News

The Labour Party sensationally lost a council by-election to the UK Independence Party in one of its heartlands of Rotherham this week.  Harry Blackwell examines the background and its consequences. Labour lost 24% of their vote in the previously ‘safe’ Rawmarsh ward of Rotherham Borough Council in South Yorkshire.  Labour came 104 votes behind the […] Read more »

Our first national meeting was a great success. More than 100 supporters of Left Unity – with over 55 of the new local groups represented – came together to discuss first steps towards a new left party. Many spoke of their enthusiasm and hope, of feeling inspired and empowered.     Towards a founding conference […] Read more »

David Smith, the campaigns officer for the Leeds Green party and a member of the Green left offers some personal views on the state of left politics. UKIP 192 councillors (but there are ongoing defections) 11 MEPs (but again possible defections) Parish councillors?   Green Party 141 principle authority Councillors 14 Scottish Councillors 2 MSP […] Read more »

In a further advance for the European left, Spain’s Izquierda Unida (United Left) is rising in the opinion polls, as support declines for Spain’s major parties. Kate Hudson looks at the origins and development of Izquierda Unida (IU) and its relationship to PSOE – the social democrat-turned neo-liberal party comparable to Labour here in Britain. […] Read more »

Iram Awan from Left Unity High Wycombe looks at David Cameron’s work for the rich. David Cameron is currently at the UN, and news is emerging that he plans to block the moves by a panel to include a commitment to reducing income inequality in the new targets set to replace the Millennium Development Goals. […] Read more »

Adam Roden, the representative from Llanfairfechan Left Unity, co-chaired the middle session of our first national meeting. These are his thoughts. Well, we’ve had the first National Meeting of Left Unity… it was bleedin’ marvellous! It was the first time I’ve ever attended a ‘proper’ political meeting, and while I may have contributed to the […] Read more »

 Mark Perryman explains why he has sent Left Unity a cheque.  I’ve signed the appeal. Been to a local group meeting. Leafletted a showing of Spirit of 45. Chipped in on the website.  And now I have no hesitation (well not many) investing in a year’s worth of Left Unity.  I don’t consider myself particularly […] Read more »

Message to the first national meeting of Left Unity Dear comrades, We have been attentively following the recent developments in Britain and the attempt of the radical left to launch a new party of the left, following Ken Loach’s appeal. We wish you success in this process. A strong and broad anti-capitalist party in Britain […] Read more »

 By John Keeley, Left Unity supporter & IOPS member. Key to the success or failure of Left Unity will be its ability to include as much of the British left as possible, working together & winning people to a vision. The working together part requires a democratic decision-making process that allows all to participate & […] Read more »

A contribution to the debate from Alan Story of Nottingham I think some of the most important tactical and strategical issues that Left Unity will face for at least the next few years are the following: a) how do we win over current activists in the Labour Party (LP)? b) how do we at the […] Read more »