistic foreign policy. The the anti-imperialists led by Mark American justification for their Twain, social reformers such as intervention was to liberate the Jane Addams, Andrew Carnegie, oppressed Spanish colonies – form of self-government, though William Jennings Bryan, Booker Cuba, the Philippines and Puerto under American military supervi- T Washington, Carl Schurz and Rico, but also Guam. sion. In the Philippines, the US the former president Grover The Americans then in effect imposed a military occupation, Cleveland. They argued that annexed all these dispersed with military and civil governors imperial expansion was contrary island states. Hawaii also became (including the future US presi- to the American constitution and part of the US, though this was at dent William Taft) waging a war the principles on which the the request of expatriates who on the Philippinos who led by United States was founded. The governed the islands, the indige- Emilio Aguinaldo, having driven book is a useful reminder that the nous monarchy having been out the Spanish, understandably notion of the US as a world power deposed. Cuba was allowed some considered themselves betrayed is relatively recent. Nigel Watt Perspectives on South and West on African Africa wars Africa, Empire and Fleet Street mostly in England or white ‘coast- confident and, towards the end of Jonathan Derrick ers’ in Africa it never excluded the period, on the first stirrings of Hurst £35 African viewpoints and gradually African nationalism. The future gained an African readership. Nigerian leaders, Azikiwe and onathan Derrick was on the Like his contemporaries Awolowo, both feature in the staff of the weekly West Cartwright believed in colonial- book. Big commercial develop- JAfrica magazine. He has also ism and expected it to last for the ments of the time include cocoa in studied African responses to colo- foreseeable future but, unlike the Gold Coast, palm oil and nialism and published other most colonial civil servants, politi- groundnuts in Nigeria and miner- books on the subject. This book cians and journalists, he did not als in Sierra Leone. Lever follows the career of Albert despise the growing number of Brothers and the United African Cartwright who edited West ‘Western educated’ Africans. He Company were major players, as Africa from 1917 until 1947. He could see that they were the was Elder Dempster (ED), the had started his career in South future and he began to question mighty shipping line that almost Africa where he was involved in the model of Indirect Rule (by tra- monopolised the West Africa the turbulent politics of the Cape ditional Emirs) promoted famous- trade. ED sponsored the monthly in the era of Cecil Rhodes and the ly by Lugard in Northern Nigeria. West African Review which was Jameson Raid (1996). He edited Yet even as their racism intensi- the stable-mate and competitor of the South African News during fied – and he was no racist - he West Africa and which also sur- the Boer War and had some sym- remained sympathetic to the vived until after 1945. pathy with the Boers as the Boers, the Afrikaners. Rather Cartwright was also involved underdogs. He was even jailed for controversially he also considered with important personalities accusing Kitchener of war crimes it unjust not to return her including Lord Milner, who was in that war. colonies to Germany and it was Governor of Cape Colony and Back in England he took on the only when Hitler began to show later in Lloyd George’s cabinet; role of editor of West Africa which his true colours that he changed E.D.Morel, also a journalist, who was one of a number of journals, his opinion. had exposed the ‘red rubber’ scan- some very short-lived, catering Recording as it does the history dal in the Congo and wrote books particularly for business people of the times through the press, critical of British policy; and the involved in the rapidly expanding this book gives a very interesting great imperialist, Lord Lugard. I exploitative trade with British perspective, first on pre-1914 was especially interested to read West Africa (Nigeria, the Gold South Africa and after 1918 espe- about the early history and poli- Coast, Sierra Leone and the cially on British West Africa and tics of WASU, the West African Gambia). West Africa survived its commercial links at a time Students Union, which I remem- and although its readers were when colonialism was at its most ber visiting in 1960.

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WESTMINSTER VIEW Palestinians demand justice on 70th anniversary

Richard Burden on UK complicity in the deadly Israeli blockade of Gaza

he last few months have been the deadliest Richard Burden in Gaza since 2014. in MP for Around 131 Birmingham Palestinians have been Northfield Tkilled and more than 13,900 injured since protests began in March this year, most of them from the use of live fire by the Israeli military. But the situation in Gaza is bleaker than that. Gaza has been suffering from the shattering effects of an eleven- year closure by land, air and sea. Conditions on the ground are shocking. The Strip only receives a few hours of electricity each Swedish activists on their way to protest the Gaza blockade day, over 96% of water is undrinkable, the health service is ground growing worse by the day ity in the UK’s sales of arms to on the brink of collapse and the and with no international agree- Israel. In the past two years, rate of poverty stands at 40%. ment or plan to address the crisis export licenses to Israel have That is the reality of living in in Gaza, it is incumbent on us to been provided by the UK for cate- Gaza today and is the context in not stand idly by and wait while gories of arms and arms compo- which recent events sit. things continue to get worse. That nents for a whole host of weapons, The worst part about the situa- is why MPs from all parties have from sniper rifles and assault tion in Gaza – and the deadly been calling on the government to rifles to tanks and helicopters. events in the last couple of do more, not only to begin to That is despite UK and EU rules months – is that we knew they address the urgent need for which prohibit the granting of were coming. Back in 2012, the humanitarian support in Gaza, export licences where the equip- UN warned that Gaza would but to be more proactive in work- ment is likely to be used for inter- become unliveable by 2020. Since ing toward and securing a solu- nal repression or in violation of then, UN coordinators and organ- tion for Israel and Palestine international humanitarian law. isations on the ground have said which is so sorely needed. However, when I asked UK min- that threshold has already been But perhaps the greatest isters how they were checking crossed. We also knew that the humanitarian issue of all is the whether arms imported from the 70th anniversary of the Nakba right to life. That is why it is so UK were being used against anniversary – when Palestinians important that there must be Palestinians in Gaza, I was told were first displaced from their accountability for the shocking that the government “do not col- homes back in 1948 – would number of deaths and injuries in lect data on the use of equipment increase tensions and result in Gaza in recent months – deaths after sale”. That simply isn’t good protests in Gaza and the West and injuries that are continuing enough. The UK government Bank. For the US President to week by week. The United must be accountable for the arms choose the day before that Nations Human Rights Council export licences it grants and the Subscribe toanniversary CHARTIST as the day at to move have taken the first step towards uses to which those arms are put. the US Embassy to Jerusalem that accountability by setting up That is why I and other MPs have was deliberately provocative and an independent commission of been calling for the suspension of www.chartist.org.ukfoolish. It takes us further away inquiry into those deaths. arms sales to Israel until we can from constructive dialogue and Inexcusably, the UK government be confident they are not being a peaceful resolution to the decided to abstain from voting in used in contravention of their conflict, while also favour of setting up that inquiry, licence conditions. destroying any credibil- instead choosing to throw their With further protests taking ity the USA had to lot behind an Israeli inquiry place week after week and with act as an honest which would have next to no more deaths and injuries adding broker for chance of being impartial and up, we cannot let Israel continue peace. independent. The inquiry will be to act with a culture of impunity With the going ahead, but it remains to be and with no consequence for their situation seen whether the UK government actions. The international com- on the will now get behind it and encour- munity must step up where the age all parties to comply fully US has stepped back and provide with the investigation and recog- leadership to efforts for a peaceful nise its outcomes. resolution to the conflict based on There must also be accountabil- accountability and human rights. C