People voting at SWP conference (Picture: Socialist Worker)
Naked imperialism in Venezuela and state murder in Minneapolis. The opening weeks of 2026 illustrate that capitalism has abandoned any pretence of legality.
Millions of people feel that Donald Trump’s far right, authoritarian politics are on an unstoppable march across the globe.
In France, the ongoing parliamentary crisis will likely benefit the fascist RN. In Germany, the year begins with the fascist AfD topping the polls.
But the picture is more complex than the growth of the far right alone. In Britain, two factors are shaping mainstream politics. First is the rapid decline of Keir Starmer’s government.
Labour’s treatment of the Palestine hunger strikers underlines that alongside racism and austerity, Starmer is embracing authoritarian politics associated with the far right.
But rather than reduce support for Reform UK, every Labour move to the right clears the path for Nigel Farage to enter Downing Street.
Millions of people think Starmer has little chance of lasting the year and some speculate that he will step down after the local elections in May.
Labour’s predicament is not solely the result of the woeful Blairite tribute act now running the government. The cocktail of economic disarray, geopolitical havoc and political instability would rock even the strongest of governments.
Starmer’s crisis is not individual—it is systemic. It represents the neoliberal centre’s inability to keep up with a growing crisis.
The second dominant feature of British politics is the advance of Reform UK. It is now well on the way to replacing the Tories as the main force on the right of British politics.
It claims to be the largest party in Britain, with more than 270,000 members. What about the left?
We need a sober assessment of the threats posed by Farage and the street fascist Tommy Robinson. But just as necessary is identifying the forces needed to stop them.
The last two years in Britain have seen repeated mass mobilisations for Palestine solidarity and tens of thousands have turned out against the far right.
We can add to this the hundreds of thousands of people who look for a left alternative to Starmer, either through Your Party or the Green Party.
If we can combine all these elements with trade unions and other campaigners, we will have the ingredients for a serious movement against racism. That is why the Together Against the Far Right mobilisation on Saturday 28 March is so important.
Its broad support provides the opportunity for a massive demonstration—and a boost to everyone who wants to stop Reform UK.
The Together demo can be a springboard to opposing Farage at the May elections and drawing more people into the movement.
The crisis of mainstream politics also creates opportunities for the left. The 800,000 people who expressed support for Your Party is the most important expression of this. Support for Green Party leader Zack Polanski is another.
By putting forward radical solutions to the cost of living crisis, solidarity with Palestine and a rejection of racist scapegoating, the left can be a match for the far right.
But as welcome as Polanski’s popularity is, we cannot leave the challenge of building a left alternative to the Greens.
We need Your Party to have a far more radical, insurgent vision than the narrow electoralism of the Greens. It was that possibility that inspired so many to sign up for Your Party’s initial launch.
Socialists must continue to fight for that vision—despite the setbacks Your Party has faced.
A serious electoral challenge at the May elections is possible, with candidates standing across the country on a short but radical programme.
To do all this, we need networks of revolutionary socialists. This year started with warnings about what the far right will do if given the chance.
The left must avoid defeatism and pessimism and instead throw all its forces into the fight.
Delegates at the SWP conference elected the central committee (CC), which leads the organisation on a day‑to‑day basis.
On the CC is Alan Kenny, Andy Brammer, Camilla Royle, Héctor Puente Sierra, Jessica Walsh, Joseph Choonara, Judy Cox, Julie Sherry Bryce, Lewis Nielsen, Samira Ali, Sophia Beach and Tomáš Tengely-Evans.
Four long-standing members of the outgoing CC did not re-stand. The changes to the CC are part of the outgoing leadership’s efforts to renew the organisation more generally.
Ahead of voting for the CC, a session discussed the political lessons of the 2013 crisis, when the party failed two women who raised complaints of sexual misconduct.
SWP members will receive a post‑conference bulletin and branches have organised report-back meetings
Over 500 SWP members attended the conference. Each session saw a vote on a commission that summed up the direction of the SWP’s work. These were open to amendments and voted on.
Delegates voted to change the method of electing the CC. The previous system saw the outgoing CC propose a slate of candidates in the pre-conference period, the three months leading up to the conference.
Five delegates could nominate an alternative slate at conference, and then conference would vote on the proposed slates.
The new method will see the CC put forward a slate of candidates, which sets the size of the body.
But now individuals will be able to put themselves forward with the support of 20 subs-paying members during the pre-conference period, or five delegates at conference.
If there are more candidates than vacancies, delegates will rank candidates in a ballot. If there are not, delegates will vote on the slate as a whole.
Conference also elected a 35-strong national committee (NC) to guide the party’s work.
A disputes committee (DC), which deals with disciplinary matters in the organisation, was elected.
Delegates at the SWP annual conference spoke to Socialist Worker about what they gained from the event and the mood for the year ahead.
“I think there was a lot of really honest and necessary discussion about our party and our perspectives. And younger comrades took more of a lead than they did last year.
“Conference really set a mood for us to be a more dynamic and a younger party this year.
“I think that we will be really effective intervening in the upcoming Scottish election, and of course continuing to intervene in the movement.”
Rebecca, Aberdeen
“We had some very important discussions and it was so refreshing to hear some of what’s been going on around the country with different groups of comrades.
“In the next year, I hope this leads to an uptick in workplace actions, specifically in hospital and other health and emergency services.”
Remy, east London
“It’s clear that this year is going to be one of radical action and mass organisation reflecting the escalating movements we’re seeing across society.”
Maia, north London
“The event showed a way for the party to move outwards. We have a modest, new cadre that is actively taking a role in debates and leading in arguments.
“As a whole, that’s making the party stronger. But we are aware that there’s a lot of work to do.”
Liam, Edinburgh
“Many of my fellow workers recognise their lives need improvement, but most aren’t part of any political organisation.
“Yet you need to believe in something and defend what you believe in. The SWP has given me that. I’ve absorbed some ideas to help me fight my corner.”
A Bectu union member, London
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