The Brexit vote is being read as a victory of racist rhetoric and anti-immigrant dissent. By preying on fears of Britain losing its Britishness, and harking back to nostalgic nationalist pride, ‘Leave’ voters, it’s suggested, have been manipulated into believing it’s the EU and immigrants and refugees, that are responsible for joblessness, homelessness and reduced state services.
On 9 July 2016 we will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the passing of legislation sponsored by Hon Fran Wilde that removed criminal sanctions against consensual homosexual conduct between males.
Instead of road tolls which punish low-income workers who live the farthest from their jobs, Auckland City should be looking at free public transport
Brexit is a result of the working classes being hurt by globalisation – the challenge for Democracy is how to make globalisation work for all at a time when the global economy is in meltdown.
1. William, with a conqueror’s grin, Told the English: “It looks like you’re ‘In’!” But, after one thousand years, It’s…
However the Brexit vote turns out, one thing is certain: public anger with the status quo is taking Britain to within a few % of bolting from the EU, weakening a key global institution and continuing a trend towards political “weirdness” worldwide.
Marg Jones never seemed old. Well in to her 90s she could be seen on all the big protests, or running a street or festival stall for the Soil and Health Association. She was always chirpy, her mood matched by bright and often rather outrageous outfits using the best op-shop materials.
‘Tough on Crime’ Politicians and headline screaming crime porn news media have turned our anger at the pain crime causes into something dark and damaged.
Right now we are in a desperate situation, where we read stories of newborns spending the first precious days of their lives in cars. Where cancer stricken teenagers try to recuperate in homes sheltering up to fifteen people. Where decent, hard working people still struggle to get by. Where the government ignorantly spouts bullshit about how there have always been homeless people, and what we are in is not a housing crisis.
Social democracy and egalitarianism are joined at the hip, and the longer they persist the easier it gets for working-class people to say “Fuck you!” – and walk away. Capitalism can survive many things: riots, strikes, economic depressions, even wars: but it cannot survive that.