Toby Abse
Toby Abse has a longstanding history with the left. He is a member of the Socialist Alliance National Executive, the Alliance for Green Socialism National Committee, the Socialist History Society committee and the Revolutionary History editorial board, to whom he also contributes articles.
He writes regularly for the Weekly Worker, mainly focusing on the present situation in Italy. He is also a contributor to What Next?, a Marxist discussion journal.
He currently works as a lecturer in Modern European History at Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Latest articles by Toby Abse
Gaza and militarisation
Toby Abse reports on the links between Italian universities and Israel’s war machine. Inevitably anyone who dares protest is branded an anti-Semite by the rightwing media
Meloni’s antecedents
Toby Abse reviews David Broder Mussolini’s grandchildren: fascism in contemporary Italy Pluto Press 2023, pp240, £17.99
Opting for electoral suicide
Toby Abse surveys the mosaic of parliamentary centre-left and centre-right parties, factions and breakaways in the run-up to what looks likely to be a far-right landslide
Schism in Five Star
Toby Abse examines the murky, self-serving reasons behind the latest split in a party once touted as rebels against the hated political caste
Resistance to war fever
Amidst the suffocating establishment consensus, Toby Abse welcomes the relatively principled position taken by much of the Italian left
Heading far-right
In light of recent opinion polls, Toby Abse looks at the increasing danger of a neo-fascist government
A post-Covid-19 reckoning
Despite the presence of social democrats in his government, Mario Draghi is more than willing to preside over an anti-working class offensive, writes Toby Abse
Marking 50 years
Founded by expelled PCI members, Il Manifesto has successfully outlived its rivals. Toby Abse praises the consistent anti-capitalism and pans the Maoist absurdities
The Zingaretti aberration
Not surprisingly, the attempt to reinvent social democracy came to nothing. The rightward drift is now set to continue. Toby Abse looks at the dysfunctional parties, factions, fiefdoms and tokenistic gestures which dominate electoral politics
Mario Draghi? No, thanks!
The political establishment has put differences aside to support a government that is committed to making workers, pensioners and the petty bourgeoisie pay for the Covid-19 crisis, reports Toby Abse
Disputed heritage
The pathetically weak remnants have been marking the centenary of the Partito Comunista. Toby Abse reports from Livorno
Nationalism and COVID-19
Despite the rapid spread of coronavirus, notes Toby Abse, the response of the Italian government compares favourably to Boris Johnson’s.
Salvini, Israel and anti-Semitism
In Italy IHRA-style propaganda is linked to anti-migrant racism, writes Toby Abse.
Far right conquers ‘red Umbria’
Toby Abse explains the continuing decline of the Italian centre-left and the complete marginalization of the far left.
Good riddance to Renzi
The former leader of the PD has left to form a new party, writes Toby Abse. What a pity that the current leader is doing his best to placate the rightwingers who did not follow him.
Coming to the rescue
The Partito Democratico - an amalgam of Christian democrats and former ‘communists’ - have joined the ‘anti-establishment’ populists of the Five Star Movement in a new government. Toby Abse reports on what he calls the new ‘popular front’.
Recession and xenophobia
Toby Abse reports on the latest shenanigans of the right-populist government - and the stirrings of organised working class opposition
Little cause for optimism in Italy
The left is fragmented, directionless and in total disarray, writes Toby Abse
Italy's government provoking a clash with EU
Against the background of attempts to form a new rightwing coalition across Europe, Toby Abse looks at the manoeuvrings of the rival Italian populists
Bloodstained colours of Benetton
Toby Abse looks at the politics underlying the collapse of the Genoa bridge
Minister of the Underworld
Who is responsible for instigating the recent spate of racist attacks? Toby Abse points the finger at interior minister Matteo Salvini
Age of Aquarius
The Lega has celebrated its gains in local elections by stepping up its attacks on migrants and Roma, with the complicity of M5S, writes Toby Abse
Steve Bannon’s dream government
Whatever position it takes in relation to the EU, the new right-populist administration will be viciously anti-worker and anti-migrant, warns Toby Abse
Right-populist threat increases
As stock exchanges are rattled and EU politicians worry over the survival of the euro, Toby Abse warns the left against treating our enemy’s enemy as our friend
Danger of a right-populist coalition
While some insist that M5S is a ‘leftwing’ force, writes Toby Abse, it could well be heading for government in alliance with the Lega
