Britain
Amnesty International declares Julian Assange “not a prisoner of conscience”
By Laura Tiernan, 23 May 2019
According to Amnesty International, neither Assange nor whistleblower Chelsea Manning are “prisoners of conscience” and their defence is not being actively pursued by the human rights charity.
The rise of the Brexit Party and how to fight it
By Chris Marsden, 23 May 2019
Nigel Farage is intent on portraying the European elections, which will see a massive abstention, as a plebiscite on Brexit and a weapon against any move towards a second referendum.
Collapse of British Steel threatens 25,000 jobs
By Robert Stevens, 22 May 2019
The trade unions and Labour Party have responded to the threat to jobs at British Steel with a predictable outburst of nationalist demagogy.
On the spot report: Ecuador’s government colludes with Washington to seize Julian Assange’s possessions
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 21 May 2019
Supporters of Assange began gathering by 8 a.m. yesterday outside the embassy to witness and denounce the search and seizure.
Former Ecuadorian consul Fidel Narváez denounces search and confiscation of Assange’s possessions
By our reporter, 21 May 2019
The WSWS spoke to Fidel Narváez, former consul at the Ecuadorian embassy, who was among protesters opposing plans for the police to search and confiscate the possessions of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Speech by Ulrich Rippert to London meeting
“Defending Julian Assange requires the mobilisation of the working class in a struggle against capitalism”
20 May 2019
We are publishing the speech of Ulrich Rippert, chairman of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) in Germany, at the May 12 public meeting in London in defence of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
SEP campaign teams in UK win support for Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 20 May 2019
The campaigns followed last week’s public meeting in London that resolved to redouble efforts to secure Assange and Manning’s freedom.
Conservative Party implodes over Brexit crisis as May agrees to stand down next month
By Robert Stevens, 18 May 2019
A field of up to 20 Tory MPs are expected to stand to replace May as party leader and prime minister, an expression of the fracturing of the oldest political party of the British ruling elite.
George Galloway tried to become Brexit Party candidate—and failed
By Robert Stevens, 17 May 2019
Galloway’s failed attempt to represent Nigel Farage’s party is indicative of how an entire layer of ex-Stalinists and the pseudo-left have become part of a new right.
Speech by Oscar Grenfell
Millions in Australia “view Assange as a hero who is being attacked for revealing the truth.”
By Oscar Grenfell, 17 May 2019
We are publishing here the speech of Oscar Grenfell, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia) and national convenor of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, at the May 12 meeting in London in defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
Clara Campos of the Julian Assange Defence Committee:
“We must act now in mobilising to free him. He is one of us.”
By Clara Campos, 17 May 2019
We are publishing here the remarks of Clara Campos, a representative of the Julian Assange Defence Committee, who spoke at the May 12 meeting in London in defense of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
Audience members at London meeting discuss way forward in fight for Assange and Manning’s freedom
By Laura Tiernan, 16 May 2019
Last Sunday’s public meeting in London convened by the Socialist Equality Party to defend jailed WikiLeaks publisher and journalist Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning provoked a wide-ranging discussion.
UK Tory government maintains benefit sanctions as misery and deaths continue
By Paul Bond, 15 May 2019
There are almost daily reports of the savage human toll of the austerity agenda imposed by successive Labour and Conservative governments in the UK.
“The IYSSE will redouble its efforts to build a mass movement of young people in Assange’s defence”
By Alice Summers, 15 May 2019
We are publishing the speech of the IYSSE representative at the May 12 meeting in London in defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
“He’s not just a journalist, he’s one of the most significant journalists of all time”
Attendees at London meeting to free Assange and Manning speak out
By our reporters, 15 May 2019
Audience members at last Sunday’s meeting in London in defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning spoke to reporters from the World Socialist Web Site .
“The Socialist Equality Party views the defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning as the spearhead of an emerging global struggle against imperialism.”
