What we saw

What we saw (Click to enlarge)

Guardian 'arts critic' Jonathan Jones nearly exploded with outrage (1 February) that the RA in London is putting on an exhibition of Russian revolutionary art.

His confusion and lies about 1917's socialist revolution were both outrageous and unoriginal. (See 'Smearing socialism by attacking the arts'.)

Surely, then, the far right must be even more beyond the pale? But Jones has rushed to the defence (22 February) of a small gallery in Hackney, east London, which has been hosting 'alt-right' speakers.

To be sure, he says their politics "repel" him. But apparently not quite so much as socialism.

Donate to the Socialist Party

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.