Policing Dissent

The article discusses the political crisis gripping the UK Labour Party under Keir Starmer, arguing that his leadership represents a decisive shift to the right, alienating traditional working-class supporters. Starmer is criticized for purging socialist and left-leaning elements from the party, embracing pro-business policies, and aligning himself closely with NATO and US foreign policy, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. The article contends that Starmer's actions reflect the broader trajectory of social democratic parties globally, which have abandoned any pretense of representing working-class interests and instead cater to the capitalist class. It highlights the Labour Party's support for austerity measures and its suppression of internal dissent, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The piece accuses the pseudo-left groups within and around the Labour Party of playing a crucial role in suppressing genuine working-class opposition to Starmer's policies. These groups, it argues, limit political discourse and channel discontent back into the framework of the Labour Party and trade unions, preventing the development of an independent socialist movement. The article concludes that the working class needs to break from Labour and build an independent political force to defend its interests. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/04/08/ghxz-a08.html