The Futile War in Afghanistan
You can click the link below, from the Guardian today, to read a moving account of the Afghan war by an Afghan MP currently in Britain:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/25/afghanistan-occupation-taliban-warlords
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Vestas: Labour MP's Must Act
If enough Labour MP's backed an 'early day motion' tabled by Labour MP John McDonnell, the Government could be persuaded to keep the Vestas wind turbine factory open. Taking the factory into public ownership is the best option.
I have written to the two Labour MP's in Bedfordshire - Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) and Patrick Hall (Bedford) - asking for their support for John McDonnell's motion.
Meanwhile, the workers' occupation of the factory continues, despite problems with food supplies.
If enough Labour MP's backed an 'early day motion' tabled by Labour MP John McDonnell, the Government could be persuaded to keep the Vestas wind turbine factory open. Taking the factory into public ownership is the best option.
I have written to the two Labour MP's in Bedfordshire - Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) and Patrick Hall (Bedford) - asking for their support for John McDonnell's motion.
Meanwhile, the workers' occupation of the factory continues, despite problems with food supplies.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Workers' Occupation of Vestas Wind Turbine Factory
The transport union RMT has pledged full support for the workers occupying the Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight. General Secretary Bob Crow is making a solidarity visit to the occupation tomorrow (Thursday) evening.
The occupation is a crucial stand for a Green New Deal against a crazy decision by greedy bosses and incompetent politicians. This factory is the only unit in England manufacturing wind turbines. The Dutch company owning the factory want to close it with the loss of 625 jobs.
The Government's feeble excuse is that the plant made blades for the US market, which were not the right specification for UK wind farms.
This is an acid test of the Government's commitment to green and renewable energy. If they are remotely serious about tackling climate change, they should take this factory into public ownership and protect the jobs.
New Labour can afford the Afghan war, the banks' bail-out, renewal of Trident missile system, new nuclear power stations and MP's expenses scandal. Unless they stop this closure the New Labour climate change strategy will be exposed as a total sham.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Rail Back in Public Ownership
The East Coast mainline rail service is to be taken back from National Express and into public control and accountability. It's an excellent move, and is in accord with the policy of the Green Party.
Privatisation has been a disaster: Private companies able to keep profits and expect the taxpayer to fund their losses.
It turns out the National Express had set up an 'arms length' stand-alone company called NXEC to run the railway. Why? So they could maximise their profits but then ditch the business if times got tough.
National Express has only been running the railway for two years. What is happening to its Chief Executive, Richard Bowker? Well, he's leaving to become boss of Union Railway, in the Unites Arab Emirates ..........
The East Coast mainline rail service is to be taken back from National Express and into public control and accountability. It's an excellent move, and is in accord with the policy of the Green Party.
Privatisation has been a disaster: Private companies able to keep profits and expect the taxpayer to fund their losses.
It turns out the National Express had set up an 'arms length' stand-alone company called NXEC to run the railway. Why? So they could maximise their profits but then ditch the business if times got tough.
National Express has only been running the railway for two years. What is happening to its Chief Executive, Richard Bowker? Well, he's leaving to become boss of Union Railway, in the Unites Arab Emirates ..........
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
SOAS Cleaners at Yarl's Wood
Marina Silva and Rosa dePerez were picked up in a brutal immigration raid on 12 June at the School of African & Oriental Studies (SOAS) in London. They both worked as cleaners, along with other colleagues who were deported. Marina and Rosa are in detention at Yarl' s Wood Immigration Removal Centre at Clapham.
Marina is 63. She has applied for asylum following the killing of her husband and threats to her own life. The campaign for the Home Office to grant leave to remain for both Marina and Rosa is supported by UNISON and UCU (Universities and Colleges Union). As a UCU member it is a campaign that I fully support.
Marina Silva and Rosa dePerez were picked up in a brutal immigration raid on 12 June at the School of African & Oriental Studies (SOAS) in London. They both worked as cleaners, along with other colleagues who were deported. Marina and Rosa are in detention at Yarl' s Wood Immigration Removal Centre at Clapham.
Marina is 63. She has applied for asylum following the killing of her husband and threats to her own life. The campaign for the Home Office to grant leave to remain for both Marina and Rosa is supported by UNISON and UCU (Universities and Colleges Union). As a UCU member it is a campaign that I fully support.
The Future of Middle Schools
My own view on Middle Schools is that they should be scrapped. The present three tier system should change to two tiers, ending what for many pupils is a disruptive break at age 13. The educational and social arguments are well known, and the changeover ought to have been made many years ago. The council should give a clear lead and present to parents the various options for making the change.
My own view on Middle Schools is that they should be scrapped. The present three tier system should change to two tiers, ending what for many pupils is a disruptive break at age 13. The educational and social arguments are well known, and the changeover ought to have been made many years ago. The council should give a clear lead and present to parents the various options for making the change.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Doctors Condemn 'Commercial' NHS
The BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum has said that moves to create polyclinics and PFI schemes, which use private money to build hospitals, are draining the health service of resources and fragmenting care, the BBC News reports.
This was a Labour government in the good times. As the recession continues we face a bleak future of cuts in public services. Nobody believes that following the General Election, a Conservative or a Labour goverment would do anything other than continue the policies that are slowly but surely destroying the NHS.
The BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum has said that moves to create polyclinics and PFI schemes, which use private money to build hospitals, are draining the health service of resources and fragmenting care, the BBC News reports.
This was a Labour government in the good times. As the recession continues we face a bleak future of cuts in public services. Nobody believes that following the General Election, a Conservative or a Labour goverment would do anything other than continue the policies that are slowly but surely destroying the NHS.
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