Carla Roberts

Latest articles by Carla Roberts

Permanent state of terror

Journalists and pro-Palestine activists are being arrested on terrorism charges. The mainstream media seems to have taken a vow of silence. So has the soft left, writes Carla Roberts

An unpalatable choice

With a February 23 general election agreed, German society is set to move right, reports Carla Roberts

Whimpering out of existence

The beginning of the end of all those efforts to rally what was the Corbyn movement seems to be in sight. Carla Roberts reports on the factions and the confusion

Danger of World War III: the communist response

Supported by: Ian Spencer, Bob Paul, Andy Hannah, Paul Cooper, Carla Roberts, Anne McShane

Different times, different slogans

Just because the Bolsheviks dropped defeatism, does not mean communists should do so today. That is obvious. But, though the CPGB calls for “turning what is a war between reactionary capitalist powers into a civil war”, Carla Roberts says that when engaging with others on the left, it is vital to uphold the phrase ‘revolutionary defeatism’, the ‘main enemy is at home’ slogan and the call for a workers’ militia

No illusions in greens

Under the leadership of Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay, the Green Party has moved considerably to the right. Despite that there are some on the left who want to sign up. Carla Roberts is unconvinced

Hidden divisions in Collective

After the ‘private meeting’ of the former Labour leader and a host of other former this and thats, Carla Roberts investigates the disorientation of the soft left and the probable results

Corbyn’s maybe party

An eclectic mixture of soft lefts, reformist has-beens, committed localists, inveterate unity-mongers and the plain deluded have been secretly meeting. But, asks Carla Roberts, can we expect anything more than yet another Labour Party mark two?

Campaign continues to build

Restrictions on protests, attempts to intimidate activists and suspension of export licences testify to the fact that the establishment is under massive pressure from below, says Carla Roberts

Government parties rejected

Alternative für Deutschland was the clear winner in state elections and the establishment has been rattled. But what to make of former ‘official communist’ Sahra Wagenknecht and her BSW? Carla Roberts investigates

Debating in urgent times

Against a background of a much expected Labour landslide, war in Gaza and Ukraine, the drive to encircle China and the looming threats of generalised nuclear exchange and climate breakdown, Ian Spencer and Carla Roberts report on this year’s talks

Rats in a sack

Local assemblies are a recipe for chaos, confusion and ineffectiveness. Jeremy Corbyn continues to disappoint, writes Carla Roberts

Not marvellous at all

Carla Roberts looks at the deluded souls who are celebrating the low turnout, Labour’s poor share of the vote and the election of four petty bourgeois independents

Right questions, wrong answers

George Galloway launched his Workers Party of Britain manifesto before the assembled media. It is characterised by an eclectic mix of World War II nostalgia, radical populism and ‘socialism in one country’ Stalinism, says Carla Roberts

Neither money nor personality

Carla Roberts reviews Alexei Sayle (narrator), Chris Reeves (director), Norman Thomas (writer) The big lie II - Starmer and the genocide Platform Films, 2024

Illusion springs eternal

A Starmer government will supposedly trigger a ‘crisis of expectations’. But, asks Carla Roberts, how can it? With promises of financial responsibility and keeping to Tory spending limits, popular expectations are almost non-existent

So it’s July 4

Rishi Sunak has gambled on falling inflation, tepid economic growth and Rwanda flights to win this summer’s general election. Carla Roberts says: while the Tories richly deserve to lose, we should do nothing to foster illusions in Sir Keir

Sir Keir’s Tory bigot

Natalie Elphicke is welcomed in. Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott are kept out. Meanwhile, the Corbynista left limps on in 57 insipid varieties, writes Carla Roberts

Third period Bennism

Should we support George Galloway’s Workers Party of Britain in the coming general election? Carla Roberts gives her take on the politics, programme and perspectives

We deserve better

Owen Jones has a dodgy record and still shows no understanding of what the anti-Zionism equals anti‑Semitism big lie is all about, says Carla Roberts

Where next for left?

