Latest LookLeft in shops

[fluffybiscuits]

I did indeed just go through the doors,past the newspaper stand and its on the right hand side. Fairly prominent. Going to settle down in a bit with a cuppa and read the article on AFA. Its a tad NI orientaited but still good article and concise writing Going to be passed amongst the family afterwards

[Margaret Wilson]

Any feedback - next issue in production.

[Baron von Biffo]

Any feedback - next issue in production.

Welcome to PW Margaret.

Some time ago the eccentric economist Conor McCabe featured in a thread here so when I saw his name on the cover of Look Left Vol.2 Issue 10 I bought it to see if perhaps I was being unfair in my initial assessment of him (I wasn't).

My first impression was that it has the look and feel of a trade union magazine of the 1970s - The dull (presumably) amateur photographs don't help.

Reading through it I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't as jargon ridden as I'd feared - It didn't read like a transcript of a Joe Higgins or Kieran Allen speech.

The Workers Party bias is very strong with several articles being nothing more than party puff pieces. There's a very strong feeling that it's produced for the faithful rather than a general readership. Certainly there's nothing in it, I think, that would challenge the views of a WP member.

On the whole I'd have to say it's a pretty dull party magazine. Not something I'd be in a rush to buy again.

Now that I've said that, I'm regarded by some in these parts as obtuse, ignorant and a curmudgeon so you may wish to disregard it.

[fluffybiscuits]

Welcome to PW Margaret.

Some time ago the eccentric economist Conor McCabe featured in a thread here so when I saw his name on the cover of Look Left Vol.2 Issue 10 I bought it to see if perhaps I was being unfair in my initial assessment of him (I wasn't).

My first impression was that it has the look and feel of a trade union magazine of the 1970s - The dull (presumably) amateur photographs don't help.

Reading through it I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't as jargon ridden as I'd feared - It didn't read like a transcript of a Joe Higgins or Kieran Allen speech.

The Workers Party bias is very strong with several articles being nothing more than party puff pieces. There's a very strong feeling that it's produced for the faithful rather than a general readership. Certainly there's nothing in it, I think, that would challenge the views of a WP member.

On the whole I'd have to say it's a pretty dull party magazine. Not something I'd be in a rush to buy again.

Now that I've said that, I'm regarded by some in these parts as obtuse, ignorant and a curmudgeon so you may wish to disregard it.

Im gonna differ on the Baron on this one. Loved the articles on the anti abortion stance, the history of the AFA (should have been longer and discussed more of their campaigns) and the article on the extradition bill. Found it focused a lot on NI but over all was worth the money. Not too fussed myself on the photos , a few here and there are nice !

[Saoirse go Deo]

Bought it yesterday in Swords.

Was a decent read, the feature on Dominic Behan was excellent as well as the review of "Letters from Long Kesh".

Workers party bias was not too bad, although you could sense that the entire magazine was preaching to the converted. I have to agree with Baron in saying that there was very little there to challenge a WP member.

The feature on the Irish media and the property crash was very good.

"Northern Ireland Needs a Progressive Opposition" by Brian McDermott reminded me why I don't like the WP, their smug superiority.

Stephanie Lord's article was, as predicted, a one sided rant - the crocodile tears over the x case are just that - people should be honest and say that they want abortion on demand for any reason. It's not about rape. It's not about incest. Hiding behind those horrors is dishonest.
"What women do with their own bodies should not be dictated by a tiny, but well funded and vocal minority"
That really highlights what I'm on about. Campaigners don't want it "dictated" by the vast majority by way of referendum!

Hiding behind the x case, or fetal abnormalities is cowardly. Abortion campaigners should be honest and simply state that they want abortion for women as a right, with the women being allowed to make the decision to abort for any reason, at any time. But they won't because their support will dissipate quite a bit.

About the magazine in general, well laid out, good price. Quite clever having the first few pages glossy and the rest paper, I imagine that goes a long way to keeping the cost down. Few more pictures maybe.

Will buy again, one thing I would like to see is a historical column, perhaps offering left wing analysis on Ireland's history. Land League, etc.

Would buy again if I thought of it, but I won't be counting down the days until it is released if you know what I mean.

[Sam Lord]

Stephanie Lord's article was, as predicted, a one sided rant - the crocodile tears over the x case are just that - people should be honest and say that they want abortion on demand for any reason. It's not about rape. It's not about incest. Hiding behind those horrors is dishonest.
"What women do with their own bodies should not be dictated by a tiny, but well funded and vocal minority"
That really highlights what I'm on about. Campaigners don't want it "dictated" by the vast majority by way of referendum!

Hiding behind the x case, or fetal abnormalities is cowardly. Abortion campaigners should be honest and simply state that they want abortion for women as a right, with the women being allowed to make the decision to abort for any reason, at any time. But they won't because their support will dissipate quite a bit.

It is possible that someone may wish to see abortion introduced as a right but realising that is not possible in Ireland today argue for it in more proscribed situations ... like the X case. I don't see anything cowardly in that. In fact, it seems to be the normal everyday stuff of politics. Where you are unlikely to have your full platform implemented you push for what is attainable, etc.

[Margaret Wilson]

Thanks for your feedback. The issue Baron was commenting on is 2 issues ago, since then the magazine has increased to 48 pages and had a design overhaul. We are always interested in improving its appeal to the broad left, so all comment is welcomed. Next issue out in early November.

[unspecific]

Im gonna differ on the Baron on this one. Loved the articles on the anti abortion stance, the history of the AFA (should have been longer and discussed more of their campaigns) and the article on the extradition bill. Found it focused a lot on NI but over all was worth the money. Not too fussed myself on the photos , a few here and there are nice !

Is the Workers Party anti-abortion?

[Garibaldy]

Is the Workers Party anti-abortion?

The WP is, and has been for decades, pro-choice

http://www.workerspartyireland.net/id768.html

I note you were of the opinion that LookLeft had too much stuff on NI. I'd be interested to hear as to why you think that; after all, the class struggle doesn't stop at the border.

[fluffybiscuits]

Is the Workers Party anti-abortion?

No I meant the article on those opposed to abortion, sorry I should made my post clearer!

[fluffybiscuits]

The WP is, and has been for decades, pro-choice

http://www.workerspartyireland.net/id768.html

I note you were of the opinion that LookLeft had too much stuff on NI. I'd be interested to hear as to why you think that; after all, the class struggle doesn't stop at the border.

Hi Garibaldy

A lot of its focus was on NI and there was some on the Republic from my POV. I never said that the class struggle stops at the border but me personally am not way Republican. At heart Im an idealist, I see the class struggle as being Europe wide and world wide and think that nationalist and Republican politics as being too insular. Looking at the class conflict from a European perspective lets us see the bigger picture . NI politics already has the basis for European movement with strong ties to Palestine and Basque political movements which should form the basis for any European wide movement against austerity and fighting for better rights.

Hope that answers your question a chara, quite happy to continue this on anothe thread, actually I will start one...

[Margaret Wilson]

The next issue of LookLeft in production letters to the editor are welcome (200 word max)