Facing economic turmoil, Jim Callaghan’s government rejected Tony Benn’s alternative economic strategy in favour of cuts that paved the way for Thatcherism — and the cuts-loving Labour of the present era, writes KEITH FLETT
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Our film seeks to tell the truth about the ‘cost of dying crisis’
Pauper funerals have increased at a dramatic rate, writes DEBORAH HOBSON, asking why is this swept under the carpet by media and politicians alike
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The economic value of disability benefits far outweighs their cost, argues Dr DYLAN MURPHY
As tensions rise in the Middle East, the role of Iran in the region’s political balance becomes ever more significant. STEVE BISHOP assesses the current situation
While slashing welfare and public services, Labour’s spring statement delivers a bonanza for death-dealing bomb merchants. We now see the true and terrible face of austerity 2.0, writes MICHAEL BURKE
Detailing the deluge of delusion and dishonesty pushed by the pro-war camp, IAN SINCLAIR identifies four key tactics corporate journalists use to confuse audiences and suppress opposition to the proxy war in the east
From ‘moral duty’ to ‘military Keynesianism,’ Labour manipulates language to justify slashing welfare but pouring billions into warfare, condemning communities like Glasgow South West to deeper poverty, writes MATT KERR
With politicians dismissing constituents’ fears of global war, the peace movement must look beyond Parliament to prevent catastrophe, writes TOM MORRISON
DURING the festive season we were reminded by television news broadcasters and newspapers in their customary hand-wringing way that this country’s bitterly cold streets have been “home” for rough sleepers. And that loneliness and poverty will plague the elderly. So, what’s new?
Sensationalist reporting aside, mainstream media have an attention deficit when it comes to the “unsexy” issue of rough sleeping and loneliness. More on that later.
Spiralling figures for homelessness and lack of affordable housing has made this social pandemic a hot political issue, with political parties from all sides falling over themselves to find measures that will resonate well with the public while cynically boosting their popularity and poll ratings.
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DEBORAH HOBSON, co-chair of Grassroots Black Left, says black party members have waited long enough to have their demands for self-organisation recognised — and must now move on with the task themselves
Grassroots Black Left is a new grouping aimed at revitalising black and ethnic minority participation. DEBORAH HOBSON reports from its parliamentary launch
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Rough sleeping in England rises in a year with record numbers of children crammed into B&Bs
