I've just made another short film. It's about a young boy who is alone on his birthday. I tried to find a suitable line from a poem that fits the theme (usually Byron), but came up short this time, so I simply called it Birthday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCTFwWTs1Ak
Thursday, 11 June 2015
Saturday, 12 July 2014
The Adequately-ClothedPhilanthropist
Here's my new film - a satire of programmes like Undercover Boss and The Secret Millionaire. All shot locally and features music by myself and Trouserdog!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A3G0p_qAFw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A3G0p_qAFw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
A Clockwork Orange and the Society of Choice.
In A Clockwork Orange the stability of the state trumps the individual's happiness.
Crisis of cultural capital. Alex has an ambitious sense of cultural capital. This is expressed through consumption, particularly the consumption of music. .
The downfall of Alex arguably begins when Dim criticise Alex's consumption of Beethoven.
Whenever the gang of droogs attack Alex orchestrates the violence as art.
Alex uses art to kill the cat lady, and then kills part of himself by denying that art, and the world of high culture.
From a sociological standpoint young people present themselves in opposition to the norm. As youth couldn't change society, they have always tried to change things symbolically.
However there are arguments against. Some claim that young people given too much prominence in social change; that they merely reproduce orthodoxy.
In 2002 Boudrillard states "what if TV represented nothing more than itself in its message? "It's funny how the colours of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen."
We are arguably implicit in the society depicted in A Clockwork Orange.
Crisis of cultural capital. Alex has an ambitious sense of cultural capital. This is expressed through consumption, particularly the consumption of music. .
The downfall of Alex arguably begins when Dim criticise Alex's consumption of Beethoven.
Whenever the gang of droogs attack Alex orchestrates the violence as art.
Alex uses art to kill the cat lady, and then kills part of himself by denying that art, and the world of high culture.
From a sociological standpoint young people present themselves in opposition to the norm. As youth couldn't change society, they have always tried to change things symbolically.
However there are arguments against. Some claim that young people given too much prominence in social change; that they merely reproduce orthodoxy.
In 2002 Boudrillard states "what if TV represented nothing more than itself in its message? "It's funny how the colours of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen."
We are arguably implicit in the society depicted in A Clockwork Orange.
Monday, 3 February 2014
From Droogs to Dogs - Gang Warfare
The absence of academic research leads to a distorted media dominated view of gangs.
Youth gangs are the latest 'folk devil.'
This is significant if policy makers in government use media sources as a base of action.
There are problematic connotations, including young people in inner cities, males, ethnic minorities etc, and demonization of areas such as Moss Side.
The government's response to gangs has always been to suppress gang culture, rather than to address the underlying problems.
In 2009 Chris Grayling said that Manchester has the same level of gang culture as the U.S, despite no empirical evidence of this.
After the riots in 2011, the government declared a 'war on gang culture,' and a US export on gang culture was flown over, as the perception was that gangs were heavily involved. However, in Manchester 187 people were arrested, and 5 were known as gang members. (2.6 percent)
In schools in areas reputed to be associated with gangs, students and teachers reported no gang problems. Instead, there were more pressing issues such as domestic violence and child exploitation.
Youth gangs are the latest 'folk devil.'
This is significant if policy makers in government use media sources as a base of action.
There are problematic connotations, including young people in inner cities, males, ethnic minorities etc, and demonization of areas such as Moss Side.
The government's response to gangs has always been to suppress gang culture, rather than to address the underlying problems.
In 2009 Chris Grayling said that Manchester has the same level of gang culture as the U.S, despite no empirical evidence of this.
After the riots in 2011, the government declared a 'war on gang culture,' and a US export on gang culture was flown over, as the perception was that gangs were heavily involved. However, in Manchester 187 people were arrested, and 5 were known as gang members. (2.6 percent)
In schools in areas reputed to be associated with gangs, students and teachers reported no gang problems. Instead, there were more pressing issues such as domestic violence and child exploitation.
Friday, 31 January 2014
Session 1 - 'The Passions of Youth'. Dr Melanie Tebbutt (MMU)
Anthony Burgess had a humdrum existence of being young. It was an ordinary working-class youth spent in Manchester. He lived above a pub which gave him a sense of cynicism and independence.
He felt an outsider at school.
As the sociologist Richard Hoggart described, most working-class boys drifted into gangs. These gangs provided a transition from childhood into adulthood. Burgess described gangs as having an 'innate pack mentality.' Youth workers at the time however, said that drifting into a pack was a natural part of being a working-class boy.
In 1928 Burgess started at Xaverian College after passing the scholarship. Here he noticed that the tensions between the high and low cultures were apparent. He had several hobbies whilst at school, and he disliked an education system that discounted passion in hobbies.
After returning to the UK in 1959 after teaching in Malaysia, Burgess found a new and unfamiliar youth culture.
In Hoggart's The Uses of Literacy he presents a very negative perception of youth; in particular the Americanisation that was prevalent with teenagers, or as Hoggart dubbed them, 'Jukebox Boys'.
Burgess decided to avoid using Americanised slang, or any type of youth slang and set A Clockwork Orange in the future to avoid his language becoming dated.
Burgess believed that "violence among young people is an aspect of the desire to create. They don't know how to use their energy creatively so they do the opposite and destroy."
The key difference between Hoggart and Burgess is that Hoggart looked back to an idealised version of the working-class, a belief that the working-class youth had the potential to 'return' to an ideal that was linked to the past. Burgess however, was horrified by what he saw and how he perceived the future.
Both however, believed in the power of learning.
He felt an outsider at school.
As the sociologist Richard Hoggart described, most working-class boys drifted into gangs. These gangs provided a transition from childhood into adulthood. Burgess described gangs as having an 'innate pack mentality.' Youth workers at the time however, said that drifting into a pack was a natural part of being a working-class boy.
In 1928 Burgess started at Xaverian College after passing the scholarship. Here he noticed that the tensions between the high and low cultures were apparent. He had several hobbies whilst at school, and he disliked an education system that discounted passion in hobbies.
After returning to the UK in 1959 after teaching in Malaysia, Burgess found a new and unfamiliar youth culture.
In Hoggart's The Uses of Literacy he presents a very negative perception of youth; in particular the Americanisation that was prevalent with teenagers, or as Hoggart dubbed them, 'Jukebox Boys'.
