The background to the 2023 National Congress is economic crisis, a weak government and, above all, dramatically intensified class struggle.
In December 2022 an estimated 1.5 million days were lost to strike action, the highest level for over thirty years.
As January 2023 opens, the strike wave is continuing to escalate. It has widespread popular support.
What, however, are the prospects for class struggle beyond the immediate period? As this statement elaborates, the as yet uncertain outcome of the current strikes will be an important factor shaping future developments.
But regardless of the results of these battles, we are at the beginning of a new period of increased working-class combativity.
Clear successes for the trade unions in the present disputes would partially relieve the desperate of cost-of-living squeeze and enormously strengthen the confidence of the working class for inevitable future battles.
On the other side, even if the current wave of struggle does not lead to clear victories for workers, or if defeats are suffered, it will not prevent new conflicts erupting.
The current strike movement marks a turning point, a decisive departure from the previous period of prolonged low levels of struggle.
At root, the reason for this lies with the accelerated decline of British capitalism, against the backdrop of increased instability and crises worldwide.
As Marx and Engels explained, we do not have a mechanical approach that class struggle, or events in general, are simply determined by economics.
On the contrary, there is a constant interaction between the superstructure – politics, the state, media, culture and so on – and the economic base of society.
Nonetheless, the economic foundation of society, and the increasing inability of capitalism to develop the productive forces, is ultimately decisive in setting the broad parameters of developments.
The immediate cause of the current strike wave is clearly the highest level of inflation for 41 years leading to a dramatic fall in real pay.
In addition, the shortages of labour in some sectors – particularly HGV drivers – increased some workers’ confidence to strike.
Both of these factors exist in numerous countries, but are particularly acute in Britain.
However, there are other longer-term, deep-seated difficulties for capitalism worldwide, which Britain is particularly vulnerable to.
They will have a profound effect in the next period.
