So-called ‘statesmen’ take world to the brink to defend greed and rich minority rule

AS THE VOICE goes to press we are poised on the divide between escalating and spreading war on the one hand and a shaky peace on the other both with potentially ruinous human, environmental and economic consequences.

The war, treated by Trump and his Pentagon henchmen as some kind of game, is creating an ever rising death toll, huge material damage, thousands of refugees and mounting economic crisis across the planet. Of course all this is magnified by the flow of threats, boasting and outbursts from Trump which, in turn, sets the tone and atmosphere for his many acolytes which has swung from demands for unconditional surrender on one hand and offers of deals on the other.

However significant as Trump’s proclamations are given that he is Commander in Chief of US forces they need to be viewed in the wider context of what his escalating imperialism means both for those facing the offensive in Iran and the wider middle east and the already creaking military and political structures of NATO and the so called free world.

Diversionary tactic
First of course for us, is the position taken up by Prime Minister Starmer which can only be described, at its kindest, as rather flexible first refusing the use of UK bases for the prosecution of the war then softening his strictures to allow their use to drop ‘defensive’ bombs now opening a second front threatening to storm tankers carrying Russian oil — a classic diversionary tactic.

All this confirms that the grovelling with the King’s invitation, stooping to pick up Trump’s spilled papers and parades of ministers intoning on the wonders of the fictional “special relationship” amounts to very little.

Just as generals are said to fight the last war they were involved in so politicians wrap themselves in the comfort blanket of what used to work and, using this template, make long term and often hugely expensive policy decisions. Thus as the US places NATO under strain and embarks on a string of imperial adventures from kidnapping Maduro, invading Greenland (postponed), attempting to starve Cuba into submission and stridently insulting Trump’s supposed partner European leaders they respond by feeding more meat to the dog that bites them.

Leading the pack a supposed ‘Labour’ UK government which ,desperate for economic growth, has hitched its wagon to a huge hike in arms spending as the way to do it. From submarines to Trident missiles, warships, eye-wateringly expensive jets and regiments of soldiers, sailors and flyers no expense is to be spared in the task of keeping a military alliance (already on life support) alive even as its senior partner reaches for the off switch.

Not to be outdone in this mad cap escapade the self proclaimed ‘moderate’ Lib Dems want to scrap Trident only to replace it with a 100% British made alternative presumably painted with a massive Union Jack — the butcher’s apron indeed!

Urgent need for change
As we enter the weeks before the 7 May Scottish Elections, the mainstream blind backing of the war drive both here and across Europe is a potent symbol of their blind support for a world facing decay and disintegration and refusal to consider the urgent need for change.

The fact that conflict in Iran could have been avoided is simply the tip of the war iceberg which now poses a world of militarism, conscription, and war or an alternative tackling the climate crisis, creating well paid green jobs, building eco friendly homes and putting the needs of people and planet first.

Amidst the shadow boxing between the so called mainstream parties and the campaign for a socialist answer being waged in all eight Holyrood regional list ballots by the Scottish Socialist Party stands a gulf the
size of the Grand Canyon on the very future of humanity itself.

From the carpet bombing and mass slaughter in Gaza to today’s relentless assaults in Iran and wider Middle East via the trashing of the planet for profit to the decades long lash of austerity the failures of today’s politics is plain to see.

It also underpins the dangerous growth of far right parties from France to Germany, taking power in Italy and, of course, a looming menace in the shape of Reform here in Scotland.

It is into this crisis of war, economic and climate crisis and the far right danger that the forces offering real change in the shape of socialist policies and the real democracy of an independent Scottish socialist republic must and will engage.

Over the days running up to 7 May the SSP’s candidates from Maidenkirk to John O’Groats will take up that challenge but as always the party will be on picket lines and in community struggles, facing down racism and defending services during and after the election campaign.