Are Jeremy Corbyn and George Galloway about to join forces? Carla Roberts takes a look at what is going on between these two reformist charlatans and the pending launch of yet another unprincipled lash-up - this time called Collective

Short memory syndrome

SWP members are being told they cannot possibly ‘call for a vote’ for George Galloway, but, as Carla Roberts reminds us, it was a very different story when they operated together in Respect

Unseating the Right Hon Sir Keir

In a bit of political theatre, two campaigns have selected Andrew Feinstein to contest Keir Starmer’s seat in the forthcoming general election. Carla Roberts reports

Thou shalt not criticise Israel

Socialists in Rochdale should vote for George Galloway on February 29. Not that we should suspend our criticisms, argues Carla Roberts

Farcical Labour Party mark two

Tusc’s February 3 convention was, by any objective assessment, an abject failure. Most of the organisations represented amount to no more than political dust, reports Carla Roberts

All together against far right

A secret meeting of a dozen abhorrent rightwingers has finally given the establishment a rod with which to beat the AfD, writes Carla Roberts

Joining the living dead

Carla Roberts wishes she was surprised that Jon Lansman has joined the Jewish Labour Movement

Sixty seconds and no politics

Launched in Nottingham, Transform is unlikely to set British politics alight. Carla Roberts reports on a truly bizarre event

Cowards, careerists and Corbyn diehards

Momentum MP Navendu Mishra claims to be in favour of a Gaza ceasefire. Despite that he followed Starmer’s orders to abstain, reports Carla Roberts

Named after the leaderene

Sahra Wagenknecht is that rarest of rare things - a popular politician - and she is set on a split with Die Linke and going her own way. Carla Roberts takes a look at her BSW project

Don’t mention apartheid

Sir Keir bans Labour banners at Palestine demonstrations, Jeremy Corbyn appeals to‘international law’, while the Campaign Group of Socialist MPs sticks to empty platitudes, reports Carla Roberts

Not much left of the left

So many rival projects and not a serious idea amongst the lot of them. A week ahead of the Liverpool conference, Carla Roberts looks at what little remains of the once mighty Corbyn movement

Still getting it wrong

Diane Abbott has finally spoken out on Labour’s ‘fraudulent’ disciplinary process. But, asks Carla Roberts, is Sir Keir’s refusing to allow her to stand as a Labour candidate the result of racism?

Witch-hunt bang to rights

A damning report concludes that in every fully investigated case, charges of anti-Semitism were found to be baseless. Carla Roberts is not surprised

Putting the record straight

Alexei Sayle (narrator), Chis Reeves (director), Norman Thomas (writer), Oh, Jeremy Corbyn - the big lie, Platform Films

Witch-hunt grows

While some on the disoriented left will support ‘anyone but Labour’, writes Carla Roberts, Momentum and what remains of the official Labour left beg Sir Keir for unity

Mixing left and right

Pollsters suggest that a new party set up by Sahra Wagenknecht would gain considerable support. But, asks Carla Roberts, where are the principled politics that are so desperately needed?

Open for business

Starmer is determined to display his loyalty to big business, the state and the Atlantic alliance by purging what is already a totally marginalised and useless official left. But, asks Carla Roberts, what if Jeremy Corbyn stood as an independent?

Principled voices few and far between

Despite Corbyn’s imminent departure, the ‘Anti-Zionism equals anti-Semitism’ smear campaign remorselessly grinds on, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists.

Then there were four

Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists shows how appeasement has a terrible logic. But candidates can be pressurised from the left.

Put pressure on RLB

CLPs should demand the Labour leadership candidate distances herself from the ‘10 pledges’, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists.

Between a rock and a hard place

Candidates in the Labour leadership election reflect the self-inflicted defeat of the Labour left under Corbyn’s leadership, argues Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Recoiling from the challenge

Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists is puzzled by the decision of the Labour Representation Committee

More power to members

The furore over the parliamentary selection process and the restructuring of Jeremy Corbyn’s office show that Labour HQ is still focussing on the top, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists.

