Fri 17 Apr 2020, 04:00 AM | Posted by editor
LETTER from Tom Smith, Newport West Labour member
Recent polls have shown that the Tories have a 17-point lead over Labour, if there was a general election tomorrow. Yet Boris Johnson is trusted by only 35 per cent of the population. Kier Starmer had a positive rating but fifty three per cent did not know what he stood for in terms of policies that are distinctively different from the Tories.
Labour has not been placed in a position where its policies are under scrutiny by the public. However, what little that has emerged is not very encouraging. Professional bodies have waded into the government over its handling of the pandemic so far with outrage being exhibited over testing, PPE for ‘frontline staff’, yet Labour’s criticisms are muted. Hancock has received scathing attacks over his posturing about a ‘badge in honour’ for staff working in elderly care homes. Where is labour?
Organisations have again slammed the government over its early handling of the epidemic. Again, it seems nothing from Labour. One publication – from right-wing Tories – called for two thirds of the NHS to be privatised and again not a word from Labour.
Nowhere is there a socialist message
All I seem to gather is that Starmer is looking at the Tory bailout of industry and calling for this or that be included. Now, Labour is calling for an ‘exit strategy’ from the lockdown, but nowhere is there a socialist message.
Nor have I seen any trade union calls about what measures must be a priority, on construction sites, for example. I know a few workers returning to construction jobs and no union contact has been made with them at all.
Kier Starmer has expressed concern over Labour’s leaked internal report over the sabotage of Jeremy Corbyn in 2017, but I honestly believe the report will be ditched, despite the call from the FBU and CWU for action to be taken. As usual, the right wing say the issue – sabotaging an election campaign – is a diversion!
The right wing in the Labour Party might gloating over the Starmer victory and are no doubt wanting a purge and wrecking any democracy in the party. But despite that, workers have not finished with the Labour Party yet. The current mood will change from supporting the Tories through the crisis to one of class anger, as the case of doctors and nurses now shows.
