Two days ago in Challenge, we reported the death of Philip Mountbatten at age 99. We predicted that in spite of the fact that Phillip was a renowned racist and a representative of British colonialism, his death would be met with a wave of pro-nationalist, pro-monarchist propaganda from our right-wing press.
Tag Archives: Tom Partis
ACORN member arrested for fighting evictions
Two members of the Oxford branch of the community and renters union ACORN were arrested last Thursday after fighting against unlawful treatment and eviction outside RyeView Letting Agents in High Wycombe. The two members were among the fifteen fighting for Carla and Alexandre, who were served with a Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction after living in terrible conditions for three years.
Millions of jobs at risk if furlough not extended
Labour has warned that over a million jobs in the hospitality sector are at risk of being lost if furlough is not extended, with the scheme currently set to end in April. According to the Office for National Statistics, one in ten hospitality businesses believe that they may be making staff redundant over the next three months. Furthermore, the latest survey data has shown that a huge 39% of firms in the sector are at risk of insolvency.
Labour polling plummet
A recent Westminster poll from Survation, who predicted the 2017 and 2019 general elections correctly, has seen Labour’s vote share sink to 33%, with the Tories retaining a solid lead at 39%.
A ‘new Party’? The definition of insanity
The Labour Party, the parliamentary front of the labour movement, is officially under a ‘new leadership’. Since Starmer assumed leadership in April 2020, he has relentlessly sought to sweep away Corbyn’s legacy.
In Memory of Mark Ashton – YCL General Secretary and Working-Class Hero
Mark Ashton, former General Secretary of the Young Communist League of Britain, passed away on the 11th February, 1987, tragically succumbing to HIV/AIDS at the age of 26. His accomplishments for the advancement of LGBT+ rights in the labour movement and wider society are huge, and we must ensure that all Challenge readers know his name, his accomplishments and his legacy.
Statues of slave traders to be removed in Central London
The City of London Corporation have voted that the statues of two politicians in central London will be removed due to their links to the slave trade. The statues of Sir John Cass and William Beckford are currently in Guildhall. The City Corporation has stated that they are to replace the statues and are considering commissioning a new memorial to the slave trade in the area.
Left-wing defeat at Unison elections
Unison announced the election of its first female General Secretary, Christina McAnea, today (11 January 2021. McAnea was elected with 47% of the vote, with the remaining 53% of the vote being split across 3 differing left-wing candidates. McAnea is largely considered to be supportive of the policies and strategies of Labour leader Keir Starmer, making this election a huge win for the right-wing leadership of Labour, especially when considering that Unison is the largest trade union in the country.
COVID cases skyrocket as border testing implemented & London is deemed “Out of Control”
The UK government has officially asked people to get negative COVID-19 tests before entering the country from overseas, a move which has made many ask – why on earth wasn’t this done sooner?
Schools, COVID-19 & Tory chaos
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced delays in the reopening of schools and colleges a few days ago, against a backdrop of the UK COVID-19 death toll reaching over 70,000.