UK Election: An Appeal to British Workers.

Richard Mellor

Member DSA, retired trade unionist

Editor, Facts For Working People *

In the wake of the election of Donald Trump here in the United States, we have seen an increase in open racist attacks in the streets as well as assaults and harassment of non-English speaking immigrants and as well as US citizens who’s first language might not be English. During his election campaign, Trump was endorsed by the Nazi’s and the KKK; both right wing terrorist groups and is a serial sexual abuser but also a racist and xenophobe.

As the head of the most powerful economic and military state on the planet, his influence on the world stage is considerable. What he says can determine what the stock market does from one day to the next. But his nationalism, xenophobia and support for fascists and neo fascist elements, in particular white nationalist individuals and organizations has strengthened these forces throughout the world. His disgusting comments about women and his predatory history, being accused by numerous women of sexual abuse adds to his degenerate and destructive character.

The election of Trump has undoubtedly strengthened similar right wing nationalist forces throughout the world, from Hungary, Brazil, Italy, Ukraine India and so on. His relationship with Russian imperialism and with the former KGB man Putin speaks volumes about Trump’s views.  His administration is undoubtedly hastening Venezuela’s decline and also supports and is most likely involved in the coup in Bolivia. In these cases it is not likely a Democratic administration (we only have a choice between two capitalist parties here in the US) would act differently, but Trump is in another league.

Domestically, he has headed government agencies with people directed to tear those agencies down. An opponent of public education heads that department. He has selected heads of the Environmental Protection Agency opposed to environmental protection and laws that curb industry’s activity. He is opening up our beautiful public lands to the fossil fuel industry. He glorifies police departments that have consistently murdered unarmed citizens, disproportionally black Americans. He has supported placing the children of asylum seekers and economic refuges in to concentration camps. His choices for Cabinet positions and agency heads have been lawyers and politicians who have worked for or lobbied Congress on behalf of industry, the coal industry for example.

Trump has great praise for the son of a stockbroker, the commodity trader and former Drexel Burnham Lambert employee Nigel Farage who is also an analyst and commentator on Fox News owned by Murdoch. Trump’s choice in the UK election though is Old Etonian Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party.

The election on December the 12^th has world significance. If the Conservatives win it, this will strengthen Trump and fascist elements. If the Labour Party wins it, this will help to undermine anti-worker and right wing elements throughout the world. It will be a victory for all workers. The Wall Street Journal, the voice of US capitalism in the world, made it clear in its support of Johnson that a victory for the British Labor Party and Corbyn would strengthen left and pro-working class movements here in the US and will give confidence to the left forces within the Democratic Party.

I have not lived in the UK for a long time and I realize there is significant disagreement over Brexit and Corbyn. But both the US and the UK are experiencing extreme inequality and massive poverty alongside the growing wealth of a small minority. The UK has meekly followed the US in to its never ending quagmire of forever wars taking funds that could be used for social services and jobs at home.

 I respectfully urge my fellow workers in Britain to vote labour in this extremely important election and deal with your differences under a Labour Party government. Your vote will affect all of us.

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