Responding to tepid reforms promised by Labour leader Keir Starmer, thousands have taken to social media calling for revolution. This shows the real mood of anger that exists in society. Capitalism cannot be patched up. It must be overthrown.
Speaking to Sky News recently about the cost-of-living catastrophe facing working-class households, establishment champion ‘Sir’ Keir Starmer smugly remarked that: “People don’t want a revolution. They do want to know, ‘how am I going to pay my energy bill?’.”
By the next day #IWantARevolution was trending on Twitter in the UK, with thousands of ordinary people on social media demonstrating just how incorrect the Labour leader’s assertion was.
Time for action
One tweet mentioning this hashtag, from an NHS worker, responded: “I work for the NHS. Things are bad. Really bad. Old people are freezing, alone in their homes. I can barely afford to get to work and I know this is only the beginning. It’s time for action.”
I work for the NHS. Things are bad. Really bad. Old people are freezing, alone in their homes. I can barely afford to get to work and I know this is only the beginning. It’s time for action #IWantARevolution
— @mspeach ?? (@mspeach76) April 3, 2022
Another, in relation to the Tories’ broken promises about ‘levelling up’, commented: “Levelling up…that’s Tory for ‘selling off to a mate’ isn’t it?”
The anger and ire wasn’t just aimed at the Tories, however. Starmer’s own milquetoast solutions to the cost-of-living crisis were also in the firing line, with one comment remarking that, “I can’t remember a time when both main parties were equally hated by the population”.
“I’m disgusted by the vast majority of current politicians of all persuasions,” a similar tweet asserted, highlighting the contempt held by ordinary people towards the entire political establishment.
Another – addressed to the Labour Party’s official account – correctly stated that: “Those in charge are laughing at us and you are holding them up.”
Privatisation and greed
The #IWantARevolution hashtag also saw a resurgence following the recent government announcement that Channel 4 is to be privatised, so as to open it up for profit-making by multinational media monopolies.
It is plain for everyone to see that the Tories are only interested in lining the pockets of the billionaires and bankers – not forgetting themselves, of course.
As one Twitter user commented: “This is the party of privatisation and greed. They do nothing for people who are vulnerable or struggling.”
This is the party of privatisation and greed. They do nothing for people who are vulnerable of struggling. #ToriesOut #NHSPrivatisation #IWantARevolution #JohnsonOut72 https://t.co/xvyxCxpsT0
— Sue ??? (@SueASmith571) April 6, 2022
Another tweeted: “11 years of a Tory government continually stripping away anything that exposes them for what they are, or doesn’t go with their money-making schemes. Horrific living in the UK in 2022, and it’s only getting worse.”
At the same time, workers are facing skyrocketing energy bills, mile-long NHS waiting lists, and a full-on assault on living conditions. No wonder rage and resentment is building in society.
Tweaks to the system – such as Labour’s proposed windfall tax on fossil fuel corporations – will not work, for the very simple reason that the problem is capitalism itself.
Consciousness changing
Lenin once explained that one of the prerequisites for revolution is that the ruling class can no longer rule in the old way. These words are just as true today as when they were written.
Capitalism’s decline and decay has led to a mass questioning of even the most steadfast pillars of the establishment – from the police to the monarchy.
Meanwhile, rampant inflation, inter-imperialist wars, and environmental disaster are hammering away at consciousness across the globe.
Increasing numbers of workers and youth are drawing revolutionary conclusions. And with capitalism descending ever-deeper into crisis, this radicalisation is just an anticipation of the titanic events and upheavals to come.
Forces of Marxism
The Keir Starmers of the world – the lackeys of big business – might have written off all prospects of revolution. But the working class is only just beginning to rise from its slumber.
And when workers – organised, mobilised, and united – begin to move en masse, there is no force on earth that can stop them.
What is needed is to build the forces of Marxism; to forge a militant leadership that can channel this energy in order to power revolutionary change, in Britain and internationally.
That is the bold socialist vision that we are fighting for. We urge you to join us in this task.
