Today is the day. British workers and youth have one last opportunity to mobilise for a Labour win. The Tories are in a panic. The wind is in our sails. We have every chance of success. Let's get out there and fight! All out for a Corbyn victory!
From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother;
be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Shakespeare’s Henry V
Today is Labour’s Saint Crispin’s day. The general election of 12 December 2019 will be a landmark. Things have never been so volatile in Britain, nor the stakes so high. Opinion is shifting rapidly as millions make up their minds on how to vote today.
“Boris Johnson retreated into a fridge to avoid a TV interview, amid rattled nerves at CCHQ over a narrowing in the opinion polls,” explained yesterday’s Guardian. Someone could be heard saying: “It’s a bunker.” This about sums up Johnson’s failed strategy.
Panic
Rattled nerves are turning into panic in the Tory camp. Everything could be about to unravel: big time / Image: fair use
Rattled nerves are turning into panic in the Tory camp. Everything could be about to unravel – big time.
Johnson must be thinking of the words of Robbie Burns: that the best laid plans can go awry. His plan to “Get Brexit Done” has certainly hit the buffers. Even the EU’s chief negotiator admits that any deal will not be done before 2021.
It has been a really bad week for old Boris. He has become increasingly exposed as an untrustworthy liar. On multiple occasions, Johnson’s mask has slipped, revealing a very nasty face.
This was recently highlighted by his clear lack of empathy towards the four-year-old boy lying on coats in a Leeds hospital. The PM was attacked as a liar and criticised for politicising the terrorist attack in London by the father of one of the victims. He has run away from scrutiny, as mentioned, even fleeing into a fridge to get away from reporters.
Polarisation
It is a two-horse race between Johnson and Corbyn / Image: Socialist Appeal
British politics have become very polarised, with the collapse of the Liberal Democrats and the Brexit Party. It is a two-horse race between Tory and Labour; Johnson and Corbyn.
Two weeks ago, a YouGov poll using MRP modelling gave the Tories a 68-seat majority. Yesterday, the same poll reduced the majority to 28 seats. Labour had gone up two points. The polls are narrowing by the hour.
We are clearly in hung parliament territory. Labour has everything to play for. This could mean Johnson would be out on his ear – and Corbyn could be in Number 10.
In many Tory marginals, Labour could sweep to victory with only a 2-3 percent swing. The majority of young people who supported Labour in the last election are planning to do so again. Almost one third of those who registered to vote in the pre-election surge are under 25. Young voters could therefore play a critical role in this general election.
With the Liberal Democrat vote crumbling, the youth energised, and the undecided falling to Labour, we are likely to be in for a big shock.
Lies
The attempt to discredit Corbyn puts the forged Zinoviev letter of 1924 in the shade. Yet Corbyn has fought back / Image: Socialist Appeal
This is truly remarkable given the Niagara of lies and hatred shown towards Corbyn by the establishment and their kept press. The level of character assassination against Corbyn has been colossal. The attempt to discredit him and Labour completely puts the forged Zinoviev letter of 1924 into the shade.
All the forces of the old order have been deployed against Corbyn. He was hysterically denounced by the Chief Rabbi and the Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as Hindu and Muslim religious leaders. Even the Simon Wiesenthal Centre has warned that Corbyn is the biggest global threat to Jews!
Scandalously, even Labour’s right wing have chimed in. Tony Blair warned of the dangers of a Corbyn government. Jon Ashworth, the shadow health minister, blurted out what the other right-wingers are thinking and talking about in private. Of course, he said he was just kidding. But all these critics, saboteurs, and naysayers have provided grist to the Tory campaign mill against Labour.
Corbyn has used his rallies to talk of the abuse he has received during the campaign:
“We now have had 51 days of this campaign and 51 days of unbelievable levels of abuse hurled at leading figures of the Labour party, unbelievable levels of character assassinations going on against our party and our movement and I simply say this: if you wish to inhabit the gutter, that’s absolutely fine by me but I will not be joining you there.”
This campaign would be enough to destroy any campaign or individual. However, Corbyn has fought back, outlining Labour’s left-wing programme. He has gone on the offensive to expose Johnson and the Tories’ plans – amongst other things – to privatise the NHS and hand it over to US corporations. His positive message is beginning to break through.
As a result, thousands of Labour activists have enthusiastically turned out in marginal seats all over the country. This includes workers such as firefighters, union representatives, and nurses. There is a real feeling that Labour can win.
In London, such has been the overwhelming response, supporters have been organised onto buses and diverted to canvass in the Midlands and beyond. There has never been such a red wave of Labour supporters in a general election. It is truly remarkable!
This can be enough to turn the tide. This can be enough to propel Jeremy Corbyn into Number 10.
Hope
Marx said there are days in which the experiences of decades are concentrated. This is one of them. Vote Labour! Fight for socialism! / Image: Socialist Appeal
Today, election day, tens of thousands will be knocking on doors up and down the country, organising to get the Labour vote out. Not a stone will remain unturned.
“I am utterly determined we go flat out between now and 10pm tomorrow evening to get everyone to vote, and hopefully vote Labour, and recognise in our manifesto there is hope, there is something positive,” stated Corbyn yesterday.
With hours left to determine the outcome of the general election, Labour supporters are taking this message to heart. It is a message of hope and determination.
Labour supporters will go 'flat out' in a final pre-election push to prevent a Johnson victory – and all that would mean – and to place Jeremy Corbyn in power.
This is a crucial time and a crucial election. Karl Marx explained that there are days in which the experiences of decades are concentrated. This is one of them. We must not squander this opportunity – our Saint Crispin’s day.