Burgess decided to avoid using Americanised slang, or any type of youth slang and set A Clockwork Orange in the future to avoid his language becoming dated.
Burgess believed that "violence among young people is an aspect of the desire to create. They don't know how to use their energy creatively so they do the opposite and destroy."
The key difference between Hoggart and Burgess is that Hoggart looked back to an idealised version of the working-class, a belief that the working-class youth had the potential to 'return' to an ideal that was linked to the past. Burgess however, was horrified by what he saw and how he perceived the future.
Both however, believed in the power of learning.
They don't know how to use their energy creatively so they do the opposite and destroy.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/anthonybur399536.html#MyzmjLMAKj9CXtZk.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/anthonybur399536.html#MyzmjLMAKj9CXtZk.99
They don't know how to use their energy creatively so they do the opposite and destroy.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/anthonybur399536.html#MyzmjLMAKj9CXtZk.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/anthonybur399536.html#MyzmjLMAKj9CXtZk.99
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Day of the Droogs Symposium at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation.
On the 29th January I attended a series of lectures on a new approach to Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange. We were told that this was the first of its kind in the world! What follows are my notes from each of the papers presented, along with commentary.
Monday, 24 June 2013
We Can Beat the Bedroom Tax!
Tomorrow on the 24th June at 7pm, we are holding a meeting in the Cornerstone building in Silverdale, Newcastle-Under-Lyme. We will be discussing how we can fight against the bedroom tax. It is organised by the Newcastle-Under-Lyme Socialist Party and TUSC Against Cuts. I will be speaking, along with Andy Bentley, former leader of the Federation Against the Poll Tax. All welcome!
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
TUSC Standing in Staffordshire.
The last few weeks have seen TUSC Against Cuts take on a massive campaign in Staffordshire. Almost overnight it seems we have gone from 0 to 11 candidates standing!
Anyway, leafleting is going on all this week.
“I am 44 and I have lived in Staffordshire all my life and in the North End
of Stafford for 31 years. I have worked for both the Fire Service and
Staffordshire County Council and more recently in the voluntary sector.
I have also been active in my local community and for a while I was the
secretary of our local residents group. At the moment I am unemployed
due to disability whilst at the same time being a full time carer.
“I am 34 and work as a NHS Librarian at Stafford Hospital, previously a social project worker and small business owner. I am standing because there is no left socialist alternative to the present right wing and centrist parties.
“I’m 25 I work for a finance company and have a law degree. I love music, and play in a band, and I love football, I am a Rotherham United season ticket holder. Originally from Rotherham, I live in Burton and have done for a few years now. I love the town and am active in the local music scene amongst others.
“I am a former lecturer, aged 35 and live in Maybank – the only candidate who lives in the ward! I am married to Di and have 4 kids. I am currently, like a lot of working-class people in this area with a family to support, working in the service sector.
“I am 45 years old and have lived in Newcastle under Lyme for the past
25 years, 10 years of which have been spent in Wolstanton. I have worked
in the NHS for 25 years initially as a Psychiatric Nurse and for the past 10
years as a Psychotherapist. I am also a Senior Shop Steward for Unite as
well as Branch Secretary and Chair.
I have decided to stand as part of TUSC and as a member of the Socialist
Party as together they represent the only anti cuts campaign in the local
elections as well as being the only genuine party of the working class in
the country. I feel that it is vital that the people of Newcastle fight back against the relentless and ongoing attack on our services and quality of life which theCon Dems have devised and which the local Labour Party are implementing.
My work in the NHS means that I see daily the ongoing destruction, dismantling and privatisation of the Health Service as well as the impact of this governments policy’s on the most vulnerable members of society.”
Anyway, leafleting is going on all this week.
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) are standing candidates in the Staffordshire County Council elections for the first time ever. TUSCbelieves this is necessary to provide an alternative to the job losses, cuts, closures and privatisation policies of the big three parties – Tory, Lib Dem and Labour Party. .
A chance to PROTEST at Tory, Lib Dem & Labour plans to hand over the NHS to big business
Major’s Tory government, followed by Labour and now the Con Dems are all guilty of trying to bleed the NHS dry. The last Labour government saddled the NHS with a total of £215 billion of repayments to big business for building projects worth only £55-65 billion. And the Con-Dems are carrying on this hand over of public money to big business. Together they are the architects of the problems faced by Stafford Hospital and across the NHS nationally.
On top of this they all agree that it’s ordinary working class people who must pay through loss of jobs, attacks on pay and conditions and savage cuts to local services etc for a crisis created by successive government’s, top bankers and big business companies. We say make the rich pay instead. If the £120 billion Corporation Tax ‘avoided’ annually by big business was collected there would be no need for any cuts at all!
Can you trust UKIP or the Green Party to fight to Defend Stafford Hospital and the NHS?
UKIP on their website say they will, “require the NHS to use people with commercial experience to negotiate with the private sector”and that they “want to increase the number of companies who can have a ‘share of NHS business”.
So a vote for UKIP is clearly a vote for the failed privatisation policies of the big three.
The Green Party say they “will protect the NHS ……….. from privatisation” but don’t explain what ‘protect’ means. For example there’s no mention of the £1.25 billion being paid by the NHS yearly to private companies through PFI scams. If this is not stopped tax payers will be boosting their profits for the next thirty years! How many more nurses, doctors could be trained with that money.
In the election on 2 May Only the Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition offer a real alternative to all the others
The Socialist Party has clearly and consistently campaigned in words and deeds against cuts, closures and privatisation at Stafford Hospital and in the NHS nationally and has played a leading role in setting up the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) who are standing anti-cuts candidates in Stafford, across the county and nationally. TUSC is supported by the RMT transport union, firefighters, teachers, NHS staff, private sector, council workers and other trade unionists and community campaigners etc
Only TUSC candidates are prepared to challenge the privatisation crusade effectively!
*** All TUSC candidates are committed to and are actively campaigning to;
“Stop all privatisation, including the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). Bring privatised public services and utilities back into public ownership under democratic control”
*** All TUSC candidates are also committed to;
“Use all powers available to councils – to block cuts to local NHS services, initiate referenda and organise public commissions and consultations – to oppose both the cuts and government policies which centrally impose the transfer of public services to private bodies”
Send a clear message to all the establishment parties!
VOTE against NHS cuts, closures and privatisation!
