The Conservative Party is no longer in power, as the Labour Party cruised to a comfortable victory in the UK election, with Keir Starmer set to be the next prime minister.

In previous years, this would have been seen as a major victory for the Left although it is now hard to feel that way given the fact that today’s Labour Party represents principles very different to the ones it did in the past.

The current reality of the Labour Party today under the guidance of Starmer is nothing more than a light version of the Tory party.

We insisted before the election that, whatever the outcome, the misery that the UK has been enduring under the conservatives would continue. Labour, under Starmer, supports privatisation, opposes labour organising, advocates increased military spending, and fails to defend the rights of refugees. They oppose new corporate taxes and abandon policies on green energy and environmental protection.

Therefore, what might be seen as a ‘victory’ given that the Left in the UK is back in power, is little more than a case of the lesser of two evils coming out on top.

The positives: Corbyn and Abbott secure seats

The positive outcome of Thursday’s election was the fact that our good friend Jeremy Corbyn has regained his seat in the house of commons, meaning that there is now a real voice of opposition back in the British parliament.

The former Labour leader ran as an independent candidate and regained his post as MP for Islington North, by standing strongly in support of the working class in the UK as well as defending the rights of Palestine and being a voice for the people of Gaza.

We are also pleased to see Diane Abbott elected as MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington. Unfortunately, Faiza Shaheen and Andrew Feinstein were unable to secure seats, but ran commendable campaigns.

These candidates can challenge the power structures that have led to the climate crisis, oligarchic control, militarism, and undemocratic actions impacting lives at local, regional and international levels, so we are pleased to see a number of our allies back in positions of influence.

It has been a mixed result for those who we supported, but we must continue to push for what we believe is right, and the people whom we believe would put the United Kingdom in a much better place.

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