Labour Left Briefing May 1998

home page

back issues

Below you will find links to all the articles from the May 1998 issue of Labour Left Briefing.

Editorial

One year on

In May 1997, the electorate overwhelmingly rejected the Tory Government, yet one year later we still suffer under their spending limits which have been implemented more stringently than the Tories themselves would have dared. The electorate voted for better public services and a fairer society. Of course, no one expected a radical transformation in a mere twelve months. But what do the priorities the Government has demonstrated so far tell us about the direction we're headed in?

Peace and Justice?

A new challenge for republicans

The peace settlement could trigger key changes within the nationalist movement, argues Seamas Keenan.

An historic defeat?

Liam Mac Uaid, West Ham CLP, believes the peace deal will institutionalise working class division.

A basis for dialogue

Tony Dale, Manchester Central CLP, believes socialists should welcome the Northern Ireland peace agreement.

A basis for real change?

Thirty-two hours of non-stop negotiations didn't produce a thirty-two county republic. Brian Campbell, editor of Sinn Fein's An Phoblacht/Republican News gives his assessment of the peace agreement.

Sinn Fein Ard Fheis

John Stewart, Hackney North and Stoke Newington CLP, reports.

News and views

Derail Prescott's tube privatisation

By our London Underground correspondent

Yes/No? -- the issues you can't decide on

Now that the White paper on London's new authority has been produced, we know just what we are being asked to vote for on 7th May -- but do we want to vote Yes? Leonora Lloyd, Press Officer of the Campaign for a People's London and a member of the London Labour Party executive, looks at the issues.

For a democratic GLA that delivers

Aspiring mayor for London, Ken Livingstone MP, awaits the return of democracy to the capital.

EMU: a flightless bird

Dr. Brian Burkitt, Pudsey CLP and Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Bradford, argues that the single currency will stop our economy getting off the ground.

Joan Maynard

Jeremy Corbyn and Councillor Garth Frankland

Victimising the victim

Rob Deans, North East Cambridgeshire CLP, casts an economist's eye over New Labour's welfare reforms and finds them wanting.

Green Paper Blues

Andy Walker, Secretary of Ilford South CLP, reports on the Welfare Green Paper.

Labour prevaricates on pensions

The Pensions Review is in danger of being hijacked by proposals to allow the state pension to wither away, warns Terry Heath, Secretary of the South West TUC Pensioners' Forum.

30 years of abortion rights celebrated

Leonora Lloyd reports

PR, STV, AMS, SV, AV -- what's it all about?

Do you know the difference between STV and SV? Or is PR just a list of incomprehensible initials? Tony Dale, Manchester Central CLP, produced this guide to the different forms of proportional representation.

Labour Party

Labour's alternative voice

Graham Bash Hackney North & Stoke Newington CLP

Support the candidates of the centre/left grassroots alliance

A new opportunity for the left

John Morrissey, co-ordinator of The Way Ahead -- the left current in the Green Party -- and a past chair of the Green Party Executive, argues that Blair's victory in the Labour Party gives socialists the opportunity to build something better.

A nasty smell in Birmingham

Even Roy Hattersley, in the Guardian, said "It stinks". Raghib Ahsan, a councillor in Sparkhill, Birmingham, for six years and the main challenger to Roger Godsiff in the recent Parliamentary selection, has been denied the Labour nomination to stand again as a councillor. Our correspondent reports.

Community saves councillor -- but three out in Leeds

Mike Davies, recently expelled from Leeds North East CLP reports

Punished enough

Councillor Garth Frankland reports on his appearance before the NCC

PFI: profits from illness

Kevin O'Brien, UNISON National Executive Council member, slams New Labour plans to introduce private capital into the NHS.

EMU can seriously damage your health

The Alan Simpson column

Trade unions

War on the wharfies

One thousand four hundred dockers employed by Patrick Stevedoring in Sydney, Australia, have been sacked. Legal writs are flying all over the world in an attempt to stop solidarity action. This looks like Mersey all over again. Eddie Tucker reports.

Camden libraries: strikers dig in

Jon Rogers, Secretary, Lambeth UNISON

Unity in UNISON?

Unionising the maquilas

Some of the most exploited workers in the world are starting to take on the multinationals -- and win. Mike Phipps reports.

Labour wobbles on union rights

Barry Camfield, TGWU Regional Secretary, South East and East Anglia, sounds the alarm.

Leading with the left

The Geoff Martin Column

International

Paying for the market

Britain sees itself in the forefront of trade liberalisation and Tony Blair is preaching its benefits to the rest of Europe. Can it bring economic improvement for all, asks Caroline Dumonteil, or does it just produce social polarisation?

MAI delayed

French politics polarise

Andrew Coates, Ipswich CLP

Victory for BTR workers

Debt, who pays?

The Michael Hindley column

Fighting racism

Two cultures of English cricket

Mike Marqusee, Islington North CLP

The Nangas must stay

John Stewart, Treasurer of the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns, reports on the Nanga Family's trip to NUT Conference.

Close Campsfield now

Sue Jones writes

Justice for Ricky Reel

Reviews

Lawyer, diplomat, revolutionary

Mike Phipps reviews No Other Reality, the Life and Times Of Nora Astorga, by Patricia Daniel.

Environmental Action: A Citizen's Guide

Eddie Tucker reviews Environmental Action: A Citizen's Guide.

Full Marx

Ernie Haberkern reviews The Adventures of the Communist Manifesto by Hal Draper, Center for Socialist History.

Periscope

AOB

LLB is an independent voice and forum for socialist ideas in the Labour Party and trade unions. It is managed by an editorial board elected at its AGM. Both EBs and the AGM are open to all supporters. We are happy to offer a right of reply to all members of the labour movement and we welcome criticisms and contributions. All the articles in LLB reflect solely the opinions of the authors, writing in a personal capacity, unless otherwise stated.

To survive and thrive we need the support of our readers. Why not take copies of LLB to sell at your Labour Party, trade union or campaign meetings?

Copy deadline: the deadline for the June issue is Monday 18th May. If you wish to contribute please phone us first. We reserve the right to edit all articles.

Editorial Board: Graham Bash, Tony Dale, Liz Davies, Jenny Fisher, Jon Green, Simon Hewitt, Simon Kennedy, Des Kirkland, Liz Knight, John Leonida, Leonora Lloyd (Co-Chair), Sue Lukes, Dorothy Macedo (Co-Chair), Mike Marqusee (Political Correspondent), Fiona Monkman, Mike Phipps, David Pope, Jon Rogers, John Stewart, Alistair Ward (Editor).

Production Team: Graham Bash, Gary Drostle, Louise Kawakami, Dave Lewney, Leonora Lloyd, Dorothy Macedo, Mike Phipps, David Pope, John Stewart, Eddie Tucker, Alistair Ward. Web site editor: Chris Croome (chris@atomism.demon.co.uk).

Cover photo: Cover photos: An Phoblacht/Republican News, Andrew Wiard.

home page

back issues