30 April 2025
In 1972 the US was escalating its attacks on north Vietnam. But it was losing the war, which finally ended with victory for Vietnam 50 years ago, on 30 April 1975. British governments shamefully supported US aggression.
Our ruling class has a track record of not protecting Britain’s national interest. One typical episode occurred at the end of the Second World War…
Sixty years ago a bloody coup wiped out the Indonesian communist party, and along with it all the trade unions and peasant associations.
This year marks the bicentenary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. It will rightly be celebrated with events throughout the year…
In the Middle East, as elsewhere, the British ruling class sought to justify its interference in other peoples’ countries by blaming them for any troubles…
Campaigns and direct action by workers in the 19th century saved Wanstead Flats on the edge of east London as an open space for the public…
Sixty years ago the youth of Britain made it clear that they would not be forcibly enlisted in the armed forces…
After the bloody world war between rival imperialisms, the British ruling class and its allies turned their attention to the infant Soviet Union…
Forty years ago workers at a government intelligence centre stood out against a ban on union membership…
Once again, the US is seeking to make even greater use of its bases in Britain. And once again, opposition is building…
25 October 2023
In 1217 the Charter of the Forest established rights of access to royal forests. It’s still of interest, showing how people can exercise power.
A little-known event in medieval times is still of interest today – it tells us how people can exercise their power…
Launched in 1948, the NHS wasn’t given to us by benign politicians. It was won by workers fighting over centuries for a health service for all. …
Eighty years ago, the greatest land and tank battle ever was fought at Kursk, one from which the invading Nazi forces never recovered…
20 June 2023
Raging ferociously from July to August 1943, Kursk was the most decisive battle of the Second World War, crucially transforming anti-fascist fortunes.
Only the ruling class benefited from slavery. During the long struggle to end it over 1.5 million of Britain’s 12 million people signed petitions against it…
Employers have always tried to make strikes illegal and ineffective. One group of workers stood up to intimidation in the middle of war…
22 December 2022
Finance capital wants to increase profits and to subordinate the production of goods and services for people’s needs. It has developed to become the malign global financial system we know today.
Finance capitalism keeps a malign stranglehold over the real economy, serving only a tiny group of super-wealthy speculators. How did this come about?
Heightened class struggle in the early 1970s was neutered by a Labour government and trade union establishment working in tandem…
27 October 2022
Struggles erupted in the early 1970s, notably the engineering union’s destruction of the 1971 Industrial Relations Act and the miners’ fight over pay. The new Labour government preached class conciliation in exchange for moderation of wages.
Given the siren calls for similar action often heard now, it’s vital to recognise what actually happened the last time a general strike was held…
Today’s world situation is similar to that of the pre-1914 years when imperialist forces were also intent on dividing up the planet’s resources…
22 June 2022
World War One scarred the twentieth century with over 16 million dead and millions more injured, brought about by competition between great imperialst powers. It's lessons are relevant still.
Deep into the First World War, Lenin produced a seminal study of the economic origins of the conflict and a political analysis to guide action…
Michael Faraday never went to a public school, nor to a university. But no scientist has ever been more influential…
Afghanistan is known as “the graveyard of empires”. In its unhappy history the country has long been the victim of imperial ambition and aggression…
Marx’s earth-shattering declaration is truer than ever – those performing all the necessary labour must take over the running of society themselves…
25 August 2021
Post-war Britain was beset by problems. For the majority of people, life was hard and difficult. The 1951 Festival of Britain was an antidote, looking to the future. It was immensely enjoyed and appreciated by the millions who attended.
Seventy years ago, in the midst of post-war austerity and rationing, Britain found the will to create a remarkable, popular festival…
