Euro polls warning

Elections to the European parliament saw voters revolt against government and traditional parties. While there were some gains for the left, media headlines were dominated by victories for the Front National in France, and UKIP in Britain. ROBERT BECHERT reports.

Elections in Britain: Cracks in the establishment

The elections on 22 May marked a turning point. Although not the first time the right-wing populists of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) have picked up a significant protest vote, this was of a different order. In the previous two European elections UKIP polled 16%. That collapsed to 2% and 3% in the subsequent general elections. No-one expects that to happen next year. HANNAH SELL assesses the implications.

Another step forward for TUSC

By mounting the biggest left-of-Labour election challenge since world war two the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) has showed the pivotal role it could play in developing the forces for a new workers’ party, as events put this task ever more firmly on the agenda. In the local elections on May 22, TUSC stood 559 candidates across 89 councils, as well as for the directly-elected mayors of Lewisham, Newham and Tower Hamlets. CLIVE HEEMSKERK reports.