In this week's issue:

The Socialist 10 June 2009, issue Step up the fight for a new workers’ party

Step up the fight for a new workers' party

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, speaking at the London No2EU election rally, photo Paul Mattsson

Labour in meltdown: The outcome of the county council elections, followed by the 'meltdown' in the European elections, was a devastating defeat for New Labour and the Gordon Brown dominated government, writes Peter Taaffe, Socialist Party general secretary.

A socialist MEP Joe Higgins elected in Ireland

'The best fighter that money can't buy'

STOP PRESS: BNP feel the anger

Youth Fight against Racism

No2EU: a step towards a workers' political voice

No2EU candidates and supporters launch their manifesto, photo D Carr

No2EU-Yes to Democracy held its launch seven weeks ago. Initiated by the transport workers' union - the RMT - this hastily constructed electoral alliance succeeded in winning 153,236 votes in the European elections, writes Hannah Sell, Socialist Party deputy general secretary.

Reinstate Rob Williams now! Support Linamar strikers

Limamar workers support sacked covneor Rob Williams, photo Sarah Mayo

STOP PRESS: ROB HAS BEEN REINSTATED! WORKERS AT the Linamar car components plant in Swansea are taking indefinite strike action from Thursday 11 June to get their sacked Unite trade union convenor and Socialist Party member, Rob Williams, reinstated, writes Alec Thraves, Socialist Party secretary, Wales

London Underground: Solidarity with strike over jobs and pay

Glasgow council street cleaners start workers' fightback

Bristol bins strike threat brings new conditions offer

Unison NEC elections bring gains for Socialist Party

Another DWP minister resigns

Engineering construction workers ballot: End 'race to the bottom'

Come to NSSN conference

News in brief

The Masses Arise: The French revolution and today's struggles

The Masses Arise by Peter Taaffe. Cover design by Dennis Rudd

The Masses Arise, by Peter Taaffe, which was first published in 1989 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the start of the French revolution, is now back in print, writes Kevin Parslow.
In a new introduction, the author recounts the events of the revolution, bringing out the heroic role of the sans-culottes - who have been vilified by right-wing historians - and the relevance of these events to what is likely to develop in the coming period in France, Europe and throughout the world. "This book is more relevant today than when it was first published in 1989," writes Peter Taaffe.

European parliament elections 2009: Europe on the edge

Last week's European elections gave a snapshot, albeit often distorted by low turnouts, of the continent's anxious mood and the distrust, if not hostility, to most governments...

General strike in Basque country

Brazil: "Liberty, Socialism and Revolution" is born

CWU conference backs Youth Fight for Jobs campaign

THE COMMUNICATION Workers Union (CWU) conference is meeting with its members facing huge threats of mass job losses, pension cuts and post office privatisation, writes Dave Griffiths.

No to cuts at Kings

Liverpool Community College strike