Cuba in Marxist theory
It´s quite obvious from some of the comments on previous posts that wide sections of the British left are well disposed to Cuba. The friendly feelings seem to start on the Labour left and extend through to the Communist Party of Britain and the millieu influenced by the Morning Star. As I understand it, some [...]
Cuban journalism
Back in 2000, NUJ conference debated whether or not to ballot members on affiliation to the Cuba Solidarity Campaign. I voted against. How can a journalists’ union meaningfully be in solidarity with a government that bangs up hacks with pro-US leanings? Press freedom does seem to come at a premium here. The only newspaper I [...]
First impressions of Cuba
I have now been in Cuba for four days. My bags may or may not be joining me shortly. Thanks a bundle, KL Effing M. Anybody know if I am entitled to compensation? Normally, picking up some cheap replacement clothes to tide yourself over would not be much of problem. But this is sunshine Stalinism. [...]
Summer in Cuba
By the time most of you read this, I will be in Cuba, where I am spending four weeks studying Spanish. Blogging will be well down my list of priorities, but I do promise one or two posts. In particular, I intend to visit the town of Guantanamo one weeked, so I try and give [...]
Panorama goes for Lord Levy
Panorama is doing a docco on the Lord Cashpoint affair, for broadcast Saturday night. I’ve just done a prerecord for it. Might be worth a watch … [pic shamelessly half-inched from Theo Spark] Bookmark It
McDonnell: it’s official
STATEMENT BY JOHN MCDONNELL MP It is becoming increasingly apparent that Tony Blair will announce his resignation as Leader of the Labour Party over the next 12 -18 months. Some have argued that instead of an open democratic election for the leader of the party, there should be a smooth transition or virtual coronation of [...]
Easy money
Latest political bets from William Hill: TONY BLAIR SPECIALS: Year in which Tony Blair leaves Office of Prime Minister: 11/10 – 2007, 2/1 – 2006, 3/1 – 2008, 9/1 – 2009, 20/1 2010 or beyond. Tony Blair to beat Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as Prime Minister: 1/20 No, 8/1 Yes. MOST SEATS AT THE NEXT GENERAL [...]
MG: made in Oklahoma
After the Phoenix Four spent their way through a £427m interest-free loan and then toddled off with £40m in their back pockets, what was left of MG Rover was last year flogged off to Nanjing Automobile Group, for an undisclosed consideration. Meanwhile, around 6,000 workers were thrown on the dole, and about a third of [...]
McDonnell: declaration tomorrow?
John McDonnell is set to make ‘an important announcement on the future of the Labour Party’ tomorrow morning. It will almost certainly be the formal declaration of his leadership candidacy. Good. UPDATE: Newsnight’s Paul Mason has some excellent observations on all this: ‘Here is the lay of the land as I understand it: ‘The big [...]
Lord Levy arrested
Lord Levy – pictured left in a nice photoshop job nicked from Theo Spark – has been arrested in connection with the ‘loans for lordships’ affair. As some readers will know, I have written extensively about this man’s fundraising activities in my book, Labour Party plc. You can read the key chapter in two parts, [...]
