Labour

Times have changed and Labour-run councils need to stop implementing Tory cuts and make the needs of the people their priority, writes Mick Wattam

The mainstream media had a bad election, but it's not all over just yet, argues Des Freedman

This is a government whose time is up

The accountability for this tragedy goes all the way up to the government, writes Mona Kamal

We take a look back at the media's worst moments throughout the election

Political consciousness in Britain has shifted, argues Jamie Wright

The biggest problem with Scottish Labour is its desperate championing of the union, writes Chris Bambery

John Rees on how to assess the election result

Whatever happens on polling day, Labour’s campaign has altered the landscape of British politics  

A Corbyn-led government will provoke a determined backlash from the British establishment, including the Labour right. Radical social movements must be ready

Corbyn can win this - Shabbir Lakha gives six reasons why

Whatever the result on 8 June, the fight continues to create the kind of society we want and need

As the election approaches, we have a momentous fight on our hands

People are cynical about politics, and with good reason, but this election is different, writes student Jamie Wright

The media can only ignore Jeremy Corbyn's surging campaign for so long, writes Des Freedman

As Jeremy Corbyn visits Southall, Morgan Daniels reports on a campaign that is gaining momentum

The general election, French politics and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 018, May 2017

Labour's manifesto marks a break from neoliberalism and the establishment's reaction to it shows that they are scared.

This cruel and regressive Tory manifesto gives another spur to the left, argues Lindsey German

As Theresa May tries to appeal to working class voters, Chris Bambery takes a look at the reality behind the rhetoric

Corbyn is wrongly labelled a pacifist by the Tories and the media, but his opposition to unnecessary war without end is in stark contrast to Theresa May's endless warmongering

Labour have produced a class-based programme that we can all get behind, writes Lindsey German

Higher taxes on the richest people are the key to funding Labour's policies

Theresa May's pitch to working class voters is laughable, argues Lindsey German

Jeremy Corbyn's wide-ranging speech on the threat of global war is a lesson to us all

After a well received beginning to the election campaign, big things were expected in York from the Labour leader, and he delivered

There is every opportunity for the class to move forward with this clarion call, writes Lindsey German

Popular policies take centre stage and Labour forward with one serious misstep, writes Lindsey German

War, fraud and feather-nesting: business as usual for the Tories, notes Lindsey German

What’s behind Tory claims that privatisation cannot deliver fair energy prices, asks Lindsey German  

Fighting to win and shifting the terrain on to our issues are the left’s urgent tasks, writes Lindsey German

The obvious answer isn't so obvious to some on the left, argues John Rees

Let's get on with getting the Tories out

No one said it was going to be easy, but we must continue the fight, argues Lindsey German

The story of the Grangemouth dispute of 2013 contains important lessons for trade unionism and the labour movement in general, argues Kevin Crane

Tory imperial pretension cannot conceal their damage and weakness, notes Lindsey German

Is the interview with Diane Abbott really such big news, asks Lindsey German

What can possibly be motivating Tony Blair in this election campaign, asks Lindsey German

General election, Trump and the politics of music - Counterfire freesheet edition 017, April 2017

Corbyn must stay true to his radical roots and focus the anger against the status quo to win

What are the Tories going to do about taxes, asks Lindsey German

As parliament rises until after the election, it's worth looking at where we are, writes Lindsey German

An analysis of what is going on across the border, from Chris Bambery

The case against a trigger-happy Prime Minister

Labour's promises on the NHS will be popular, writes Lindsey German

The desire to skewer Jeremy Corbyn over questions of war and peace seemingly knows no bounds, notes Lindsey German

The deranged reaction to Jeremy Corbyn's pledge of no nuclear genocide is discussed by Lindsey German in the first of our daily election briefings

Jeremy Corbyn's enthusiastic rally in Cardiff demonstrated the tenacity of his supporters and the potential of his campaign, writes Tom Whittaker

The left must help to build a massive and radical Labour campaign to beat the Tories - there can be no broad alliance with the Lib Dems

We need to make Theresa May's election gamble her last, argues John Rees

The suspension and investigation of Ken Livingstone is a witch-hunt, argues Kara Bryan

Anti-racists should oppose the hysteria around allegations of antisemitism against Livingstone

A victory for McCluskey will weaken the Labour right's ability to attack Corbyn, writes Richard Allday

As Parliamentary Labour Party poison continues to infect the movement, our side must resist with clarity and commitment, asserts Richard Allday

A new political alignment is taking place against Corbyn and the left, argues John Rees

The roots of the precarious state of our welfare system lie in the Tories' austerity policies, writes Ollie Turnbull

