Time to hear the voices of peace on Ukraine

Why does there seem to be no talk of peace in Ukraine? Where are the voices of the international peace movement? The thought occurs, as country after country pledge more weaponry to the Ukrainian side. Tanks have been the latest weapon, coming from Britain, Germany and the US. There seems to be only an interest in escalation of this conflict, rather than bringing a resolution. The whole world needs peace, as soon as possible. The people of Ukraine have suffered incredibly, as their country has been invaded. Thousands have died. Hundreds of thousands have fled the country to escape the carnage. There have been significant losses on the Russian side, as President Vladimir Putin pushes on with his reckless unlawful action. Every casualty in this war leaves a bereaved family somewhere. Europe is the land mass mainly hit by the war. America which provides much of the weaponry for the fighting is largely insulated from the direct impacts. Then there are the implications beyond the actual fighting. The rising energy prices. The spiralling cost of living in this and other countries. That great public enemy, inflation, would significantly come down if peace broke out in Ukraine. The Ukrainians need support in the defence of their country but peace has to be the ultimate goal We cannot simply go on with an unending war. One of the big winners of the conflict is the international arms trade, which has seen its cash registers constantly ringing as the war goes on. This year has to see this bloody war drawn to a close. The Russians need to leave Ukraine, then the country needs rebuilding - a massive task. Structures also need putting in place to stop such an attack occurring again in the future. The voices for peace need to be raised and heard. Constantly escalating this dangerous conflict could lead to an even bigger war and who knows where that could end?

James Connolly - Socialist, Nationalist and Internationalist by Liam McNulty

Socialist, nationalist and internationalist nicely summarises the life journey of James Connolly. Author, Liam McNulty does an excellent job of tracking that journey from Edinburgh to Ireland onto America before returning to Ireland and the final four years leading up to execution, as one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. James Connolly was born in the Edinburgh slum of Cowgate in 1868. His Irish parents came from County Monaghan. Connolly’s life work as a socialist activist began in Edinburgh. He then went to Ireland in 1896, helping found the Irish Socialist Republican Party, with a view to transitioning nationalism into socialism. McNulty chronicles in detail Connolly's prolific work of activism, organising working people, writing and editing papers. He moves to America in 1905, where he learns valuable organising lessons from working with the unions. Returning to Ireland in 1910, McNulty describes Connolly as "a more rounded, more mature Labour movement leader, with a high profile as a socialist organiser and real experience of mass working-class struggle to his name." Connolly is always looking to unite the working class against capitalist oppressors. He is dismayed that religion seems to cause division, with working class protestants uniting under Edward Carson to oppose Home Rule. McNulty tries to tease out Connolly's at times ambiguous relationship with Catholicism and the Church. Himself an atheist but as a political strategist seeing the need to avoid conflict with the Church. The book goes into much detail regarding Connolly's role in various groups and publications - the list of acronyms is not a short one. Indeed, it can be argued that there is a little too much detail of different political sects, perhaps a little more on the personality of the man would have helped. That said, the detail does help explain how Connolly arrives at the Dublin GPO on Easter Sunday 1916. A socialist activist, Connolly figures along with union leader Jim Larkin as major players in the Dublin Lockout of 1913/14. A general strike in all but name, the dispute goes on for months - a real sign of how industrial action can bring united working class action. The unrest of the lockout is part of the revolutionary atmosphere of the pre-World War I years. Major industrial action, the suffragettes struggle and battle for Irish independence all combine to create a febrile atmosphere. McNulty brings this to life, placing Connolly as an important player in all of these struggles. The outbreak of war does impact Connolly's views significantly. He is said at first to back the Germans, as the best bet for Irish liberation, though privately, views British and German imperialism as equally bad. A true socialist, Connolly opposes war as pitting working class against working class in defence of the capitalist class interests. Latterly, though, there seems to be a conversion in some way to nationalism on the part of Connolly. He meets the Irish Republican Brotherhood leadership over a number of days in January 1916, after which he and the Irish Citizens Army are committed to revolt. McNulty teases this point out without ever really nailing why the methodical, analytical socialist decides to throw in his lot with the predominantly Catholic nationalists. At best, it seems to be a seize the moment action. The legacy of Connolly is briefly covered, without going too far down the road of what ifs. All in all, this is a thoroughly scholarly work that provides some fascinating insights into a true Irish socialist revolutionery. A bit hard going at times, the reader will feel far better informed on the important role Connolly and his comrades played in transforming Ireland during this unique period of history and the impact of his legacy later. Published by Merlin Press - £25

