Archive for June 2017

1 June 2017

Large turnout to hear Jeremy Corbyn

Around 1,000 people gathered in the sunshine

3 June 2017

Enfield North: Open treachery from right wing Labour candidate

Right wing Labour candidate in the marginal seat of Enfield North has taken the step of open treachery in the last week of the election campaign

4 June 2017

London attack: unite against terrorism, war and racism

Less than two weeks after the horrific Manchester bombing another atrocity has taken place

6 June 2017

Rallying in support of Corbyn's policies

It was standing room only at the Leeds Socialist Party pre-election rally on Monday night

6 June 2017

Racist EDL humiliated for third time

The far right was once again completely humiliated in Liverpool on 3 June

6 June 2017

Huge crowd turns out to hear Jeremy Corbyn

Tyneside turned out en masse to hear Jeremy Corbyn speak in Gateshead

7 June 2017

Carlisle HCT demo warns against cuts and closures

Although shocked by the news of the London terror attack, Cumbria Health Campaigns Together decided to still go ahead with a planned rally for the NHS in Carlisle city centre on Sunday

8 June 2017

Corbyn's support increases further during last week of campaign

Jeremy Corbyn's anti-austerity, pro-working class policies have been attracting more support in the run up to polling day

8 June 2017

Post-election campaign stalls, coffees, chats on Saturday 10 June

8 June 2017

Public meetings after the General Election

Come along to one of our Socialist Party public meetings to discuss the General Election and the period after it

9 June 2017

Tories in tatters! - Fight for socialist policies

'Theresa Dismay'. 'Gamble backfired'. These are the headlines today in the scurrilous Sun and Daily Mail, right-wing rags that have spent the whole general election campaign raining down vicious attacks on Corbyn

9 June 2017

May and Tories must go!

Organise, strike, resist, to fight for Corbyn's policies: Theresa May's failed election gamble is a nightmare for the capitalist class - which had hoped she would dramatically increase her majority. [This article was expanded and updated on 13.6.17]

12 June 2017

Combative mood to 'Kick out the Tories'

Cardiff Socialist Party had an amazing response on Saturday

13 June 2017

Fight Tory and DUP anti-LGBT+ bigotry

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is going to prop up May's weakened Tory government. LGBT+ people will rightly be outraged

14 June 2017

The fight goes on - let's make it a socialist fight to win

The election showed that socialism is popular and tens of thousands of people have drawn the conclusion that it's time to get organised to fight for their future, writes Sarah Sachs-Eldridge, Socialist Party national organiser.

14 June 2017

From Militant to the Socialist Party

The general election was a choice for those opposed to Tory austerity, writes By Peter Taaffe general secretary Socialist Party.

14 June 2017

France - Huge voter abstention belies Macron's 'landslide' election

Amid the trumpeting about a massive vote for the party of the new president, Emmanuel Macron, in the first round of France's parliamentary election on 11 June, a deep malaise pervades French society, writes Clare Doyle, Committee for a Workers' International.

14 June 2017

International news in brief

CWI broadcasts new channel - SocialistWorld: Over 350 members of Socialist Alternative from across the USA met recently for its first ever national summer school

14 June 2017

Wales: Corbyn's left surge refutes right-wing Labour doomsayers

There were a lot of red faces among the political establishment in Wales on 9 June, writes Dave Reid, Socialist Party Wales.

14 June 2017

LSE victory

The United Voices of the World (UVW) union has announced that striking cleaners at the London School of Economics (LSE) will be brought in-house and become employees of LSE from Spring 2018

14 June 2017

Window strikers joined by second plant

Socialist Party members visited the picket lines at Sierra Glass in Paignton on 5 June and showed the strikers the previous report in the Socialist, writes Alex Moore and Sean Brogan, Torbay and Exeter Socialist Party.

14 June 2017

Exploited agency workers organise

A theme of the 2017 general election was insecure and precarious work. International multi-billion pound company Procter and Gamble has a long history of union-busting which creates these conditions

14 June 2017

City bosses' £40m bonuses as Number of food banks hits 2,000

Tories out! Corbyn in! Take the wealth off the 1%!: While working class people across Britain go hungry, directors of massive corporations continue to rake in obscene bonuses, writes Geraint Thomas, Nottingham Socialist party.

