Tories

The Tory government's welfare reform programme ruins lives and must be scrapped, argues Steph Pike

Little progress was made in the Brexit negotiations, and Tory MPs are losing patience with May, finds Martin Hall

The government has pushed the full roll-out of Universal Credit further down the road, but we must stop it altogether, argues John Rees

The campaign against school funding cuts has attracted a lot of attention, but a socialist education policy can do much more than solve the funding crisis argues Judy Cox

The crisis for Theresa May and the Tories continues to deepen, their only lifeline would be a second referendum, argues Lindsey German

Theresa May announcing a Suicide Prevention Minister to tackle the growing mental health problems that are a product of the austerity is empty rhetoric argues Mona Kamal

As the IPCC report stresses the urgent action needed to tackle climate change, we must challenge the narrative that an ecologically sound economy would be bad for workers

Uber drivers organised a 24 hour strike and rallied at Uber offices against precarious working conditions and unfair pay, Shabbir Lakha reports

Since Corbyn was elected leader of the Labour Party, the media attacks have been relentless. T. J Coles, author of new book Real Fake News, examines

The response to the Tory conference in Birmingham was suitably angry and clear in its demands, reports Ellen Graubert

We can't afford the Tories, we need to get them out of office before any more damage is done, argues John Rees

The Tories are still wedded to austerity. Looking at the real-life consequences of the cuts, Jim Scott argues that we need to get the Tories out now

Tory calamity combined with Jeremy Corbyn's increasing consolidation of the mainstream puts a premium on extra-parliamentary activity for rest of the left, asserts Lindsey German 

Creative organising and resistance are urgently needed as a rampant, austerity-bent Tory government carves its way through Ontario, reports John Clarke

The Labour party mustn’t lose sight of its base as the Salzburg shenanigans highlights an EU still fixated on elites and privilege, argues Lindsey German 

May is toast... unless a second referendum throws her a lifeline, argues John Rees

The far right Sweden Democrats didn't do as well as commentators anticipated, but the fascist threat must be confronted across Europe, argues Vladimir Unkovski-Korica

Any concessions on anti-imperialism will not only weaken Jeremy Corbyn but the whole of the radical left, argues Lindsey German

The attacks on Jeremy Corbyn trying to paint him as antisemitic and pushing the Labour Party into limiting criticism of Israel are persisting and intensifying. The assault on his leadership appears to be the most significant yet, and there is a danger that the project could be derailed if the right succeed.

At the same time, we have a Tory government still teetering on the brink of collapse. It’s only been two months since Theresa May tried to move up Parliament’s summer recess for fear of being forced out. The government has been utterly discredited on its austerity policies. The hostile environment that Theresa May has fostered and that came to a head with the revelations of the treatment of the Windrush generation has been met with national outrage.  Further, Brexit continues to be something Theresa May is failing to reach consensus on within her party and nationally.

The Tories have all but abandoned the manifesto they went into the 2017 general election with and they have proved that they are simply unable to govern. But the media assault on Corbyn has meant the Tories have been shielded from completely collapsing so far. Theresa May has been able to deflect the scandal of the rampant racism of her party because the establishment, spearheaded by the Labour right, have made Jeremy Corbyn the racist.

Part of the result from this is that Labour has been unable to surpass the Tories in the polls. We should recognise that the fact Labour hasn’t far fallen in the polls is a sign of the declining purchase the mainstream media have with the public, but that they haven’t increased further than the level they were at in June 2017 shows that the progress made during the election campaign has stalled, if not somewhat been rolled back.

This is in large part because the Labour right have led a truly disgusting smear campaign, but also to a lesser extent because of Labour moving away from being an energetic insurgent current to more traditional politicking, and not being as combative as some of us may have hoped it would be.

Filling in the gap left by a failing Tory government and the left under attack, and bolstered by a growing network of the international alt-right, has been the far right. The large street mobilisations of the far right gravitating around Tommy Robinson have been something unseen in Britain for a while. And the support from Steve Bannon and far-right European politicians is a new dynamic that everyone should be wary of.

For all these reasons, the need for the left to be organised and to respond to the situation in earnest and with urgency cannot be overstated. Counterfire has been producing critical analysis of the situation that has been read by tens of thousands of movement activists, our members were involved with organising the massive rally in London on 21 August in defence of Jeremy Corbyn, and we’re working to build the anti-racist movement.

Counterfire members were central to organising the 250,000 strong demonstration against Donald Trump in July. The demonstration was a testament to the breadth of the left, our ability to mobilise a broad section of the public and proof that we certainly outnumber the far-right when we are organised.

