by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Monday September 22, 2008
Convention of the Left: LEFT-WING economists identified the government's "ruthless" deregulation of the financial sector and privatisation of key public services as the root cause of the "unprecedented" crisis on Monday.
Speakers at the Convention of the Left in Manchester called on the movement to create links with international unions and progressive groups to forge a global unified front and minimise the impact of the crisis on the working class.
They argued that the left could use capitalism's new-found love for market regulation and socialisation of the banking sector to force through demands for an end to the rampant free market and a return to a publicly owned and controlled economy.
Professor of Accounting Prem Sikka said: "The US and Britain are introducing socialism for the bankers and nasty capitalism for the rest of us to save their rotten system."
He condemned new Labour and the US government for heeding calls from big business for "light regulation on terms that are beneficial to the corporate world at the expense of the rest of us.
"In the City of London, there is an attitude that you can make massive profit without any consideration for the social cost. And now we can all see what the cost of deregulation is."
Scottish Socialist Party member and economics expert Raphie de Santos warned that Britain faced "a worst economic slump than the US" because Margaret Thatcher and, later, Gordon Brown as chancellor brought in "damaging" policies to postpone capitalism's inevitable boom and bust for as long as possible.
"They looked for homes for capital investment in traditional industries and, to stop overproduction, they created a gigantic credit bubble to enable people to continue buying even though, in reality, they could not afford to."
Mr de Santos stressed that the left must now make the case for "a rational economy" that is run under public control and not left to the whims of the market.
"George Bush has become the greatest socialist economist since Karl Marx," he said to much laughter.
"We must use this opportunity and tell those in power that, if you can spend billions on bailing out banks, why not nationalise key industries to create a more stable economy."
War On Want executive director John Hilary said: "The economic crisis is a global threat on so many levels and we must build a unified global front to prevail."
The latest World Bank figures show that 1.4 billion people in the world now live in extreme poverty, conference heard.
Peace activists predict 'dangerous times'
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Monday September 22, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left: LABOUR Against the War campaigners called on the British left on Sunday to step up organisation in the local Stop the War branches to prepare for "dangerous times ahead."
MPs and activists at the Convention of the Left warned that the "war on terror" had cost countless lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and led to "wasteful" military expenditure and oppression at home.
They lambasted government plans to extend the pre-charge detention to 42 days and branded the Labour conference's refusal to discuss the wars "lamentable."
Chairing the session, Alan Simpson MP said: "When we formed LAtW, we warned that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would come home on to our own streets and into our own communities.
"Sadly, in every city across Britain there is evidence of that."
Conference heard the story of Hicham Yezza, who was detained under the Terrorism Act for helping a fellow university researcher download an al-Qaida training manual readily available on the US Department of Defence website.
He was released without charge after eight days, only to be immediately re-arrested on trumped-up immigration charges.
"My story raises alarm about the sort of society Britain is drifting into," warned Mr Yezza, who is currently fighting deportation.
"On campus, young Muslims are livid and scared. Those who know me say that, if it can happen to you, none of us are immune."
Jeremy Corbyn MP demanded a "fundamental re-evaluation" of Britain's foreign policy, which he said had led to "an increase in powers for security services in Britain and elsewhere."
Speakers attacked Foreign Secretary David Miliband's handling of the Georgia-Russia conflict, warning that his "warmongering comments" last month had raised the danger of another cold war.
Despite the gloomy predictions, the mood was extremely uplifting and campaigners expressed optimism about the future.
Young activist Peter Berry said: "Saturday was my first time on an anti-war demo. I think the success of the Stop the War movement has put US and Britain off attacking Iran."
John McDonnell MP said: "I do not think new Labour can secure a Parliament vote for another war."
Veteran socialist Tony Benn also rejected the defeatism of some in the movement, stressing: "We are up against powerful people and arms dealers who want war and profit from it. This is a long struggle."
Monday September 22, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left: LABOUR Against the War campaigners called on the British left on Sunday to step up organisation in the local Stop the War branches to prepare for "dangerous times ahead."
MPs and activists at the Convention of the Left warned that the "war on terror" had cost countless lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and led to "wasteful" military expenditure and oppression at home.
