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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Remembering Claudia Jones – a paragon of communist activism
DAVID HORSLEY points to the continued relevance of an inspirational black communist whose 110th birthday anniversary will be celebrated on Sunday
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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
“AS A child of eight I came to the United States from Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies. My mother and father had come to this country two years earlier in 1922. Like thousands of the West Indian immigrants, they hoped to find their fortunes in America where ‘gold was to be found on the streets’ and they dreamed of rearing their children in a ‘free America.’ This dream was soon disabused. Together with my three sisters, our family suffered not only the impoverished lot of working-class native families and its multi-racial populace, but early learned the scourge of indignity stemming from Jim-Crow national oppression.”
These words, written by Claudia Jones, encapsulate the experiences of many migrants seeking a new life in capitalist countries over many years.
They also express the exploitation and racism experienced by the whole working class under capitalism which seeks to divide and rule. Claudia Jones understood the only way to combat and overcome was through the unity of migrants and the working class.
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DAVID HORSLEY recalls the dedication and activism of dedicated communist militant Win Langton