January heralds the beginning of a new year. And with this comes a new turning point in Britain; a new stage in the ongoing crisis of British capitalism.
2023 confirmed that we are in a period of sharp and sudden changes. But 2024 will be even more tumultuous.
Beacon of revolution
This month also marks the centenary of the death of Lenin, one of the greatest revolutionaries who has ever lived.
The dual significance of this month may seem superficial and unrelated. But that is not the case. The deepening crisis of capitalism, on the one hand, and the life and ideas of Lenin, on the other, are inextricably linked.
The former process is transforming the way that ordinary people think. The instability and uncertainty of the system is shaking consciousness. Illusions in the possibility of uninterrupted progress under capitalism, once ingrained in Britain, are being completely shattered.
Out of this experience, millions are becoming radicalised. Increasing layers are drawing far-reaching – even revolutionary – conclusions.
“The British public is in the mood for revolution,” declared one recent headline in the Telegraph, a loyal mouthpiece of the Tory Party.
“I cannot remember a more disillusioned and angrier electorate,” the same paper states. “This isn’t apathy: it’s a total loss of confidence in the system.”
As we have reported elsewhere, millions of young people in Britain are now open to communism.
And what better figure is there than Lenin, the leader of the Russian Revolution, to embody these communist yearnings. In this epoch of capitalist crises and imperialist wars, he stands out as a beacon. His lifelong fight for world revolution chimes with those workers and youth who today are searching for a real alternative to the menace of capitalism. He represents the future.
Establishment in crisis
Across the world, amidst the stench of a rotten social system in the process of collapse, as reflected in the genocidal crimes unfolding in Gaza, there is seething anger and revolt.
Palestine has become a lightning rod for all the pent-up discontent in society against this hideous system and the hypocritical ruling class who defend it.
The Tory government is in its death agony, experiencing one crisis after another. Sunak and his fractious party are haemorrhaging support. They will be soon forced into a general election, where they are headed for oblivion.
The likely beneficiary, the cowardly lickspittle ‘Sir’ Keir Starmer, is firmly in the pocket of the bosses.
His public admiration of Thatcher; his constant efforts to wrap himself in the Union Jack; and his support for big business and imperialist intervention in the Middle East: all this shows that he is an establishment man, through and through. He has nothing to offer except a continuation of Tory policies.
For lack of an alternative, the working class will hold its nose and vote Labour, but with zero enthusiasm. They will get rid of one lot of cretins, in exchange for another.
Experience will demonstrate in practice the bankruptcy of Labour’s programme, as Starmer and co. try to make the working class pay for the crisis of capitalism. Their treachery will quickly be exposed.
In the process, large sections of workers and youth will seek a way out of this complete impasse.
Goals and aims
Fortunately, the forces of Marxism are steadily increasing. Our numbers and influence are growing in all parts of the country. The circulation of our press is expanding, preparing the ground for The Communist – the voice of revolutionary communism in Britain – to make its mark.
Our overriding task is to draw into our ranks the most class-conscious workers and youth.
Citing one recent survey, the same aforementioned Telegraph article notes that “two thirds of the country think we need a ‘completely new type of political party’”. This is exactly what we are building.
We have laid the initial foundations for the construction of a revolutionary party, smashing through the important milestone of 1,000 members. We have developed a nationwide organisation of cadres: class fighters steeled in the ideas and methods of Marxism. And we have set ourselves ambitious goals.
Our immediate aim now is to launch a new party – the Revolutionary Communist Party – this May. This is a vital step if we are going to take advantage of the revolutionary events that impend.
Arising from slumber
All the accumulated contradictions of the past are coming to the fore. The crisis is propelling Britain towards revolution.
Capitalism is in a blind alley. On one side, the ruling class is split, dreading the future. On the other, the working class is reawakening.
To ensure the success of the revolution, however, in Britain and internationally, requires a party that is prepared to go to the end.
As has been demonstrated many times, to leave the fate of the working class in the hands of the reformists – either right or left – is to guarantee the defeat of the movement.
These figures, no matter how well meaning, are either outright apologists of capitalism, or they simply have no faith in fundamentally changing society. In any case, the eventual result is the same.
Forward to communism!
The new year – with all that 2024 will bring – is just beginning. Huge events are on the order of the day, which will leave no stone unturned. These upheavals will sharpen the mood in society, and impress upon the working class the need for a revolutionary alternative.
The contradictions of capitalism are maturing. The “old mole” of revolution, to use Marx’s expression, is set to burst to the surface. Whatever the vicissitudes of the class struggle, the situation is heading towards a historic showdown.
We must therefore make haste, and build up our forces. It is our historic responsibility to ensure that a revolutionary leadership is built in time.
Thus Sunday, on 21 January, and throughout the rest of this year, we will commemorate the death of Lenin. But in doing so, we recognise his clear relevance for today. On the basis of his ideas – the ideas of revolutionary Marxism – we can arm ourselves for the turbulent period that lies ahead.
Comrades! Workers! All those seeking to overthrow capitalism! Rally to our revolutionary banner! Help us launch and build the Revolutionary Communist Party!
We appeal to you to join us, in order to forge a mass revolutionary party that will prepare the way for the conquest of power by the working class. Forward to communism!
