The Left

The movement outside of Parliament is critical. This government can – and will – be defeated. But it will need all of us to work for it

Can technology on its own bring about a better society, as Paul Mason’s PostCapitalism suggests, or do we need revolutionary politics, asks Sean Ledwith

A new book by Kevin Ovenden looks at Syriza’s rise to become the most important party of the European radical Left

As support for Jeremy Corbyn has grown so has the determination of those who have run Labour for years to hang on to as much power as they can - this is not new says Lindsey German

Corbyn's election represents a decisive rejection of Blairism, a vote against austerity and against war, and a vote for peace and justice. The possibilities opened up now are immense

The political challenges to a Jeremy Corbyn leadership of the Labour Party will come thick and fast…and long before a 2020 election, argues John Rees

New Labour orthodoxies, dominant in the Labour Party for at least two decades, are crumbling writes Alex Snowdon

If the women candidates are unlikely to be successful in the Labour leadership election race it's down to politics not patriarchy argues Lindsey German

The question for Lenin was: do you stand on the side lines, or engage in joint activity, including electoral activity, in order to break the hold of those who were fudging the issue of reform and revolution?

Claims of 'far left infiltration' are being used to justify the Labour machine's purge of new members but, as musician Brian Eno makes clear in this opinion piece, the purge goes a lot deeper

As the vote gets underway and particularly if Corbyn wins, what the movement does remains crucial argues Chris Nineham

The runaway success of Jeremy Corbyn’s bid for the Labour leadership is focusing the attention of the left on the Labour Party's history and prospects in a way not seen for a generation. John Rees provides a guide to essential reading

As underdog becomes front-runner Chris Nineham looks at the factors behind the Corbyn surge

The Westminster bubble was wrong about Corbyn’s candidacy, and it’s wrong about how the left might win the next general election writes James Meadway

Video from the session 'How Labour lost and how the Left can win' at Dangerous Times Festival 2015. Produced by Paul Hanes

The Greek vote heralds the last few years of neoliberalism in Europe - the Left can win this time says James Meadway

The following is a letter to the Turkish and Kurdish organisation Day Mer by Kevin Ovenden regarding the situation in Greece and the lessons for the Left

No solution can be really radical that attempts to avoid, diminish or circumvent the direct participation of the masses argues John Rees

Jeremy Corbyn's leadership campaign gives us all an opportunity to profile socialist ideas and rebuild popular left organisation on the ground argues Chris Nineham

The fate of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership bid should mark a turning point for the Labour left writes Lindsey German

David Jamieson looks at how mass disaffection with austerity led to the SNP's landslide and the prospect of a radical left electoral challenge

Protest isn’t a spectator sport. It is an example of grassroots political organising that should strengthen and embolden those who turn out on the day argues Lindsey German

'A to B' marches are vital if we want to bolster the Left, bring people in and give strength to other tactics argues Shelly Asquith

Enduring problems of class, class consciousness and political organisation are illuminated in this important new collection of E. P. Thompson’s essays, finds Dominic Alexander

The SNP landslide has shown a glimpse of what ordinary people can do when they realise their own power. Now, the social movement must hold them to account for their promises

It will be up to the radicals and revolutionaries to make the case for an effective, modern reformism - a minimum set of demands, as a prelude to further radicalization - argues James Meadway

John Rees looks at what can rise from the ashes of the election

The prospect of Miliband’s recent rise in popularity climaxing with Cameron's ejection from Number 10 should be welcomed on the left argues Sean Ledwith

Mark Perryman argues why on election night England’s Radical Left should be celebrating the SNP Landslide

Syriza's leadership is walking a tightrope between the demands of the troika and the express will of its base and of the majority of the Greek electorate

The consensus at the centre of British politics is being prised open - and with this comes an opportunity to build a mass, radical left across this island

The significance of this election will be greater than any since Margaret Thatcher came to power argues John Rees

Alice Brito reports from Portugal on the state of the Left Bloc

The Left must ensure that the case against Europe is about transforming social and economic conditions, rather than as a basis for ultra-nationalist solutions to Europe’s malaise writes Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

Alan Freeman’s classic analysis of Tony Benn and his role in the labour movement is sympathetic but critical, and remains highly relevant, argues James Doran

Establishment politics is fracturing, but the General Election outcome won't represent the anger with the elite. Chris Nineham outlines a strategy for popular opposition and generating a new left

Peter Pinkney, President of the RMT union spoke to Kevin Ovenden about his decision to stand for the Green Party in May's general election in the once Labour heartland seat of Redcar

How can we voice opposition to the EU without sounding like Nigel Farage? Well the obvious answer is not to stay silent about the EU’s lack of democracy writes Chris Bambery

A resolution on Syriza and the new left passed at Counterfire National Conference 2015.

Submitted by the Steering Committee

With Syriza's victory comes the potential to shake off the dead years of neoliberalism - years where the left had been ruled out of existence, which are now coming to an end

What initiatives can the European Left take to deliver practical solidarity to the people of Greece? Kevin Ovenden provides some suggestions

The surge in membership of the Green party shows that British politics is not marching to the right - James Meadway looks at the implications for the Left

With an impending Syriza government its opponents are debating their options. Kevin Ovenden's tenth dispatch from Greece

Kevin Ovenden's 7th dispatch from Greece turns to debates about how electoral defeat for the parties of austerity might become a chance to end austerity itself

The continued rise of the SNP has led to increased metropolitan suspicion and a growing backlash. What is the content of the SNP’s nationalism?

Greece could be about to elect the most radical government of the left in Europe since the 1930s - the outcome could shape European society for decades to come

Counterfire’s Alex Snowdon replies to two recent articles by Mark Perryman discussing the implications of the Scottish independence referendum for socialists in England

Guest contributor Mark Perryman offers a personal contribution to debates about the implications of the Scottish referendum

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