Triumph of right populism
Election marks the worst ever performance of the post-World War II left, writes Toby Abse
Anti-fascists on the march
As the far right becomes more emboldened, Toby Abse reports on the disgraceful attempt of the PD leadership to ban leftwing protests
Italy: Democratic Party left up in arms
Matteo Renzi’s purge is unlikely to halt his party’s decline, argues Toby Abse
The price of neoliberalism
The continuing decline of the left will be confirmed by the results of the March 4 general election, predicts Toby Abse
Renzi vs Grasso
It looks as though a ‘centre-left’ coalition headed by Matteo Renzi will be opposed by a leftwing bloc in the 2018 general election, writes Toby Abse
Mafia politics sway vote
Toby Abse analyses the significance of the Sicilian election results earlier this month
Causing alarm in Rome and Brussels
Toby Abse reports on the bizarre behaviour of Matteo Renzi, which has played into the hands of the right-populist M5S
Pisapia’s soap opera
Thankfully the attempt by the former mayor of Milan to pull fragments to the left of the PD back into the fold has ended in failure, writes Toby Abse
Capitulating to xenophobia
The Renzi government is now competing with the far right when it comes to migrants, writes Toby Abse
Pisapia’s deadly embrace
How productive will Italy’s latest ‘left unity’ project turn out to be? Toby Abse investigates
Racists and Islamophobes
Following the triumph of the right in last month’s local elections, writes Toby Abse, the left appears more and more isolated
Grillo and M5S humiliated
Toby Abse examines the first round of the local elections and the return to the main parties
Playing into Grillo’s hands
Toby Abse reports on the balance of forces following Renzi’s re-election
Hit by corruption scandals
Beppe Grillo and the right-populist Movimento Cinque Stelle are making gains, writes Toby Abse
Reckless Renzi provokes split
With the splintering of the centre-left, the door has been opened wide for Grillo and the right, writes Toby Abse
In the hands of the courts
The judiciary is playing a significant role in shaping Italian politics, reports Toby Abse
Proof of US-inspired terror
Toby Abse reviews: Paolo Bolognesi (ed) Alto tradimento Castelvecchi, Rome, 2016, €18.50
Rasputin and Little Red Riding Hood
Claims that the Five Star Movement is some kind of leftwing formation have been well and truly exposed, writes Toby Abse
A vote on Renzi, not Europe
Toby Abse looks at the possibilities following the referendum defeat and subsequent resignation of the prime minister
Are Renzi’s days numbered?
The December 4 constitutional referendum could be one poll where the predictions turn out to be correct, writes Toby Abse
What sort of populism?
Toby Abse reviews: Filippo Tronconi (ed) 'Beppe Grillo’s Five Star Movement: organisation, communication and ideology', Ashgate Publishing, 2015, pp250, £67.99
An Open Letter
Tony Greenstein addresses Labour MP Joan Ryan
Brexit shock waves
The UK referendum vote has added to the uncertainty in Italy, notes Toby Abse
M5S takes Rome and Turin
With the help of elements of the left, Beppe Grillo’s crew has gained ground in former working class strongholds. Toby Abse reports
M5S is not a leftwing party
Why are elements within the left recommending a vote for Beppe Grillo’s party? Toby Abse points to its links with the far right
M5S on course to take Rome
Toby Abse reports on last weekend’s local elections
Divisions continue to multiply
Berlusconi shows all the signs of being a spent force, writes Toby Abse. But overall, politics still moves to the right
Scandal hits M5S
As Beppe Grillo prepares to step down, his populist party stands accused of corruption. Toby Abse reports
Struggle and postmodern
Toby Abse reviews: Andrea Hajek, 'Negotiating memories of protest in western Europe: the case of Italy', Palgrave Macmillan, 2013, pp220, £53
Populism, nationalism and racism
Fred Leplat (ed), 'The far right in Europe', Resistance Books and International Institute for Research and Education, London 2015, pp334, £12
Renzi in the firing line
Scandals reminiscent of the Berlusconi era have put the prime minister under sustained pressure, writes Toby Abse
Last hurrah of a psychopath
Toni Negri, 'Storia di un comunista', Milan, 2015, pp608, €18, reviewed by Toby Abse
Left splits from Renzi
Toby Abse reports on the formation of a new parliamentary bloc in Italy
Scandals in the capital
The manoeuvring which culminated in the fall of the mayor of Rome could result in the populist right taking control of the city, writes Toby Abse
Exploitation, despoliation, corruption
Toby Abse looks at the sorry story of the Riva family
Renzi’s support plummets
The rightwing offensive on immigration and gay partnerships, combined with the corruption of local administrations, has left the PD struggling, writes Toby Abse
Who will fill the vacuum?
