More on the Tommy Sheridan libel trial
Here’s The Scotsman with the Sheridan libel trial latest: ‘Sheridan ‘had group sex in flat then four of us headed south to swingers’ club’ JOHN ROBERTSON ‘THE Tommy Sheridan jury was told yesterday that the MSP enjoyed a session of group sex in a flat in Glasgow before going to a swingers’ club in Manchester. [...]
Socialist Worker on Somalia
So … has Britain’s largest revolutionary socialist organisation really adapted its politics to Islamism since establishing Respect? Let’s consider this portrayal of the recent takeover of Mogadishu by the Union of Islamic Courts, published in the latest Socialist Worker: ‘For the first time for many years there is a sense of relief and hope among [...]
Labour leadership: who will the Blairites run?
The Socialist Campaign Group’s commitment to running a leftwinger in the Labour leadership contest is very welcome. It should foster debate in the labour movement and could boost all sections of the left. But nobody seriously expects the SCG’s nominee to win. The outcome will hinge on how the Blairites choose to play it, a [...]
Socialist Campaign Group on the nuclear energy review
Here’s the latest press release from the Socialist Campaign Group: John McDonnell MP, Chair of the Campaign Group, said: “The Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs is opposed to a new build of nuclear power stations on the basis of high costs, safety and long term environmental impact. “We’re surrounded by sea, and climatic conditions [...]
Crackdown on Labour left?
It seems like the Blairites are gearing up for a scrap with the Labour left: ‘Labour MPs have agreed to give the government whip the power to suspend colleagues who defy the party line. ‘The ‘yellow card’ gives Jacqui Smith – pictured left – an option between a verbal reprimand and total withdrawal of the [...]
The future of Tommy Sheridan and the Scottish Socialist Party
Scottish editions of the Sunday Times yesterday featured an assessment of the prospects for the Scottish Socialist Party. Although most of the predictable ‘Carry on Trotsky’ gags were pretty unfunny, it is difficult to disagree with the conclusion: ‘Whatever the truth, the outcome of the trial will be largely immaterial as far as the future [...]
Labour left: challenge certain, says McDonnell
There is definitely to be a contest for the Labour leadership when Tony Blair steps down, a leading Campaign Group MP confirmed from a public platform yesterday. John McDonnell was speaking at the annual Durham Miners’ Gala on Saturday, in front of a audience of 50,000. ‘He told the crowds: “Some are saying that there [...]
Aids in Africa: Can Bono, Buffett and Gates provide the solution?
Forget about the fight against Aids in Africa. Effective immediately, this pressing task has been outsourced to Bono’s Project Red and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mr Radio Friendly Unit Shifter himself, the two richest men in the world, and a whole bunch of youth-oriented multinationals have got together in a loose popular front [...]
Labour NEC elections: the Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance slate
Individual members of the Labour Party will shortly be getting ballot papers for the elections to the National Executive Committee. The NEC, it has to be said, is not the power in the labour movement it once was. Like every other mechanism that once gave the ordinary membership at least a theoretical say in shaping [...]
Guido unmasked
Guido is one of the few British blogs that genuinely deserves the adjective ‘indispensible’. His sources in all major parties are second to none. But who is the man behind the website? Yesterday I noted that the Independent indentified him as a certain Paul Staines, referring to him simply as a former Tory activist. No [...]
