Britain

May and the Tories are seeking a bigger parliamentary majority – “a strong and stable government” – to take on the EU leaders abroad and the working class at home. Corbyn has correctly responded by promising to fight against the “broken Westminster system” and “rigged economy”. Labour must go on the offensive with a bold socialist programme.

The annual analysis of the wealth of the richest 1,000 people in Britain by the Sunday Times has been completed once again. The results are shocking, but unsurprising. It is clear – as Jeremy Corbyn has stated – that the Tories are presiding over a “rigged system” and are in the pockets of the rich.

In the build up to next month’s general election, the establishment has been wondering what to do about the Liberal Democrats. Traditionally promoted as a so-called “progressive” alternative to syphon votes away from Labour, the Tories are now worried by the threat posed by the Lib Dems in Remain-voting areas.

Last week’s local election results have important lessons for Labour. It was not the meltdown that some were predicting, but it was nevertheless a poor result. Corbyn must now throw caution to the wind and go on the offensive. This is the only way to defeat the Tories and “overturn their rigged system”.

The crisis in adult social care is deepening. A recent report found that 338,520 care workers left their jobs in the industry last year – an average of over 900 a day. As a result of austerity and privatisation, the social care system is on the verge of collapse. A socialist programme of public ownership and control is needed to save this vital service.

Theresa May shocked the country this week by announcing a snap general election on 8th June. This is a fight that Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party can win, provided they offer a bold, socialist alternative. The meteoric rise of far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon across the Channel provides valuable lessons on how to fight this campaign.

Seeking a mandate to pursue a hard Brexit and her attacks on the working class, Theresa May has called for a snap election. Corbyn and the Labour Party must now come out fighting with a bold socialist alternative and a grassroots campaign based on radical policies and mass rallies. This is the only way to kick out the Tories.

We publish here the third part of a Socialist Appeal document on the perspectives for the class struggle in Britain. In this third and final part, we look at the perspectives for the Labour Party. Despite the election (and re-election) of Corbyn as leader, the Blairite right wing maintain control of the PLP and apparatus. The outcome of the Labour civil war depends on the question of leadership.

With Article 50 triggered and Britain now formally starting the process of leaving the EU, the gloves have come off. According to Theresa May, this is “the moment for the country to come together”. But the country has never been so divided. Britain is in danger of breaking apart. The whole Brexit gamble is about to blow up in the Tory government’s face.