By Chris Marsden, 14 May 2019
We are publishing here the speech of Socialist Equality Party (UK) National Secretary Chris Marsden to the May 12 meeting in London in defence of jailed WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
Australia: Rally to defend Julian Assange held in Broadmeadows, Melbourne
By our reporters, 14 May 2019
The event drew a small but determined crowd of SEP members and supporters, local workers, and WikiLeaks’ supporters.
Sweden reopens “preliminary investigation” and seeks extradition of Julian Assange
By Chris Marsden, 14 May 2019
No new evidence has been cited by Sweden’s deputy director of public prosecutions Eva-Marie Persson.
London public meeting demands the freedom of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By our reporter, 13 May 2019
Speakers included leaders from the Socialist Equality Parties in Britain, Australia, the United States and Germany, with Clara Campos representing the Julian Assange Defence Committee.
Eugenics advocate Noah Carl dismissed from Cambridge University fellowship
By Thomas Scripps, 11 May 2019
Carl’s dismissal is a victory over a global campaign to revive far-right ideology on university campuses.
Free Assange NZ denounces hypocrisy at World Press Freedom Day event
By Tom Peters, 11 May 2019
Alex Hills from Free Assange New Zealand condemned the British government’s “brazen hypocrisy” and called on the media to “end the smears and lies about an anti-war hero.”
“We need to fight capitalism and change the whole system”
Uber and Lyft drivers conduct international strike
By our reporters, 9 May 2019
Thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers in the US and several other countries struck and protested Wednesday in advance of Uber’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange Friday.
Pompeo lays down the law during UK visit
By Robert Stevens, 9 May 2019
The US secretary of state’s remit was to demand that the UK government toe the line in backing the geo-strategic imperatives of US imperialism… or else.
Local authority funding cuts worsen poverty and social inequality in Scotland
By Stephen Alexander, 9 May 2019
Scottish local authorities are imposing further cuts and increasing charges on vital services.
“We need to save his life. That’s how serious it is”
Pamela Anderson and WikiLeaks editor-in-chief visit Julian Assange in prison
By Laura Tiernan, 8 May 2019
Anderson condemned the state persecution of her friend as a “misrule of law in operation.”
UK government seeks to deny legal aid to Shamima Begum
By Paul Bond, 8 May 2019
Home Secretary Sajid Javid revoked Begum’s British citizenship last year, leaving her and her new-born baby stranded in appalling conditions and stateless.
UK: Renewed Brexit talks deepen splits in both Conservatives and Labour
By Robert Stevens, 7 May 2019
After the Tories lost more than 1,300 council seats last week and Labour also made smaller losses, May and Corbyn stressed that the electorate want Brexit to be implemented.
UK: Renewed Brexit talks deepen splits in both Conservatives and Labour
By Robert Stevens, 7 May 2019
After the Tories lost more than 1,300 council seats last week and Labour also made smaller losses, May and Corbyn stressed that the electorate want Brexit to be implemented.
Britain: National Union of Journalists World Press Freedom Day event ignores Julian Assange
By Paul Mitchell, 7 May 2019
At the NUJ’s World Press Freedom Day event, there was not a single mention of Assange by any of the speakers on the platform, all of whom claimed to be champions of press freedom.
Initial Grenfell fire inquiry report to make “withering criticism” of London Fire Brigade
By Tom Pearce, 6 May 2019
The focus on the LFB’s alleged failings conceals the fact that all the main factors that ensured such a horrific loss of life were present long before June 14, 2017.
UK: Defence minister’s sacking escalates Tory crisis amid rising UK/US tensions
By Robert Stevens, 4 May 2019
Williamson was sacked after an inquiry into who leaked the deliberations of a National Security Council meeting that approved Chinese telecom giant Huawei’s participation in the UK’s 5G data network.
French Yellow vest protesters travel to London to defend Julian Assange
4 May 2019
Protesters travelled across the English Channel to demand freedom for the persecuted Wikileaks journalist, who was sentenced Wednesday to spend 50 weeks in Belmarsh Prison while he is threatened with rendition to the United States.
