red pepper issue152 may 2007

contents

Cover by Chris Sands

features

Workers of the world – welcome! 20The British economy is reliant on migrant labour and has benefited greatly from the arrival of migrant workers from the new EU member states, argues Nigel Harris . An internationalist left should embrace the mobility of this new world working class, with its potential to redress global inequalities and end the scourge of xenophobia and war

Privatisation in Europe 23The privatisation of public services is proceeding apace across Europe. Paolo Andruccioli examines what it means for consumers, workers, citizens – and democracy

Labour leadership: Michael Meacher & John McDonnell 26With Tony Blair expected to stand down after the May local elections, Oscar Reyes spoke to Michael Meacher and John McDonnell, who have both declared their intention to challenge for the Labour leadership

Breaking up Britain 28With Labour in danger of losing control at Holyrood, Roz Patterson looks at the politics of the SNP, the debates over independence, the tactics of the Greens and the frustrations and hopes of the Scottish Socialist Party of which she is a member

Treasure Island 30Forty years ago, a pirate radio station occupied an ex-British military platform in the North Sea and declared its independence. Now Sealand is for sale, and could become a paradise for digital freedoms, writes Graziano Graziani

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regulars 04Letters Agony Subcomandauntie

06Activision Around the left in 30 days: UK Politics Outside The Box: Hilary Wainwright prepares for a new phase in Red Pepper ’s history Guerrilla Guides: Reduce, reuse, recycle Natural Born Rebel: Papuan Justice Denied Ethical Eats: Socialist supermarkets Know Your Enemy: The high cost of calling

12World Around The Left in 30 days: World Temperature Gauge: The Great Channel 4 climate swindle Iraq: Occupation without troops Iran: West’s warmongering serves repression in Iran Afghanistan: Longing for the Taliban

38Infrared David Osler on Labour’s Black Thursday

review 32New Left Turn The left and its legacies are constant objects of attack today. But its critics ignore the fact that the left itself has always been engaged in debating its own goals and ways of reaching them, writes Lynne Segal of her new book, Making Trouble

34Book reviews Arts reviews

39Rear view No more War! Tran Trung Tin: Vietnam’s optimistic tragedy

coming soon John Pilger:‘The War on Democracy’

G8 in Germany

Jeremy Scahill: Britain’s private army in Iraq

A new UK anti-roads movement? on the web

After Blair: McDonnell and Meacher in full

Fighting the BNP in the local elections

may 2007 red pepper

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