14 June 2017

Low-paid work till lunch to make rent

The average low-waged worker gives nearly half of every day's pay straight to private landlords, housing charity Shelter's new statistics have revealed, writes Laurel Fogarty.

14 June 2017

Corbyn surge beats Trump

Hated US president Donald Trump has reportedly suspended plans to visit Britain. It seems he cited concerns about protests in a conversation with Theresa May sometime in the past few weeks. The mass movement

14 June 2017

Young workers in unions earn 20% more

Want a pay rise? Join a union. That's the message from recently published government data showing that being in a trade union increases pay for the majority of workers, writes Tessa Warrington, PCS union rep.

14 June 2017

NSSN conference: workers' action to kick out the Tories

For the first time in the eight years that I have been a representative and activist with the Communication Workers Union (CWU), there is a Labour leader who is unapologetic in his support of trade unionism, writes Carl Harper, CWU shop steward (personal capacity).

14 June 2017

General election: what you thought about it

Readers of the Socialist respond to the election results

14 June 2017

GMB conference: angry mood from delegates

Up to 800 delegates met in Plymouth from 4-6 June for the 100th congress of the general union GMB, writes Kim Hendry, GMB union PCS branch and GMB conference delegate (personal capacity).

14 June 2017

Scotland - SNP loses but Labour could've won more

The fight for socialist policies remains critical: The biggest loser in this election, aside from Theresa May, was the Scottish National Party (SNP). In a stunning contrast to the 2015 landslide when Nicola Sturgeon's party won 56 of the 59 available

14 June 2017

Massive failings led to Grenfell Tower fire - Rapid, fully funded action now

The Grenfell Tower fire spread with horrific speed. Witnesses described heart-rending scenes as residents attempted to escape. Note: this article was updated and expanded on 19/6/17.

14 June 2017

Northern Ireland: DUP propping up the Tories

For a real cross-community socialist alternative: Theresa May's humiliating failure to win a parliamentary majority has placed the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) at the centre of UK politics, with the party set to prop up the Tories through a 'confidence and supply' agreement, writes Daniel Waldron, Socialist Party Northern Ireland (CWI Ireland).

15 June 2017

A comment on the horrific 'Tory carnage' in West London

"Tory cuts, austerity and deregulation will have played a key part."

15 June 2017

NSSN cancels conference to support 'Tories Out' demo

This year's NSSN conference was due to take place on July 1st

16 June 2017

Justice for Grenfell: Click here to access downloads of a Socialist Party leaflet and other material

16 June 2017

Militant mood against college job cuts

On the day before the general election, dozens of workers at Reading College held a protest

16 June 2017

Jobcentre strike grows in second round of action

Members of the PCS have been striking to save the Eastern Avenue Job Centre

16 June 2017

Protest at the Queens Speech

16 June 2017

1980s Liverpool Militants replaced tower blocks with streets

Amid the righteous grief, anger and calls for a criminal investigation, Guardian writer Simon Jenkin, not usually a friend of Militant Liverpool, today in a searing piece attacking the architects of the disaster, made a significant observation.

16 June 2017

Photos of Friday's demonstrations, protests and solidarity

19 June 2017

Finsbury Park attack: No to terror, racism, war and austerity!

For the second time in a month a van was driven into a crowd in London

20 June 2017

Tories and May stagger on amid crisis - get them out!

Brexit chaos, DUP agreement, workers' anger: Faced with a mass rebellion, including huge protests - and crucially, coordinated strike action - this government could be forced from power

20 June 2017

Whole establishment exposed for role in Grenfell fire

As more details emerge and the death toll rises, it becomes clearer and clearer what a terrible disaster this is. It is a huge tragedy for the immediate community. But that community has come together in a remarkable display of human solidarity

21 June 2017

Cabin crew call two-week walkout

Unite members at BA's mixed fleet will strike on 1-16 July

21 June 2017

The Queen's Speech; and defending the right to protest

The likes of the Daily Mail went into overdrive in attacking today's protests

21 June 2017

Unions call for action after Grenfell

Trade unions representing housing workers, firefighters and teachers draw on their expertise to demand immediate action after Grenfell

21 June 2017

Anger and grief on moving Grenfell marches

"I've not seen anything quite like the march"

21 June 2017

French elections: time to build a fighting left alternative

The gains for the party of neoliberal French president Emmanuel Macron in the second round of parliamentary elections are not the resounding victory they might seem

21 June 2017

Kick out the Tories to save the NHS!