“Today’s protest is a symbol of the fight for freedom”
French Yellow Vests join Assange extradition protest in London
By our reporters, 3 May 2019
WSWS reporters spoke to demonstrators outside Westminster Magistrates Court protesting plans to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to the US.
UK rail union calls off strikes against driver-only-operated trains
By Michael Barnes, 3 May 2019
The Conservative government is behind the plot to impose a huge cost-cutting and de-staffing operation on the railways
Julian Assange sentenced to 50 weeks in jail for bail violation in vindictive political ruling
By Robert Stevens, 1 May 2019
The sentence is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that Assange is extradited to the US, where he faces the savage wrath of the US ruling elite whose war crimes WikiLeaks courageously exposed.
Protester at Assange jail sentencing: “That was a declaration of an outlaw state”
By our reporter, 1 May 2019
WSWS reporters spoke to some of those protesting outside London’s Southwark Crown Court against the jailing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
“He should never have been found fit to work in a million years!”
UK advice worker Terry Craven speaks on the terrible death of Stephen Smith
By Margot Miller, 1 May 2019
Smith, from Liverpool, died emaciated on April 15 aged 64, after suffering years of chronic ill health, yet still had been declared fit for work by the Department for Work and Pensions.
US threatens UK over Huawei involvement in 5G network
By Robert Stevens, 1 May 2019
After it was leaked that Huawei could help build the British 5G network, the Trump administration is threatening to shut Britain out of “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing.
UK: Liverpool man dies after being declared fit for work and denied benefits
By Barry Mason, 30 April 2019
Photos of Stephen Smith published in the Liverpool Echo at the time he was refused Employment Support Allowance are heart-breaking and caused widespread outrage.
Half of all land in England owned by less than one percent of the population
By Margot Miller, 27 April 2019
The aristocracy and gentry still own 30 percent of the land, while 18 percent is owned by corporations and a staggering 17 percent is in the possession of oligarchs and bankers.
UN official visits Julian Assange, investigating Ecuador’s illegal surveillance
By Mike Head, 26 April 2019
Confronted by worldwide protests and petitions, the British government felt compelled to grant the UN access to the imprisoned WikiLeaks founder.
UK: May unable to stem Tory crisis over Brexit, but still propped up by Corbyn
By Robert Stevens, 26 April 2019
For Corbyn’s faction, the political function of these talks over Brexit is to side-line a discussion on the political crisis facing the government that could precipitate a general election.
Protest in London’s Parliament Square demands release of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 25 April 2019
The lively demonstration organised by the Julian Assange Defence Campaign was supported by the Socialist Equality Party and World Socialist Web Site.
Grenfell fire survivors forced onto general housing waiting list
By Alice Summers, 25 April 2019
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council has announced the ending of the programme to rehouse Grenfell survivors.
Julian Assange was denied access to lawyers, visitors in Britain’s Belmarsh prison
By Oscar Grenfell, 24 April 2019
The reported denial of the WikiLeaks founder’s right to consult his legal counsel, for over a week, casts grave doubt that he will be afforded due process.
Scotland: Union suppresses teachers strike as lecturers fight on
By Darren Paxton, 24 April 2019
The teachers dispute has been closed down, but lecturers and education staff fight on.
George Galloway declares for Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party
By Chris Marsden, 24 April 2019
Having spent over three years hailing Corbyn as the left rebirth of Labour, Galloway now parrots the claim that Farage’s politics articulate the views of the working class on what he insists is the main issue of the day—Brexit.
Police arrest over 1,000 climate change protesters in London
By Robert Stevens, 23 April 2019
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has issued no statement condemning the mass arrest of peaceful protesters.
Privatisation of UK’s National Health Service escalates
By Ben Trent, 23 April 2019
An investigation found that over 1 million patients were forced to seek alternative treatment in the preceding five years due to the closure of nearly 450 GP surgeries.
