Another Aussie whinger

Just watched Ricky Ponting giving us a lecture on the "spirit" of cricket. From the nation that brought "sledging" into the game , this is a bit rich. Still, it saves him having to explain why his bowlers couldn`t winkle out Monty Panesaar in 69 balls. The bloke is a complete ****

It`s gone quiet again

Are any local SLP organizations in the south east planning any activity? We should have followed up the exposure we got in the Euros. We should be organizing meetings or events to build on the contacts we made. So far, not much going on round here. Anyone doing better across the region?

Politics of the 'Common Good'.

I have just listened to the last of the Reith lectures on the BBC in which Michael Sandel argues for a 'New Politics of the Common Good'. We, of course, would argue that Socialism is just that. Have a listen, especially to the last one and let us know what you think: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kt7rg

Quote of the day

"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act"

George Orwell





OK.... Let`s have your favourite or current favourite quote from any source.

Victory for the Total Workers

It has just been reported by the BBC that the Total dispute in which 647 workers were sacked for taking unofficial strike action has ended. All the workers have been reinstated. The union has also negotiated a no victimisation agreement for other workers located elsewhere in the UK who came out in sympathy with the Total dispute. The success of this industrial action is remarkable. Workers in the UK are effectively legally barred from striking by repressive anti trade union legislation the like of which is unknown across the European Union. Up to now employers have known that should they suddenly and arbitrarily sack or radically change the terms and conditions of employment of their workers, current legislation makes it illegal for the workers to stage an immediate strike and for others to come out in sympathy. By the time ballots are held the company could have ceased trading or been sold to some carpet bagger! Now we see workers sticking 2 fingers up to the British establishment and saying NO! My sincerest congratulations to the Workers, Unite and the GMB for frustrating the unjust law. It has been shown again that worker solidarity can win substantial concessions from any employer- Well Done!
UNITE
GMB

MPs Expenses Scandal in Verse- by Eric Blackburn

MPs Expenses Scandal in Verse

by Eric Blackburn

SLP North West Region

I want a floating duck house

I want to clear my moat
I need to mend my tennis court
That’s why I need your vote.

I have to build a portico
My swimming pool needs mending
My lovely plants need horse manure
And the Aga needs much tending

A chandelier is vital
Mock Tudor boards are great
My hanging baskets won awards
And I’ve earned a tax rebate.

I need a glitter toilet seat.
My piano so needs tuning
Maltesers help me stay awake
And my orchard must need pruning

I could have said the rules were wrong
And often thought I should,
But somehow it was easier
To profit all I could

The public really have to see
That the rules are there to test
And by defrauding taxpayers
We were just doing our best

The Speaker of the House has gone,
Our sacrificial beast,
But the public are still braying
For our corpses at the feast

What do the public want from us,
Those vote-wielding ingrates?
They really should be grateful
To be financing our estates.

The message is so very clear,
(we’re merely learning late)
That the British way of living well
Is to screw the bloody state.

PR = BNP

Perhaps some of the liberal Guardian reading wankers will now stop banging on about how much we need PR. First past the post might not help us but it kept the BNP out. And that`ll do me.