VOTE for YOUR TUSC Candidates
In Stafford:
Josie Shelley is the TUSC Candidate in Stafford North. Josie says,
“I am 44 and I have lived in Staffordshire all my life and in the North Endof Stafford for 31 years. I have worked for both the Fire Service and
Staffordshire County Council and more recently in the voluntary sector.
I have also been active in my local community and for a while I was the
secretary of our local residents group. At the moment I am unemployed
due to disability whilst at the same time being a full time carer.
I am standing as a TUSC candidate as I strongly believe that the working class in this country are no longer being represented and I would be proud to speak up for the people in my area who, like me, are struggling as a result of the current vicious anti- working class policies. I also want to show that anyone can fight back regardless of their circumstances or disabilities.”
am standing as a TUSC candidate as I strongly believe that the working class in this
- John Barbrook is TUSC candidate in Stafford South East
“I am 34 and work as a NHS Librarian at Stafford Hospital, previously a social project worker and small business owner. I am standing because there is no left socialist alternative to the present right wing and centrist parties.
I feel that our society has been gradually leaving behind those in our communities that need help the most. The unemployed, disabled, poor, sick, young, old and alternative members of our society are ignored, demonised and then exploited. Councils need a strong socialist voice to hold them to account, to stop the endless ill-thought out centrally mandated cuts to vital council services and to stand up for those who cannot stand up themselves.” (standing in a personal capacity)
- Jim Reading is TUSC candidate in Stafford Central
“I am a 53 year old teacher of English and NUT rep who has worked at King Edward VI High School in Stafford for 17 years. I have lived in the town for thirty five years and previously worked at St Georges Hospital as a Domestic Assistant where I was Chairperson of the local health union branch (NUPE). The branch ran a number of campaigns against the dismantling of the mental health unit in the 1980s – this included building links with other unions, strikes and demonstrations through the town.
Whilst there I was also involved in the successful anti-poll tax campaign of the early 1990s – Stafford anti-poll tax union effectively defended hundreds of people who were threatened with court action at the time.
My decision to stand as a TUSC councillor in the county council elections was motivated by ConDem attacks on the public sector – particularly education and health – and the Labour Party’s unwillingness to defend our interests. For me there now seems no alternative – we have to oppose this government ourselves!
If we want the welfare state and all the other gains made by the working class during the 20th century and beyond to not only remain, but be extended further for the benefit of successive generations, then we need to urgently unite on a socialist programme and act together. I firmly believe that TUSC offers us that opportunity.”
- Former Stafford councillor, Scott Wilson, will be standing as the TUSC candidate in Stafford West. Scott says,
“I was an Elected Borough Councillor in the Stafford West Division for 12 years until 2003 who worked alongside my constituents to benefit our community. I was employed by Staffordshire County Council for 21 years and have a good understanding of how Local Authorities work. I live and work in Stafford West Division. You often hear people say ‘politicians are all the same’ This one is different.”
In Burton-on-Trent:
- Joe Evans is standing in Burton Town. Joe who is our youngest TUSCcandidate says,
“I’m 25 I work for a finance company and have a law degree. I love music, and play in a band, and I love football, I am a Rotherham United season ticket holder. Originally from Rotherham, I live in Burton and have done for a few years now. I love the town and am active in the local music scene amongst others.
I am standing because I want to make a difference. I am passionate about change, and supporting the working class, and want to fight against the cuts. I want to stop the cuts that are affecting people at every level. I want to show people socialism works and that there is another option. People need a voice to be heard and I want to be part of that.”
- Chris Parton is standing for TUSC in Burton Trent
Chris is a teacher who works at Blessed Robert Sutton in Bluestone Lane, Stapenhill
In Leek:
Neil Singh will be TUSC candidate standing in Leek Rural
Neil works for the Communication workers union and lives in the Leek Rural area
In Rugeley:
The TUSC candidate will be Paul Arnold in Brereton and Ravenhill
Paul lives in Rugeley and works in the catering industry.
In Newcastle-under-Lyme:
In Talke and Red Street your TUSC candidate is Rebecca Carter known as Becky to her friends.
Becky says,
“I am 29 and live and work in Kidsgrove. I also train with many young people in a local martial arts club and am a drummer in a Stoke based blues band.
I’m standing as a TUSC candidate because I want to fight against the constant cuts we are all suffering.
In particular I feel that low paid workers need a party like TUSC which will support their interests.”
Ritchie Steele is our TUSC candidate in May Bank and Cross Heath
“I am a former lecturer, aged 35 and live in Maybank – the only candidate who lives in the ward! I am married to Di and have 4 kids. I am currently, like a lot of working-class people in this area with a family to support, working in the service sector.
I am a member of the Socialist Party and have actively campaigned in Newcastle against, amongst other things, the cuts in the NHS. I am standing in this election as it is important to stand against cuts, not just locally, but also nationally.
The Con-Dems have forced every council to do their dirty work and pass on their cuts to us, ordinary working people. And yet only a few Labour councillor have voted against cuts, for fear of being expelled!
I am standing as part of TUSC as it is quite clearly the only party that is opposed to all cuts, and is the only party that clearly presents an alternative to the austerity measures that councils are dutifully forcing upon us in the form of job losses and cuts to services. If you want a councillor who is willing to fight against council cuts and who will campaign on issues all through the year and not just appear at election time vote TUSC Against Cuts!”
Steve Wheeler will stand for TUSC in the Bradwell, Porthill and Wolstanton seat;
“I am 45 years old and have lived in Newcastle under Lyme for the past25 years, 10 years of which have been spent in Wolstanton. I have worked
in the NHS for 25 years initially as a Psychiatric Nurse and for the past 10
years as a Psychotherapist. I am also a Senior Shop Steward for Unite as
well as Branch Secretary and Chair.
I have decided to stand as part of TUSC and as a member of the Socialist
Party as together they represent the only anti cuts campaign in the local
elections as well as being the only genuine party of the working class in
the country. I feel that it is vital that the people of Newcastle fight back against the relentless and ongoing attack on our services and quality of life which theCon Dems have devised and which the local Labour Party are implementing.
My work in the NHS means that I see daily the ongoing destruction, dismantling and privatisation of the Health Service as well as the impact of this governments policy’s on the most vulnerable members of society.”