Young journalist Lyra McKee shot dead in Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 22 April 2019
McKee was killed in the aftermath of a police raid on a house in the Creggan estate.
UK education system breaking apart after decade of cuts
By Tom Pearce, 22 April 2019
Funding per pupil in England continues to fall, with a further 3 percent drop to come in the next period.
UK home secretary demands climate change protesters face “full force of the law”
By Laura Tiernan, 20 April 2019
More than 682 climate change protesters have been arrested since Monday.
UK life expectancy continues to fall
By Dennis Moore, 19 April 2019
The fall in longevity appears to be a trend, with an analysis from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries showing a decrease in life expectancy by two months last year and this year by six months.
Hundreds of peaceful climate change protesters arrested in UK
By Paul Mitchell, 18 April 2019
There have been no serious incidents of public disorder except when the police arrived in large numbers and swooped in to arrest people.
Britain’s Socialist Workers Party renews “rape allegations” witch-hunt of Julian Assange
By Chris Marsden, 18 April 2019
The SWP have joined in the efforts to railroad Assange and blacken his name, justifying a course of action that would end with the WikiLeaks editor facing a show trial in the US.
Thin layer of the UK population earn more than £150,000 per year
By Barry Mason, 17 April 2019
Over the last decade, the income and wealth of the affluent upper middle class has skyrocketed at the expense of the working class.
Over half of councils in England lose all government funding
By Margot Miller, 17 April 2019
Almost half of all local authorities will receive no central grant this year—10 times more than in 2017/2018 and three times more than last year.
Youth at climate rally in Leeds, England speak out to defend Julian Assange
By our reporters, 16 April 2019
WSWS reporters spoke about the arrest and imprisoning of Julian Assange with young people who attended last Friday’s rally against climate change in Leeds, England.
Largest UK department store chain, Debenhams, goes into administration
By Barry Mason, 16 April 2019
Last year saw the loss of nearly 150,000 retail jobs with the closure of 20,000 shops and restaurants.
Stop the extraordinary rendition of Julian Assange!
By Eric London, 15 April 2019
What is being presented as an extradition request by the US is so loaded with illegality that it would be more precise to call it an extraordinary rendition.
UK Labour leads “rape” smears against Julian Assange demanding Swedish extradition
By Laura Tiernan, 15 April 2019
This is the Blairites’ answer to global public outrage over Assange’s brutal seizure from the Ecuadorian embassy in London on Thursday.
Protest outside London’s Belmarsh prison demands release of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 15 April 2019
The WikiLeaks founder has been held at the maximum-security prison since his forcible seizure and arrest last Thursday.
Supporters protesting outside Belmarsh prison speak out in defense of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 15 April 2019
Protesters at Saturday’s demonstration to demand the release of Julian Assange from Belmarsh prison spoke to the World Socialist Web Site.
Socialist Equality Party (UK) member Robert Stevens speaks at rally to demand release of Assange from Belmarsh prison
By our reporter, 15 April 2019
Stevens said, “Join the fight to defend Assange, Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden. Workers and youth internationally must mobilise immediately to defend these class war prisoners.”
The Assange arrest is a warning from history
By Comment by John Pilger, 13 April 2019
John Pilger, well-known filmmaker and investigative journalist, issued the following statement on the arrest of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in London on April 11.
“The fight starts now to prevent his extradition to the United States!”
Supporters to rally in defence of Assange outside Belmarsh Prison, London
By our reporters, 13 April 2019
The protests organised by the Julian Assange Defence Committee and supported by the Socialist Equality Party (UK) and the WSWS will be held from 4pm today.
Worldwide outrage over arrest of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange
By Niles Niemuth, 12 April 2019
After nearly seven years of confinement to the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Assange now faces the possibility of a year in a UK prison and extradition to the United States.
Amid corruption scandals and deals with IMF and Washington, Ecuador’s government betrays Assange
By Bill Van Auken, 12 April 2019
The handing over of Assange to his British and US persecutors is part of a sharp drive to the right by the corruption-stained government of Lenín Moreno.