But we can – and need to – be doing so much more. At this time, we need to go on the offensive over Palestine, defend Corbyn, produce the right arguments on what we should be fighting for over Brexit, strategise on how to defeat the far-right, and help amplify the crisis for the Tories to remove them sooner rather than later.

That’s why, in this fast-moving political situation, we’re calling a national meeting on Sunday 9 September for all our members. The discussion will aim to analyse the political situation in some depth, and what role Counterfire can play in shaping how the left responds and in taking the fight to the right. We hope as many of our members as possible can attend, and if you’re a supporter, you’ll consider joining Counterfire and coming.

In the second part of tales from the sticks, Jim Scott explains the birth and growth of a movement in rural Wales over the last 5 years

Falling wages in a growing economy and ever increasing pay for bosses show a system undeterred by crisis in consolidating wealth at the top of society, argues Josh Newman

The latest figures on living standards tell us austerity’s class warfare is more dangerous than ever. Mass struggle is an urgent requirement, argues John Clarke

Islamophobic dress decrees have become as much a feature of contemporary Europe as fine wines, ancient patrimony and al fresco dining, writes Susan Ram

Corbyn is right – the left needs to fight back against the slander of antisemitism

NHS workers have been pressured into accepting a deliberately misleading deal, explains a health worker and union representative 

The only appropriate response to Margaret Hodge and her co-conspirators is to take them on politically and defeat them argues Alex Snowdon

Tommy Robinson's release pending a retrial has been received with jubilation by the far right. Anti-racists need to be prepared to take them on, argues Steph Pike

Richard Allday sheds some light on the Tories' new 'pay rise' for public sector workers

The former Home Secretary's desperate attempt to defend Tory policies in Hastings only shows how clueless she is, reports Chrissy Brand

As Israel enshrines apartheid into law and Jeremy Corbyn is labelled an antisemite, Shabbir Lakha assesses the situation 

Britain sending more troops to Afghanistan shows the end of the war isn't in sight and lays bare what the 'special relationship' is all about argues Lindsey German

Looking back at the quarter of a million strong demonstration against Trump, Daniel Jakopovich argues that it was a mass display of people power

The left should not avoid political struggle, it should actively work to shape the outcomes of political crisis argues David Bush

Trump's visit and his trade delusions, crisis for the Tories, Grenfell, is the EU really a friend to migrants and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 027, July 2018

Opposing Donald Trump can play a role in bringing down our own vicious government

Potent Whisper makes the case for protesting against Donald Trump

We must be united in our opposition to Trump and everything he represents

This is the start of a new phase of the crisis, not the end of it, writes John Rees

This latest Tory crisis is an opportunity the left must seize and the week’s protests are all the means to do so, argues Lindsey German  

The Tories are responsible for the huge growth in homelessness and rough sleeping, it'll take systemic change pushed from below to solve it argues Daryl Peach

A spoken word response to Andrew O’Hagan’s ‘The Tower’ by Potent Whisper

Thousands of people marched in silence on the anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire in a powerful show of solidarity, reports Shabbir Lakha

Fighting for our NHS, Ireland's abortion rights victory, Grenfell one year on, Dump Trump and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 026, June 2018

Solidarity with Muslims and maximum unity are the watchwords for confronting today’s street racists, argues Lindsey German

The Tory victory shows a missed opportunity for Ontario's labour party, but the left must organise now and fight en masse against Doug Ford's ugly party of the bosses, write activists Doug Nesbitt, Gerard Di Trolio and David Bush ('Fight for $15' campaign)

Theresa May's support for Trump is a faultline we must fully exploit, argues Jonathan Maunders

The demos this summer give us a chance to recapture the spirit of last year's insurgency and take the fight to the Tories. We must take it

The annual UCU conference has begun and the leadership, unwilling to accept criticism, has acted anti-democratically and with contempt of its members reports Des Freedman

As we approach the anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, the Tories have learnt no lessons and show only disregard and contempt argues Steph Pike

The upcoming National People’s Assembly, is a necessary step towards refreshing and refocusing the anti-austerity movement

Windrush, May 68, Palestine, UCU strike, Marx and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 025, May 2018

Trump pulling the US out of the Iran nuclear deal is a step on the path to more war in the Middle East argues Shabbir Lakha

Labour did better in the local elections than the loss the media are portraying, but they could have done a lot better, argues Cameron Panting

The Tories' ‘scatter-shot’ strategy has finally backfired on them and will eventually send them running for the hills argues Jim Scott

Amber Rudd resigning because of popular pressure is a victory and a reminder that what the left does can make a decisive difference argues Chris Nineham

It’s up to us to make sure the nasty party pays for its crimes, argues Lindsey German