FOR MORE INFO ON TUSC POLICIES CHECKOUT WWW.TUSC.ORG.UK
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Dave Nellist Launches TUSC Campaign For Staffordshire
“On Monday the 14th January, despite freezing conditions and snow-covered roads seventeen people attended a meeting in Newcastle-Under-Lyme to hear Dave Nellist give a talk about the importance of TUSC in this May’s forthcoming elections, and to appeal to those in attendance to consider standing as a candidate in their area.
Dave Nellist speaking at the TUSC meeting in Newcastle
Dave started by outlining the disillusionment of voters and the fact that there is not a “cigarette paper” between the policies of the 3 main parties. He discussed the role that TUSC has to play in opposing these policies, and drew on several examples in history where the labour movement was successful in driving back the austerity measures of the day. And in case anyone in the room was under the illusion that Labour would provide a remedy to these cuts, Dave informed us about the appalling record that Labour had in expelling any of their councillors who dared to vote against cuts!
In the discussion afterwards Dave addressed comments regarding economic growth and debt, stating that ‘debt’ is meaningless; as an MP he witnessed Thatcherite ministers wipe debts from the public service to make them appear more profitable to private companies, and that we could solve the national debt in one fell swoop by taxing the mega rich and giving control of the state back to ordinary working-class people.
This year we already plan to stand across the whole of Staffordshire where we can, including Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, Burton and Leek. We see this as a positive step in the growth of TUSC, and in our contact with working-class people who more and more are identifying with socialist ideas.
At the end of the meeting at least another 3 people are seriously considering standing as TUSC candidates in May. This is a vast improvement from last year, when we had just 2 candidates standing across the borough of Newcastle-Under-Lyme.”
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Public Meeting to Launch TUSC Staffordshire Election Campaign
Local Elections May 2013
TUSC standing candidates to
Fight Against Cuts!
Speakers;
Dave Nellist - a real Socialist MP who took only the average workers wage and others from NUT, Unison, CWU.
Mon 14 January 2013 – 7.30pm
Holy Trinity Community Centre, London Rd (A34)
Newcastle, Staffs ST5 1LQ
All Welcome * * * * *
Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition Staffordshire
http://
www.tusc.org.uk
Staffordshire TUSC supporters are building a team of candidates to stand in the May 2013 local elections. Already, potential candidates – including locally based trade union activists, socialists, community campaigners – have come forward in Newcastle, Leek, Stafford and Burton-on-Trent.
The TUSC Public Meeting in Newcastle on 14 January 2013 will launch our campaign and we invite you to come along to volunteer as a potential candidate, support the campaign or just to find our more about TUSC.
Dave Nellist is our main speaker. Dave has a proud record previously as a real socialist Labour MP and later Coventry Socialist Party councillor. For 9 years as an MP Dave refused to accept all his Parliamentary salary and instead lived on the average wage of working class people in Coventry.
Along with other Socialists, Dave was expelled from the Labour Party as it lurched further to the right to become a party fundamentally no different to the Tories. Dave is now a national coordinator of TUSC.
TUSC standing candidates to
Fight Against Cuts!
Speakers;
Dave Nellist - a real Socialist MP who took only the average workers wage and others from NUT, Unison, CWU.
Mon 14 January 2013 – 7.30pm
Holy Trinity Community Centre, London Rd (A34)
Newcastle, Staffs ST5 1LQ
All Welcome * * * * *
Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition Staffordshire
http://
www.tusc.org.uk
Staffordshire TUSC supporters are building a team of candidates to stand in the May 2013 local elections. Already, potential candidates – including locally based trade union activists, socialists, community campaigners – have come forward in Newcastle, Leek, Stafford and Burton-on-Trent.
The TUSC Public Meeting in Newcastle on 14 January 2013 will launch our campaign and we invite you to come along to volunteer as a potential candidate, support the campaign or just to find our more about TUSC.
Dave Nellist is our main speaker. Dave has a proud record previously as a real socialist Labour MP and later Coventry Socialist Party councillor. For 9 years as an MP Dave refused to accept all his Parliamentary salary and instead lived on the average wage of working class people in Coventry.
Along with other Socialists, Dave was expelled from the Labour Party as it lurched further to the right to become a party fundamentally no different to the Tories. Dave is now a national coordinator of TUSC.
Monday, 12 November 2012
Spain in Revolt.
Spain in Revolt
Since the fall of Franco Spain has been in a kind of
‘leftover’ state – the reintroduction of democracy saw a positive mood that
continued for decades as a victory over fascism. The demands of the
working-class, that were laid out during the civil war had returned with the
fall of Franco.
Of course, it was the capitalist class that declared the
‘victory’, with the transition to democracy bringing about an economic boom,
but still problems persisted in Spain.
The restructuring of Spain’s economy brought about a number
of things, primarily the destruction of the manufacturing industries that Spain
relied on. Instead, the economic model was based on:
1.
Tourism.
2.
Service Industries.
3.
Housing and Financial Sector.
With the economy becoming vulnerable in 2007, like the rest
of the world, the crisis hit Spain’s finance and construction industries. The
state then took on the national debts.
As a consequence of this, unemployment hit 25 percent; a
figure which does not include part-time employment. Some regions, including
AndalucÃa, that figure reached 35 percent.
Like Britain, the crisis has had a hard impact on youth; 52
percent of young people are unemployed.
For the first time last year there were more people leaving
Spain than entering.
In 2012 around 50000 Spanish people lost their homes. The
economic model of Spain is such that if house payments are even missed by one
payment, the bank can force the house to go to auction and buy it back for a
lower price. Even then the family evicted still has to pay the bank the
original mortgage payments! And with a weak welfare state, people have become
more dependent on charities and families.
At first the government denied the crisis was happening,
then accepted the austerity policies from the EU. The austerity measures in
Spain were amongst the biggest in Europe.
The Spanish government introduced labour reforms that roll
back the gains won by workers in struggles – there were tax increases, dole
cut, increased retirement age and the dismantling of the welfare state. These
policies were introduced by the politics of fear – they were told that this was
an inevitability, there were no other
alternatives, and there was a danger of being expelled from the Eurozone.
Before serious struggle and protests were mounted, a climate
of repression took over. There were arrests of key trade union leaders made and
violence was used by the police in demonstrations that took place. Agent
provocateurs were used in order to whip up violence in order to justify the
repressive methods used by police.
In spite of this the 14th November sees the 3rd
general strike taking place in 2 years, as Spanish workers continue to struggle
against austerity.
