Rubbery figures

Rubbery figures

LONDON — It has been revealed in an internal British Labour Party document, leaked to the media, that financial membership, contrary to public pronouncements of 280,000, really stands at less than 90,000. Further, there has been a shift in the social composition of the party, with 4 out of every 5 new recruits coming from the middle class.

Petra Kelly verdict

Police in Bonn have concluded their inquiry into the deaths of German environmentalist Petra Kelly and her companion Gert Bastian, declaring the probability of a suicide pact. Both activists were found shot dead in their home last October. It appeared that Bastian had shot Kelly and then himself.

Workers demonstrate in Rome

More than 300,000 workers took to the streets in Rome on February 27. The demonstration, called to protest government austerity measures, was organised by the rank and file factory councils.

Yes prime minister

British Prime Minister John Major has outlined changes to the honours system more in keeping with his "classless" society. Sir Humphrey's successors in the civil service can no longer expect a gong for attaining their rank: in future they will have to be nominated and show merit. Nominations will be adjudicated, however, at 10 Downing Street.

Commoners can now nominate in the same fashion, and distinctions between the honours granted to military chiefs and the ranks will be ended. But judges will continue to receive their knighthoods automatically on cue, and long-serving (servile) Tory MPs and the Conservative Party's wealthy backers won't be forced to queue at the trough. And no doubt the line of Trade Union Congress general secretaries tucked up in ermine will continue to grow at great cost to "classless" workers and stoats.

... Frank Noakes

From GLW issue 92