Focus

Labour Future & the Crisis of Social Democracy

Labour Future & the Crisis of Social Democracy

Long Read: Killing Us Softly: A Short History of Biopower in the NHS

by Sophie Monk and Joni Cohen

This week's long read exposes the phony narrative of an NHS for all, instead revealing an institution that has, from its conception, existed to serve the needs of capital.

There’s No Going Back to Social Democracy

by A.R. Naraghi

Both sides of the Atlantic, the centre-left is still reeling from the global financial crisis. For many disillusioned voters the only solution is a radical one - whether to the left or right.

What’s at Stake in the Momentum Democracy Row?

by Craig Gent

An emergency meeting, a founding conference, two competing visions of democracy and a generous dose of power play. What's going on inside Momentum and what's at stake?

Larry Sanders: “We Don’t Really Know Who the Labour Party Is”

by Josiah Mortimer

Josiah Mortimer interviewed Green party candidate Larry Sanders, brother of Bernie, about his running in the Witney by-election, Jeremy Corbyn, and the possibility of a Green-Labour alliance in the next general election.

IMOBastani: A message to #moderates

After the Labour conference and the Corbyn re-election Aaron Bastani has a message for Labour #moderates

Education Not Segregation: A Serious Strategy for Educational Reform for the Labour Party

by Sol Gamsu

Angela Rayner’s speech at the Labour party conference indicated the possibilities for a radical alternative for education, but what would a long-term strategy look like?

NovaraFM: Europe in Crisis

On this week's show James Butler and Aaron Bastani are joined by Catarina Principe as they discuss the European left after Oxi.

To See the World Transformed, Momentum First Needs to Be Able to Transform Labour

by Rachael Ward

Momentum’s The World Transformed festival was successful in attracting thousands of new people, but what does it say that the Labour left simultaneously sustained one of its most catastrophic defeats for years just a mile up the road?

What on Earth Is Going on in Spain? 4 Things You Need to Know

by Javier Moreno Zacarés

Following disastrous regional elections for the social democrats in Galicia and the Basque Country, Pedro Sánchez was expected to step down as leader of PSOE. He refuses to go, and now PSOE is tearing itself apart.

How Did Tristram Hunt Get to Be an MP Anyway?

by Tom Scriven

Yesterday Tristram Hunt entertained a Progress fringe event with jokes about internal 'hit lists'. Such is Hunt's commitment to party democracy, he won't mind having the spotlight shone on the circumstances surrounding his own selection.

What Next After Corbyn’s Second Win?

The weekend at Labour conference is over. But what next? Aaron Bastani answers some of your questions.

Barred Labour Conference Delegate Refused Explanation on ‘National Security’ Grounds

by Craig Gent

A constituency Labour party delegate has been refused entry to the Labour conference today, but was denied a reason on grounds of "national security".

Weimar Republic 2.0? 7 Thoughts on the Berlin Elections

by Mark Bergfeld

Yesterday’s election results in Berlin show that Germany’s political landscape is being reshaped. While patterns become clearer, the outcome is yet to be determined.

Labour Leadership Race: 6 Key Failings of Corbyn’s Opponents

by James McAsh

The Labour leadership race is almost over, and Jeremy Corbyn looks set to win. Why has the parliamentary Labour party failed so spectacularly in ousting him from his post?

Long Read: Owen Smith is Labour’s Real Disaster Candidate

by Lewis G. Parker

The challenger has a policy in his back pocket that would mean millions of people never vote Labour ever again. Why is nobody talking about it?

Long Read: ‘We are socialists, they are social democrats’: An Interview with Austria’s Socialist Youth

by James McAsh

Julia Herr, chair of Socialist Youth Austria, spoke to us about socialism, the rise of the far-right Freedom party and the crisis of social democracy.

IMOBastani: Shadow Minister for Lad Banter: Owen Smith – Bad on PR, Worse on Policy’

With less than a month to go Aaron assesses the Owen Smith campaign.

Opposition to Momentum’s Festival Comes From Fear of the New Politics It Represents

by Andrew Dolan

Momentum's 'The World Transformed' festival is taking place on the same weekend as Labour's annual conference, in the same city. Andrew Dolan argues it's a welcome interruption to a stage-managed spectacle.

Long Read: Corbynism and the Corporation: BBC Bias and the Case for Media Transformation

by Tom Mills

The BBC's treatment of Corbyn has attracted claims of 'bias' which are so far backed up by research findings. But bias at the Beeb needs to be understood in the context of an ongoing political struggle.

‘A death toll for Blairite strategy’: Labour’s Leadership Contest So Far

by James McAsh

At last there's a leadership contest underway in the Labour party. With the policy proposals lined up and hustings underway, we can begin to see the dividing lines between Corbyn and Smith.

The Race: Is Jeremy Corbyn Electable?

Aaron Bastani and Sophie Nazemi take a look at this weeks big stories and Michael Walker hosts Zoe Williams and James Meadway as they debate the viability of the Corbyn project.

