Conter: Against the Establishment

20/10/2023

The protests around the world this weekend against the bombardment and invasion of Gaza will be historic.

More than just a show of moral force - they could have a real bearing on the outcome of events.

Gaza on the Brink – 5 Reasons You Must March

The marches around the world this weekend against the bombardment and invasion of Gaza will be historic. David Jamieson sets them in perspective with five

11/09/2023

One third of Britain’s copper came from Chile and, as far as the British government was concerned, the resource could not thus be returned to the people. Even before he came to power, the British government had been keen to oppose Allende. In the Chilean elections of 1964 and 1970, Harold Wilson’s Labour government organised a covert operation in the country against Allende, and in favour of his right wing opponents. A special unit – the Information Research Department – was deployed to work alongside the CIA in distributing propaganda and recruiting key civil society figures in the anti-socialist cause.

Days after the 1973 coup, the British Foreign Secretary wrote that “for British interests… there is no doubt that Chile under the junta is a better prospect than Allende’s chaotic road to socialism.”

The coup that overthrew Chile's leader in 1973 was trained and backed by the US. But the British state was also a key lieutenant in the suppression of Chilean

02/09/2023

"Disaster nationalism, bedlam Britain and calamity Brexit. All these shrill labels for the enemy merely testified to an underlying void of purpose, symptomatic of a growing provincialism."

The SNP leadership's anti-Brexitism can mobilise grievance, but can't hide the void of purpose at the heart of mainstream Scottish nationalism. Cynicism and

31/08/2023

Even after the Scottish Government was forced to release documents showing its EU pathway doesn’t work, it still maintains the myth of easy entry.

This dishonesty is corrosive to the independence cause, argues Jonathon Shafi.

Even after the Scottish Government was forced to release documents showing its EU pathway doesn't work, it still maintains the pretence of easy entry. This

13/07/2023

Ukraine is months into a counter-offensive which has won little territory but cost many lives. Chris Bambery argues US and western policy makers are not being honest about the tactics they are pushing.

Ukraine is months into a counter-offensive which has won little territory but cost many lives. Chris Bambery argues US and western policy makers are not being

02/07/2023

100 days into his leadership, Humza Yousaf remains in his predecessor's shadow. He seems determined not to leave it.

There is no path forward for the independence movement that evades direct criticism of the Sturgeon years, argues Jonathon Shafi.

There is no path forward for the independence movement that evades direct criticism of the Sturgeon years, argues Jonathon Shafi.

12/06/2023

"There are no plans for reform. No one in high politics has a platform to revive our society. There are only pro-cuts, pro-corporate, pro-war parties in the parliament. Differences in theory on the constitution amount to little or nothing in reality."

Operation Branchform has yet to come to any conclusions. Yet its operations have already cast modern Scotland in a very different light. The myth of

06/06/2023

Far from representing an alternative to the ideas of establishment figures like Gordon Brown, SNP leaders have adopted them.

David Jamieson argues that there is no road to a viable independence movement that doesn’t break with civic nationalism.

Far from representing an alternative to the ideas of establishment figures like Gordon Brown, SNP leaders have adopted them. David Jamieson argues that there

21/05/2023

Supporters called it speaking truth to power. Opponents called it fascist. But NatCon showed that the trivial obsessions of the culture war have polarised politics and demoted the big questions of our time.

Supporters called it speaking truth to power. Opponents called it fascist. But NatCon showed that the trivial obsessions of the culture war have polarised politics and demoted the big questions of our

15/05/2023

Our first in-person event of the year was a runaway success - standing room for David Broder's new book 'Mussolini's Grandchildren' - how the Italian far right are remoulding politics in Europe. We sold out on the day but you can get a copy here: https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745348025/mussolinis-grandchildren/

Want to keep in touch and hear about future events? Sign up to our mailing list: https://conter.substack.com/

Our event was free, as is most of what we do. If you want to support us, and gain access to exclusive content and events, sign up to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/conterscot

09/05/2023

"20 million watched the coronation across all channels and platforms. EastEnders in the 1990s could beat that on a weekly basis. It’s about 10 million fewer than watched the Queen’s funeral.!

Monarchism is being subculturalised. How long can it last with the support of the alienated and ideological, ask David Jamieson.

09/05/2023

We Need Your Help to Grow Conter
https://www.conter.scot/2023/5/9/we-need-your-help-to-grow-conter/

06/05/2023

Pete and James discuss the Coronation.
- How much organic popular enthusiasm is there for Charles
- Is The Firm still the standard bearer of British nationalism?
- Who is the creepiest Royal?
- Why does British republicanism remain so naff?

Pete and James discuss the Coronation. - How much organic popular enthusiasm is there for Charles - Is The Firm still the standard bearer of British nationalism? - Who is the creepiest Royal? - Why

03/05/2023

David Broder’s acclaimed new book Mussolini’s Grandchildren: Fascism in Contemporary Italy, charts the rise of Georgia Meloni and the Brothers of Italy movement. He explains how the spread of their chauvinistic ideology poses a threat across Europe.

At this meeting, Broder will provide an eyewitness account of the rise of Fascism’s grandchildren in Italy. With the growth of authoritarian movements from Hungary to France, and the UK Government among many adopting openly xenophobic policies, this book launch will be an opportunity to discuss the dangers of the new right at home and abroad.