The Tories are astonishingly trying to turn the windrush scandal into a knock for Labour and Shabbir Lakha argues that it must not stick

Over a thousand people protested outside Downing Street last week as India's Prime Minister Modi visited Theresa May, Amrit Wilson explains why

As the NHS approaches its 70th birthday on July 5, we need a big show of strength in London on June 30 to save it from the Tories

The fight against ruling class divide-and-rule has never been more urgent and the Tory leadership are a sitting target, argues Lindsey German

This terrible scandal shows us that racism is driven primarily from the top of society, not the bottom, argues Kevin Ovenden

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in over 40 towns and cities across the country to voice their opposition to Theresa May's bombing of Syria

Politicians and commentators supporting more military action in Syria say inaction has consequences, but the West haven't been inactive in Syria argues Shabbir Lakha

As Jeremy Corbyn meets with Gordon Brown, Chris Bambery looks at Brown's role in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and the current state of Scottish Labour

Statement from Stop the War Coalition following the attacks on Douma in Syria

This floundering ruling class operative personifies an exposed and rotten regime, writes Lindsey German
 

After Porton Down experts revealed that they can't confirm the origin of the nerve agent, it's clear that the government is trying to manipulate the public argue Johnny Charles and Harry Rogers

The British media tells a partial story on racism and its claims against the Labour leader run contrary to the evidence, writes Lindsey German

The establishment is losing control, but there is a way out for them, if the left lets its guard down, warns John Rees

The media and unions are welcoming the proposed reform to NHS pay, but David Bailey explains why it's a bad deal and should be rejected

As UUK returns with a further offer, Des Freedman takes a look at the immediate options facing university staff involved in the dispute

Chris Nineham is interviewed about his book 'How the Establishment Lost Control'

Brexit, Corbyn and the Labour right, gender pay gap, commodification of universities and more...

Theresa May's Cold War revivalism is a high risk strategy for all of us, writes Alex Snowdon 

Ahead of the anniversary of the disaster the establishment will seek to depoliticise events, but we must mobilise in solidarity now more than ever, writes Tom Whittaker

Spurious national unity does not serve working people. The left must resist, argues Kevin Ovenden

Sturgeon's rhetoric goes against the spirit of the Scottish independence movement. The left must unite against the state, argues David Jamieson

The establishment wants to create a consensus under the spurious cover of national unity. The left needs to rally in response, argues Kevin Ovenden

The Tories have no answers to the problems facing British society

With the country in chaos, we need change now - keep up the pressure!

The Labour Campaign for the Single Market is a battering ram for the Labour right, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

Statement from organisations opposing the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to the UK and urging people to join the demonstration tomorrow

Tom Whittaker gives a sharp introduction on how Thatcher was toppled and what lessons activists today can learn in kicking the Tories out

Theresa May has attempted to trump Jeremy Corbyn's Brexit speech but she still has no credibility

Following the right wing attacks on Stormzy's Brit Awards intervention, Julie Al-Hinai fights back with a letter to Amanda Platell

As the next phase of Brexit kicks in, Brian Heron discusses what the arguments are and what underpins them

Lindsey German analyses Jeremy Corbyn's speech on Brexit, as well as the importance of the UCU strike and the growing movement against the NRA in the US

As the strike continues we must keep the pressure on, argues Chris Nineham

Jeremy Corbyn has outlined the Labour party's position on Brexit - in particular, regarding the customs union - Martin Hall breaks it down

University strikers across the country are reporting the most successful and well supported industrial action for years

On the first day of this historic strike, Goldsmiths lecturers show they mean business and are fighting to win

Labour should stick with its People's Brexit strategy argues John Rees, but it has to make it much clearer what this means in practice

For seven years the Tory government has been waging economic terrorism against its own citizens - we must fight to kick them out, argues Steph Pike

As education workers get ready to strike, Des Freedman, a professor at Goldsmiths University, tells us what we can do to support them

We build on the schism in capitalist politics resulting from Brexit divisions by putting anti-racism grounded in working class politics front and centre argues Kevin Ovenden

Lauri Love's triumph against extradition to the US is a victory and may well set a precedent for future cases argues Julie Al-Hinai

The scale of the weekend’s emergency protest shows a movement that won’t wait for 2022, reports Jack Hazeldine

It’s a mistake to allow ruling class divisions on the EU to be refracted onto our side, argues Lindsey German  

Tens of thousands of people marched through London yesterday to call for more funding for the NHS and an end to privatisation. Shabbir Lakha reports

The shocking rise in homelessness is caused by a party that governs in the interests of the rich

The Carillion and NHS crises lay bare the failures of neoliberalism; we must fight to end this market madness

The Tory manufactured crisis in the NHS, Carillion, Labour, Palestine, Grenfell and more...

