Four years ago, today, reality collided into our very beings as we realised that despite all the canvassing, meetings and conversations, most Scottish voters had preferred to stay part of the United Kingdom than for Scotland to become an independent country. Despite the grief felt by many, there was a genuine optimism that a new […]
Neoliberalism
MY INDUCTION INTO THE CULT OF CORBYN (Part 2)
by Stevedore McCormack (sic) Read Part One of the Cult of Corbyn Series here I have a confession: on marches and demos in the 80’s I never quite knew who I was listening to up on those makeshift stages. I often got confused between Dave Nellist and Jeremy Corbyn (I suppose in retrospect it must […]
We don’t need a monument of Margaret Thatcher…..we’re standing in one
This article originally appeared on Brian’s blog We don’t need a monument of Margaret Thatcher…..we’re standing in one A nation of powerless workers and inequality The name Margaret Thatcher is one that resonates with more or less every single person the UK. It is met with scoffing or near hatred by most working class and […]
Who Are More United?
Recently the Scotland in Union organisation hit the headlines with a major information leak to independence bloggers such as Wings Scotland and Bellacaledonia and even the unionist These Islands got a little press coverage when a member of its advisory council, Professor Nigel Biggar, got into a row about his defence of the British […]
Four Myths Surrounding American Minor Parties
Scouring political comments sections is never good for the body or the soul, and yet I find myself reading endless virtual tirades every single day. It seems my passion for politics can override my concern for my mental and emotional health sometimes. An increasing plurality of Americans now believe that another party is needed in […]
A Tale of Two Revolutions: Russia and Iran
After Tom Perez’s “Night of the Long Knives” purge of progressives and entrenchment of centrists at the Democratic National Committee, no self-respecting leftist can hold anything for the Democratic Party but contempt. A thoroughly corrupt organization cannot be reformed, period. Capitalism cannot be reformed. Neoliberal bodies such as the EU or the UK of GB […]
The Frontlines of Rust Belt America
My father is one of the most hardworking people I know. He works as a university administrator in the provost’s office of the school he taught at for nearly two decades. He served as Chair of the Faculty Senate with no additional pay prior to accepting that position. He maintained his duties in the provost’s […]
AN INDEPENDENT SOCIALIST SCOTLAND? Some Problems of ‘Socialism in One Country’.
From the time of the Russian Revolution of 1917, it has been recognised that acute problems attend the construction of socialism in conditions of ideological isolation. Before 1924, Lenin, Trotsky and all other Soviet leaders believed that the crucial importance of foreign trade and investment for Soviet development implied the assistance of other socialist countries. […]
The DUP #TheLads
The two major parties in contemporary Northern Ireland politics are the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin. The DUP are now running England, and Sinn Féin are the main Opposition party in the Republic of Ireland. Neither are in government in Northern Ireland. In terms of introduction to the bizarre world of politics in the […]
Spin Cycle
Spin Cycle, Part 2What Are We Going To Do!?!Before I start there is something I have to explain, which is that ‘Spin Cycle, Part 1’ was written, and recorded for the podcast, on the 22 May, mere hours before the Manchester bombing. Obviously a great deal has happened in the campaign since then. I think […]