Why we write
Hanah, Oxford
Over the past few weeks, I have been closely observing the multitude of stories published by the BBC, only to find myself, frankly, disappointed.
Across the world – from the US to the Democratic Republic of Congo, from Greece to Gaza – real and significant events are unfolding.
Yet, instead of shedding light on these urgent matters, the BBC chooses to fixate on the Princess of Wales’ diary – hardly a pressing issue – while critical world affairs are relegated to the back pages.
This is the nature of capitalist media, and by extension, capitalism itself: a system incapable of advancing society or offering any real explanation for the crises we face.
So, what is the antidote to this stagnant, fetid nonsense? Writing, comrades! Write! Only through our tireless efforts to analyse and expose the inner workings of this system can we consciously resist the lies of the capitalist class.
Send in your submissions to ‘The Communist’ at communist.red/write.
A new ‘Lowe’ for Reform UK
Josh Cole-Hossain, Croydon
Over the weekend, a split emerged within the five-MP parliamentary party of Reform UK.
One of its MPs, Rupert Lowe, was suspended and reported to the police by fellow MP Lee Anderson and party chairman Zia Yusuf over allegations of physical threats and bullying. This followed comments about leader Nigel Farage’s supposed lack of leadership qualities.
Lowe has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, attributing them to his disagreements with Farage over how to implement the party’s anti-immigration policies.
Reform’s internal conflicts reflect a deeper issue: their inability to offer meaningful, positive reforms. Instead, they are locked in disputes over how best to carry out their reactionary agenda.
As discussed at a meeting of the South-West London branches of the RCP in Croydon on Saturday, the eventual failure of right-wing populist parties like Reform UK will pave the way for a leftward shift among workers and others seeking real change.
While Reform has tapped into anti-establishment sentiment, the contradictions within capitalism – and within their own party – will expose their lack of real solutions to workers’ struggles.
Only revolutionary change can provide a genuine way forward. This is what the RCP is all about!
The careerist and the consultant
Charles Pritchard, Norwich
Aesop once said, “A man is known by the company he keeps.”
If there were any doubts about the Health Secretary’s true intentions for the NHS, the appointment of Tom Kibasi as an advisor – tasked with drafting Streeting’s ten-year plan – should put them to rest.
Kibasi’s résumé makes him the perfect candidate to spearhead a ruthless assault on NHS providers while serving as a reassuring figure for private contractors.
A former McKinsey & Company associate, he worked for a firm that played a key role in driving the Conservative-led agenda of cuts and privatisation – circling the NHS for years in search of profit.
He was also instrumental in drafting the 2024 Darzi Report, which pushed for strengthening Integrated Care Systems (ICS). These ICS boards effectively reward health bodies for underspending their budgets, allowing providers to pocket the savings at the expense of patient care.
Kibasi’s appointment is yet another example of the blatant, parasitic interests that will shape Streeting’s tenure as Health and Social Care Secretary.
Far from ‘bulldozing bureaucracy,’ this agenda will tighten the grip of private company managers and bureaucrats – at the direct expense of frontline clinical staff.
Despite the dismal state of union leadership, such policies will not go unchallenged forever. Streeting’s entourage of opportunists will eventually face the backlash of healthcare workers and the broader public.
Help Wanted: Desperation Required
Grace Dowswell, Newcastle
My partner recently became unemployed, in the worst job market since the 2008 financial crash – even worse than during the COVID lockdowns.
His first few weeks job hunting have been a wild ride. He was invited to interview for a hotel job. They had invited every single applicant to interview at once. On arrival, applicants were asked:
“Raise your hand if you don’t live within walking distance of the hotel, or drive? Ok, you can all leave.
“Raise your hand if you’re on a visa and have restrictions on how many hours you can work? Ok, you can all leave.
“Raise your hand if you don’t have any experience working on a bar? Ok you can all leave.”
A full room was reduced to eight people. This seemed almost an exercise in cruelty, wasting people’s time, transport costs and causing them to miss work, to be rejected in what could have been made clear via email.
My partner then got a gig doing EvRi deliveries, where instead of a guaranteed hourly minimum wage, workers are paid piecemeal for each delivery. He has so far worked for six hours and earned a total of £14.14 – and petrol costs won’t be reimbursed.
As the crisis of capitalism deepens, the hyper-exploitation of workers is apace. But as any capitalist will tell you, nothing comes without a price.
This humiliation and injustice is laying the groundwork for an explosive backlash against the bosses.