As safe seats become marginal ones before our very eyes, Lindsey German makes short work of the media voodoo and suggests a plan

Beneath the ambition lurks the murky waters of reaction, notes Kevin Ovenden

Compare the Trump spy scandal and the Israeli spy scandal and it tells us a lot about the media and the political establishment, argues Kara Bryan

As the Labour MP announces his resignation, Cameron Panting takes a look at the man and what he stood for

The manoeuvres in Poland continue Nato‘s expansionist policies in eastern Europe

It is a mistake for Corbyn to suggest dropping the principle of free movement, argues Chris Nineham

What does Brexit mean? What should we be demanding? Lindsey German takes on these questions in the second talk of our new series, tackling the big issues of the day

In an extract from The Candidate: Jeremy Corbyn’s Improbable Path to Power, Alex Nunns describes a dramatic day in the attempted coup against Corbyn

The story of Jeremy Corbyn’s rise to leadership of Labour in 2015 is told with verve and insight in Alex Nunns' The Candidate, finds Lindsey German

Labour 'rebels' show their true colours by refusing to stop supporting Saudi bombing of Yemen argues Lindsey German

Fifty years after the mining disaster that killed 144 people, we should not forget that the survivors never got justice, writes Lindsey German

Austerity penalises the most vulnerable in our society. This government's record is shameful and we most hold them to account, writes Mona Kamal

After Corbyn‘s re-election, we need to build a strong extra-parliamentary force that supports Labour – if it supports them

We republish a chapter by Lindsey German from a new Verso report Corbyn and the Future of Labour

The appeal of Labour's 'broad church' must be taken on and called out for what it is, argues Brian Heron

In a world of increasing conflict, pandering to the right-wing on Trident and Nato is not the way forward, argues Lindsey German

John Rees was interviewed for the Panama Magazine by Argentinian writer Mariano Schuster

Labour activists in Liverpool speak about the election, the Labour right and the future

Lindsey German looks at what happens next after Jeremy Corbyn's landslide victory in the second Labour Leadership election in 12 months

Activists partied for Corbyn in Liverpool, but anger at Labour's right is strong. Chris Nineham reports as Labour's conference gathers

Retreating over foreign policy will allow the right to regroup, argues John Rees

In anticipation of a Jeremy Corbyn victory, Chris Nineham highlights some strategic goalposts for both the Labour Party and the wider movement

With Jeremy Corbyn’s re-election almost certain, debate is turning to how a divided Labour Party can move forward. Alex Snowdon considers the next steps for Corbyn and the left

The recent media barrage against Jeremy Corbyn and Momentum represents a new low in mainstream vilification of socialist ideas, asserts Des Freedman

A disastrous summer for the foreign policy establishment should be a golden opportunity for Labour, argues John Rees

As the media attacks on Corbyn's leadership continue, we publish the text of a speech by Chris Nineham at Media Reform UK's event: The Media, the Movements and Jeremy Corbyn

Kevin Ovenden considers the aftermath of the brutal assassination that rocked domestic politics and identifies currents the mainstream is anxious to ignore 

While Owen Smith and the Labour right play political football with antisemitism, Kevin Ovenden looks at the serious rise in fascism across Europe

As Theresa May tries to take us back in time, Sean Ledwith and Adam Tomes take a look at the grammar school debate

The Sunday Mirror’s sting on the Labour MP was not motivated by a desire to serve the public interest, writes Kevin Ovenden

Opposing imperialism through the movement on the streets is imperative, argues Lindsey German

In this major new analysis, Lindsey German looks at resistance to neoliberalism, oppression's relationship to class, and how new forms of organising and the united front are central to a socialist transformation of Britain

The ideas of the great Hungarian Marxist Georg Lukács offer insights into Labour‘s recent quandaries, finds David Moyles

Tom Watson recently accused 'Trotskyist entryists' of 'twisting the arms' of young members of the Labour Party. A young left-wing activist responds

Lindsey German reflects on the Labour right’s latest descent into the depths of opportunist bilge 

Alex Snowdon welcomes Paul Mason’s latest contribution to the Corbyn debate with a few strategic caveats 

Lindsey German looks beyond the Labour right’s Trotsky twist and locates a deeply anti-democratic impulse    

Tom Watson is scaremongering about Trotskyists, but he may have bitten off more than he can chew, says John Rees

Johnny Gaunt looks at the recent media spat between Owen Jones and the Corbyn campaign, and notes wider tensions beneath the surface 

As the lines are being drawn, Shabbir Lakha turns the tables on Owen Jones and his soft left assault on Jeremy Corbyn’s social movement

Owen Jones’ predictions of doom do not match up to the challenge ahead, writes Lindsey German