IMOBastani: Tom Watson’s Tin Hat Conspiracy Theories

The deputy leader's latest swipes at the Corbyn movement show a lack of understanding of the direction in which politics in the UK has gone.

IMOBastani: High Court Rules All members Can Vote in the Leadership Election

Dramatic scenes this morning, as a high court rules that all new members will be able to vote in the forthcoming leadership election.

Purge-Proofing for Labour Supporters: A Handy Guide

by Billy Casper

Another purge is underway in Labour, with up to 50,000 registered supporters - predominantly pro-Corbyn - set to be rejected.

IMOBastani: Owen Smith’s Sexism Problem

Has Owen Smith's misogynist behaviour been deliberately ignored by those trying to smear the Corbyn movement?

Labour’s Electability Crisis: Is Corbyn the Cause or Cure?

by James McAsh

The Labour party is facing a crisis of electability, but until last year Labour's votes and membership were in steep decline. Contrary to what the critics say, could Corbyn's leadership actually be the best route out?

IMOBastani: Has the centre-left collapsed?

Whatever you think of Blair, Owen Smith and Corbyn it's undeniable that Europe is facing a crisis of social democracy? Aaron Bastani looks at recent history and asks has the centre-left collapsed?

IMOBastani: Who is the real Owen Smith?

Jeremy Corbyn today launched his leadership campaign, but who is he up against? Top lobbyist at Pfizer, advocate of privatisation and welfare cuts, Aaron Bastani discovers.

Long Read: Democracy Suspended: What Really Happened at the Brighton Labour AGM?

by John Medhurst

Following an alleged 'spitting incident' at a recent AGM, Labour's biggest constituency party has been suspended and its branch executive election annulled.

Post-Industrial Towns: The Future of the British Left Post-Brexit

by Harriet Protheroe-Davis

The likes of Nigel Farage and the Vote Leave campaign capitalised on the political abandonment felt in many post-industrial towns. It's time for the left - and Labour - to rebuild trust in these areas.

Interview: Brexit, Labour, Immigration & Trident – Paul Mason in conversation

Aaron Bastani talks to journalist and filmmaker Paul Mason on immigration caps, keeping trident and why he ditched mainstream TV journalism to rally behind Labour under Jeremy Corbyn.

‘How Can I Deselect My Labour MP?’ A Short Guide to Reselection and Democratic Accountability

by Eric Sim

With the gulf between the wishes of Labour MPs and Labour members only widening, it's little wonder people are beginning to whisper the 'D-word' in pursuit of democratic accountability.

IMOBastani: A Good Day For Democracy

Corbyn was kept on the ballot for the upcoming Labour leadership election, but with very restrictive voting regulations on new members.

Corbyn Makes the Ballot!

As Jeremy Corbyn makes the ballot for the leadership election, following a tense meeting by the Labour Party's NEC (National Executive Committee) Aaron Bastani speaks to James Schneider of Momentum about where the Labour left goes next.

7 Tips for Corbynistas Looking to Get Stuck Into the New Leadership Campaign

by Edd Mustill

With another Labour leadership contest now certain, here’s some advice for how supporters of Jeremy Corbyn should approach campaigning this summer.

How Angela Eagle Got to Be MP for Wallasey

by Bob Pitt

Angela Eagle has today launched a leadership challenge against Jeremy Corbyn citing the need to heal divisions in Labour. Ironic perhaps, given Eagle's own rise to power.

NovaraFM: How likely is a Labour split?

On this week's show Aaron Bastani and James Butler are joined Emma Rees and Richard Seymour as they discuss the prospects of any potential split in the Labour Party.

New-New Labour: Could the Clash of the Past and Present Force Labour in a New Direction?

by Elizabeth Mizon

Left-thinking new Labour members are running up against the obstacles of parliamentarians who got cosy in the New Labour years. Talk of existential crisis abounds, but what could that look like?

Interview: ‘This is a very British coup’ – John McDonnell

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell sits down with Aaron Bastani to talk ‪#‎CorbynCoup‬, freedom of movement and transforming the Labour Party into an anti-austerity party.

Long Read: The Problems of Podemos

by Matt Myers

Unidos Podemos, the left-wing coalition party, came in a disappointing third place in the most recent Spanish elections. After polling well, why did the party fail to capture the popular vote? And what lessons can left-wing electoral projects draw from this?

Amid the Turmoil, the Greens Are Upbeat

by Josiah Mortimer

Post-Brexit and facing their own change of leadership, the Greens are turning their attention to proportional representation and the possibility of a progressive parliamentary alliance.

The Two Pillars of Corbynism: The Only Way for Labour to Respond to Brexit

by Tom Cutterham

Jeremy Corbyn's politics are comprised of two central pillars - the combination of which offers the only decent parliamentary response to Brexit.

‘I look forward to 13,000 brilliant people with 13,000 sets of brilliant ideas working together’ – Jeremy Corbyn

Aaron Bastani caught up with the Labour leader in the same week he faced mass resignations from his cabinet and a coup from his fellow MPs.