Letter from Mark Langabeer, Hastings and Rye Labour member
The idea that the primary reason for Johnson’s resignation was his lack of ‘integrity’ is false. In my opinion, it was due to the fact that the majority of Tory MPs think he would lose a general election. The Tories hope that a new leader will revive their fortunes in the polls. Their strategy will be tax cuts, followed by a general election.
They hope to emulate John Major’s success in the 1992 election after he replaced Thatcher whose flagship policy, the poll-tax, proved so unpopular it resulted in her downfall.
But there are differences between 1992 and today. In 92, there were 3 million unemployed and yet the Tories still won. The press waged a furious campaign around the issue of higher National Insurance contributions for the better paid in the event of a Labour victory. The Tory press were able to galvanise the middle classes and sections of the working class into voting for the Tories. The turnout was higher than in any election bar the 1950/51 elections.
The situation today is entirely different. The cost of living crisis is affecting all sections of society, bar the very rich. The workers are beginning to move in the direction of struggle. So can the Tories revive and win a further term in power? It may be unwise to make firm predictions because events will change the situation, but I think the most likely outcome is a Labour Government.
This period is more like the 1970s, when attempts to shackle the unions failed and the Tories, under Ted Heath were defeated in the elections in 1974. Although history never just repeats itself, there are features that are common in different periods of social and economic history. If the Tories think that changing the captain will change their fortunes, they are in for a nasty shock.
Socialists must support Labour, not because we have illusions in Starmer and Co, but it will show that attempts to manage capitalism better than the capitalists will not work. The experience of a Labour Government will demonstrate to the politically conscious workers that half measures will not solve their problems and that only a Labour Government that offers a bold socialist programme can transform the lives of the great majority in Britain.