Six-month Brexit extension resolves nothing for UK
By Robert Stevens, 12 April 2019
At best the European Union have kicked the can down the road, with no guarantees of a resolution.
Westminster Magistrates Court
Former UK ambassador Craig Murray denounces arrest and conviction of Julian Assange
By our reporter, 12 April 2019
“There was no jury and no chance to mount a proper defence or have a proper hearing. It is clear the judge was extremely prejudiced,” Murray said.
Free Julian Assange!
Statement of the World Socialist Web Site Editorial Board, 12 April 2019
The World Socialist Web Site emphatically condemns the forcible seizure and arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
WikiLeaks exposes spying operation against Assange in Ecuador’s London embassy
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 April 2019
The Ecuadorian regime, acting as a vassal of the US, has surveilled every aspect of Assange’s life.
EU summit considers extension of Brexit deadline
By Robert Stevens, 10 April 2019
In another public humiliation, UK Prime Minister Theresa May met separately with the German Chancellor and French President, hoping to secure the backing of the EU’s two heavyweight powers.
UK cancer patients’ lives imperilled, suffering deepened by treatment delays
By Ajanta Silva, 10 April 2019
In England alone, more than 127,000 cancer patients have been left waiting more than two months to start their treatment over the last five years.
In leaked court testimony, Assange denounces his illegal detention
By Oscar Grenfell, 9 April 2019
The WikiLeaks founder declared: “No journalist, no citizen, should accept that what they speak about can be defined from day to day by reasons of political expediency.”
UK: Jury fails to reach verdict against top police officer over Hillsborough football disaster
By Barry Mason, 9 April 2019
Former Yorkshire police chief superintendent David Duckenfield was charged with the criminal offence of gross negligence manslaughter of 95 of the supporters.
Assange faces ongoing threats at Ecuador’s London embassy
By Oscar Grenfell, 8 April 2019
While the Ecuadorian government denied that Assange would be “imminently” expelled from the embassy, it did not dispute that plans had been afoot to terminate his political asylum.
Weekend vigils in London demand freedom for Assange
By our reporters, 8 April 2019
Alongside longstanding members of the Defend Assange Campaign, the London vigil was attended by members of the Socialist Equality Party and attracted support from far and wide.
UN Special Rapporteur: US extradition of Assange would be violation of international law
By Oscar Grenfell, 6 April 2019
The Ecuadorian regime, and its co-conspirators in the British and US governments, are engaged in a sordid and illegal conspiracy to terminate the political asylum of the WikiLeaks founder.
Supporters oppose eviction of Julian Assange outside London’s Ecuadorian embassy
By Paul Mitchell, 6 April 2019
Defenders of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gathered outside the Ecuadorian embassy in central London yesterday, after a warning that he faces eviction from the building where he sought political asylum in 2012 “within hours to days.”
Defend Julian Assange!
Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 6 April 2019
The Socialist Equality Party (Australia) condemns the stepped-up preparations to expel Julian Assange from London’s Ecuadorian embassy and to force him into the custody of the British police. WikiLeaks reported today that it has information, from a source in the Ecuadorian state, that Assange’s eviction from the building, where he sought asylum in 2012, will occur “within hours or days.”
Surrounding land left highly toxic after Grenfell Tower inferno
By Thomas Scripps, 6 April 2019
The publication of Professor Anna Stec’s full study details “significant environmental contamination” in the densely populated area around Grenfell Tower.
WikiLeaks warns that Julian Assange faces imminent eviction from Ecuador’s London embassy
By Oscar Grenfell, 5 April 2019
The publisher warned that a “high-level source” within the Ecuadorian state had information that Assange would be expelled from the building and taken into British custody “within hours or days.”
UK local councils sell off billions of pounds in public assets due to austerity
By Joe Mount, 5 April 2019
Since 2014, over 12,000 publicly-owned assets with a total value of over £9.1 billion have been sold off, including libraries, health clinics, youth centres and public spaces.