As Theresa May declares her intention to stamp out slavery, John Westmoreland delves into the roots of its modern form

Owen Jones is wrong to compare Corbyn's foreign policy to that of Ed Miliband, writes Lindsey German

Alex Mockridge, the 18-year-old who stood as district councillor in Totnes, talks to Milo Mirzai about Corbyn, values and integrity 

Jeremy Corbyn's path to victory lies in remembering his roots and staying connected with the streets, argues Alex Snowdon

This is a decisive battle, and it's even bigger than Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, argues John Rees

The re-election of Corbyn is key, but an increase in the level of class struggle is critical to lasting success, argues Lindsey German

Alex Snowdon takes a look at the current conjecture in relation to the Labour leadership contest, and the questions facing the wider movement

Counterfire has gained exclusive access to the diary of Labour leadership hopeful Owen Smith

This moment offers an opportunity for radical change, but the path to victory lies in political confrontation, argues Kevin Ovenden

MPs voted through a military programme that has no rationale, argues Alex Bennett. The campaign to against renewal must go on

Owen Smith is being painted as a unity candidate. Chris Nineham argues he is in fact spearheading a war on the majority of the Labour Party

We should not allow the attempt to turn concerns about sexism and racism into a weapon for the right to beat the left, writes Lindsey German

With Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader, we have the possibility of winning millions to radical change, writes Chris Nineham

We need your help to finance the resistance

The Tories and Labour are tearing themselves apart, but looking beyond Westminster, various movements are growing in strength, reports Lindsey German

As the coup from the Labour right is launched, the Labour movement vehemently backs Jeremy Corbyn, writes Chris Nineham

Jeremy Corbyn can now really win – but our side needs to act decisively and boldly, contends Vladimir Unkovski-Korica

The post-referendum crisis can only be resolved by the left, argues John Rees

A victory for Jeremy Corbyn in the coming leadership election is crucial for the future of the British left, writes Lindsey German

While Jeremy resists pressure on him to resign, Lindsey German argues we must organise to support him

As the established order falls apart, Chris Bambery argues how the left should respond

Tail-ending the Cameron Remain campaign is hemorrhaging working class support for Labour and the left, argues John Rees

The furore over alleged antisemitism in Labour is a smear on the party’s left and an attempt to delegitimise criticism of Israel, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

We spoke to radical geographer Danny Dorling about all things money and politics, before Dangerous Times Festival later this month

Jeremy Corbyn has defied his many critics - whether Labour's right wing, the Tories or the media. Alex Snowdon analyses the election results

A personal statement from Graham Bash, editor of Labour Briefing, on antisemitism, Labour and Jeremy Corbyn

Blairite MPs want to topple Jeremy Corbyn and occupy 'the middle ground'. This is the path to electoral breakdown and the ascendancy of the racist right, argues Kevin Ovenden

The No.10 website has refused to host a petition calling for an inquiry into Tory racism. We are organising our own, reports Feyzi Ismail

The EU is an enemy of working people, as well as those fleeing poverty and war. Now more than ever, the labour movement must advocate to leave

In response to claims of anti-Semitism within the Labour Party, Stop the War condemns the double standards applied to those who oppose Israeli oppression

As the Tories' trauma continues, Chris Nineham sketches out a strategy for radical change

The tide is turning against austerity. How can we take advantage of the Tories’ crisis?

Jess Phillips and her colleagues are stooping to new lows by misusing feminism to attack Jeremy Corbyn argues Lindsey German

Tariq Ali and Lindsey German make the case against Trident, and spell out the need for anti-war, anti-nuclear opposition

We spoke to Kate Hudson, General Secretary of CND about why we all need to be at the Stop Trident demonstration on 27th February

The Tories' plans to renew the Trident missile system are causing a revival of the anti-nuclear movement, writes Kate Hudson

Corbyn's rise is only the most recent expression of a long term trend towards a more radical and left-wing politics, argues Chris Nineham

The last week in British politics has perfectly captured the contradictions of a Corbyn-led Labour Party, explains Alex Snowdon

The anti-war position of the radical left inside the Labour Party needs to be consolidated in the coming months, writes Kevin Ovenden

Chris Bambery takes a look at the UK's troubled relationship with the EU, both in the past and in the present

Brian Heron places Corbyn's reorganisation of his shadow cabinet in the wider political context

As a tumultuous year in British politics comes to an end, Alex Snowdon takes a look at the implications for the year ahead

Many of those complaining fear greater accountability and the wave of anti-war feeling evident from Corbyn's election as Labour leader

It is the anti-war demonstration on 12 December, not Hilary Benn's speech which is likely to prove historic

