History of Socialism in Great Britain - The 21st Century

The 21st Century

The international anti-globalisation movement, while difficult to define, has become a focus for other socialists in the 21st century, and many see a reflection of it in the opposition of large sections of the population to the 2003 Iraq War.

Several minor socialist parties merged in 2003 to form the Alliance for Green Socialism which is a socialist party that campaigns on a wide variety of policies including, economic, environmental and social

George Galloway after his expulsion from the Labour Party in October 2003 (following controversial statements about the war in Iraq) joined with some far-left groups, mainly the Socialist Workers Party, and leading figures from the Muslim Association of Britain, to form RESPECT The Unity Coalition. Galloway succeeded in being elected as a Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow in the 2005 general election. Respect though has suffered from splits and resignations. Although Galloway lost the seat at the 2010 election, he had a by-election win at Bradford, West Yorkshire in March 2012.

Labour was defeated in the 2010 general election. During its 13 years in government, the Labour Party made few changes to the union reforms passed by the previous Conservative governments and the only nationalisations which took place during that time were of several leading banks facing collapse in the recession of 2008 and 2009. The Conservatives returned in power with the Liberal Democrats as a coalition government following a hung parliament.

Other socialists place their hopes in a trade union revival, perhaps around the "Awkward Squad" of the more leftist trade union leaders, many of whom have joined the Labour Representation Committee. Others have turned to more community-based politics. Yet others believe they can reclaim the Labour Party.

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) was formed in January 2010 to fight the 2010 general election. Founding supporters include Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers union (RMT), Brian Caton, general secretary of the POA and Chris Baugh, assistant general secretary of the PCS. RMT and Socialist Party executive members, including Bob Crow, form the core of the steering committee. The coalition includes the Socialist Workers Party, which will also stand candidates under its banner, RESPECT and other trade unionists and socialist groups. This followed the No2EU coalition which fought the European elections in 2009 gaining the official backing of the RMT. The RMT declined to officially back the new TUSC coalition, but granted its branches the right to stand and fund local candidates as part of the coalition.

Ed Miliband's election as leader of the Labour Party, on the back of Trade Union member votes, has been seen by some as a return to the left following New Labour and Miliband has been nicknamed 'Red Ed' by right-wing media. Since assuming office as Leader of the Opposition, Miliband has softened some of the more left-wing ideas he had adopted during the leadership election but remains committed to causes such as a Living Wage and the 50% tax rate. Many socialists have abandoned the Labour Party, with few exceptions such as the Socialist Appeal group.