THE NEW WORKER

The Weekly paper of the New Communist Party of Britain
Week commencing 19th of October 2018


Lead story

Stop the Saudi War on Yemen

by our Arab Affairs correspondent

THOUSANDS of Yemenis took to the streets of the free cities in the war-torn country last week to vent their anger at Saudi Arabia, which has invaded the country with the support of US imperialism and plunged Yemen into one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. Yemeni ports are being blockaded by the USA and its Saudi lackeys, who are helping themselves to the country’s oil and gas resources. Labour has repeatedly called for an end to British support for the Saudi war in Yemen and only this week the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said: “Yes, the UK does have a special responsibility. To stop arming Saudi Arabia and to help end the war in Yemen causing this humanitarian crisis.” In 2015 the Saudis intervened to prop up a corrupt regime that had been overthrown by the ‘Supporters of God’, a religious and social movement commonly called the Houthi Movement after its founder, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, who launched a revolt and was killed in a gun-fight in 2004. Four years ago the Houthis overthrew the government and established control over the most of the country. But the following year Saudi Arabia and some other feudal Arab states sent troops, arms and cash to prop up what they claim is the “internationally recognised” Yemeni government that is based in the southern capital of Aden

Read the full story here >> Stop the Saudi War on Yemen

Head to Head with John McDonnell

Theo Russell

UKRAINIAN anti-fascists sent a message oJEREMY Corbyn’s Number Two, the Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, discussed the challenges facing a future Labour government with Jenny Manson at the Clayton Crown Hotel in Cricklewood last week. Jenny is a veteran Labour supporter and co-chair of the Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) movement that was established partly in response to the Jewish Labour Movement’s profoundly Zionist orientation. But the chair made it clear that the discussion would concentrate on Brexit, Labour’s answer to the economic crisis, and would not deal with any questions relating to Israel, Palestine or anti-Semitism. Jenny Manson is firm favourite to be Labour’s parliamentary candidate in the finchley and Golders Green constituency at the next election, and a wide range of issues from a socialist perspective were taken up, including how a future Labour government will pay for its plans and how Jenny Manson as a future MP could help realise these.f support to London demonstrators in Whitehall last week protesting at continuing British support for the fascist regime in Kiev. The early evening protest, opposite the prime minister’s resistance in Downing Street, was organised by the New Communist Party of Britain (NCP), Socialist fight, Posadists in Britain and members of Solidarity with the Anti-Fascist Resistance in Ukraine. NCP leader Andy Brooks and Gerry Downing from the Socialist fight movement joined other picketers in a protest that attracted considerable interest on the busy street.

Read the full story here >> Head to Head with John McDonnell

Editorial

Standing up to racism

DOWNCAST racists left London with their tails tucked firmly between their legs last weekend following a poorly supported march through the capital that came under a barrage of abuse from anti-fascists all along the way. The ‘football lads’ had bragged that tens of thousands would join them to march from the West End to a rally outside Downing Street — but on the day barely a thousand degenerates turned up, easily outnumbered by several thousand anti-fascists who responded to the call to defend our streets. Supporters of the RMT rail union and other militant unions together with the long-established Stand Up To Racism and Unite Against Fascism movements opposed them in a number of counter-protests, including a robust response from the newly-formed ‘Football Lads Against Fascism’ (FLAF) that is building a progressive alternative to the recent far-right revival amongst football fans in Britain. In a message to the anti-fascist campaigners, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, who helped to organise the event, said: “Congratulations on today’s demonstration standing up against racism and far-right extremism. “We’re in solidarity with all those around the world standing up to oppose racism and to support the diversity of our communities. We’re proud to walk in the traditions of anti-racism campaigners and activists. Your fight is our fight.&rdquo

Read the full editorial here >> Standing up to racism