Charity begins at the Playboy Club for our capitalist class, writes Lindsey German 

Carillion’s spectacular demise reveals the brute vampirism at the heart of privatisation, writes Lindsey German   

Freeholder forcing residents to pay £2m for their own safety is putting lives at risk by not removing Grenfell-style cladding from Croydon complex argues Shabbir Lakha

The merry go round of rewarding private sector companies for profiting from our NHS must end along with the hand-in-glove approach it has with big business

We have to challenge the idea that the private sector is fit to run our public services, and we can only do that with mass social protest, argues Richard Allday

This can go one of two ways. Let's make sure it goes the way of the workers

The ongoing crisis is manufactured as a precursor to further privatisation. Don't let the Tories fool you

As part of her reshuffle, May has added Social Care to Jeremy Hunt's remit. The People's Assembly and Health Campaigns Together respond

The People's Assembly have drafted a model motion to submit to trade union branches, Trades Councils, CLPs and other campaign groups to support the NHS Emergency demonstration on Saturday 3 February

Now is not the time for wait-and-see, even a small victory could break the back of this wretched regime, writes Lindsey German

The allegations of sexism and homophobia are piling up, and his time is running out

The views of Toby Young have no place in society, let alone education. Sack him now, argues Judy Cox

As we start the new year, Alex Snowdon looks back at the political developments of the last year with a view of what to expect from 2018

Mark Perryman of Philosophy Football introduces their visual review of 2017

What a year it's been! Here's a roundup of some of the best political moments of 2017

Theresa May's deputy and key ally, Damian Green, resigning is clearly not reflective of strength - it's the opposite argues Jonathan Maunders

Just one day left to get Captain Ska's "Sons and Daughters" onto the Official Christmas Charts and ensure the anti-austerity message is mainstream

It’s become a journalistic cliché to say that we live in times where the unexpected happens. But that doesn’t mean we have to wait on events, argues John Rees

Theresa May’s Brexit announcement on Friday was hailed as both a breakthrough and a betrayal. What has actually happened and what does it mean?

The end of the first phase of Brexit negotiations is neither the restoring of Theresa May's fortunes nor an indication that the Irish situation is stable argues Lindsey German

Not for the first time, the issues of Ireland and Europe are causing a massive crisis for the British government

We don't want the Tories relaxing over the holiday period, so let's get this to number one this Christmas

The government’s attempts at justification for its conduct in the Middle East are becoming more and more desperate, argues Chris Nineham

Trump's tweets have dangerously promoted fascists and Theresa May's weak response exposes the nature of the special relationship with the US argues Shabbir Lakha

The Jungle camp may have been demolished a year ago but refugees are still arriving in Calais and Dunkirk and suffering in intolerable conditions reports David Bailey

Despite dire forecasts for the economy and living standards, the Tories are continuing with more austerity. It can't go on argues Lindsey German

Despite heavy opposition and protests, Philip Hammond's budget continues with austerity. A short round up from Counterfire of some of the reactions.

Now is the time to turn the tables on the Victorian values embedded in our society, argues Lindsey German  

We can't just wait for the government to implode. An insurgent Labour leadership at the head of the labour movement can bring real change now

Tory crisis, Catalonia, Universal credit, foreign policy, and more. Counterfire freesheet, November/December 2017

The coverage of the Priti Patel affair has been largely focused on the breach of the Ministerial code, but it goes deeper than that argues Shabbir Lakha

Priti Patel's secret meetings have put Israeli influence in British politics in the spotlight, but we need a wider conversation, including about Emily Thornberry argues Shabbir Lakha

To achieve a scenario where Theresa May poses the question ‘who rules?’ requires all of us to start moving

Mohammed bin Salman is no moderniser. Time to end the corrupt relationship with the House of Saud, argues Kevin Ovenden

This government is rotten to the core, with a duplicitous Foreign Office representing the worst of it

How far will this challenge to male privilege be allowed to go, asks Lindsey German 

Marking the centenary of the Balfour Declaration, thousands of people marched in London to show solidarity with Palestine

At a roundtable discussion on TRT World, John Rees talks about Jeremy Corbyn, his leadership and performance at the last general election.