There are weaknesses for the working-class in Spain however.
A lot of demonstrations have been locally based, and no national organisation
has taken the struggles forward in a progressive way. Also, the union leaders
tend to demobilize the workers, not mobilize, and they have been all too ready
to accept the cuts from government.
The last strike, which took place in March, meant that it
has taken 8 months to mobilize again. We denounce this strategy and believe
that continuous action is needed to sustain a consistent and effective
struggle.
Our comrades in Spain are part of Socialismo Revolucionario, and from the beginning of the crisis, have stated
that these weaknesses exist. Our demands included the civil war demands to be
reinstated, such as the justice in society and the separation of church and
state.
The
largest organisation that is considered left is the United Left. This party has
characteristics that could make it to be a working-class party – it has a solid
base and many socialist elements in its programme. But it also has a lot of
reformist policies too. And at the same time it does not go far enough. They
suggest nationalising only part of the banking sector, and supports a coalition
government.
It
is also made up of different left Tendencies. In Andalucia they formed a
coalition with a party that implement cuts. They also allowed the right wing PP
in other areas, and used their votes to stop the PP in other areas. They wanted
a coalition with the SDP in Astorias but the rank and file members voted
against it. Socialismo Revolucionario always supported United Left, but opposed austerity
and puts forward alternatives.
The
situation in Spain changes extremely quickly from day to day, but the same
tendencies remain – fighting austerity, and with the PP government, this is
difficult.
Like
Britain, the struggle and strategies have come from below. In this respect the
trade union leaders have had no choice but to support a struggle.
The
14th November strike is very important. It is the 1st
general strike to include all sections of workers. However, the trade unions in
the Basque Country have now pulled out, making it slightly more difficult. But
the government have now shown signs of weaknesses, and this is reflected in the
problems and divisions shown by government.
The
‘National’ Question.
In
September a demonstration for independence opens up a question of nationality
for Catalunya.
This
question of independence is one that has arisen fairly quickly, and primarily
as a result of the economic crisis. 3 years ago 20 percent of Catalan people
wanted independence from Spain. Now, this figure is closer to 50 percent. The
right wing Catalan government since the fall of Franco, the CIU, uses the
question of independence as a smokescreen to the crisis even though they seem
in favour of independence. Even now they are ambiguous, and implement austerity
policies. The Catalan president made the elections solely on the basis of
independence.
Socialists
denounce the use of this nationalist question. We support the rights of
self-determination, but we argue that social issues are more important to the
workers of the whole of Spain. Successful independence for Catalunya can only
be implemented with socialist policies.This is a historic opportunity for the
left if socialists are prepared to intervene.
The
far right have spread an anti-immigrant feeling amongst the populace. Only
relatively recently was Spain opened up to immigration. Many people are blaming
immigrants for their situation, and various areas around Barcelona have moved
to the right. It is possible that a party may come in on xenophobic policies.
There are, of course, differing layers of the right wing within the PP, so an
outright fascist government may be complicated to achieve.
The
most likely outcome is that the United Left will continue to grow. It needs to
break with coalition alliances. If this happens then other left organisations
could develop within its framework.
There
is a growing sense of optimism within Spain’s working class, in challenging the
government’s austerity measures. There is a strong feeling from children and
pensioners for example, who have stood up to fight cuts. Indeed 75 percent of
Spain’s population now support demos and strikes.
The
post-Franco sense of optimism may have gone, but the workers of Spain are seeking
to struggle like their Republican forebears in their demands.
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Why the Original Star Wars Trilogy is more Beloved Than the Prequels.
The worldwide phenomenon of Star Wars has been a part of
popular culture for 35 years. In fact it’s hard to imagine a time when we
weren’t aware of a ‘galaxy far, far away’, or had no idea who Darth Vader or
Boba Fett were.
The original Star Wars films are universally accepted as
being more beloved than the prequels, or ‘new’ trilogy, even after 7 years have
elapsed since the last film ‘The Revenge of the Sith.’ Why is this? Why, given
that we live in an age that elevates special effects more than ever? The
reasons are, I believe, numerous.
Firstly, the context that both sets of trilogies were
released in differed greatly. In 1977 the ‘New Hollywood’ films of the star
directors were everywhere. Scorcese, De Palma, Coppola, Bogdanovich and all
those visionary filmmakers of the 70s were delivering their artistic, personal,
and often pessimistic films that, whilst critically successful, presented
audiences with a realistic and gritty experience; the time was right for a more
fanciful movie full of spectacle to allow the audience an escape from these
realistic movies, and in a sense, their own lives.
What’s more, two year earlier, George Lucas’ friend and
fellow nerd Steven Spielberg released Jaws,
which set the standard for all blockbusters that came after. The tide was
turning, and studios were searching for big budget epics that would strike a
chord with audiences and make huge profits.
By the time the new trilogy came around with ‘The Phantom
Menace’ in 1999, the context had changed considerably. Rather than setting a
new trend like the originals, Lucas now releases Episode One amongst other
films like ‘The Matrix’, and the soon-to-be-released Lord of the Rings trilogy;
audiences were now used to seeing spectacular effects-laden movies, so Star
Wars now had competition. Obviously this new prequel trilogy was going to be
successful, that was a given, but George Lucas could no longer automatically
assume that a more tech-savvy audience would respond to Star Wars in quite the
same way this time.
However, it is not just a case of different contexts in
which both trilogies were released. The simple fact is that still, the original
trilogy is more beloved. Why? Well, there is the obvious argument that the new
trilogy is just not that good. It has
been noted that the main characters simply do not have the same chemistry that
the original trilogy have. Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher shine
in scenes together. None of the numerous
characters in the prequels, real or CGI, have quite the same chemistry, if any
at all. The Force just isn’t as strong with this one.
Another big factor, I believe, is the age-old theme of how
good and evil is presented. It is possible that the original trilogy is more beloved
by audiences everywhere because we are under no illusions as to who’s good, and
who is bad. A huge towering figure clad in black and a wrinkled old cloaked
pensioner leave nothing to the imagination for people to identify with; the blue-eyed,
blond young kid and the princess clad in white surely personify our perception
of ‘good’. But in the new trilogy, the clone troopers, those equivalent forms
of storm troopers, can now switch loyalties. What’s more, we know that
throughout the course of the prequels, the main protagonist will grow up to
become the series’ chief antagonist.
