Upbeat

Trade and industry secretary Peter Mandelson wants us to believe the burgeoning financial crisis is a figment in the minds of the media. They are suggesting “the end of the world is nigh”, he complained, when in fact business is relatively upbeat. Well, pessimism is something Weekly Worker readers will have none of, as we fight to prepare our class to ‘do business’, using the opportunities that Gordon Brown’s real difficulties throw up.

Thanks to comrade MN for a brilliant £100 donation to mark the 81st anniversary of the Russian Revolution, and to MZ and MM for new bankers orders. The November fund stands at £185 towards a £400 target. Another excellent start!

Ian Farrell

Number 263

Thursday November 5 1998

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Taaffe culls opposition
The Socialist Party's entire regional committee in Liverpool, along with their supporters, has has been suspended for refusing to sign a seven-point ‘loyalty’ pledge put to them by Peter Taaffe. Mark Fischer reports

Party notes: Two schools
Mark Fischer contrasts the ethos of the forthcoming CPGB weekend school and SPEW's 'Socialism 98'

Letters
No credit; New twists; Sectarian murder; A statement from Death Row

Socialist Alliances: For inclusive democracy
Anne Murphy responds to a covert attack on the CPGB

Some Scottish enlightenment
The Communist Tendency replies to Mark Fischer

Universal strategy
Dave Craig of the Revolutionary Democratic Group poses the politics of revolutionary democracy in opposition to economism

Opportunity to fight
The Jenkins report on electoral reform is an important document - not just for the bourgeois parties, but also for communists, writes Michael Malkin

Bourgeois morality
While the establishment has adopted a partial acceptance of homosexuality, there is a long way to go before there is full equality, argues Mary Godwin

Blaming the oppressed
South Africa seeks to reconcile apartheid with its victims. Peter Manson assesses the situation