My last fortnight has been concentrated on political preparation for our anti–imperialist campaign.
Part of this was an interview I had on Going Underground, where we discussed the Labour government’s pitiful suspension of only 30 arms licences to Israel.
I made the point that this announcement has done nothing to quell the Palestine movement, which can see through all of Starmer’s smoke and mirrors.
I also attended the national 100,000-strong Palestine march in London on 7 September. ‘There is only one solution – intifada, revolution’ was the slogan I heard again and again.
I am still surprised by the number of people who recognise me from the Suella Braverman interview. The main thing I am told by these people is ‘you said what we all think’.
This shows how there remains an enormous political vacuum in society. As Labour rushes to implement cuts, people are desperately yearning for an alternative.
I visited the SOAS encampment, where students have been suspended and expelled for their pro-Palestine activity. But they are determined to use the freshers period to reignite their encampment and solidarity activity on campus.
This is the lesson for all encampments looking to restart this academic year: turn outwards.
Books Not Bombs!
This brings me onto my ‘books not bombs’ tour, which began recently in Edinburgh.
I spoke at an open RCP meeting on the growing militarism and drive towards war all over the world. The next day, it was announced that Starmer was asking Biden to approve the use of missiles for Ukraine!
View this post on Instagram
Nonetheless, one of the questions directed at me was: ‘What do you think are the lessons from the encampment movement?’ I responded, ‘Turn outwards!’
Has there ever been a time when young people are more engaged in politics? And more specifically, in revolutionary politics!
On the Palestine question, in particular, the youth are on our side. I hope the ‘books not bombs’ campaign acts as a catalyst for this radical mood.
As well as the meeting, I attended a demonstration in Edinburgh city centre, and led the march of a couple hundred people.
At the end I gave a speech. The biggest cheers came after I spoke about the US election:
“There is no difference between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris – they both represent capitalism, imperialism, and war. There is no such thing as a ‘lesser-evil genocide’. Much like in the UK, whoever wins the US election will undoubtedly become one of the most unpopular presidents of all time.”
View this post on Instagram
Revolutionary politics
Lastly, as has been reported in the press, I recently attended a meeting with other figures on the left to discuss the possibilities around starting a new political party.
I made my case that the most important aspect of any party or movement is the politics it bases itself on. Any organisation, in essence, is defined by that.
If any new party wants to win over the youth, it must embrace the current tide of history. This means fighting for uncompromising, unapologetic, revolutionary anti-capitalist politics – for genuine socialism!