Maybe we just want our heroes to be heroes and our villains to be uncomplicated
villains for a film series to become beloved.
Lastly, to be slightly cynical for a moment, George Lucas
was accused of pandering to the toy market in Return of the Jedi with the addition
of the Ewoks, or, ‘those bunch of muppets.’ Serious fans of the series up to
that point must have felt slightly aggrieved that kiddies were now being
force-fed characters who were ready-made for the toy market. So how much more
would these same fans respond to Jar Jar Binks? Beloved is surely not a word
they would use for who, in their eyes, is one ‘cutesy’ character too far.
Though less beloved by fans than the original trilogy, and
containing more stilted dialogue, more effects and more confusing taxation
sub-plots, does still not warrant the claim that George Lucas stole millions of
childhoods worldwide. Maybe when those younger fans of the newer trilogy grow
up, the context then may be different and ‘Attack of the Clones’ might be
regarded in the same way ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ has been for 3 decades. But
I doubt it.
Monday, 14 May 2012
Library Cutbacks
So £735,000 is about to be cut from libraries across the region. Can we really be surprised, given we have just had an election in Newcastle? What is shocking is the swiftness of the attacks on this type of public service, and one on an already minimal existence.
What's really disgraceful, is that this, I feel, is an attack on a lifestyle. I must surely not be the only person out there who, with excited anticipation, visited a local library growing up with a sense of wonder at all those books to borrow - for free! Now that possibility for kids, their parents, or both, is being eroded to a degree that people just won't bother going in the first place.
You may think this is being overly dramatic - that library services will continue in some form; they no doubt will, but by removing a desire to visit a library on a regular basis, what motivation is there for kids to get into reading in a way that remains with them their whole lives? And when you consider that Stoke-on-Trent (the biggest cuts culprit) doesn't exactly have a reputation for a high level of literacy, the council appear to have shot themselves in the foot. How can they hope to 'market' themselves as a thriving city when the vast majority of its population are the ones to suffer?
These draconian cuts are getting more and more personal. And once more the working-classes are the ones paying for them - not just financially but socially and ideologically. It all comes back to holding down the prospects of ordinary working people whose avenues for learning are constantly shrinking.
Welcome back Labour. Can you spell b*****ds?
What's really disgraceful, is that this, I feel, is an attack on a lifestyle. I must surely not be the only person out there who, with excited anticipation, visited a local library growing up with a sense of wonder at all those books to borrow - for free! Now that possibility for kids, their parents, or both, is being eroded to a degree that people just won't bother going in the first place.
You may think this is being overly dramatic - that library services will continue in some form; they no doubt will, but by removing a desire to visit a library on a regular basis, what motivation is there for kids to get into reading in a way that remains with them their whole lives? And when you consider that Stoke-on-Trent (the biggest cuts culprit) doesn't exactly have a reputation for a high level of literacy, the council appear to have shot themselves in the foot. How can they hope to 'market' themselves as a thriving city when the vast majority of its population are the ones to suffer?
These draconian cuts are getting more and more personal. And once more the working-classes are the ones paying for them - not just financially but socially and ideologically. It all comes back to holding down the prospects of ordinary working people whose avenues for learning are constantly shrinking.
Welcome back Labour. Can you spell b*****ds?
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Local Elections
Today's the day for people to vote for TUSC. It will be interesting to see the results. Although we are not expecting to win, it is a very definite statement of intent from us.
On a stall last week a guy came up to the stall and asked how long we were there for. As Andy said, "until we achieve socialism!"
This is how we see TUSC and the Socialist Party in general.
On a stall last week a guy came up to the stall and asked how long we were there for. As Andy said, "until we achieve socialism!"
This is how we see TUSC and the Socialist Party in general.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
There's...Something on the Wing.
But at the moment I'm watching the Original Series on CBS Action. Not because I haven't seen them before, but because like the anally-retentive soul I am, they are in order.
Though I remember them being shown (repeated, obviously) on BBC2 at some point, probably on Wednesday evenings and after the ill-fated Def 2, it's that old adage of vaguely remembering what happens in an episode and from what season - this time, to quote Kirk in Generations, I'm doing it right.
I'm not a comic book guy-esque individual who can quote dialogue ad verbatim, (I've not even seen an episode of Deep Space Nine) rather the opposite, I actually find these episodes hilarious in their stiltedness. But I am writing this blog to highlight what I see as interesting differences between the Original series and later series', not necessarily stylistically, but culturally.
The main thing that crops up in the 60's show is the fact that all strange situations/characters/events tend to be 'unexplained' - ie "somehow", "unknown", etc. Only this morning I was watching (on planner) the episode 'Miri'. (featuring a young Michael J Pollard! He of Scrooged, Bonnie and Clyde and Tango and Cash fame!) The ultimate line was delivered by Kirk to his log when describing a replica of Earth - "it seems impossible, and yet there it is", as if "there it is" solves the need for any feasible explanation!
I'm not even halfway through the first season and I'm 'lol'ing already. "Seems unlikely, but what the hell!"
The Next Generation on the other hand, started the trend actual Trekkies refer to as 'technobabble' - the gobbledegook that usually involves sensors, replicators, warp core, etc. Only in the first season do some of the old habits creep through. Even in '87 sometimes "something", or "unknown entities" creep through, or some other variation of "Captain, somehow, against all laws of physics, the planet has disappeared". Makes the Death Star explanation look credible! But by and large, the Next Gen gave some attempt of scientific explanations for causes and effects, even if they were unintelligible. By the time we get to Voyager, these scientific explanations and technobabble seem to be the only rationales given - in this respect the series goes from ridiculous to being so rooted in actual physics or theories that I as the viewer just don't care!
Still you've got to admit, the remastered Enterprise looks pretty damn good. (The ship, not the sacreligious series)
It's life Jim, but not as we've known it.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Newcastle Election Campaign.
Everything's registered, officially standing under the TUSC banner for the ward of Wolstanton. I will be out leafleting on Friday.
Other comrades have already started in the other ward of Kidsgrove, so this will be a good opportunity to go out into my ward.
Other comrades have already started in the other ward of Kidsgrove, so this will be a good opportunity to go out into my ward.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
TUSC Election Campaign Launch in Newcastle!
TUSC STAFFORDSHIRE
Trade unionists & socialists prepare for May elections
* * * Public Meeting * * *
“No to Cuts & Privatisation
Make the Bosses pay!”
