All Articles
Beyond Local Energy: Delivering Public Power
Rhetorically, Labour has fully committed itself to fighting climate change and recognises that public ownership of energy will be vital in doing so. However, as yet they do not have a practical plan for achieving this. As I have explained previously, Labour’s policy proposals on green energy and climate ...
Beyond Slogans: Sketching a Green New Deal
The last few months have seen an impressive shift in public discussion on how to address climate change. Thanks in large part to newly-elected democratic socialist congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the concept of a “Green New Deal” has come to the fore. This marks a significant move away from previous policy ...
Labour’s Energy Plans: Technically Questionable, Politically Vacuous
During last year’s conference, the Labour Party made headlines with its seemingly bold promises on energy and climate change. These included a massive build-out of wind turbines, solar panels, and a housing retrofit programme. We were promised that these pledges would be elaborated on in a report to be ...
Resolving the Brexit Impasse
Well, we finally have a proposed agreement by which the UK could withdraw from the EU. It’s just a pity that no one actually agrees with it. In fact, disagreeing to it is about the only thing the House of Commons can agree on.
Ownership and Markets in Energy
One of the most popular elements of Labour’s 2017 manifesto was the pledge to return energy to public ownership. At last year’s conference John McDonnell said “Rail, water, energy, Royal Mail—we’re taking them back”. This makes it sound like he’s pledging to renationalise energy, but examining Labour’s manifesto policies it quickly becomes clear that he is either being deliberately misleading or displaying a stunning lack of understanding of how the energy sector functions in this country. The fragmented energy system Labour propose would fail to address the key problems with privatisation as it would leave the electricity market in place.
Oxford & District Labour Party AMM May 2018
An all members meeting which reflected on the local elections and included a discussion on Part III of the party’s democracy review. There was also a parliamentary report and the SWC branch’s motion on including trans-women in all-women shortlists.
The Implications of Portugal for a Renewal of Social Democracy
For some time I’ve been curious about what’s been happening with of the Left-supported social democratic government in Portugal. It struck me as the best argument against my suspicion that a classical social democratic government are not possible within capitalism today. I recently read two reports on the experience of government there: an enthusiastic one written by a social democratic think-tank, and a more critical one from an activist with the radical left Bloco de Esquerda which is supporting the minority government there.
Oxford & District Labour Party AGM 2018
Our annual general meeting for 2018, featuring reports from various officers, nominations for national party positions, elections of branch officers (by acclamation) and Conference delegates, reports from the Labour groups in city and county council, a parliamentary report, and a few motions.
Oxford & District Labour Party AMM February 2018
An all members meeting with a presentation on Brexit. This was followed by a motion on Brexit, along with motions on various other issues (including a somewhat contentious one on Haringey). There was also a parliamentary report.
Inequality is in the Air
It’s been the time of year for flying. There have been some many advances in the last few years. However, by and large, only those people who inexplicably manage to end up in business class are able to experience them. But what could flying under socialism be like?
