What lies ahead?

As we enter a new year, we find ourselves in the midst of political turmoil here in Britain. The Conservative Government have shown blatant, yet unapologetic corruption, which was not surprising; but disappointing. From recent circulation of images showing ministers and government officials breaking lockdown rules in May 2020, the same period where daily deaths were at an average of 450 per day. As well as the leaked videos of Allegra Stratton (former spokesperson for the Prime Minister) back in December 2020 laughing during a mock interview at the fact the Government held a Christmas party (it is now believed that 13 were held) while the UK was under level 3 restrictions. With Dominic Raab on holiday while the Taliban stormed Kabul in Afghanistan, with the British and American Government pulling all troops after a 20 year act of neoliberal imperialism behind the vail and rhetoric of 'imposing democracy.' Matt Handcock (former Secretary for State and Health) was found to acting unlawfully by handing out Covid contracts to corporations and party donors, during the same time the NHS was on the ropes. Priti Patel acted as an assassin of democracy and advocate for far-right nationalism with her protest bill effectively criminalising (up to 10 year sentences) acts of protesting against the status-quo and her borders bill which reduces refugees to a subhuman status, also punishing those who dare to help those in dire need of support.

With the strong vaccine rollout being one of the only positive outcomes of Boris Johnsons' governance, delivered by the very same workers who were hit with a real terms pay cut due to post Covid inflation. This has been compounded by the 1.25% hike in National Insurance contributions to increase State expenditure in health and social care, ultimately putting the burden on the working class to reverse over a decade of Tory cuts to the public sector. As well as soaring food prices and shortages as a result of Brexit, despite ministers like Michael Gove and Jacob-Rees Mogg claiming the exit would result in food price cuts and surplus production.

With the leader of the opposition Keir Starmer not offering much of an alternative with his proclivity to play 'anti-Tory' politics rather than provide the disenfranchised and lost working class voters with hope. This year I hope can be a politically productive one under Starmer by gaining back those very voters and building back a genuine and strong opposition (as seen under Corbyn) to this blatantly apathetic far-right authoritarian ruling we find ourselves subject to.