MBDA’s Alabama factory makes components for Boeing’s GBU-39 bombs used to kill civilians in Gaza. Its profits flow through Stevenage to Paris — and it is one of the British government’s favourite firms, reveals SOLOMON HUGHES
We must work with the unions to transform Scotland
Scottish Labour refuses to accept we cannot tackle the cost-of-living crisis — the Scottish Parliament has the powers needed now, but we must build a mass movement to force its hand, writes RICHARD LEONARD MSP
BACKING WORKERS: Richard Leonard addresses an RMT demo
against the dismissal of 800 P&O workers in Cairnryan, March 2022
President Maduro mobilises the 4.5 million-strong Bolivarian National Militia in response to US ‘threats’, vowing to defend the country’s sovereignty and independence, DEVIN B MARTINEZ reports
Washington plays innocent bystander while pouring weapons and intelligence into Ukraine, just as it enables the Gaza genocide — but every US escalation leaves Ukraine weaker than the neutrality deal rejected in 2022, argue MEDEA BENJAMIN and NICOLAS JS DAVIES
For those in the West, hunger is often just the familiar feeling of a growling stomach between meals — in Gaza, it has become a strategic weapon of slow, systematic and deadly destruction, writes MARC VANDEPITTE
After almost two decades of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism, once led by Evo Morales, right-wing parties have emerged in the lead after the first round of elections on August 17 and are now in control of the legislature, reports PABLO MERIGUET
DAVID MATTHEWS looks at what a collective future for welfare might have in store for us
THE Scottish Parliament returns today after its extended summer recess. A long hot summer which has emphatically proved once again that any rumour of the demise of the trade union movement is wide of the mark. Rail workers, journalists, posties, BT staff, engineers and refuse workers have all withdrawn their labour, taken to the streets — and in so doing, won widespread public support.
Taking industrial action in pursuit of fair pay, job security and in defence of conditions is an entirely rational response to the cost-of-living crisis.
Which makes it all the more irrational and frankly unforgivable for some in the political wing of the trade union movement to opt for a pale neutrality in the face of this. As Robert Tressell presciently wrote, “There is no such thing as being neutral: we must either help or hinder.”
More from this author
As bus builder Alexander Dennis threatens Falkirk closure and Grangemouth faces ruthless shutdown by tax exile Jim Ratcliffe, RICHARD LEONARD MSP warns that global corporations must be resisted by a bold industrial strategy based on public ownership
The super-rich falsely claim inheritance tax changes will devastate small farmers, while millionaire landowners continue enjoying numerous tax advantages — why is the SNP supporting this nonsense, asks RICHARD LEONARD
The 500 refinery jobs under threat at Grangemouth and underfunding in further education should be at the top of a new Scottish leader’s to-do list, argues RICHARD LEONARD MSP
RICHARD LEONARD MSP looks at the life and ideals of the famous miners' leader and all-round champion of working-class politics
