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Imagines the status of Britain in 1997, if the Tories were to win the upcoming general election. Focus on a case study of an 18-year-old and his family who would be adversely affected by a Conservative win; Political campaigning; Loss of adequate wages; Elimination of job retraining programs; Educational problems; Conflict with Scotland; Economic crises in Europe; Increasing hostility to `easterns'; More.

Investigates the revival of racism in Europe. Examples of increasing racism and right-wing violence in the newly-united Germany; Efforts of French politicians to accommodate the growth in racist opinion sparked by Jean Marie Le Pen's National Front Party; Similar tendencies in Britain, Romania, Poland, Hungary, and more; Danger of Europe's seeming willingness to forget its history and allow neo-Nazism to rise again.

Addresses recent reports from local governments that funds are running extremely low and cuts will have to be made. More would be said if not for the Gulf war; Doomsdayers always around; For 16 years local authorities have been in combat with central government; Local authorities always respond resourcefully; In the past crises have passed, money has been raised; Question of whether this year will really be different; More.

Observes that many British citizens chose to relinquish their right to vote by exempting themselves from poll tax payment. How this trend reflects the public's growing loss of confidence in the idea that political action can solve social problems or save individual lives; Dangers of this growing absence of hope.

Explores the various divisions between different anti-racist organizations in Britain. Focus on the strife between the Anti-Racist Alliance (ARA) and the Anti-Nazi League (ANL); Complaints against each others' strategies; How the conflicts are threatening the campaign against the far right.

Observes that the Ramblers' Association's `Forbidden Britain Day' protests are not restricted to the countryside. Brief overview of the group, which seeks to protect rights of way, campaign for access to open country and defend the beauty of the countryside; New emphasis on reclaiming the right of the public to enjoy open access to sections of London as well, particularly along the Thames River.

Comments on the attempts by the Countryside Commission in England to revise the Country Code and presents ideas for promoting `green' tourism in England. Soft tourism schemes in Switzerland; The Hotel Ucliva project as a model for how tourism can be made to serve the interests of local communities; Areas that could benefit from increased tourism; Bristol University's Rural Tourism Development Project; More.

Questions why Britain doesn't have a general right of access to uncultivated land. Comparisons to other European countries; Peak District national park; The Rambler's Association and their requests; Other examples; Pressure to open up Britain's 140,000 miles of public footpaths; Labour Party proposals; Richard Timothy George Mansfield Parker; More.

Argues that harrowing images of wartime casualties do not prevent democracies from determining to go to war, but they do help to ensure that the full reality and consequences of war are understood, and that any cause has to be considered worthy of the cost. British public opinion approves of costs of Gulf war; Outrage over BBC war bias in reporting the Amiriya air-raid shelter bombing in Baghdad; Tabloids reserve strongest condemnation for broadcasters; `Propaganda coup'; More.

Asserts that although the tabloids stress public backing for the war in the Gulf it does not appear to reflect public mood. No flags in windows; Comparison of war to a ball game; No arguments against war, knowing sanctions were unlikely to work;Problem with knowing that it was probably oil that began the war.

Imagines how England would change under a victorious Labour government. Predicted budget, which would include higher taxes; Projected improvements in employment laws and social services; Positive consequences; Alternative scenarios of crisis and a return of the Tories.

Recounts the author's meeting with delegates at this year's TUC at the new Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. How they feel about the conference; Thoughts on national trade union leaders; Projected election results.

Comments on the war in Iraq and the themes of conflict which continue, seemingly unchanged, throughout history. Yugoslavia on the brink of civil war; More.

Comments on the case of Darlene Johnson, who was released from prison on the condition that she use the contraceptive Norplant. Compulsory contraception; How Norplant works; What Johnson was charged with; Her refusal to undergo the surgery to implant the device; Women's right to control their procreative capacity; More.

Discusses the controversy surrounding the editorial in `New Statesman & Society,' which criticized politicians who resort to libel law to resolve political differences. Differences between the Bruges Group's libel action and the case involving Duncan Campbell; Why reports in `Private Eye,' and `Guardian,' were incomplete and misleading; Gay newspaper's attack against a gay man in public life; More.

Looks at irrational crime and the rational fears of it. Fear of violent crime bears little relation to its actual occurrence; Fear that now exists; Report entitled `Second Islington Crime Survey'; Answers to the fear; Details.

Announces the appointment of Steve Platt as the new editor for `New Statesman & Society,' and describes Platt's declaration of journalistic and political intent. Details.

Reports on the conditions now facing Iraqis as the situation in post-war Iraq reaches `near apocalyptic' stages. Discusses the `New Statesman & Society' sponsored launch of Medical Aid for Iraq. Iraq's return to the `pre-industrial age'; US army medical stations helping out; More.

Asserts that political priorities have changed, and it is difficult to imagine the editor of a government publication today being permitted to place such overt editorial emphasis upon issues such as social benefits or income distribution as Muriel Nissel, the editor of the first `Social Trends,' did. Household income figures; Long-term trend towards a more equitable distribution; Who the poor are; Different ways in which poverty shows itself; More.