The political implications of the Corbyn/May Brexit talks
By Chris Marsden, 5 April 2019
The talks on an alternative Brexit deal between UK Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn decisively refute all claims that his election as leader of the Labour Party offered a way forward for working people.
UK elite Parachute Regiment use Corbyn poster for target practice
the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 4 April 2019
For the last three years, senior military figures have repeatedly warned that a Corbyn government would be unacceptable because of Corbyn’s previous opposition to war, NATO and the use of nuclear weapons.
Neo-Nazi planned assassination of second UK Labour MP
By Robert Stevens, 4 April 2019
The plot to kill Rosie Cooper was hatched just one year after the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox by the fascist Thomas Mair.
Ecuadorian president threatens to evict Julian Assange from London embassy
By Oscar Grenfell, 3 April 2019
Moreno accused Assange of “repeatedly violating the conditions of his asylum,” to create a pretext to hand him over to British and US authorities.
May offers Corbyn “national unity” Brexit agreement talks
By Chris Marsden, 3 April 2019
After accepting talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would hold “in reserve” a no-confidence vote in her government.
UK “knife crime” hysteria used to push repressive police measures
By Thomas Scripps, 3 April 2019
The right-wing media is using highly emotive events to construct a false narrative with reactionary political objectives.
British MPs again fail to reach agreement on alternative Brexit motions
By Robert Stevens, 2 April 2019
None of the four non-binding “indicative votes” on an alternative to Prime Minister Theresa May’s negotiated withdrawal agreement for Brexit secured a majority vote by MPs Monday night.
Class struggle and socialism are the only answer to the Brexit crisis
By Chris Marsden, 1 April 2019
The answer to the Brexit crisis is a united mobilization of the millions of workers coming into struggle against Europe’s governments.
At UK demonstration over factory closing, unions plea to Tory government and Honda
By Paul Mitchell, 1 April 2019
To defeat this immense assault, car workers in Swindon and every factory must break from the trade unions and create new, independent, fighting organisations to take up the struggle that the unions abandoned long ago.
Swindon Honda workers speak out
“The working class needs to be organised against global capitalism”
By our reporters, 1 April 2019
WSWS reporters spoke to some of those attending last Saturday’s demonstration in Swindon, England, against the threatened closure of Honda’s car plant.
Teachers at school in Sheffield, England, strike against job losses and threat to eliminate sixth form
By our reporters, 1 April 2019
Parents, teachers and school staff oppose the Bradfield School Board of Governors and the headteacher, who justify the closure of the school's sixth form on the basis that demand is lower than expected.
“No deal” Brexit threatened after May’s EU withdrawal agreement rejected for third time
By Robert Stevens, 30 March 2019
Labour’s nominally “left” leader Jeremy Corbyn is working to ensure that the gravest peacetime crisis in the history of British imperialism is resolved through the worm-eaten parliamentary system, with the working class left as spectators.
Build rank-and-file factory committees to fight Honda job losses!
By Steve James, 30 March 2019
Today’s demonstration shows workers are ready to fight and there is widespread support for such a struggle in the car industry in the rest of the UK and internationally.
US journalist exposes Julian Assange’s prison-like conditions
By Oscar Grenfell, 29 March 2019
Prevented from holding a meeting with the journalist, Assange defiantly protested and condemned Ecuadorian officials for operating as “agents of the US government.”
UK Conservatives’ rampant Islamophobia and racism covered up by party tops, downplayed by media
By Margot Miller, 29 March 2019
The Conservative Party has a long history of whipping up racism in a divide-and-conquer strategy to legitimise its policies of austerity, militarism and war.
Parliament rejects all alternatives as May’s offer to resign fails to stem Brexit crisis
By Robert Stevens, 28 March 2019
May’s pledge to resign is her last card in the attempt to convince the Tories’ hard-Brexit wing and the Democratic Unionist Party to back her European Union withdrawal agreement.
Follow the WSWS