At this meeting, Broder will provide an eyewitness account of the rise of Fascism’s grandchildren in Italy.

26/04/2023

The struggling SNP, and Scottish politics as a whole, remain tied to the fate of the figure who has defined both for years. The post-2014 hegemon is dead, but many still haven’t worked this out says Jonathon Shafi.

The struggling SNP, and Scottish politics as a whole, remain tied to the fate of the figure who has defined both for years. The post-2014 hegemon is dead, but

25/04/2023

"Conspiracy theories have travelled since the grainy 9/11 videos that populated early YouTube. In Europe, the claim of ‘great replacement’ has become a common trope on the right. Paranoid Russia panic is just as ubiquitous on the centre and centre left."

Sturgeon loyalists have begun alleging a state conspiracy to decapitate the nationalist movement and fend-off independence. But they aren't alone - around the

19/04/2023

Worse than ridiculous, it’s dangerous for Scotland to remain shackled to a farcical administration obsessed with its own survival at a time of great public need, argues David Jamieson.

Worse than ridiculous, it's dangerous for Scotland to remain shackled to a farcical administration obsessed with its own survival at a time of great public

16/04/2023

From Edinburgh to Washington, journalists are suspicious of unofficial information and eager for censorship. What's going on?

13/04/2023

Hundreds signed up but there are still free tickets for this event from 5pm (UK time) today:

A panel with Cat Boyd, Daniel Chavez and Vivek Chibber.

11/04/2023

In the last year, simmering tensions between the west and China have threatened to erupt. The standoff over Taiwan, and the struggle for control of the South China Sea, are only one flashpoint.

Alice Konghorn-Gray and Ben Wray speak to Ho-fung Hung, Wiesenfeld professor in political economy at Johns Hopkins University and author of several celebrated books on the Chinese model.

They discuss:

- What kind of power is China - and is the west heading to war with it in the future?
- In what sense can we talk of China as the 'Germany' of the 21st century.
- What internal contradictions does this emerging global power face?

In the last year, simmering tensions between the west and China have threatened to erupt. The standoff over Taiwan, and the struggle for control of the South China Sea, are only one flashpoint. Alice

11/04/2023

What does a working class political challenge to the establishment look like today?

Free: Join Cat Boyd, Vivek Chibber and Daniel Chavez to discuss the dilemmas of working class organisation - 5-7pm BST, this Thursday 13 April.

A panel with Cat Boyd, Daniel Chavez and Vivek Chibber.

10/04/2023

Rastko Novakovic speaks to Roger Stahl about his ground breaking new film, exposing the extent of military and US intelligence influence in Hollywood.

You'll be shocked by how many of your favourite films were shaped by military propaganda.

Rastko Novakovic speaks to Roger Stahl about his ground breaking new film, exposing the extent of military and US intelligence influence in the Hollywood

09/04/2023

What's behind the mess in Scottish nationalism? Iain Macwhirter says it's Humza's anti-capitalism. Owen Jones spies an international reactionary conspiracy.

This hysteria indicates deeper problems in a shared worldview, argues David Jamieson.

Collapse has arrived for Scotland's once dominant power clique. But the most high-profile political scandal of the devolution era is a test for many

09/04/2023

Collapse has arrived for Scotland's once dominant power clique. But the most high-profile political scandal of the devolution era is a test for many institutions, and media narratives a struggling to keep up.

A special Easter Sermon. Collapse has arrived for Scotland's once dominant power clique. But the analysis of events is miles from reality.

31/03/2023

The departure of Nicola Sturgeon and the rise of a lightweight successor makes clear that independence is mothballed for now. But we cannot let this reality dissuade us from challenging power at a national level, argues Sophie Johnson.

The departure of Nicola Sturgeon and the rise of a lightweight successor makes clear that independence is mothballed for now. But we cannot let this reality

28/03/2023

"The grid of alliances is global, and shifts in one theatre can result in explosions halfway around the world. Never has it been so apparent that tensions in eastern Europe are closely linked to those in the Pacific."

The international scene today recalls the infamous ‘sleepwalk’ to war before 1914, argues historian Chris Bambery.

The international scene today recalls the infamous 'sleepwalk' to war before 1914, argues historian Chris Bambery.

28/03/2023

Pete Ramand and James Foley are joined by Jonathon Shafi to discuss the politics and prospects of Scotland's new First Minister:

- What does the closeness of the SNP leadership race imply about internal party cohesion?
- What will Yousaf's pitch be on independence - can it cut through at the next election?
- Yousaf says he is a socialist - but what does this mean, and are there any prospects of pressuring Yousaf from the left?

Pete Ramand and James Foley are joined by Jonathon Shafi to discuss the politics and prospects of Scotland's new First Minister: - What does the closeness of the SNP leadership race imply about inter

26/03/2023

"The complaint is not that the SNP isn’t socialist. It would be odd if this were the natural proclivity of an independence movement in our historical conditions. It’s more that the debates about economics and sovereignty have never materialised."

Scottish nationalism's problems don't begin or end at the top of the SNP. Whatever happened to the ideas of Scottish nationalism, asks David Jamieson.