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Europe
UK Labour Party’s leadership race a test of strength for grassroots democratic socialism
In a field of relatively underwhelming candidates, the best possible outcome appears to be a Long-Bailey victory. Though far from ideal, Long-Bailey is at least the best chance the left has of keeping anti-austerity and a radical green industrial strategy in mainstream conversation, and holding the line against those who would use the U.K. election results to silence grassroots democratic socialist movements everywhere.
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Human Rights
Canada must not suppress free speech on Israel
In December, a member of the Ontario legislature introduced a private member’s bill calling for the IHRA definition to be adopted in that province. The bill has already passed its first reading. Clearly, we have our work cut out for us. But we are encouraged by the fact that our members and allies understand the gravity of this matter. As a result, we have collectively enjoyed some major successes in defending freedom of speech with regard to the Palestinian cause.
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Canadian Politics
On Iran, Canada toes the imperial line
The Trudeau government could have delisted Iran as a “state sponsor of terror”, or repealed Harper’s Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. Instead, it didn’t even keep its promise to restart diplomatic relations with Iran. While there is much to dislike about the government in Tehran, progressive-minded, peace-loving Canadians should reject Ottawa’s aggressive anti-Iranian policies.
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Canadian Politics
If Housing is a Right We Should Take It
Housing that sits empty so that speculators can enrich themselves, while pushing up housing prices, is an ugly Achilles Heel of the neoliberal city that we would be targeting in a direct and compelling way. With this approach we could create a crisis for big property owners and their political enablers out of which concessions on housing could be won that were significant enough to address the unfolding disaster of homelessness in Toronto.