Joining with the witch-hunters

Stitching up Chris Williamson marks a turning point, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists.

Momentum cannot be rescued

There are various groups advocating reform. But, asks Carla Roberts, can they succeed?

One small step forward

The Labour Left Alliance held its first national networking meeting in Brighton. Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists reports.

A rough guide for delegates

Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists looks at some of the proposed rule changes to be debated by conference.

Witch-hunt's biggest victim

Chris Williamson has dared question the claim that Labour has become institutionally anti-Semitic under Jeremy Corbyn, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists. Now he is likely to be expelled for this crime.

Bitter fruit of appeasement

The renewed suspension of Chris Williamson and the degeneration of Momentum shows that the left in the party needs to get organised, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Let’s get trigger-happy

The reinstatement of Chris Williamson has riled the witch-hunters, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists. Now we must ensure that the decision to introduce the reformed trigger ballot process is used to drive them out

From Peterborough to Pompeo

With every new victim of the witch-hunt, the requirements to qualify as an ‘anti-Semite’ are substantially lowered, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

All part of the campaign

Pete Willsman is the victim of a well-timed sting - yet his own CLPD comrades will not stand in solidarity with him. Carla Roberts reports

Rothschild and irrationality

Carla Roberts looks forward to the May 4 members meeting of Labour Against the Witchhunt

Next step hard right

George Galloway, Claire Fox and Alka Sehgal Cuthbert are providing a ‘left’ cover for Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

In praise of Momentum

The Jewish Labour Movement has recognised Jon Lansman’s ‘valuable work’ in support of Zionism, reports Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Where are our trigger ballots?

Jeremy Corbyn keeps digging his own grave, says Carla Roberts. But we want to bury the right

Another victim of the witch hunt

Jackie Walker was expelled by a supposedly ‘leftwing’ panel, notes Carla Roberts

Corbyn should speak up

Labour HQ has decided upon yet more suspensions. Carla Roberts reports on the appalling consequences of appeasement

Fake outrage, fake accusations

The civil war in the Labour Party is at a critical stage, writes Carla Roberts

Hundreds of hard-core anti-Semites?

Suspending Chris Williamson MP is an outrage, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Heading towards a split?

There are signs that Corbyn and his allies are finally starting to fight back, reports Carla Roberts

Split - and split now!

Perhaps some of the most obnoxious Blairites in the PLP will actually jump before they get pushed, hopes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Still weapon of choice

The PLP as presently constituted will never be appeased, argues Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Trigger ballots will see many MPs given their marching orders

Split - and split now! Perhaps some of the most obnoxious Blairites in the PLP will actually jump before they get pushed, hopes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt: another witch-hunt victim

NEC refuses to endorse Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt in South Thanet, writes Carla Roberts

Zionists in the Labour Party, unite!

Momentum and the JLM have teamed up to take on David Icke, why bother says Carla Roberts

No cross-class coalition

The move for a special Labour conference on a ‘People’s Vote’ is designed to smooth the path to a national government, warns Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Anti-Zionism and self-censorship

The witch-hunt against Jeremy Corbyn and the left is still in full swing - and spreading across society, reports Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

NCC ‘left’ slate farce ends in another Jon Lansman surrender

The manoeuvres over joint candidates for Labour's disciplinary committee exposes the political vacuity of the existing left groupings, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Despicable participants in an ongoing witch-hunt

The AWL social-imperialists have constituted themselves as allies of the Labour right, the mainstream media and the Israeli political establishment, writes Carla Roberts

Aspirations frustrated

Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists gives her assessment of the Liverpool conference

Democracy, reselection and Omov

Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists looks at some of the rule changes before this year’s Labour conference

NEC left capitulates

But there might yet be light at the end of the tunnel, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Breach of rules?

