“I have become increasingly class-conscious in recent years and disillusioned with the promise that a free-market economy can be anywhere near meritocratic. I understand that the profit motive incentivises the upper class to employ racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia – any form of bigotry under the sun – to divert attention from the fact that their influence on policymaking paves the way for austerity and the rapidly declining living standards of the proletariat.
I have volunteered for anarchist collectives such as the Cowley Club but have been dissatisfied with the lack of organisation towards any meaningful revolution against the current system.
I need to be part of a movement that is actively working to end capitalism’s chokehold on policymaking and bring decision-making power into the hands of the worker.”
—Raakin, Brighton
This is just one example of the 145 membership applications we’ve received so far in May. Raakin is not alone in how he feels about capitalism. The hundreds of messages we’ve received from workers and young people across the UK reflect a deep anger toward the system – and a burning desire to get organised.
Beginning in earnest in Brighton
At our national congress earlier this month, the Revolutionary Communist Party launched the ‘Revolution Against the Billionaires’ recruitment campaign, aimed at the growing layer of society who hate the billionaires and want a revolution.
Immediately after congress, comrades were filled with conviction and took to the streets. Posters were plastered across cities and towns, recruitment stalls were set up.
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And within a few days of the campaign, we saw an uptick in the amount of people who requested to join. In Brighton, along with Raakin, we received ten applications within the first two weeks of the campaign. One of them, Elliot, who lives in Bognor Regis, not far away from Brighton, saw one of our stickers and decided to apply.
In his message, he said:
“We are in a deep crisis and I’ve seen the way it’s impacted my loved ones. After hearing about you from a friend I’ve subscribed to your newspaper, bought books from Wellred, and think your position is the best of all the leftist parties in the UK. On to the 2,000!”
When Kieran, a comrade in Brighton, spoke with Elliot on the phone, it became clear that he had already been engaging with our material and was eager to help establish a new branch in Bognor Regis.
The campaign is clearly taking off in the South. Brighton has already recruited two new members, bringing the branch up to 11 comrades, with several more close to joining. Their recent branch meeting had 15 in attendance. The opportunities to build are enormous, with prospects for new branches in both Brighton and Bognor Regis.
This enthusiasm isn’t isolated. This enthusiasm to build the party is taking place across the board. At the time of writing, we have 29 new members in May, and are aiming for 200 by August. Reading through the reports coming in from branches, I’m confident we will hit that target.
A reference point
There are many examples of comrades taking initiative and rallying others around them.
In Lincoln, a brand new comrade who joined just five days after applying already rallied a group of friends—none of whom are members (yet!) – to poster around North Hykeham. He’s only been with the party for a week but is already spreading the word.
In Edinburgh, while putting up posters, comrades were approached by three women in their 20s. When asked if they were interested in communism, one replied: “I’m Palestinian, so definitely.” They exchanged numbers, and all three are now planning to attend a branch meeting.
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In Sheffield, the branch recruited a college student who applied through the website. She said she was sick of the state of the world but knew nothing about communism. After a discussion on the basics of Marxism, capitalist crisis and Palestine with comrades, she was convinced – setting up a £35 monthly donation and expressing interest in starting a society at her college.
What these examples show is that many young students and workers are wide open to our ideas. They may not yet have a fully developed political understanding of what communism is, but they are looking for answers.
Power of Marxist ideas
As part of this effort, we published a new pamphlet by Fiona Lali: “Why You Should Be a Communist.” It explains the crisis of capitalism, the limitations of reformism, and the need for revolution and to build a revolutionary leadership.
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The pamphlet has proven a powerful tool, particularly for newer comrades, as it helps them to learn how to connect with people with our ideas. In Manchester, one branch has already sold over 20 at recruitment stalls.
We’re still in the early days of this campaign, but the signs are clear: our ideas are resonating. There is a layer of radicalised youth desperate to get organised to fight for a world free from capitalism, which is causing all of the oppression, exploitation, inequality, and war.
As one write-in put it:
Joining the Revolutionary Communist Party is, for me, a way of turning conviction into action. I want to be part of something bigger than myself, something that works actively to build a fairer, more humane society. I’m ready to learn, contribute, and support the struggle however I can.
