Queer liberation and socialism: learning from the stories of a movement
Dana Cloud writes about the history of queer liberation struggle in the United States, its socialist origins, and lessons for today’s queer politics.
The Housing Question today
Gus Woody reflects on the importance of Engels’ pamphlet “The Housing Question” today and how socialists can build on it around housing struggle.
By-elections weaken Johnson – pay strikes can kick him out
Two by-election losses are the latest disaster for Johnson’s failing premiership, comments Rachel Eborall.
A breakthrough for the French left?
The second round of France’s parliamentary elections saw the president lose his majority, a new left alliance becoming the second largest force, but also a worrying increase in far-right representation. Ian Birchall explains the background and looks at what may come next.
How you can help the rail workers win
The rail workers are leading a crucial struggle against the Tories. We all need them to win – and everybody can do something to help.
Support the rail strikes!
Thousands of rail workers are about to take on the government in the biggest strike for years – and facing attacks from the Tory press. Two activists from the RMT rail union told rs21 why they will be striking, and why other workers should support them.
Major demonstration marks growing revolt over cost of living
The TUC march on Saturday was the biggest union demo for many years.
London in revolt – revisiting the English Civil War
Andrew Stone looks at a new history of the origins of the English Civil Wars, finding an engaging account of the class character of the process which ultimately saw Charles I executed. London may not have the same revolutionary reputation of Paris or St Petersburg, but in this new account of the outbreak of the […]
Rwanda protests cap a week of anti-racist struggle
People have taken to the streets in numbers to protest the Tories’ racist plans to deport asylum speakers to Rwanda. rs21 members report on a week of mobilisations in London against the deportations.
Universities battles ahead – UCU Congress 2022
The University and College Union (UCU), which organises teachers, researchers and some support staff in further and higher education, held its annual congress earlier this month. Two rs21 members who were delegates report on the key debates.
The Silvertown tunnel is a health disaster
On Saturday 11 June, the Stop the Silvertown Tunnel Coalition held a Health Summit for a packed audience in Newham.
The Marx family visits the Commune
Leslie Cunningham reviews a new piece of political fiction, imagining Karl and Jenny Marx visiting the Paris Commune. Marx in Paris provides a great introduction to both the Commune and its political significance for socialists today. This short work (100 pages) purports to be a “found document”, a blue notebook discovered in a trunk containing […]
Music of the streets, music of rebellion
The 1920s saw the emergence of new kinds of music around the world, sometimes with links to anti-colonial movements.
This is no time to stay silent
The Depp v Heard trial has unleashed a torrent of misogyny that feminists cannot ignore.
Support the tube strikers!
London’s tube system has been brought to a standstill by striking RMT union members. Colin Wilson explains the background to the strike and calls for full support for their fight.
Australian election: Conservatives out, pro-business Labor wins, gains for smaller parties
May’s parliamentary elections in Australia saw the Tory coalition thrown out of office and a narrow victory for the Labor party.
The deviant law student
In a piece originally published in Socialist Lawyer, Kate Bradley reviews the Critical Legal Pocketbook, and finds it a useful corrective to capitalist legal education, perfect for socialists who study and work in law. There are many reasons why socialists may be attracted to the legal profession. Though it is an embattled terrain dominated by […]
The GDST pensions strike – a balance sheet
Earlier this year there was a big strike at the Girl’s Day School Trust (GDST) chain of independent schools over attacks on teachers’ pension rights. rs21 and NEU member Luigi Brindisi, one of the strikers, looks at the outcome of the dispute and draws some lessons.
Let them burn oil – Sunak and energy bills
Rishi Sunak’s latest U-turn in response to the cost of living crisis shows the Tories scrambling for a response.
Palestine solidarity and the future of the DSA – on the Bowman crisis
Arguments over Palestine solidarity have swept through the DSA in recent months – two American socialists explain the background.
Lowering expectations: misrepresentations of McAlevey
Trade unionists have been inspired by McAlevey’s work. But now sections of the union bureaucracy are co-opting her insights.
Review | Legacy of Violence: A History of the British Empire
Caroline Elkins’ compelling new book makes the barbarity of the British empire in the twentieth century absolutely clear.
Striking union organisers raided by Russian security forces
Russian security forces raided the apartments of independent trade unionists in Moscow in a direct attack on the organising of gig workers.
Growing strike solidarity networks in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester has been home to an unusual number of major strikes in the last couple of years. Local activists and rs21 members Ian Allinson and Derek Fraser discuss what we can learn from these and the development of solidarity networks around them.
Activists occupy the British Museum
This weekend, climate and anti-colonial activists occupied the British Museum in opposition to its oil sponsorships.
Standing up for education – NEU Conference 2022 report
An unpredictable conference of the National Education Union showed an instinctive aversion to oppression and a desire to take action, but competing visions and priorities about how to deliver it. Conference delegates John Stephens and Andrew Stone report (in a personal capacity).
Prospects for the left after the French election
The results of the first round of the French presidential election make for grim reading. Ian Birchall looks at some of the lessons of the election, and the future prospects for the left.
Russia’s war and the West
Gareth Dale responds to an article by Tom Bramble exploring the reasons for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Ban conversion torture
The Tories’ attempt to exclude trans people from the ‘conversion therapy’ ban has triggered a massive backlash.
The union of women and the Paris Commune
An account of the Women’s union of the Paris Commune, extracted from Mark Winter’s forthcoming book ‘Turbulent Women’