The witch-hunt has reached the heights of absurdity, reports Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Playing the long game

Corbyn should stand up and fight, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

No politics, please

The July 15 ‘Momentum national conference’ will be a very special one, reports Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists: no motions, elections or decision-making of any kind

And then they came for LRC

John McDonnell has a political history, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists. But, unfortunately, not much in the way of a backbone

Another rotten fudge

The divisions in SPEW stem from a leadership dogmatically sticking to a totally wrong position, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

A toxic climate of fear

Shami Chakrabarti’s call for Ken Livingstone’s expulsion shows where appeasement leads, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Zionism is the real problem

Marc Wadsworth’s expulsion should be viewed in the context of the international situation, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Wrong type of Jew

The right has succeeded in ridding ‘anti-Semitism’ of any coherent meaning, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

In defence of Stan Keable

Suspended from his job for a conversation

The taming of Corbyn

While some on the Labour right still hope to force Corbyn to resign, writes Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists, others are aiming to change the man and his politics

After Formby’s election

In light of the new incoming regime at party HQ, Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists reports on objections to Jon Lansman’s slate

Momentum’s loose cannon

Why did Jon Lansman withdraw from the race to become Labour’s new general secretary? Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists looks for answers

What's going on?

Unexpected fault lines have opened up on the soft Labour left over who will be the next general secretary, reports Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Too early to celebrate

Iain McNicol gone, JLM calling the police, rumours about Ken Livingstone being reinstated … But it’s not all plain sailing for the left, warns Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Lansman and witch-hunting

Momentum has drafted a ‘Charter of members’ rights’, which promises to put an end to the deluge of unjustified suspensions from the party, writes Carla Roberts. But it does not oppose political expulsions and also leaves the compliance unit untouched

When chickens come home

Jeremy Newmark is in trouble, Ann Black has been dropped and AWL members have been declared ‘unwelcome’, reports Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Criticism is not abuse

Carla Roberts takes issue with proposals to outlaw 'abuse' of MPs

NEC readmits leftwingers

But hopes that this might mark the beginning of the end of the witch-hunt could be premature, warns Carla Roberts

Democratise the party

The election of Christine Shawcroft as chair of Labour’s disputes panel gives some hope that Jeremy Corbyn and his allies might finally put an end to the witch-hunt, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Labour’s ‘flexible’ rules

If being a supporter of LPM is incompatible with Labour’s ‘aims and principles’, asks Carla Roberts, where does that leave all the other political organisations inside the party?

Now the real work begins

The left made limited, but real, gains at conference, reports Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Keep up the pressure

Labour’s NEC has opened the door for much-needed change - now the left needs to take advantage of that opening, says Carla Roberts

Parallel campaign delivers win

One the greatest upsets of the election took place in Sheffield Hallam, where a pro-Corbyn candidate defeated Nick Clegg. Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists reports

Cohering the Labour left

Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists reports on the first meeting of the Grassroots Momentum steering committee on April 22 in London

Wasted opportunities galore

Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists was appalled by Momentum’s ‘inaugural conference’ and its Duracell bunnies

Much confusion, little clarity

William Sarsfield spoke to Labour Party Marxists supporter Tina Werkmann, who was elected to the Grassroots Momentum steering committee

Against Lansman, for what?

On March 11, Grassroots Momentum met at Conway Hall in central London. Simon Wells and Carla Roberts report

Fight back - but for what?

The left in Momentum is organising a ‘networking conference’ on March 11, writes Carla Roberts

Stay and fight the battle of ideas

Despite widespread outrage over the Lansman coup, there is little appetite to split Momentum, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

Reduced to a corpse?

We knew it was coming, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists, but the sheer cynicism of Jon Lansman’s coup is staggering

A false narrative

The current Momentum crisis has nothing to do with age, Trotsky or even the voting method to be used at conference, says Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists. It is about who controls Momentum and for what political ends

The nuclear option

While Jon Lansman considers ending it all, the left majority needs to press home its advantage, urges Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists

A party, within a party, within ...

Carla Roberts of Labour Party Marxists reports from the November 5 meeting of members of the Momentum national committee

Make it mandatory

Carla Roberts reviews: David Osland's 'How to select or reselect your MP', Spokesman Books, 2016, pp16, £4

How to deselect your MP

Carla Roberts looks at the rules, past and present