The British Left Are Being Silenced, but We Must Continue to Organise
Hard-working Labour activists and community organisers are being abandoned by their local parties for supporting Corbyn’s mission beyond his tenure
The Labour Party is under new management, “new” being just over a year. Labour left activists, mobilised under Corbyn, are now dealing with feelings of despair and demoralisation. I am perturbed to see a new Labour leadership, voted for overwhelmingly by left-wing voters, now position themselves as flag-waving moderates. At the top, there’s been a paradigm shift away from progressive values and ideals for a more centrist yet lackadaisical approach.
Okay, I can concede the Corbyn project failed miserably to reach government. But it wasn’t all our fault. The mainstream media were brazenly hellbent on stopping Corbyn in his tracks before he could even glimpse at Downing Street. From the Daily Mail to the Times, the former Labour leader was smeared as “the greatest disaster to befall this proud country” and was regularly denounced as “unpatriotic” and a “terrorist sympathiser”. He has been given the infamous title of the most smeared Labour leader in history. With how the Murdoch-funded press operates, I’d take that as a compliment.
As Corbynistas, it wasn’t just the media that was our arch foe, we were also deemed a great threat by the British establishment. These institutions were formed to help preserve our beloved democracy, but now revealed to be only on their terms. It was disappointing to see former head of MI6, Richard Dearlove, remark how he was “relieved” that Starmer had replaced Corbyn, whom he considered a “present danger to our country”. A Very British Coup, the former parliamentarian Chris Mullin’s riveting fictional take on a left-wing prime minister and those willing to destroy him was certainly a foreshadow of what was to come in British politics. It is still incredulous that a project vehemently committed to liberating working people across Britain and bringing peace and prosperity to other nations was labelled a grave concern.
Across the country under Starmer’s leadership, hard-working Labour activists and community organisers are being abandoned by their local parties for supporting Corbyn’s mission beyond his tenure. Blairite campaigners, who have consistently accused the left of waging warfare on their party, are doing just that. From Bristol to Tottenham, local Labour officers are being purged from their positions by centrists for condemning the party’s censorship on Corbynism. Calls for the former Labour leader to have the parliamentary whip restored have fallen on deaf ears. The censure of a democratically elected former Leader of the Opposition, who still enjoys considerable approval among the rank-and-file, is reprehensible.
I have lost almost all faith in the party’s management and structure, but I sense a glimmer of hope for left-wing activism. Lest we forget that a recent poll saw Corbyn voted the best Labour leader in a century by party members, with New Labour pioneer and former prime minister Tony Blair placed eighth. Corbyn also presided over a mass influx in members joining the party under his leadership, forming the largest political movement across the European continent. His support amongst young voters was euphoric, suggesting there is hope that a leader with similar pledges could gather equal momentum in the future.
To keep the left-wing energy thriving in the party, organising locally is the best bet. Under Starmerism, the Community Organising Unit has been dismantled. This used to be a staple to galvanise those at grassroots level. However, this should not deflate us. My local branch of Momentum has relaunched to encompass a broader region of activists and socialists. Holding our local parties to account by nominating progressive candidates in positions and endorsing left-wing councillors in May’s upcoming elections are vital. Momentum needs as many delegates across the country to attend party conferences and hold the policy-makers to account when it comes to introducing initiatives. A Green New Deal, an increase in the minimum wage, an end to brutal military intervention, common ownership of public services and extra funding for the NHS and local government are all policies we should still be fighting for.
The Labour Party was founded as a broad church, incorporating disgruntled Liberals with trade unionists and socialists. Its main aim was always to be the party of the working-class. The left realise that more than ever. It’s time others in the party listen to our concerns and stop sidelining us.