Service provision cannot be one cap fits all approach

The push to make everyone live increasing amounts of time online seems to be continuing apace. The online revolution has made doing many things much easier. Buying products that are delivered to the door, paying for goods and services and finding out what is available. But there is also a downside, which is the effort to force everyone online, whether they want to be there or not. Banking is something that is becoming more and more of an online activity. Branches are shutting all over the country, taking away that very personal contact. If things cannot be resolved on line, there are customer relations staff on the phone to help out. They will often be in call centres and it can take some time to get through. Supermarkets also seem keen for customers to buy online, with deliveries brought to the door. This was particularly useful during the times of Covid lockdowns. The supermarket also likes customers to use self service tills in shops, rather than going through the staffed checkouts. Though, interesting to see at Christmas some stores moving back more toward staffed checkouts. The underlying motive for these businesses is to cut staff in order to make more profit A different area is the public services. The NHS likes to operate bureaucratically online as much as possible. Many councils are seeking to put most of their services online. Many benefits are administered online This can cause a lot of frustration, when people are seeking to get basic services. Some people are not online and don't want to be. Should there not be provision made for such people, rather than seemingly just trying to force them online. When things go wrong, most people just want a human being to talk to, to sort it out. In an increasingly isolated and anonymous world, there can be real issues of anxiety, caused when things go wrong, a feeling of powerlessness, with no one on hand to help. The driving motivation on the part of providers is usually to make more profit or cut costs, which are often one in the same thing. In the case of public services, the move to automation in this way can also be seen as erecting barriers between service providers and the general public. A cause of real frustration and worse. Surely, it is time to recognise the very important role of human contact. The need to provide that connection as well as the online improvements. It should not be a one fits all solution because there are so many factors to cater for in the ever more complex modern world.

Policing in crisis

The present crisis in the Metropolitan Police has its roots in a culture of impunity and unaccountability has gone on for many years. The litany of scandals, most recently involving multiple rapist and former PC David Carrick, the murderer of Sarah Everard, Wayne Couzens, the homophobic, sexist and racist attitudes of officers, revealed in dialogue discovered at Charing Cross Police Station and the failings of the Stephen Port inquiry has brought the Met to its knees. The Met has revealed that 800 officers are under investigation relating to 1,000 sexual and domestic abuse claims. Many make parallels with the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), calling for a similar disbandment and creation of a new service - as has happened with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Successive Conservative Governments have under resourced the police, no doubt contributing to the present crisis. Individual police officers have incredible power over ordinary citizen's lives. These powers need to be checked and cannot be just handed out without accountability. Abuse of that power destroys public trust in the police and makes policing by consent impossible. The good officers suffer, as a result of the abuse of power. There needs to be root and branch reform of the police. The criteria for recruitment needs examining. Equality needs to be a watchword. Also, the canteen culture, which encourages covering up for each other and the vilification of whistle blowers needs to go. The make-up of the police needs to reflect the communities which they seek to serve. There need to be more women and ethnic minority officers. Confidence in the Met hasn't been as low as at present, since the 1960s and 70s, when many officers were found to be operating hand in hand with organised crime. At that time, the government made Sir Robert Mark the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner. His ruthless measures weeded out many of the corrupt elements. Some 500 officers were dismissed, with several senior detectives going to prison. Mark famously commented that: "a good police force is one that catches more crooks than it employs." Perhaps, a similar process needs to be undertaken today. The new Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley certainly talks the talk about cleaning up the police but only time will tell. The processes undertaken need to be right to rebuild an accountable police service that can win back the trust of the public.

It's history that needs teaching, not maths

The suggestion of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that children should learn maths until the age of 18 was widely derided. But perhaps the PM just got the wrong subject, maybe they should learn history. Indeed, learning history really does need to be a lifelong process, not just ending at 18. The teaching of this crucial subject has for so long centred on the kings and queens of England, rather than the plight of working people. Nor has the brutality of the British Empire across the world had much of an airing. Things have improved over recent years, with the likes of the slave trade getting onto the itinerary, but there is still a long way to go. Recently, reading accounts of life in the early part of the 20th century - the struggles of working people just to survive, the brutality meted out by a Liberal Government to the suffragettes and Irish nationalists - it was striking to realise how hidden this history has become. Everyone should know about the botched job made of Indian independence, ensuring a bloodbath ensued from the clumsy partition process. Indeed, the problems caused by British partitioning across the world. If the true brutality of much that has gone on at home and abroad were taught, then the false shibboleths that have taken shape over the years may be more easily dismissed. These include the view that the British Empire was a good thing, a civilising force for humanity. All was well when Britain ruled the waves. More recently this version of history had plucky Britain winning the Second World War, pretty much alone. The role of the US and Russia is relegated to the sidelines. Unfortunately, many seem (and want) to believe this falsification of the past - it was something that the campaign to leave the EU was able to plug into. The truth that Britain was a declining country, whose power was magnified by it being part of the larger EU block, was lost. Now, we are all paying the price. History is so important because it is only by understanding the past that the mistakes made then can be avoided in the future. A proper teaching of history, beyond the fate of the privileged monarchs, would do much to ensure a better informed, so more progressive country.

