Bolsonaro’s conviction and Corbyn’s new party: Readers discuss

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Hi Diogenes,

Welcome to openDemocracy's weekly reader comments round-up. We receive so many carefully considered messages about our work that it seems a shame to keep them to ourselves. Send us your thoughts for next week's round-up by replying directly to any of our emails or commenting on our articles or Instagram posts.

These comments are edited for clarity, accuracy and length, and aren't necessarily a reflection of openDemocracy's editorial position.

- openDemocracy

Re: How financialisation is corroding education in the UK

Have universities not always been driven by indoctrination and financial gain? You pay for their books and answer their exams, and you have to pay for their qualifications – most of which are not fit for purpose in the twenty first century. Logic and common sense does not seem to be common on this earth. –Anthony

The main article mentions Britain then reels off English greats; Scottish physicist and mathematician James Clerk Maxwell is surely up there with them if Britain, not England, is the main driver. –Andrew

In the article by Guy Standing on financialisation of universities (which is otherwise very interesting and concerning), I'm disappointed that he refers throughout to 'UK' universities, without recognising the very different university system in Scotland. Unlike England, we have no 'private' universities (all are publicly funded) and no tuition fees for Scots – that is, all the people who live in Scotland, whether born here or having made Scotland their home. As a result, our universities are much less highly 'marketised' than those in England. They do have financial issues, of course – often as a result of appallingly bad UK government policy, such as Brexit – but the key difference is in people's attitudes about what education is for and how it should work: the majority of people in Scotland do want to keep university education free and accessible by all, whereas in England the marketisation of education, including schools, has just been accepted by the population.

Many things work better in Scotland than in England – another example is reduction of child poverty – and they are mostly ignored by biased England-centric mainstream media; we Scots are fully accustomed to this! But please, in openDemocracy publications, make sure you do not neglect important differences between devolved nations. –Morag

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Re: Brazil: Bolsonaro's conviction is a victory for tortured women

Dilma Rousseff is one of the most resourceful, committed and brilliant women in Brazil. Her impeachment was a dark page for Brazil's democracy. I'm so glad she's now contributing to the BRICS' New Development Bank, and has been able to see Jair Bolsonaro's downfall. Long life to our Coração Valent (brave heart). –Suzana via Instagram

It's deeply upset Trumpers. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the US will "respond accordingly" to what he called a "witch hunt" against former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. –Morag via Facebook

This is how a democracy deals decisively with the internal and external fascist threat. –Kent via Facebook

They must do the same with Donald Trump. –Mario via Facebook

Can't wait to see the Americans do the same thing. –Philippa via Facebook

Re: Al Fayed's victims say compensation scheme ignores 'trafficking' by Harrods

An exceptionally insightful piece. At last, the truth has been set out clearly and unmistakably. Let's hope this prompts many more to confront the reality of this horrific matter. –nomoreimpunity via Instagram

Re: Is a shift quietly underway in British politics?

I attended the first 'Your Party' meeting in Oxford last night. I immediately realised that Communists, Trots and Marxists were very well represented at this meeting [the publicity was patchy] But when I listened carefully, they all moderated their speeches and stuck to matters that were totally acceptable to those at the meeting. This is what we are going to need to get things together. Very focused on the needs of the workers and the poor as well of course the genocide etc. A good start I think. –Sarah

In short, nothing will change in our politics unless we have proportional representation. –Linda

I have a name for Corbyn's new party: 'The Labour Party' –R.L.

We love Zarah Sultana and the new party, but we have to keep a close eye on the Reform UK lot. We must point out everything they say and do, because they're very plausible and far reaching, and are influencing a lot of disgruntled people. Keep pointing out the false claims they come out with and the flaws of their leaders. –Mike

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