CP General Secretary: “King’s Speech shows need for a mass movement”

Communist Party General Secretary, Robert Griffiths, has issued the following statement in response to today’s ‘King’s’ Speech (17 July 2024): “Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his government aims to “under-promise” and “over-deliver”. He’s certainly achieved the first aim in the King’s Speech, despite Labour enjoying the second biggest majority at Westminster since the 1930s.” “Even so, there’s less than meets the eye in the government’s plans for 40 parliamentary bills over the next 12 months.” “What will be done to lift four million children out of poverty? How will huge wealth inequalities in Britain be eliminated? When will the greedy, polluting profiteers be flushed out of the privatised water industry altogether? What about funding for local government services? When will women finally receive pension justice? How will tenants be protected against rent-wracking landlords? ” “The government’s 2024-25 legislative programme provides little or no clue.” “Almost total reliance is placed on big business market forces to produce economic growth and investment, new housing, and cheaper energy. More public money will be funnelled into the heavily subsidised private sector – including the armaments companies – as workers end up paying the bills.” “Labour’s devolution plans appear to be a mirage, with more powers and status for metropolitan mayors and no sign of returning the industrial powers stolen from the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.” “Despite more fine but empty words about Palestine, Labour’s foreign policy agenda remains that of British imperialism: subservience to the US White House, the Pentagon and NATO; rebuilding political relations with the EU; strengthening AUKUS and other international Cold War alliances; and building four new nuclear-armed submarines.” “This all represents a major challenge to Labour MPs, trades unions and campaigning organisations.” “It will be important to enforce and extend the progressive measures that there are in the King’s Speech on workers’ rights, land ownership, equal pay and violence against women and girls; but it is clear that a mass movement must be built for public ownership, social justice and peace, led by a united front of working-class organisations.” END.