There is no viable radical left alternative, writes Toby Abse
Lega Nord and neo-fascism
The economic crisis is leaving an opening for the neo-fascist right in Italy, reports Toby Abse
Renzi in command
There is no doubting who the main loser is following the election of the new president, reports Toby Abse
After old man Napolitano
As the Italian president prepares to step down, Toby Abse looks at the likely contenders
Resisting Renzi’s attacks
Workers booed members of the centre-left PD off the platform during the rallies that followed last week’s 24-hour strike. Toby Abse reports
Strikes, smoke bombs and tear gas
Toby Abse reports on the latest union action and the autonomists’ social strike
Class struggle intensifies
Toby Abse reports on both verbal and physical clashes, as workers resist the latest attacks from ‘Italy’s Tony Blair’
Marching in defence of article 18
Last weekend’s mass mobilisation in Rome was inspiring, writes Toby Abse. But will trade union militancy be enough?
Italy: New attack on workers’ rights
The former ‘official communists’ are being dragged further and further to the right, observes Toby Abse
Berlusconi acquittal boosts reactionary drive
Plans for constitutional ‘reform’ represent a return to the notorious ‘Plan for National Rebirth’, argues Toby Abse
M5S takes ex-communist stronghold
Despite the views of some who ought to know better, there is nothing progressive about Beppe Grillo, argues Toby Abse
Renzi's rightward march
Last week’s elections have confirmed the trajectory of ‘Italy’s Tony Blair’, writes Toby Abse
Italy: Courtrooms and backhanders
The corruption that afflicts the highest echelons of Italian society is reminiscent of the series of scandals that led to the downfall of the First Republic, writes Toby Abse
Electoral reform and Greek gifts
While the new premier seems destined to disappoint, sections of the left have joined forces in a lash-up that looks set to leave workers cold. Toby Abse reports
Italy: New beginning signals further attacks
Renzis administration intends to further erode workers rights, writes Toby Abse
Italy: The new Tony Blair
The premiership of Matteo Renzi will make the previous government look positively progressive, writes Toby Abse
Italy: Back into the centre of politics
Haggling over the new electoral law has given the former premier some breathing space, writes Toby Abse
Running the show from outside
The absence of any serious leftwing political force leaves the working class in the unenviable position of choosing the butcher, writes Toby Abse
Italy: M5S racism exposed
Confused left populism should not blind us to the natsure of Beppe Grillos party, writes Toby Abse
Berlusconi: Houdini’s last escape
Surely last weeks volte face signals the end of the road for Silvio Berlusconi. Toby Abse reports
Italy: Threat to bring down government
Toby Abse reports on Silvio Berlusconis latest antics
Italy: Heading for jail?
Can it really be true that the law is equal for all? Silvio Berlusconi may yet have more tricks up his sleeve, writes Toby Abse
Berlusconi: Judgement day looms
Toby Abse reports on an unexpected setback for Silvio Berlusconi
Vatican: Rotten to the core
The money-laundering scandal has confirmed that Vatican corruption cannot be put down to isolated individuals, writes Toby Abse
Italy: Berlusconi will never serve time
Toby Abse reports on the Ruby case verdict
Italy: Populists in disarray
Why do some on the British left see Beppe Grillos party as a kind of model? Toby Abse reports on the fallout following Italys local elections
Italian elections: Grillo’s populism exposed
The Five Star Movement has suffered a sharp drop in support. Toby Abse reports on the first round of the local elections
Giulio Andreotti: Corruption, murder and the thirst for power
Toby Abse reviews the life of the Italian prime minister with close Mafia connections: Giulio Andreotti, January 14 1919 - May 6 2013
Italian government: Grand coalition for austerity
Toby Abse reports on the formation of yet another anti-working class administration in Italy
Italian election: Ex-‘official communists’ in disarray
Toby Abse reports on the fallout following the re-election of president Napolitano
Italian political paralysis: Another papal conclave
Toby Abse reports on the backstabbing and intrigue, as Italian politics remains in paralysis
Italian political crisis: Anti-working class stalemate
The contending parties cannot agree on how to make workers pay for the crisis. Toby Abse reports
Italy election: Nothing left about Five Star
Contrary to the view expressed by the Socialist Workers Party, Toby Abse shows that the Italian general election result is a disaster
Italy: More of the same
There will be another round of cuts and austerity, whoever wins the general election, writes Toby Abse
Italy: The end of Mario Monti?
