Tribune – Comment, news and reviews from Britain's democratic left

A Google executive arrested by Egypt’s feared and hated secret police was feted by pro-democracy protestors in Cairo. Wael Ghonim, who was held by state security for 12 days, often blindfolded, was cheered and given a hero’s welcome by the crowds as he entered Tahrir Square.

Despite the opposition of Conservative MEPs, plans for a financial transaction tax (FTT) at either European Union or global level moved a step closer after the European Parliament’s economic committee overwhelmingly backed a report by Greek Socialist Anni Podimata MEP which suggested that such a tax would raise billions of extra revenue, reduce government deficits and fight speculation.

British Airways cabin crew are to be re-balloted on strike action by their union in the latest twist in their long-running dispute with the airline.

The union Unite has called on the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to review the way it deals with MPs’ staff – or hand them back to the House of Commons authorities. IPSA is coming under increasing pressure from MPs of all parties as well as the trade union representing staff in the Commons.

The pressure group Campaign for Better Transport has launched a Save Our Buses campaign after it was revealed that more than two-thirds of the country’s councils plan to cut services after the Conservative-led coalition’s savage cuts in public spending.
Stephen Joseph, CBT’s chief executive, said 13 county councils – including Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon – are planning cuts of more than £1 million and some councils intend to end all subsidised services.

Hundreds of council house tenants will join housing campaigners, local councillors and trade union activists in a mass lobby of Parliament on February 15 organised by the pressure group Defend Council Housing.

Demonstrations for the third week running in the Albanian capital Tirana passed off quietly – unlike in January when three people were killed and dozens injured. More than 100,000 people took to the streets in protest at the country’s 20 month-long political paralysis.

Chancellor George Osborne announced the long-awaited new bank lending targets – known as Project Merlin – just ahead of what is expected to be a deeply unpopular round of bonuses for senior bank staff totalling at least £6 billion.

Prime Minister David Cameron sought to regain the political initiative over his controversial Big Society plans after several of its early supporters went public to say that it is meaningless without Government financial support.