Professor Stephen Hawking, the world-renowned theoretical physicist, is backing the academic boycott of Israel by pulling out of a conference hosted by Israeli president Shimon Peres in Jerusalem as a protest at Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

On Sunday 30 March Sunderland football club welcomed Paulo Di Canio, a self-confessed fascist, as manager. He admitted in his autobiography: “I am fascinated by Mussolini, I think he was a deeply misunderstood individual. He deceived people. His actions were often vile. But all this was motivated by a higher purpose. He was basically a very principled individual.

Martin Ralph, interviews Sarah Murphy, member of the PCS, who helped form a group against the bedroom tax in March in Leasowe, Wirral.

For a Socialist and Workers International Alternative

In Europe, one of the epicentres of the world financial and economic crisis, workers and oppressed face a deepening social war that aims to destroy all the historical conquests of the working class.

Margaret Thatcher died on 8 April 2013 and the vast majority of ordinary people greeted her passing with undisguised joy.

The article below was written for the Socialist Voice in 1989 by Rae Hunter. The article shows she knew where the attacks on public health were leading if the workers’ socialist struggle did not stop them.

The Government launched its White Paper on the National Health Service on 1 February 1989. Margaret Thatcher called it “the most far reaching reform of the National Health Service in its forty-year history”. The Government declares it will extend patient care and reduce waiting lists. Yes! – for those with money it will provide these things, but for the poor, the old, the mentally disabled and the chronically ill the life-line will be severed.

Martin Ralph, International Socialist League, interviewed Aimi Molloy, Women’s Representative, Fire Brigades Union, Liverpool

SV: What are the main cut issues facing the fire services at the moment?

Cuts have already been made over the last few years and we all know further cuts can only lead to a worse service.

The main issues the fire service faces in the UK because of cuts are slower response times to incidents such as fires, road traffic collisions, floods and persons trapped. Another major impact of the cuts will be the reduction in the amount of preventative work we are able to carry out.

Speech by John Ritchie, member of Stand Up In Bootle, Merseyside at the 28 February march and rally in Bootle

It is time to end the unjust, unethical, unfair, evil demonisation, persecution and penalisation of the working classes, employed and unemployed, sick, disabled, poor and those on benefits and low incomes!

Daniel Campos, member of the Argentine PSTU and author of ‘The End of the Corporation’ published in Spanish 2012. Available in English in 2013.

George Osborn selected Canadian Mark Carney to take over from Mervyn King amid great excitement in the City of London, but who is he and why the euphoria?

At the 26 January conference all speakers were in favour of a general strike including Steve Gillan, general secretary POA, John McCormack vice-president UCU, John Hendy QC, co-author of the booklet “Days of Action”. Chris Bough deputy general secretary and Len McCluskey Unite general secretary.