Toby Abse reports on the latest manoeuvres in Rome
Berlusconi: Another guilty verdict
If past form is anything to go by, Silvio Berlusconi will not serve a day of his latest jail sentence, writes Toby Abse
Rifondazione Comunista: Failed refoundation
Toby Abse reviews: Salvatore Cannavo, 'La Rifondazione mancata, 1991-2008: una storia del PRC Edizioni Alegre', Rome 2009, pp223, 14
Sardinian workers force concessions
The big union battalions are once more talking of general strike action, writes Toby Abse
Inferno for the proletariat
Toby Abse reviews: Bill Emmott 'Good Italy, bad Italy: why Italy must conquer its demons to face the future', Yale University Press, 2012, pp299, £18.99
Economic woes and new scandals
The labour 'reforms' have finally been pushed through parliament, but president Napolitano could be brought down over alleged Mafia contacts. Toby Abse reports
Turmoil threatens
While Italy teeters on the brink of a new crisis, the left is nowhere. Toby Abse reports on the machinations of the main parties
Last man standing
The Partito Democratico, dominated by ex-'official communists', is now Italy's leading party, writes Toby Abse
Scandals, austerity and comic diversion
While rightwing parties were the big losers, there is no sign of a move to the left, writes Toby Abse
Lega reaches end of road
Toby Abse reports on the scandal that has engulfed the main Italian far-right regionalist party
Memoirs of a loyal oppositionist
Rossana Rossanda (translated by Romy Clark Giuliani) The comrade from Milan Verso 2010, pp384,
Monti forces through right to sack
With most union leaders caving in, the Italian premier has got broad agreement for the proposed eradication of the workers statute. Toby Abse reports
Strike boosts resistance
As an Italian engineers strike widens to include political issues, Toby Abse looks at how this will affect the battle to save Article 18
Rifondazione opposes rail link
Workers' discontent has found an unexpected outlet, notes Toby Abse
Berlusconi still in the dock
The former premier may have been 'cleared' on a technicality, writes Toby Abse, but the repercussions of the whole affair persist in both the Italian and British establishments
Monti prepares for fresh attacks
The nature of the Italian resistance to austerity has so far been contradictory, writes Toby Abse
No surrender on article 18
Toby Abse reports on the intransigent defence of Italy's Workers' Statute coming from an unexpected source
Three-hour general strike forces concessions
Italian workers are determined to defend their pensions, writes Toby Abse
Budget assault ups the ante
Almost all Italian parties have fallen in behind the attacks fronted by the new government of technocrats, reports Toby Abse
Technocrats and bankers take over
As the entire establishment falls in behind the new cabinet of bureaucrats, writes Toby Abse, Italian workers must prepare for the attacks that lie ahead
Bye bye, euro too?
While the departure of Silvio Berlusconi will be a cause for celebration amongst workers, it will open the way for a more effective government of vicious austerity, warns Toby Abse
Black Bloc allowed to wreck protest
The spontaneism of the 'horizontalists' was completely exposed in Rome, writes Toby Abse
Mired in sleaze, Berlusconi reaches end of the road
Italy's crisis is not purely economic, writes Toby Abse. The corruption of the political elite has contributed to its credit downgrading
Market logic challenged by eight-hour general strike
This week the increasingly moribund government of Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has faced simultaneous attacks on two fronts: from the speculators and the European Central Bank, on the one hand; and from a general strike by the most militant section of Italy's organised working class, on the other. Toby Abse reports
Facing a hot autumn
Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi remains in office, writes Toby Abse, but his Bonapartist regime has come to an end
Euro zone crisis spreads from periphery to core
Toby Abse looks at the interplay between economics and politics after 'Black Friday'
Silvio Berlusconi trounced again
Toby Abse looks at the situation in Italy after the prime minster's humiliating defeat in last weekend's referenda
Malevolent conspirator
Toby Abse condemns the architect of the 'strategy of tension'
Corruption and crime
The breathtaking hypocrisy surrounding the Mills case must be exposed, argues Toby Abse
PRC - origins, problems and prospects
The combativity of the working class in Italy is in part connected to the leadership offered by Rifondazione Comunista, argues Toby Abse, a supporter of Resistance. This monthly publication groups together the International Socialist Group - affiliated to the so-called 'Fourth International' - and an eclectic range of independents who in general inhabit the right wing of the Socialist Alliance
A reply to comrade Abse
For a new party
“A totally open and public document for discussion amongst members and sympathisers of the London Socialist Alliance and all the London borough Socialist Alliances”, written by Toby Abse of Lewisham SA