Alex Niven
@Alex_Niven
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Editor @tribunemagazine // alex_niven@outlook dot com //
Newcastle upon Tyne
Joined January 2011
Both YP and Greens are currently (probably always will be) overwhelmingly middle-class in membership and vote base. Which relates to their big problem (even aside from any others and not ignoring strengths): under fptp both will be electorally competitive in fewer than 50 seats
1. The 'middle-class Greens vs working-class appeal YP' heuristic is an axiom for lots of thinking round YP. Thus the ideal is a strategic electoral shack-up dividing seats between them. But imv it requires more reflection. (Will YP really seem that much less middle class?)
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Last week, Catherine Connolly, a socialist, was inaugurated as Ireland’s president. But she cannot save Irish politics alone — for real change, the Left must ensure that radical symbolism is backed up by radical reform.
tribunemag.co.uk
Last week, Catherine Connolly, a socialist, was inaugurated as Ireland’s president. But she cannot save Irish politics alone — for real change, the Left must ensure that radical symbolism is backed...
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Enjoyed this and caveats aside (the title, the fact that nostalgic escapism isn’t necessarily inherently bad) kind of broadly agreed with the central argument
jacobin.com
English rock group Oasis has always been a populist contradiction, rooted both in working-class culture and the individualism of post-Thatcherite Britain. But while other bands become more political,...
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I think it’s a good thing that a minority of the post-Corbynite left are staying in Labour and hastening what seems to be an inevitable rejection of its most reactionary wing (esp. if key unions swing left). Two left-wing parties + a centre-left party = a decent left ecosystem >
While many socialists are rightly repulsed by the misdeeds of the Starmer government, its tenure will come to an end soon enough. When it does, we must be ready to renew the Labour Party’s radical mission.
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1/2 People are understandably annoyed by the tagline of this article (especially today) but it's a serious contribution and given that in 2014 absolutely no one predicted that the hard left was about to take up the leadership of the party it makes sense to at least be...
This, by @jemgilbert, is a hugely important intervention and frankly essential reading
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This, by @jemgilbert, is a hugely important intervention and frankly essential reading
While many socialists are rightly repulsed by the misdeeds of the Starmer government, its tenure will come to an end soon enough. When it does, we must be ready to renew the Labour Party’s radical mission.
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(Patti Smith, Nigel Slater and Steve from the Beta Band also liked this post btw)
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Sam Fender still a staunch Corbynista in the old sense, though suspect he’s not been following the Your Party farrago
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Bastanogenics now!
One of the reasons Aaron Bastani is so successful is that he has a high IQ, which is rare on the Left. He’s basically pushing against an open door, because most leftists are really, really thick, like Mr Eccles. I’d say about 70 to 80 percent of the high-IQ content on X is
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Given that grotesque distortion of the 1970's is the crucible upon which the neoliberal counter-revolution was forged, this is quite the turnaround in popular memory. Thatcher and what she wrought has been a historic failure, a complete and total disaster for the country.
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The new issue of @tribunemagazine is out with a really broad range of commentary on the situation of the current UK left and possible strategic directions from @johnmcdonnellMP @meadwaj @graceblakeley and others: https://t.co/AWM1Smmif1.
tribunemag.co.uk
Issue 29: Table of Contents
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Too modest by 'alf @jemgilbert your piece 'Reclaiming Labour' ignites a much needed distinction between strategy and tactics whereas too many on left make error of constructing the former out of the latter. @Alex_Niven @labourlewis @BrynHGriffiths @Neal_Compass @jonbloomfield2
The new issue of @tribunemagazine is out with a really broad range of commentary on the situation of the current UK left and possible strategic directions from @johnmcdonnellMP @meadwaj @graceblakeley and others: https://t.co/AWM1Smmif1.
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Check out @racheljcollett’s fantastic article on the Women’s Liberation Movement in Merseyside, and radical regionalism, in the latest issue of @tribunemagazine! Out today! ✊️
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The new issue of Tribune is out now. @jeremycorbyn @johnmcdonnellMP @graceblakeley @JeremyGilbert @meadwaj and more consider the current prospects for left breakthrough in a febrile moment for British radical politics. Get a year of print for just £15: https://t.co/XavgOpxbsb
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I'm in Nairobi this week for the opening of the inquest into my sister Kate's death here, almost four years ago, which is still very much unsolved. The case has been beset by obstructions and evasions; it's taken us a long time to get this far and there may be more to come.
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In the new issue of Tribune, out now, @johnmcdonnell argues that as we enter a ‘proto-fascist’ moment, it is vital that we reject both complacency and factionalism, and work out how to build a powerful leftist counter-movement — in parliament and beyond. https://t.co/TbkJ8q24aM
tribunemag.co.uk
As Reform surges and we enter a ‘proto-fascist’ moment, it is vital that we reject both complacency and factionalism, and work out how to build a powerful leftist counter-movement — in parliament and...
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Early 80s Glasgow fascinates me. The city was completely on its arse yet across the arts it was trailblazing. From Postcard records & the invention of indie to Bill Forsyth's movies, Gray's Lanark being published to the world's leading hairdressers & more
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The Left must champion pensions! Today's young will rely on the state pension more than previous generations. We need decent pensions for all and must oppose endless rises in pension age. No one should work until they drop - pensions must mean dignity and time to enjoy life.
State pensions should be a cornerstone of intergenerational solidarity, but their gradual postponement is creating anger and hardship. The Labour government has a moral duty to fix this. https://t.co/Kofm23r38I
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