Following a seemingly endless stream of resignations from the Tory cabinet and days of speculation in the mainstream media, Boris Johnson has confirmed he will finally resign in Autumn. The ruthlessness of Tory politicians is legendary and these developments shouldn’t be mistaken for a crisis of conscience on the part of Sunak, Javid and others. This is simply infighting and manoeuvring for poll position among the main party of Britain’s ruling class and an effort to recover from recent negative by election results.
But it would be dangerous to assume this infighting and Johnson being replaced as Tory leader are an easy or meaningful victory for working people and the youth at the hands of the Tory Party itself.
The ruling class reshuffling their own deck of cards, to choose a new representative in chief, on their own terms, does nothing to reverse the offensive against working class living standards and rights and doesn’t change the anti-working class, anti-democratic character of this Tory government.
Even in what now seems the very unlikely, but not unwelcome, event an early general election were called, there is no guarantee the Tories would lose. The even more unlikely event of a Labour majority or some form of coalition led by Keir Starmer, his Blairite clique and their right wing policies, would offer little respite for working people. Labour under Starmer poses no threat to the power and wealth of Britain’s ruling class.
There are no easy or quick answers to the difficult situation working people and the youth find ourselves in in Britain. But wherever working people are prepared to fight back, there is always hope. The militancy and strength of striking railway workers and other workers taking action in recent months are an example to be followed.
Britain needs a mass movement of working people and the youth based in our communities, workplaces and campuses, uniting the labour, student and tenants movements. Only a movement of this type can lead and win the fight against austerity, poverty and unemployment and for jobs, housing, healthcare, education and public services. The leading role of a mass, disciplined and vanguard Communist Party and YCL will be essential in achieving this.
This isn’t a just fight against one Tory prime minister or one government. It’s not a fight that will be won overnight. It is a fight against the ruling class and capitalism.
Now is the time to build the movement. Get active and build the struggle wherever you are.
Join the YCL and the Communist Party!
Join the fight for a real victory over the ruling class!
In comradeship
Central Committee
Young Communist League
7 July 2022
London, Britain
