The CoVid-19 pandemic has forced an ultra-conservative government into deploying socialist policies, proving the need for socialism to support all levels of society. After Boris’ wipe-out election campaign which entailed berating Corbyn for there not being a ‘magic money tree’, Boris is now beginning to mimic Corbyn’s key programme pledges. Once again yesterday we find a new socialist policy has been deployed by Johnson’s government, this time: eradicating homelessness. But this is simply one of many implemented in the past two weeks.
Before yesterday’s announcement, the government had already listed many socialist policies to handle the crisis. From providing up to £2,500 to every individual who can’t get paid to work due to the outbreak, to grants and business rate ‘holidays’ so we don’t see mass closures. All of which are clear socialist policies that help our community that would usually be sneered at by a conservative party.
During the 2019 general election campaign Jeremy Corbyn pledged to eradicate rough sleeping within five years. Boris accused Corbyn of having a ‘magic money forest’ in an election debate. Yet, Boris has since committed himself to a collection of socialist policies and executed another today; having an advisor request all homeless are housed by the end of the week. Now Boris is deploying these strategies there is undoubtedly a big enough argument to say socialism is needed and can in fact be done quite easily. Subsequently, it is the appropriate strategy to ensure all parts of society are cared for – no matter the circumstance.
Boris Johnson and the Conservative party proved conservatism does not work, especially so during this pandemic. Since 2010, the Tories have made detrimental cuts to the NHS, almost bringing the system to its knees. They had broken our national treasure before we were thrown into responding to this pandemic. With no suitable contingency arrangements in place they are now desperately scrabbling around, requesting engineers who work in other fields to mass produce ventilators (22,000) and asking 250,000 volunteers, third year medical students and NHS inspectors to fill the void of staff or equipment. If sufficient contingency plans were in place, we would not need this level of unqualified contribution. Yet, I do applaud and am entirely grateful for their current contribution, but it did not need to come to this. Their cuts will have us making a choice, like Italy and Spain are currently doing; who should have priority to a ventilator and intensive care. In essence who should die and who should not, or even who can experience a more comfortable and peaceful process of dying and who cannot. Socialism would have provided the essentials for a perfectly run healthcare system, with sufficient contingency plans in place (not last-minute plans which have changed day by day after proving to be inadequate) should there be a crisis.
Corbyn and the Labour Party fought for a socialism programme to protect the United Kingdom and care for our neighbours. They were on the right side of history. Aspects of their programme are now being deployed. The Tories should continue with this programme after the pandemic, should they not, the country must reject them in mass proportions in 2024. There is evidence socialism works in Britain now, we must embrace it and insist the next Government executes a full programme that care for all parts of society as we do have the financial means to do so.
Davey Gray
