Solidarity - articles before 22 November 2002

By Frank Higgins "Tory" is one of the few words derived from Gaelic ("touraig") which the English language, so rich in loan words, possesses. "Touraig" means a robber (literally, a pursuer). Seventeenth century opponents mockingly compared the backwoods English country gentlemen who formed the "King's party" in Parliament to the bands of outlaws and robbers called "Tories", who were numerous in Ireland, and the name stuck. The brouhaha in the press about who should be leader of this malignant ancient growth misses the point. The reason why today's Tory party is in such a state that its leaders...

By Joe Verdi Open government? Remember that one? Labour was going to deliver "open government". In fact, under New Labour government is not less but more secretive, more manipulative and more unaccountable. The jailing of David Shayler for blowing some of the gaff on Britain's secret services - he talked to a tabloid newspaper - highlights the need for the open government Blair promised but will not deliver. The jailing of Shayler coincides with the TV exposé by Peter Taylor of the vast network of spying on Britain's trade unions and on perfectly legal organisations of the left within Britain...

Two roads to nowhere Reports of tensions between the leadership of the Scottish Socialist Party (International Socialist Movement) and the Socialist Worker platform of the SSP have been circulating for some time. At an SWP aggregate in October a discussion was had about the political orientation of the SSP towards left-nationalism/ reformism. Peter Burton explains what he thinks is wrong with both the SSP leadership's and the SWP's approach and the general implications of these disputes for socialist strategy. Where now for the Socialist Alliance? A one-day conference for independent members...

Mattel spanked Spies R Us Whoops Cold War ends Police Ça Change White Van Man or Like father like son Mattel spanked Global capitalism is all in favour of free trade - except when it impinges on their brand's copyright (which these days could include human DNA or life-saving drugs). So it's nice to hear that Mattel, the world's biggest toy-maker and creator of the improbably endowed Barbie got their asses whipped in a court battle with artist Suzanne Pitt, who sells S&M Barbies from her website. One of Ms Pitt's Barbies features "lederhosen-style Bavarian-bondage dress and helmet in rubber...

Bjarke Friborg writes: As in the rest of Europe the left and the antiwar movement in Norway have both been on the offensive the last few years, or at least they have grown in both size and influence. However, there is still much work to do to renew both of them, not least a thorough ideological renovation. The alternative is stagnation or even retrogression. The biggest antiwar demos in the capital Oslo have had an attendance from 300-500 and up to about 2000. This is certainly more than the average under the Nato war against Yugoslavia, and testifies that there is a generally higher level of...

Lucy Clement, Mike Rowley and Martin Thomas report on the European Social Forum held in Florence from 6 to 10 November. European Students' Appeal Making working-class politics central A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum By Mick Duncan, No Sweat organiser, whom Italian police banned from the ESF No Sweat seminar Frontline poetry: Bella Ciao Discussing class Up to 60,000 attended the ESF. Up to a million - more than twice the city's population - turned out to demonstrate against the war on Saturday 9th. These were five days of inspiration. It's hard, even a few days after the event...

Why students should back the firefighters By Faz Velmi Solidarity! Support Group news On the Tube Why we back the FBU Take on the Government - Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary Is the government mad? - Maria Exall, CWU Executive Every trade union must support the fire fighters - John Leach, RMT rep and Secretary of the Campaign Against Tube Privatisation from the picket line Fire fighters and emergency cover By Alison Brown, ambulance worker Firefighters speak out Why students should back the firefighters By Faz Velmi Just as the FBU strike is providing an impetus to other working-class...

Prime Minister Tony Blair is feeling tough and spoiling for a fight. Not content with helping US President George W Bush plan a war in Iraq, he has forced the firefighters into their first strike in 25 years. Blair and his ministers have meddled in the firefighters' pay dispute from early on. Back in July they stopped the employers offering 16%. Then, despite the firefighters' opposition, they set up a so-called "independent" review of the fire service. It was headed by Sir George Bain, who had helped the Government set the minimum wage at poverty levels through the Low Pay Commission, with...

As we go to press the Fire Brigade Union are holding talks with the Government over their pay claim of £30,000 a year. The union suspended two 48-hour strikes planned for 29-30 October and 2-3 November after talks with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott appeared to indicate at least part of the union's claim would be met by the Government. An eight day strike is due to start on 6 November unless a deal is made. Editorial from Solidarity 3/15, 31 October 2002 The union's recent strike ballot had a staggering 83% turn-out with an equally impressive 87.6% vote in favour of strike action. The...

Help your socialist newspaper expand and grow Solidarity is launching a £10,000 fund appeal to run over the six month period ending on 30 April 2003. We need this money to increase our regularity, matching the increasing pace of the class struggle. If the firefighters strike, we intend to make the printed edition of Solidarity weekly from next week. We are making this commitment because we believe it is a necessary in order to play our part in the revival of the British labour movement. And we cannot possibly go weekly - pay for extra staff, paper, postage, making sure our website is...