Subscriber We'd like to start this month's newsletter with a reminder that Trans Day of Remembrance is coming up on the 20th. There will be events in Norwich to memorialise those who have been killed through transphobic violence - violence which has only increased in recent years. See the image below for details; we encourage you to attend if you are able. At time of writing, Brazil's fascist president Jair Bolsonaro seems to be coming to terms with his narrow loss in last weekend's runoff election, which saw Lula of the Partido dos Trabalhadores (Workers' Party) defeat the incumbent by less than 1% of the vote.

Lula isn't exactly a socialist icon - many commentators describe him as a moderate. He will be under pressure from the centre-right interests who backed him against Bolsonaro to restore neoliberal control of Brazil's economy, but his election represents more than just a Biden-esque return to the status quo. Throughout his campaign he has continually restated his commitment to using state funds to directly alleviate the widespread poverty created by the Bolsonaro regime.

Bolsonaro used every trick in the neo-fascist book to beat Lula - billionaire donations, friendly relationships with big tech, illegal mobilisation of police to disrupt voting - but it was not enough. It's been a sobering lesson in just how far the icons of the new far-right will go to hold onto power. But it also sets a crucial precedent: those who rig the game can still lose. Meanwhile, back in the UK, some significant strike ballots have taken place in the education sector. Preliminary ballots from the NEU saw teachers and support staff vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, and formal balloting to authorise that action began last week. Two national ballots of UCU members also closed last week, with a similarly huge proportion of university staff voting to strike over long-running disputes over pensions and pay & working conditions that have been exacerbated by the cost of living crisis. That action is expected to start this month and continue into the new year.

We don't have a Lula equivalent in this country - what passes for the political branch of left-wing and working class struggle is headed by a hypocrite who certainly does not inspire trust in the people taking to the streets. But there is a real moment of movement-building happening here, as trade unions, community groups and civil society organisations work together to provide people with the support they need in a time of crisis. The support that the new near-billionaire prime minister is not likely to provide any time soon.

Solidarity,
The Norwich Radical Editorial Team Most Read Articles in October Want to change how you receive these emails?
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