Whoever forms the next government, the left will have to ramp up the battle to beat austerity, leading labour movement figures warned yesterday.

With polls too close to call when the Morning Star went to press it was unclear which party would supply Britain’s next prime minister — though the airwaves have resounded for days with Tory threats to barricade themselves in Downing Street if no party won an overall majority.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said everyone fighting for a fairer Britain would need “nerves of steel” to weather the storm of propaganda the Establishment will unleash now the polls have closed.

“Today we will learn the result of the most important general election in our lifetimes,” Ms O’Grady said.

“The next government will have a profound impact on the future of our country — and on the lives of the working people we champion.

“For all the media obsession with the post-election maths, ultimately this election has been about a battle of values — private greed versus the common good.”

The top trade unionist threw down the gauntlet to politicians of every stripe, declaring: “No-one should be in any doubt that regardless of the result the TUC will keep fighting for decent jobs, homes and a welfare safety net for all.

“Our values of democracy, equality and unity will keep us strong.”

Leading left MP Jeremy Corbyn said it was up to the labour movement to “not sit back but stand up in strength to ensure Parliament must do what we require it to do — deliver for the people.

“Yesterday millions exercised their democratic right to vote because they want a society where there is housing for all, free education and a health service free at the point of use,” said Mr Corbyn, who romped home to his eighth successive general election victory last night.

“We must get rid of the bedroom tax, end sanctions against those with disabilities, end all privatisation and internal markets in the NHS.

“We need a party in Parliament that will stand against military interventions and for peace. I for one will vote against the renewal of Trident.”

Communist Party general secretary Rob Griffiths urged the labour movement to face up to its “historic responsibility to resolve the crisis of working-class political representation across Britain.”

If the battle to reclaim Labour for the working class wasn’t won the movement would have to look at other options, the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency candidate argued.

“Otherwise it limps from general election to general election without a party of its own to represent the millions against the millionaires.”

People’s Assembly national secretary Sam Fairbairn hailed a “huge anti-austerity sentiment growing across the country.

“We all hope to see the back of this rotten government but either way we need to redouble our efforts — real democracy is about to begin.

“Mobilise on the streets and in the workplaces. Even Ed Miliband has admitted that it’s pressure from below that changes society.

“That’s where our real power lies — which makes the People’s Assembly national demonstration on Saturday June 20 so crucial.”