Power trip

A UK power plant is under European Union (EU) investigation - for daring to partially switch to a potentially lower-carbon fuel.

Drax in North Yorkshire received state subsidy to burn biomass as well as coal. The EU is concerned this gives it an 'unfair advantage' over competing power stations!

The jury's still out as to whether biomass is a genuinely eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. See 'Can biomass energy be part of a socialist plan of production?' at socialistparty.org.uk for more.

But if even this half-hearted measure is an unacceptable threat to the supreme rule of the free market, what chance have we got?

The Socialist says: nationalise all the energy firms under democratic workers' control. For a mass programme of investment into green technology and infrastructure.

Burning money

Oxfam reports that between the 2010 Copenhagen and 2015 Paris climate conferences, the number of billionaires with interests in fossil fuel rose from 54 to 88. Their combined personal wealth has grown by about half in that time, from over $200 billion to more than $300 billion.

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Finance appeal

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.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.