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From The Socialist newspaper, 11 January 2017
Blair's multimillion plans to fight 'populism' and spy on Muslims
Fight anti-worker Blairite politics!
Millionaire warmonger Tony Blair is till trying to the rule the world, photo Chatham House (Creative Commons) (Click to enlarge)
Jack Miller, school student
Tony Blair is to inject £9.3 million into a new not-for-profit foundation, the 'Tony Blair Initiative' (TBI). It will endeavour to counter "the new populism" and make "globalisation work for all."
TBI also aims at "fostering religious and cultural tolerance and advancing peace." As prime minister, Blair sent troops to five wars. Two of them he helped to start, laying part of the basis for the current mess in the Middle East.
Blair's policies at home were to privatise public services and encourage free trade - these destroyed working class conditions to make the super-rich even richer. This is what has led to the rise of populism, left and right, which Blair previously said "I'm not sure I fully understand."
So is this an attempt by Blair to contort his public relations image for his own personal gain?
Jim Murphy, the failed former Scottish Labour leader, has been cherry-picked for the plum job of advising Blair on spying on Muslims in Africa.
This scheme will play off the prior links Blair has built with what one insider described to the Times as "dictatorial states."
A spokeswoman said there was only a proposal to help governments collect "publicly available data." But why, if it's already available?
Blair has clearly caused unrest among his staff. Some think the scheme will backfire, as the comment to the Times shows. Possible testaments to this are his "deal in the desert" for Colonel Gaddafi's oil, or the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.
No amount of money will make Tony Blair's politics attractive to people suffering austerity.
Workers and young people need a mass anti-austerity party of our own, not pro-capitalist 'initiatives' from warmonger millionaires.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
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In The Socialist 11 January 2017:
NHS in meltdown
NHS in meltdown from spending cuts - demonstrate on 4 March!
Sustainability and Transformation plans - a repackaging of cuts
Worcestershire hospital deaths expose NHS crisis
Socialist Party comments and reviews
Football abuse scandal: Reclaim the game for justice and accountability
Book review: Spy drama gives insight into capitalist coup plot
What we think
Socialist Party news and analysis
'Cash for ash' scandal set to bring down Northern Ireland government
May slams 'economic inequalities' Tory policies created
Blair's multimillion plans to fight 'populism'
Bosses earn average salary in under three days
Them & Us: £500k house party... 50p for rent
Labour Party
Haringey: pressure grows as Labour council cuts
Sick of sham consultations - give us a real fightback
Khan should attack bosses, not workers
Socialist Party workplace news
Tube strike solid in fight for jobs and safety
Support BA cabin crews' strike for fair pay
Sham Royal Mail pensions consultation - action needed
Unison legal battle looks into allegations 'Team Dave' broke rules during general secretary election
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Build the resistance against Trump
Socialist Party national women's meeting
2016: A record-breaking fighting fund year!
Closing of the children's centres could cost lives
International socialist news and analysis
Palestine/Israel: Everyday life under occupation
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