Time government acted to resolve strikes

Why are the government totally failing to govern when it comes to the question of the strikes in the public sector? The government is there to ensure that things run smoothly. This news may come as a surprise to some, thinking back to the damage done in such a short space of time by Liz Truss's administration, but it is the case. So why is it completely failing to do so on strikes? Why does the invisible Prime Minister Rishi Sunak not get the parties together around the table and endeavour to resolve these damaging disputes. And where this is not possible stop interfering behind the scenes to stop a settlement being reached - as appears to be the case in the rail dispute. The government's only strategy seems to be to let the disputes run, hoping public sympathy will move away from the strikers. This is unlikely to happen, due partly to the fact that most of the public support the strikes because they recognise the injustice of imposing below inflation pay rises on, in many cases, those who put their lives on the line for the rest of us during the pandemic. Neither do many appreciate the double standards that see restrictions on bankers bonuses being removed, whilst austerity is imposed on everyone else. It should also be recognised that the public includes the striking workers. The constant effort of many in the media to try to divide people by referring to the public versus the strikers is quite shameful. Solidarity across society is what is required now. A just wage for all, lifting children and adults out of poverty and away from the need to use food banks. It can be done but is likely to require a rebalancing of society, so those who have most pay more in order that everyone can receive a just and living wage. So come on Mr Sunak get off your backside and resolve these disputes.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist - a blueprint for the future?

How far has society really moved over the past century? The thought occurred, after recently reading the book the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. Written around 1910, it tells the story of a group of construction workers, struggling to survive. The constant battle, with the bosses holding the upper hand, is vividly illustrated. The representative of middle management, Hunter, creeping around the building trying to catch someone slacking, so they can be dismissed and replaced by a worker on a lower rate. The job was hard but dismissal plunged families further into debt and destitution. There was no safety net. The workers have constant debates about their lot, with the skilled worker and socialist Frank Owen pointing out how the workers collude in the creation of their own situation by doing nothing to change it. The arguments that poverty is caused by migrant workers, automation or terms of trade go back and forth during the lunchtimes. Owen describes the bosses as the idle, exploiting the workers simply due to their own power. The book makes for a fascinating read, with author Robert Tressell taking a humorous note at times. However, what is striking are the parallels with today. The debate about the poverty of those in work, paid hardly enough to survive. The sack means destitution. So today, there are increasing numbers of people in work having to attend foodbanks. Foodbanks even being set up at some workplaces. In the book, workers shiver at home, struggling to heat houses, with young children to look after. The children often wanting for food. Ring any bells? Some families, even give up and kill themselves. The mass wealth of a few to the cost of the many. Today, more than 2.5 million go to food banks, amid a society, with 200 plus billionaires in residence. It would be wrong to exactly parallel a situation of a century ago with today but in many ways things do seem to be heading back in that direction. There was no such thing as a pension in the early 20th century. Pensions arrived in 1911. The weekend and paid holidays in the terms of today did not exist. Nor did the health service and welfare state. All of these things and more came about over the following century, as a result of the struggle of people. The trade unions played a huge role in achieving workplace justice. Workers coming together in a collective organisation could assert power and get change. The individual worker could not be picked off. The Labour Party became an agent of social change. Much has been achieved. The danger though is taking all of these gains for granted, thinking they can never be taken away. These basic rights can easily be removed, as the country moves back toward a time of servitude. Poverty being dealt with via charity, rather than justice. Today, the UK is the fifth biggest economy in the world, yet millions struggle to feed and keep themselves and their children warm. In work poverty is a norm for many. It is a national disgrace. There needs to be a fundamental shift of power and wealth away from the few to the many. The move to turn back the clock must be resisted. Collective organisation via trade unions, community groups and political parties all have roles to play. There needs to be a fairer settlement for all in this country, based on justice, not charity.