New legislation is not required to continue with the Tories' plans for the NHS but they no longer have the political will or the confidence to push it through

21 June 2017

Inflation: Workers lose out - time for action

If more confirmation was needed about how working class people are being left behind, then look no further than the latest evidence of falling living standards from the Office for National Statistics

21 June 2017

Open University facing huge cuts

Fight for free education: The Open University has announced £100 million of cuts

21 June 2017

The have-yachts and the have-nots

Trade unions must lead fightback: 1% of the population owns 14% of the UK's wealth

21 June 2017

Welsh college strike against crippling workload

Around 50 UCU union members at Coleg y Cymoedd in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Caerphilly attended picket lines on 15 June as we took strike action against oppressive workloads and to defend quality education

21 June 2017

Manchester housing maintenance dispute steps up action

In the week after the general election Manchester housing maintenance workers held a two-day mass protest outside Manchester Town Hall

21 June 2017

Barts Trust NHS workers vote for action over pay

Unite union members working in domestic and support roles at Barts NHS Trust in east London have voted 99% in favour of strike action for better pay

21 June 2017

Unison conference: "A sense of change"

Such is the pressure from below, even Unison leadership was forced to say it will 'smash' the pay cap in the next 12 months

21 June 2017

The Pentrich uprising: revolution and counter-revolution in 19th century Britain

The 'Luddite' movement smashed factory knitting frames during 1810-16, including in Derbyshire villages around Pentrich

21 June 2017

"Austerity hurts and the only alternative is socialism"

Why I joined the Socialist Party: After my partner died and I became a single parent to a grieving child, all of my benefits were stopped

21 June 2017

The Socialist Inbox

Do you have something to say? Letters to the Socialist's editors. Former Kensington estate resident comments on Grenfell; cuts cause more fire deaths in Portugal; Corbyn hope leads to youthquake; The Handmaid's Tale.

21 June 2017

Protests around the country demand: Tories out!

Thousands demonstrated on 17 June. Reports from London, Hull, Cardiff

21 June 2017

Young socialists share ideas at London meeting

"It was encouraging to see confident, young people stand up and put forward their ideas for how we could shape a movement"

21 June 2017

Canterbury pride

There was a real carnival atmosphere not just because it was Pride - but as one person said: "It's like a weight of nasty politics is off my shoulders"

21 June 2017

French elections: Macron's win

The 'sweeping victory' for La République En Marche! (REM) - party of neoliberal president Emmanuel Macron - in the second round of parliamentary elections on 18 June, is not the resounding victory it might appear.

21 June 2017

Justice for Grenfell and safety for all

No justice - no peace! No safety - no rent! Communities can organise to force proper safety checks

24 June 2017

Camden evacuation - residents expose fire risks

Tower block residents forced Camden council to act

26 June 2017

Corbyn inspires thousands at Glastonbury

Thousands of people piled into Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage on Saturday to hear Jeremy Corbyn deliver his anti-austerity message

26 June 2017

Consolidating the Corbyn revolution

The urge for unity is powerful in the labour movement but it would be naive to imagine that the right have undergone a miraculous conversion to Corbynism and socialism

28 June 2017

To join the struggle to save the NHS

Why I joined the Socialist Party: I am an NHS nurse and have been for over 37 years, writes Tom Hunt, Mansfield Socialist Party.

28 June 2017

From Militant to the Socialist Party - what you thought

"Well I have finished it! I have completed reading the marvellous book From Militant to the Socialist Party. What an absolutely brilliant read, remembering some of the events I was involved in, writes Jimmy Haddow.

28 June 2017

Pentrich Rebellion 200 years on

On 25 July 40 people gathered in the village hall in Pentrich, Derbyshire, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Pentrich Rebellion (see socialistparty.org.uk for more), writes Karen Seymour, Mansfield Socialist Party.