Speakers include (all in a personal capacity)
Matt Wright – Unison Combined Health Care
Steve Wheeler – NHS Unite rep
Ritchie Steele – CWU
Wednesday 29th February – 7.30pm
Holy Trinity Community Centre
London Road, Newcastle, Staffs ST5 1LQ
* * * * * All Welcome * * * * *
www.tusc.org.uk
Trade unionists & socialists prepare for May elections
* * * Public Meeting * * *
“No to Cuts & Privatisation
Make the Bosses pay!”
Speakers include (all in a personal capacity)
Matt Wright – Unison Combined Health Care
Steve Wheeler – NHS Unite rep
Ritchie Steele – CWU
Wednesday 29th February – 7.30pm
Holy Trinity Community Centre
London Road, Newcastle, Staffs ST5 1LQ
* * * * * All Welcome * * * * *
www.tusc.org.uk
Monday, 23 January 2012
Monday's Branch Discussion.
The Struggle For a Free Press
Murdochgate.
The News International (NI) phone-hacking scandal went right to the top of society. NI's billionaire owner Rupert Murdoch's bullying tactics exposed the rotten deals and self-serving manoeuvres of Britain's ruling class. The trail of guilt leads from the capitalist media through the tops of the police force up to establishment politicians including Tory prime minister David Cameron.
Murdoch had already been forced to close his News of the World (NoW) rag and to give up trying to totally control BSkyB broadcasting when he bought advertising space to 'apologise' for what he had done.
People who had suffered at the hands of Murdoch's press rejoiced at a 'Gotcha' moment. Next day NI chief executive Rebekah Brooks resigned and was later arrested.
Then top Metropolitan Police officers with close connections to NI, Sir Paul Stephenson and John Yates, both bit the dust.
Former NoW editor Andy Coulson was until January David Cameron's communications director. Coulson was arrested over "allegations of corruption and phone hacking". Cameron himself was also in Murdoch and Brooks' dinner party set.
Labour MPs were at first told not to oppose Murdoch's total takeover of BSkyB and the party's leaders have long bowed their knees to him and his reactionary anti-working class politics.
So it's no surprise that Labour leader Ed Miliband merely wanted Cameron to 'apologise' for his misdeeds. But Brooks and the Met Police chiefs were forced to resign.
The impact on the mass consciousness after the whole Milly Dowling saga underlined and exposed the corruption of the establishment. This was not a case of a one-off scandal, here the difference is that scandals such as this were normally hidden from the public eye and this was the corruption that happened to be exposed. This was described as our equivalent of Watergate. What’s more, despite the closure of the News of the World, and all the surrounding scandals, even now police operations have uncovered Sun reporters paying for information. The victims of the 7/7 London bombings and the families of soldiers in Iraq can testify to this.
However, Murdochgate has more repercussions than first meets the eye to the average members of the public. For instance, although Murdochgate came out only last year, the police sat on incriminating information for 5 years. Politicians of all parties did not expose this information because of their level of involvement with Rupert Murdoch to get elected. Only after the Milly Dowling scandal came out did they perform a u-turn and ‘condemn’ the cover up between police and News International.
Before the scandal broke it was well known that Murdoch was trying to get his hands on BSkyB, and sought to get the green light from the Con-Dems. When the story broke this was put on the back burner.
As socialists we question the ownership of the media, and the amount of power given to one individual, as this is not just a question of a consolidation of power for power’s sake, but can be a dangerous monopoly of an ideology.
For example, Murdoch’s son tried to get the BBC to open up the market, similar to the Fox network in America. This would mean a push by the Murdochs to a right-wing ideology. Consider the news coverage, or lack thereof, of the Occupy New York movement. Beyond a simple virtual blackout of coverage by the media in America, the coverage afforded was particularly negative towards the protestors. Murdoch’s ideology influences the stance taken by the media not only in America, but worldwide.
The reason for this is the fact that 10 Media companies own and control 75 percent of the media. This has led to a certain method of producing news called ‘churnalism’. News and figures are churned out from agencies such as Reuters. In his book Flat Earth News,[1] the journalist Nick Davies reported a study at Cardiff University by Professor Justin Lewis and a team of researchers[2] which found that 80% of the stories in Britain's quality press were not original and that only 12% of stories were generated by reporters.[3] The result is a reduction of quality and accuracy as the articles are open to manipulation and distortion. For around 20 years now genuine investigative journalism has been at a minimum, or non-existent. For example only 1 in 10 stories in the Guardian actually come from journalists. Not only is this a reduction in the quality of the media itself, but this is a symptom of a capitalist system – a system that requires ever faster demands from its media. As a capitalist tool, its own ideology is spread through these news agencies – racism, attacks on the working-class, immigrants and of course, the public sector. Indeed the private sector is used as the stick to beat public sector workers, with reference to the recent pension issues and strikes.
This is sadly not a new phenomenon, but merely a continuation of the capitalist machine attacking the public. During the Miners’ strike The Sun described the miners at the time, so eloquently, as ‘scum’. There are no longer any journalists, left or otherwise, who question the establishment.
However, it is possible to challenge the authority of the capitalist machine. During the Miners’ strike the National Union of Journalists refused to print their newspapers with Scargill apparently giving the Nazi salute. This was successful and highlights the need for a strong union presence in the Media.
Despite a negative and pessimistic outlook, there is hope for us as socialists and the media. Although we know from previous experience that the capitalist media will do their best to minimise our party and policies in the public sphere, the changing technologies and habits of its users mean that we are striving to build our own media through the use of sites such as facebook, twitter and youtube. Through outlets like these we can reach potential supporters directly. In today’s digital age people can actually bypass the ideology of the mainstream media and choose which information to receive in a way that we never could before.
Under a socialist government the above-mentioned methods of production that the capitalist machine produces is not needed. We would of course strongly oppose the monopoly of only a few individuals or organisations controlling all of society’s media output. The current control of a right-wing mogul and empire highlights the danger of a negative ideology being foisted upon the working-class, and it makes it harder for us to operate under such a regime. However, we would also oppose a state-controlled media, as this is not a position we would operate from. History shows us that this could lead to a dictatorship. We would argue for a nationalised media, and one that means free expression of all aspects of media resources. Under socialism there would not be a singular viewpoint. The criticisms and discussions that could occur within the media would enable all to express ideas, and ideas that are free from capitalist influences and demands, which always seeks to defend the system it operates under.