Now that the Labour right has a new champion, Corbyn needs our support more than ever, writes Alastair Stephens

If Cameron's plan for the Middle East wasn't bad enough, his cynical use of the tragedy in Paris to make political gains shows his true colours

The crisis in Labour illustrates a modern fact of life: the old political structures are unable to contain the new political forces at work, writes Brian Heron

Mark Perryman from Philosophy Football provides a rundown of new books for the #jezwecan majority

The Tories need Labour's war faction to deliver a serious looking majority on bombing Syria writes Brian Heron

Counterfire's new free sheet edition 004, October 2015

Chris Nineham challenges the ‘Corbyn just won’t play in Middle England’ argument

Counterfire's new free sheet edition 003, September 2015

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 may be right not to respect a media establishment that has shown little signs of respecting him but he urgently needs a strategy with which to confront it writes Des Freedman

Jeremy Corbyn’s victory is a threat because he stands against the establishment's warmongering and hypocrisy writes Lindsey German

Media responses have pointed to the lack of women in the new shadow cabinet, but the policy response to austerity will have more impact on women's lives in the UK

John Rees comments to RT International on Jeremy Corbyn's victory

Mark Perryman reflects on what the Corbyn landslide means for Labour supporters like him

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

Right wing Labour MPs plan to give the Tories a majority for war - and inflict damaging defeat on Jeremy Corbyn, argues John Rees

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

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

Far from being 'mad', plenty of economists welcome Corbyn's proposals as opening up fruitful new areas for public discussion on the economy

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

With a new poll predicting a landslide victory for Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour leadership race, a student campaign volunteer in York offers his personal perspective

To defend labour rights and stop further brutal austerity the TUC national demonstration on 4 October is crucial, writes Bristol Counterfire’s Tom Vaughan

The possibility of Jeremy Corbyn winning the Labour leadership terrifies the political establishment, partly because of his consistent anti-war record

As Jeremy Corbyn's campaign for Labour leader gains seemingly unstoppable momentum, John Rees looks at some of the debates on the left at the time of the formation of the Labour Party

Camden Town Hall and the streets outside were packed with people eager to hear Jeremy Corbyn's radical message of hope as he continues his hugely popular speaking tour

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

At last night's Jeremy Corbyn rally in Bristol 'it felt like we could win - the atmosphere was absolutely electric' reports Isaac Kneebone-Hopkins

Jeremy Corbyn, the candidate who 'can't win an election', is currently winning the Labour leadership election observes Charles B Anthony

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

Yesterday’s vote could well be a milestone in the decline of the Labour Party. It was a shameful spectacle to see Labour's majority abstaining writes John Westmoreland

Mark Perryman explains why he’s signed up to Vote Corbyn

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

Jeff Hodge reports from the Unions Together Labour leadership hustings

John Rees looks at the political calculation behind the Tories new attempt to get us into a bombing campaign in Syria

Mark Perryman argues that Labour's '45 Landslide should remain a cause to celebrate 70 years on

Jeremy Corbyn’s announcement that he will stand for Labour leader has bolstered the anti-austerity movement. But will the trade unions back him, too?

A mass campaign with meetings up and down the country, drawing on the whole of the left, could seriously shake up politics in Britain

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

We can all help to build Jeremy Corbyn's campaign, to see a strong alternative voice to war and austerity gets the hearing it deserves

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

With both main parties retrenching their commitment to austerity, the crisis of representation will be met, for now, outside of Parliament argues James Meadway

Labour's defeat has been followed by Blairite attacks on the union link and on Unite and Len McLuskey in particular. Richard Allday looks at how socialists should respond

The latest election shows us that there is a yearning for an alternative. Sam Leach looks at why Blairism 2.0 will be the end of the Labour party

With the Tower Hamlets mayoral election round the corner, Dilly Hussain questions whether another ‘coup’ awaits Lutfur Rahman’s successor

James Doran on why the Labour Party's crisis is worse than anticipated

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

All sectarianism is damaging to the working class interest. But Miliband's threats to Scottish voters are dangerous, potentially mortal writes Brian Heron

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

This is a whole new chapter in politics, for the British political system is in a state of deep crisis writes Alastair Stephens

John Rees on the outrageous dismissal of Tower Hamlet's first elected Muslim Mayor

Mark Perryman of Philosophy Football selects his reading for the 2015 General Election Campaign

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

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

He’s been elected by a big majority as the new Scottish Labour leader. Reviled by the Left, distrusted by Miliband…but how bad is Jim Murphy? Very bad argues David Jamieson

Alex Snowdon looks at what's wrong with the Guardian article about Nick Forbes and Newcastle's council cuts