Socialist Worker

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Tories’ virus failures cost lives for profit

It’s been a year since what is believed to have been the first coronavirus infection in Wuhan, China, on 17 November 2019. Now there are finally real hopes for a vaccine.

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International Comment Features Reviews What We Think Other

News

Universal Credit claimants living in poverty during pandemic

A TUC report, published this week, looked at the impact of forcing new Universal Credit claimants to wait five weeks for their first payment.

Shell’s links with murder in Nigeria aren’t forgotten

Twenty five years ago this week nine protest leaders in Nigeria were executed who were fighting environmental destruction caused by fossil fuel giant Shell.

Spy cops followed Tariq Ali and hundreds of unnamed activists for years, inquiry reveals

The marathon whitewash of the Undercover Policing Inquiry finally got around to hearing evidence this week

‘Our empowering strike has brought people together,’ says East London school striker

A brilliant turnout of lively, dancing, singing people saw over 50 strikers and supporters gather at Little Ilford School in Manor Park on Thursday morning.

Manchester university students occupy over contemptuous coronavirus treatment

A group of students at the University of Manchester went into occupation on Thursday. They are protesting at their university's treatment of students and staff during the pandemic.

Police sexism failed women killed by Peter Sutcliffe

Mass murderer Peter Sutcliffe died in hospital while an inmate in Frankland prison in County Durham at 74 years old.

Manchester students continue occupation against university's pandemic treatment

Students at the University of Manchester have continued their occupation of Owen Park tower in protest of their university's dangerous policies during the pandemic.

Mass Scottish independence gathering shows challenge to SNP’s dominance

Hundreds of people joined the largest online gathering yet for the independence movement in Scotland this weekend

Tory laws to pave way for attacks on migrants in Immigration Bill

Home secretary Priti Patel is pushing ahead with plans to make Britain’s racist immigration system even worse

Tories cannot be trusted with Covid-19 vaccines

The government’s repeated Covid-19 failures ¬undermine efforts to contain it—and mean we should not trust the Tories with the hopes for a new vaccine.

Fighting for jobs and pay at Heathrow and Rolls-Royce

Workers at Heathrow Airport Ltd are set to strike in a dispute over plans to fire and rehire 4,000 workers on vastly reduced pay. Strikes to save jobs continue at Rolls-Royce.

Network Rail safety failings led to the deaths of two workers

A report into the deaths of two rail workers in July 2019 has revealed wholly avoidable safety failures.

Croydon sends a sign of councils’ crisis

Croydon council in south London has issued a section 114 notice banning all spending except for statutory services for vulnerable people.

New strikes called at We Are With You + Scotrail action+ Brighton University + Heartlands hospital

Rehab charity workers at We Are With You—formerly Addaction—in Wigan and Leigh have announced another round of walkouts for equal pay.

Starmer ramps up his war on beleaguered Labour left

The Labour Party upped its crackdown on its own activists last week, suspending leading members in Bristol for supporting former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Forth Valley college lecturers start action as wider clash looms

Forth Valley College lecturers in the EIS-Further Education Lecturers’ Association (FELA) union began a campaign of industrial action last week.

Turn out for Paul Holmes + Battling the outsourcers

Members of the Unison union have just over a week left to return their votes in the general secretary election.

Students build resistance to bullying universities

Students are using rent strikes, occupations and protests to take on appalling treatment by their universities. 

Students speak out—‘We will not back down’

In Bristol a rent strike by 1,400 students has forced the university to make some concessions including the promise that activists won’t be disciplined.

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International

French teachers strike for better virus safety measures

French teachers struck and demonstrated in large numbers on Tuesday demanding coronavirus safety. But they also raised many other educational demands.

Fascist-led march in Poland is smallest in years as abortion protests continue

For years, the 11 November march has attracted tens of thousands of people. But Wednesday saw only thousands on the streets of Warsaw—the smallest march in ten years.

Joe Biden’s cabinet will be a boost for the bosses

The message from the early appointments to Joe Biden’s new cabinet is that it will be a collection of pro-business warmongers.

‘A massacre at Europe’s borders’ as over 100 refugees are drowned

More than 110 refugees died in the space of three days in the Mediterranean Sea last week

More Jerusalem settlements planned

 Israel has announced plans to build over 1,000 new settlement buildings in occupied East Jerusalem. It wants to break up Palestinian life in the city.

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Comment

Why using ‘coloured’ turns back the clock on progress

Greg Clarke’s forced resignation as chair of the Football Association last week for describing black players as “coloured” will have stirred uncomfortable memories for many.

A fine scapegoat for many Tory failures

Dominic Cummings’ stagey departure from 10 Downing St, like a pantomime Demon King, was one of the few happy moments in a terrible year. But what does it really mean? 

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Features

Mary Wollstonecraft—fighting for women to be free

The erection of a statue of Mary Wollstonecraft in north London has sparked controversy, Sarah Bates goes beyond the headlines to explore her life and legacy

Battered and betrayed but still fighting back - Grenfell activists speak out

As the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire continues, many of those struggling as a result of the fire are being sidelined.

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Reviews

Mangrove—a powerful, and long overdue, tale of a struggle for justice

The first film in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series tells the true story of the Mangrove Nine

Ghosts is a good read that can’t quite ditch the cliches

Ghosts is an enjoyable look at the ties that can bind us, and how easily—and traumatically—these can be severed

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What We Think

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Other Categories

Letters - Don’t be fooled by the false promise of nuclear jobs

Socialists and environmental campaigners should have no illusions in nuclear power.

Rich rats deserting sinking yachts for sealed bunkers

Not content with hiding away on private islands, the super-rich are now buying exclusive services to rescue them from pandemics, protests and climate catastrophes.

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