Even before COVID, the youth already had to endure the mental health crisis, floundering youth services, and an unaffordable housing market. Often the only work available for young people is in precarious, low paid jobs. The crisis is pushing the youth into desperation.
On the 2nd February, a Student Council Meeting was held where a motion to put forward a Vote of No Confidence in University Management and the Vice-Chancellor was passed. The Student’s Union has since held a referendum on the question where 1010 students voted in favour compared to only 82 against! The original motion highlighted 5 key failings of the University during this year, focussed around students and learning during the pandemic. Read more…
In contrast to the Government’s “Living Wage”, which is really just a euphemism for the paltry minimum wage, the actual living wage reflects the amount a worker would need to be paid per hour to be able to afford the necessities of life based on the cost of living. As of 2021, that is £9.50 an hour (or £10.85 in London) – significantly more than the £8.72 an hour employers are statutorily Read more…
The following is an introduction to Wellred Books’ new republication of The Civil War in France by Karl Marx. This excellent overview explains the main events and political processes of this inspirational watershed in the history of working-class struggle. The Communards’ heroic, triumphant, but ultimately tragic efforts to build the first workers’ government are filled with lessons for revolutionaries today. This introduction provides the historical background and context necessary for all interested Read more…
As capitalist interests began to develop in England in the 15th and 16th century, so did their interest in colonisation overseas. In the year 1600, the East India Company, a joint-stock company of various London merchants, was granted a monopoly over trade in the East Indies. The Royal Charter served to transform sporadic, individual merchant expeditions in the East Indies, into a powerful, centralised political and economic force. The Indian subcontinent, in Read more…
David Eastwood, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, has announced his forthcoming retirement and seen fit to reward himself with a £61,000 “performance-related award’ bonus. This will be added to an already hefty salary of £399,000 in 2020. This is an increase of £10,000 in his total earnings since 2019. Those who have witnessed Eastwood’s `performance’ over his time as VC have come to know him as the Machiavellian embodiment of marketized education management. During the pandemic Read more…
“Killed by the system we’re told ‘protects’ us.” These were the striking words on one placard at yesterday’s vigil for Sarah Everard in London – a protest against the daily violence, oppression, and unsafe conditions that women face under capitalism. The horrific murder of Sarah Everard has led to an eruption of anger and protest. Thousands have come out onto the streets to denounce this whole rotten oppressive system. To end violence Read more…
Pupils across England are returning to school last Monday, as the government ignores the warnings of teachers and scientific advisors. We cannot trust the Tories with children’s health and education. Instead, we need to put workers in control.
“To alter the position of woman at the root is possible only if all the conditions of social, family, and domestic existence are altered.” (Trotsky, Women and the Family, p. 45.) Capitalism is in a blind alley. The crisis of capitalism on a world scale falls with special severity on the shoulders of women and youth. Already in the 19th century, Marx pointed to the tendency for capitalism to make super-profits from Read more…
Goldsmith’s Rent Strike began at the start of January. This was due to the lies that were told to students regarding coming to halls back at the start of the academic year. This has been worsened by the appalling condition of the halls as well as issues of sexual assault and racism which have been inadequately handled by the university. The demands for our rent strike are: No repercussions for rent strikers Read more…
A new Labour students wing must be at the forefront of this struggle offering a socialist solution to the crisis of capitalism and fight for a real future for young people if it is to have any relevance in the coming period.
Today marks International Working Women’s Day. A day to look at the oppression of women historically and currently. It is clear that women still face huge levels of oppression. Women face a double shift of work under modern capitalism, having to work to make money and still taking the brunt of the childcare and household work into their remit. As people who want to solve the oppression of women and build a Read more…
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