This year’s freshers period has been one of – if not the – most successful in our party’s history!
During our ‘autumn offensive’, the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) intervened at over 50 campuses, got thousands of sign-ups to our student societies, and raised record amounts of money through donations and sales of our Marxist literature.
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Most crucially, we were able to recruit 74 new members to the RCP in September alone – 25 more than in the same month last year – and there are more new recruits coming through the door each day!
On the basis of this spectacular momentum – which we believe will continue throughout the coming weeks and months – we are setting our sights on reaching a total membership of 1,300 members by the Revolution Festival on 14-16 November.
We’ve held inspiring first meetings on ‘Why you should be a Communist’ at more than 25 campuses across Britain. In Central and East London, Manchester, Brighton, and Leeds, events drew up to 60 attendees.
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As well as these open meetings, we have also organised and participated in local Palestine solidarity demonstrations.
The response from students has been nothing short of outstanding. At the freshers fairs, we were swamped with young people eager to talk, ask questions, and learn more about communism.
A common thread ran through nearly every conversation: the fast pace of world events – from the upheavals in Indonesia and Nepal, to the general strike in Italy – and the burning question of what can be done about them.
Growing radicalisation
What stood out most was how much more engaged and curious students have become about Marxist theory compared to previous years. This is no coincidence. For too long, the so-called “left” has offered nothing: no clear answers, no perspective, no way forward.
But events across the world are shaking up consciousness on a massive scale. The youth are now taking it upon themselves to search for the real answers. More than once, when we asked, “do you want a revolution?”, people’s eyes lit up as they responded, “yes!”
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Students want to understand what communists stand for, what communism really means, and how we can achieve it.
What’s also been striking is the diversity of those showing interest. We spoke with international students from across the world, with Green Party members who identify as communists, and with many who said they had never been political before – but are beginning to realise that capitalism itself is the problem, and are open to hearing what we have to say.
Thirst for ideas
This thirst for theory was also reflected in strong literature sales. One student bought all the issues of the In Defence of Marxism magazine we had available, while another dipped into their savings to buy all the books they wanted.
We have also broken our all-time record for the number of copies of The Communist sold, with the total figure standing at over 6,000.
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Comrades reported long, in-depth conversations – sometimes lasting hours – with students who were keen to join reading groups and continue the discussion.
This enthusiasm carried through to our first meetings on ‘Why you should be a Communist’, where the discussions were both lively and serious.
At the first meeting in Central London, students asked questions such as: “What is the link between communism and Palestine?”, “What is our attitude to reformist parties?”, and “Why do we focus on Marx’s writings?”
In Cardiff, we were asked: “What is the communist position on the war in Ukraine?”, “Is there still a working class?”, “What is the difference between socialism and communism?”, and “How do you rid society of oppressive and discriminatory ideas?”
These examples offer only a glimpse of the discussions we held. Our comrades prepared thoroughly for each meeting, delving deeply into every topic – often continuing the discussions in the pub afterwards.
As a result, many students left these events eager to join the Party. This enthusiasm stems from the fact that our organisation offers something real: perspectives and tasks grounded in Marxism.
Marxist theory provides a scientific understanding of society and history, uncovering the real reasons behind unfolding events. More importantly, it offers a perspective on where things are heading, and the role we must play in advancing the class struggle.
All eyes on Palestine
Above all, we cannot overstate the significance of the question of Palestine. It came up in almost every conversation. When news broke of the interception of the flotilla, and we saw the mass protests across Europe and the strikes erupting in Italy in response, many people were deeply inspired.
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In Britain, comrades attended emergency demonstrations in cities across the country and encountered a distinctly militant mood.
Britain may still be behind what is unfolding in Italy, but things are moving fast. We can already feel a similar anger and frustration building here, especially among young workers and students.
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To join the Revolutionary Communists on campus is to begin concretely preparing for such events when they inevitably reach Britain. Only by steeling ourselves in revolutionary theory can we develop and advance the revolutionary strategy so urgently needed in this country.
On many campuses, our upcoming society events will focus precisely on these themes: the need for a revolutionary party, and the struggle for Palestine.
There is no time to lose. We must begin training and organising the youth capable of overthrowing capitalism and bringing an end to the absolute horror of this system once and for all.