They lambasted government plans to extend the pre-charge detention to 42 days and branded the Labour conference's refusal to discuss the wars "lamentable."
Chairing the session, Alan Simpson MP said: "When we formed LAtW, we warned that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would come home on to our own streets and into our own communities.
"Sadly, in every city across Britain there is evidence of that."
Conference heard the story of Hicham Yezza, who was detained under the Terrorism Act for helping a fellow university researcher download an al-Qaida training manual readily available on the US Department of Defence website.
He was released without charge after eight days, only to be immediately re-arrested on trumped-up immigration charges.
"My story raises alarm about the sort of society Britain is drifting into," warned Mr Yezza, who is currently fighting deportation.
"On campus, young Muslims are livid and scared. Those who know me say that, if it can happen to you, none of us are immune."
Jeremy Corbyn MP demanded a "fundamental re-evaluation" of Britain's foreign policy, which he said had led to "an increase in powers for security services in Britain and elsewhere."
Speakers attacked Foreign Secretary David Miliband's handling of the Georgia-Russia conflict, warning that his "warmongering comments" last month had raised the danger of another cold war.
Despite the gloomy predictions, the mood was extremely uplifting and campaigners expressed optimism about the future.
Young activist Peter Berry said: "Saturday was my first time on an anti-war demo. I think the success of the Stop the War movement has put US and Britain off attacking Iran."
John McDonnell MP said: "I do not think new Labour can secure a Parliament vote for another war."
Veteran socialist Tony Benn also rejected the defeatism of some in the movement, stressing: "We are up against powerful people and arms dealers who want war and profit from it. This is a long struggle."
Activists seek support for bid to save two Iranian asylum-seekers
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left 2008: REFUGEE activists urged the Convention of the Left on Saturday to support campaigns by two Iranian asylum-seekers facing deportation.
The Child M Campaign was recently launched in support of an eight-year old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and his family, who are facing removal.
"They face persecution if they are returned to Iran. They are accused of circulating Salman Rushdie's banned book The Satanic Verses," campaign spokeswoman Zoe Cantle told the conference.
The Home Office recently locked up M and his family for 51 days, conference heard. They were released two weeks ago and allowed to return to Manchester.
"We have heard reports about the harmful effects of detention on children," Ms Cantle said. "These effects were very visible in child M, who lost his hair and developed ringworm, as well as falling behind in school."
The family has launched a High Court challenge and the campaign has gathered over 1,000 petition signatures. "But we need your help to win this case," Ms Cantle said.
Let Bahman Stay is another campaign launched in Manchester against Home Office attempts to deport 16-year-old Bahman Mohammadi.
"In the wake of US military threats against Iran, the regime has stepped up efforts to recruit young people into its secret police force," campaign speaker Marian Sudbury said.
"Bahman refused to join the force and, fearing persecution, he soon had to flee Iran for Britain. Now, the British authorities want to sent him back. We urge you to support his campaign to remain here."
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left 2008: REFUGEE activists urged the Convention of the Left on Saturday to support campaigns by two Iranian asylum-seekers facing deportation.
The Child M Campaign was recently launched in support of an eight-year old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and his family, who are facing removal.
"They face persecution if they are returned to Iran. They are accused of circulating Salman Rushdie's banned book The Satanic Verses," campaign spokeswoman Zoe Cantle told the conference.
The Home Office recently locked up M and his family for 51 days, conference heard. They were released two weeks ago and allowed to return to Manchester.
"We have heard reports about the harmful effects of detention on children," Ms Cantle said. "These effects were very visible in child M, who lost his hair and developed ringworm, as well as falling behind in school."
The family has launched a High Court challenge and the campaign has gathered over 1,000 petition signatures. "But we need your help to win this case," Ms Cantle said.
Let Bahman Stay is another campaign launched in Manchester against Home Office attempts to deport 16-year-old Bahman Mohammadi.
"In the wake of US military threats against Iran, the regime has stepped up efforts to recruit young people into its secret police force," campaign speaker Marian Sudbury said.
"Bahman refused to join the force and, fearing persecution, he soon had to flee Iran for Britain. Now, the British authorities want to sent him back. We urge you to support his campaign to remain here."
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