Universal credit is not about 'reform', it's about the Tories penalising the poor, argues Steph Pike

The ruling party of the ruling class may be in limbo but our side has no time to lose, argues Lindsey German

After the defeat for the government over its welfare reforms, we have to do everything we can to sweep it away

Tories in crisis, Catalonia, German elections and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 21, October 2017

The Tories are just about holding on out of fear for a Corbyn government, but as the crisis they're in grows they're falling apart argues Lindsey German

Only a mass popular movement can force the change needed 

Shabbir Lakha explains why the People's Assembly protested Jacob Rees-Mogg and takes on some of the myths around austerity

We can't simply wait for the Tories to collapse - this weak Tory government has to feel even more heat than it does already argues Lindsey German

John Rees on the reasons for the Tory debacle and what comes next

As the Tories demonstrated their cluelessness, people from across the country demonstrated that another world is possible

As the Tories held their conference in Manchester, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in opposition to a government that is hanging on by a thread

As the Tories prepare to meet in Manchester, our side needs to keep its eyes on the prize

We must build an organised opposition to the Tories

Labour's Brexit dilemma, Trump and North Korea, and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 20, September 2017

Class and the question of Scottish independence are inextricably linked, argues Chris Bambery

Piecemeal attempts to end the worst excesses of this hapless Tory government's destructive agenda are useless; we need real solutions argues Lindsey German

In this second extract from How the Establishment Lost Control Chris Nineham explains why the Brexit vote was such a serious defeat for the Tories and the whole ruling class

Theresa May lost her majority in June, but she's trying to use the Repeal bill to undemocratically cling on to power argues Josh Holmes

Thousands of nurses protested outside Parliament against the 1% Pay cap, the fight is very much on reports Shabbir Lakha.

The win for Unison is something to celebrate, but we should avoid complacency

Both mainstream parties will continue their convulsive evolution in the coming year, writes Brian Heron

Let’s ensure that the increased Israeli oppression around the Al Aqsa mosque re-energises the BDS movement, argues Alex Snowdon 

What does the future hold for the party?

Anger at the council for its safety failures ran deep at Wednesday’s meeting, reports Deanna Ruane

Mancunian activists are already laying the groundwork for October’s crucial demonstration, reports Martin Hall
 

The more things change, the more they stay the same: Lindsey German looks to Engels to help us understand the enormity of Grenfell

The Tory mess is getting deeper, argues Jonathan Maunders

Do the Tories really want to improve the lot of workers? Don't be silly

May's time is up. Let's push her out

Does anyone really believe Saudi Arabia respects international law? Today's High Court ruling fails to deliver truth argues Chris Nineham

After a weekend of numerous mass mobilisations, Lindsey German analyses the growing mood to fight

As the government flip-flops and flounders over the pay cap, nurses get their own back

Last weekend's demonstration once again showed that organisation is key in forcing change

Politics in this country has 
shifted decisively to the left, but we must make the most of it

A hundred thousand people took to the streets on Saturday to oppose the Tories and put them on notice, Jonathan Maunders reports.

The left is on the front foot - we can't let this moment pass

The retired firefighter that is set to chair the response to the Grenfell disaster has a history of implementing austerity, writes this London firefighter

The Prime Minister's deal with the DUP has significant implications, writes Chris Bambery

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

A look at how the problems of class and austerity meant Grenfell could happen, with Judy Cox and Shabbir Lakha

The 'bonfire of regulations' has now taken on a chilling new meaning

The super-rich deputy leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council that has been a driving force of social cleansing in the borough. Judy Cox reports.

Cladding being tested from buildings around the country since Grenfell have all failed so far - housing isn't safe any more.

The emergence of a united, multiracial working class has the power to deliver justice for Grenfell and get rid of the Tories, writes Tom Whittaker

With the death toll slowly rising but information still largely considered inaccurate, anger is growing. Julie Al-Hinai reports from the ground.

This is a government whose time is up

As the fallout from Grenfell continues, opposition to the Tories spreads, writes Shabbir Lakha

Chris Bambery looks at the origins of the Democratic Unionist Party and its links to loyalist paramilitary groups

The tragedy highlights the contempt with which the Tories treat working class people

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

The roots of their problem go deep, argues Dragan Plavšić

The Conservatives’ ship may be sinking faster than expected, but we should be anything but complacent, writes Kara Bryan

All change - and things are shifting in our direction at last, writes Lindsey German

As Theresa May finalises her deal with the DUP, it will raise fundamental questions about Irish politics, writes Chris Bambery

A look at the difference in this election on either side of the border, from Chris Bambery

Blairism is dead and the left are back, now the real work begins, argues Lindsey German

A victory for Jeremy Corbyn that’s also a real advance for the working class, writes Lindsey German 

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

We need a prime minister who can deliver a meaningful response to terrorism, writes John Westmoreland

Political consciousness in Britain has shifted, argues Jamie Wright