Spot on

After last week's boost - disappointment. Our March fund seems to have lost momentum, with only £65 landing in my in-tray over the last seven days.

So instead of looking forward to a substantial surplus this month - which would compensate for the shortfall we have suffered so far this year - I am now left wondering whether we will end up adding to the deficit once more. We have £294 - still well short of our £400 target with just over a week to go.

But one particular contribution did encourage me. Comrade TN, who sent us a cheque for £20, wrote: "The Weekly Worker's coverage of the SA conference was spot on. Where would we be without it?" (I think he means the Weekly Worker, not the conference.) Ambiguity aside, remarks like that ought to remind our readers why their paper is so necessary and will hopefully prod them in the right direction.

Robbie Rix

Ask for a bankers order form, or send cheques, payable to Weekly Worker, BCM Box 928, London WC1N 3XX

Number 376

Thursday March 22 2001

Macedonia and consistent democracy   -   Ian Donovan demands that the left advocate consistently democratic solutions

Foot and mouth outbreak   -   Michael Malkin says a class approach is needed

Letters   -   Not sulking; Green-Red; Red-Green; Dumbing down; Can't be both?

From Iskra to Pravda   -   Mark Fischer asks what kind of paper we need

Australian left unites   -   Marcus Larsen examines the launch of a Socialist Alliance in Australia

SSP retreats before drugs onslaught   -   Carol Newson sees signs of playing down the call to legalise cannabis

Socialist Alliance roundup   -   Haringey; Hackney; East London

Welcome shift   -   Phil Watson calls for Workers Power to end bureaucratic proscriptions on its membership

AK47s and calculators   -   Ian Mahoney looks into questions around the WP amendment at Birmingham

Can the Revolutionary Communist Network go forward?   -   Dave Craig (RDG) ponders the question

Defeat failed ideas   -   Simon Harvey of the SLP issues a call

In defence of Bedfordshire SA   -   RDG view on SWP refusal to cooperate