28 June 2017

Barclays finally charged for having hands in till

After an investigation of six years, and over nine years following the events concerned, the Serious Fraud Office has finally decided to bring charges against Barclays bankers

28 June 2017

"What do we want? Pay parity.

Striking Mears workers in Manchester held a protest outside Northwards housing association offices on 23 June

28 June 2017

Homelessness - Corbyn offers housing revolution

The number of families in temporary accommodation has soared by 61% since the Tories came to power

28 June 2017

Liverpool's 1983-87 socialist council

Between 1979 and 1983 the Tories slashed £120 million from Liverpool's budget - how did the Militant-led socialist city council fight back?

28 June 2017

Trade unions must organise to kick out the Tories

The general election result has not only confounded the Tories and the Blairites but also many trade union leaders

28 June 2017

Cardiff: unity in solidarity with Grenfell

Local youth, workers and activists in Cardiff have been spurred into action by the horrifying and avoidable fire in Grenfell Tower in a stirring show of working class solidarity

28 June 2017

Grenfell fire compounded by overcrowding: build more council homes now

Between 400 and 600 people lived in Grenfell Tower - but it had just 200 bedrooms

28 June 2017

Reports: organising to fight for safe homes after Grenfell

Socialist Party members have been organising safety campaigns up and down the country

28 June 2017

Council union responds to Grenfell

"From day one following the fire, our members were on the ground arranging accommodation for those victims, unloading lorries and distributing items"

28 June 2017

Police accused of killing cover-up

Anger over the death in police custody of another young black man erupted onto the streets of east London on 25 June

28 June 2017

NHS secret cuts plans exposed

Bosses are secretly meeting with the government to plan an unprecedented attack on some of London's' world-renowned teaching hospitals

28 June 2017

Benefit cap defeat for government

A court challenge was won on 22 June against the enforcement of the benefit cap for people with children under two years old

28 June 2017

Tories may have broken election laws... again

It's been revealed that the Tories may have broken electoral laws with the use of so-called market research company Blue Telecoms

28 June 2017

What We Saw

The Daily Mail ran a piece on Socialist Party London organiser Paul Callanan - "the lowest of the low"

28 June 2017

Trump and the fossil fuel corporations - a lethal combination for the planet

On 1 June 2017 the world's TV cameras broadcast live as President Donald Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord

28 June 2017

Jobstown Not Guilty - verdict imminent

As we go to press, the verdict is expected in the Jobstown trial in Ireland. Six peaceful protesters face trumped-up charges of 'false imprisonment'

28 June 2017

Students 'skirt' school uniform issue!

In Exeter, some male students protested their school's 'no shorts' policy by wearing skirts

28 June 2017

Unison conference: confident delegates take control, give Corbyn 'rapturous' welcome

Like Theresa May, general secretary Dave Prentis and his supporters looked like the team who had won but lost

28 June 2017

Refuse workers strike against bullying bosses

Birmingham council refuse workers have voted to strike over a bullying culture and redundancy threat

28 June 2017

Step up the fight to kick out Tories and Blairites

The Tories are hamstrung on major policies. Now turn the enthusiasm for Corbyn's campaign into a party that can bring about the type of change outlined in his manifesto

28 June 2017

Organise the 'youthquake'! Young Socialists - Generation Socialist

This election has shown that our generation is discovering socialist ideas afresh - now we need to be organised

29 June 2017

John McDonnell and Len Hockey speaking at demo

29 June 2017

Verdict in Jobstown case - All defendants cleared by jury!

In a crushing defeat for the Irish political establishment and ruling class, the jury in the #jobstownnotguilty case in Ireland found all six defendants not guilty

29 June 2017

Remove cladding without delay says head of Housing Fed

Stop testing cladding and take it down - this is the message from David Orr, the Chief Executive of the umbrella body for housing associations, the National Housing Federation

30 June 2017

Bin workers' anger boils over into strike action

Bin workers across Birmingham left work to begin the first in a series of strikes

30 June 2017

Haringey: stop demolition of homes and communities

The fight is stepping up a gear to stop Haringey council's massive privatisation project