London Follow

SOME 150 people joined a lively and noisy protest outside the London offices of the World Bank last Saturday in solidarity with the uprising in Argentina. Interest payments on the country's $140 billion debt are a key factor behind the crisis gripping Argentina.

BOSSES AT top London store Selfridges were forced to run around taking goods off the shelf just before Christmas after a successful boycott campaign. The goods are marked "Made in Israel". But they are manufactured in Palestinian land illegally occupied by Israel. The sale of these products directly contravenes European Union customs regulations.

PRINTERS AT a key national newspaper plant have won an important victory after voting to strike. The victory represents a turning point in an industry where workers have lived for 15 years under the shadow of the catastrophic Wapping defeat. Management at West Ferry Printers on east London's Isle of Dogs wanted between 90 and 100 job cuts and a pay freeze.

Debate The Socialist Alliance hosted a lively debate about the war last week in London. David Aaronovitch, a prominent pro-war journalist, argued that the action had brought about the end of the Taliban. He also hoped that the new US-sponsored Afghan government would bring real change.

Council Workers in Tower Hamlets, east London, have voted by a two to one margin for strikes against attacks on their conditions. The Labour council wants to push through a series of attacks, including harsher sickness and disciplinary procedures, cuts to holidays and worse Christmas working arrangements.

Wrong strategy to take on PFI Health Secretary Alan Milburn's announcement that private company BUPA is to be given a key role in the NHS has shocked many health workers. It was also cynically timed to overshadow the TUC's Positively Public rally against privatisation in central London on the same day.

Some 700 council workers in the east London borough of Waltham Forest struck for 24 hours on Tuesday of last week. The action, by workers in the social services department, was against cuts planned by the Labour council, and in defence of jobs. There were good picket lines, and a lobby of the council was planned for this week.

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated outside a meeting of Islington council in north London on Monday against plans for a new Arsenal football club stadium. The proposals are about big business trampling over the needs of ordinary people.

Students and Revolution, a lively conference organised by student members of the Socialist Workers Party, took place in London last weekend. Around 180 students signed up for the event, which included rallies and workshops.

As Christmas approaches you may be wondering how you're going to see your parents, grandparents, their friends and cope with all the guesting and hosting. If the thought of it all is getting you down, then spare a thought for George W Bush and his ambassador in London, William S Farish III.

The Socialist Alliance in England held its biggest ever conference in London last Saturday. Nearly 700 people came together to discuss how to turn the Socialist Alliance into a more effective, outward looking organisation. The day kicked off with an anti-war rally. There was an enthusiastic reception for guest speaker Gennoro Highore from the left wing Communist Refoundation in Italy.

Members of NATFHE, the university and college lecturers' union, were due to strike at Middlesex University in north London on Wednesday of this week over compulsory redundancies.