Like other establishments and workplaces, under socialism the media could be publically owned. Even the local media is now part of a national news organisation. The Sentinel is one such outlet, and as part of a national group it becomes harder for working-class people to see through capitalist ideology. A privately owned media machine allows capitalists to have more outlets for their ideologies and the status quo remains. A socialist media, rather than be a tool of the state to control all, as the perception may be from the ruling-class, would be the most perfect expression of a truly free media.
Murdochgate.
The News International (NI) phone-hacking scandal went right to the top of society. NI's billionaire owner Rupert Murdoch's bullying tactics exposed the rotten deals and self-serving manoeuvres of Britain's ruling class. The trail of guilt leads from the capitalist media through the tops of the police force up to establishment politicians including Tory prime minister David Cameron.
Murdoch had already been forced to close his News of the World (NoW) rag and to give up trying to totally control BSkyB broadcasting when he bought advertising space to 'apologise' for what he had done.
People who had suffered at the hands of Murdoch's press rejoiced at a 'Gotcha' moment. Next day NI chief executive Rebekah Brooks resigned and was later arrested.
Then top Metropolitan Police officers with close connections to NI, Sir Paul Stephenson and John Yates, both bit the dust.
Former NoW editor Andy Coulson was until January David Cameron's communications director. Coulson was arrested over "allegations of corruption and phone hacking". Cameron himself was also in Murdoch and Brooks' dinner party set.
Labour MPs were at first told not to oppose Murdoch's total takeover of BSkyB and the party's leaders have long bowed their knees to him and his reactionary anti-working class politics.
So it's no surprise that Labour leader Ed Miliband merely wanted Cameron to 'apologise' for his misdeeds. But Brooks and the Met Police chiefs were forced to resign.
The impact on the mass consciousness after the whole Milly Dowling saga underlined and exposed the corruption of the establishment. This was not a case of a one-off scandal, here the difference is that scandals such as this were normally hidden from the public eye and this was the corruption that happened to be exposed. This was described as our equivalent of Watergate. What’s more, despite the closure of the News of the World, and all the surrounding scandals, even now police operations have uncovered Sun reporters paying for information. The victims of the 7/7 London bombings and the families of soldiers in Iraq can testify to this.
However, Murdochgate has more repercussions than first meets the eye to the average members of the public. For instance, although Murdochgate came out only last year, the police sat on incriminating information for 5 years. Politicians of all parties did not expose this information because of their level of involvement with Rupert Murdoch to get elected. Only after the Milly Dowling scandal came out did they perform a u-turn and ‘condemn’ the cover up between police and News International.
Before the scandal broke it was well known that Murdoch was trying to get his hands on BSkyB, and sought to get the green light from the Con-Dems. When the story broke this was put on the back burner.
As socialists we question the ownership of the media, and the amount of power given to one individual, as this is not just a question of a consolidation of power for power’s sake, but can be a dangerous monopoly of an ideology.
For example, Murdoch’s son tried to get the BBC to open up the market, similar to the Fox network in America. This would mean a push by the Murdochs to a right-wing ideology. Consider the news coverage, or lack thereof, of the Occupy New York movement. Beyond a simple virtual blackout of coverage by the media in America, the coverage afforded was particularly negative towards the protestors. Murdoch’s ideology influences the stance taken by the media not only in America, but worldwide.
The reason for this is the fact that 10 Media companies own and control 75 percent of the media. This has led to a certain method of producing news called ‘churnalism’. News and figures are churned out from agencies such as Reuters. In his book Flat Earth News,[1] the journalist Nick Davies reported a study at Cardiff University by Professor Justin Lewis and a team of researchers[2] which found that 80% of the stories in Britain's quality press were not original and that only 12% of stories were generated by reporters.[3] The result is a reduction of quality and accuracy as the articles are open to manipulation and distortion. For around 20 years now genuine investigative journalism has been at a minimum, or non-existent. For example only 1 in 10 stories in the Guardian actually come from journalists. Not only is this a reduction in the quality of the media itself, but this is a symptom of a capitalist system – a system that requires ever faster demands from its media. As a capitalist tool, its own ideology is spread through these news agencies – racism, attacks on the working-class, immigrants and of course, the public sector. Indeed the private sector is used as the stick to beat public sector workers, with reference to the recent pension issues and strikes.
This is sadly not a new phenomenon, but merely a continuation of the capitalist machine attacking the public. During the Miners’ strike The Sun described the miners at the time, so eloquently, as ‘scum’. There are no longer any journalists, left or otherwise, who question the establishment.
However, it is possible to challenge the authority of the capitalist machine. During the Miners’ strike the National Union of Journalists refused to print their newspapers with Scargill apparently giving the Nazi salute. This was successful and highlights the need for a strong union presence in the Media.
Despite a negative and pessimistic outlook, there is hope for us as socialists and the media. Although we know from previous experience that the capitalist media will do their best to minimise our party and policies in the public sphere, the changing technologies and habits of its users mean that we are striving to build our own media through the use of sites such as facebook, twitter and youtube. Through outlets like these we can reach potential supporters directly. In today’s digital age people can actually bypass the ideology of the mainstream media and choose which information to receive in a way that we never could before.
Under a socialist government the above-mentioned methods of production that the capitalist machine produces is not needed. We would of course strongly oppose the monopoly of only a few individuals or organisations controlling all of society’s media output. The current control of a right-wing mogul and empire highlights the danger of a negative ideology being foisted upon the working-class, and it makes it harder for us to operate under such a regime. However, we would also oppose a state-controlled media, as this is not a position we would operate from. History shows us that this could lead to a dictatorship. We would argue for a nationalised media, and one that means free expression of all aspects of media resources. Under socialism there would not be a singular viewpoint. The criticisms and discussions that could occur within the media would enable all to express ideas, and ideas that are free from capitalist influences and demands, which always seeks to defend the system it operates under.
Like other establishments and workplaces, under socialism the media could be publically owned. Even the local media is now part of a national news organisation. The Sentinel is one such outlet, and as part of a national group it becomes harder for working-class people to see through capitalist ideology. A privately owned media machine allows capitalists to have more outlets for their ideologies and the status quo remains. A socialist media, rather than be a tool of the state to control all, as the perception may be from the ruling-class, would be the most perfect expression of a truly free media.
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