THE urgent task now is to build mass campaigning movements, Communist Party (CP) general secretary Robert Griffiths said yesterday.

The CP’s political committee will meet on Monday to assess the threats posed by the outcome of the general election. 

In a statement, Mr Griffiths said: “Undoubtedly, the result was a defeat for class politics and for Labour’s left and progressive programme. 

“It changes the political landscape in England, Scotland and Wales. A majority Conservative government will now seek to roll back rights, including the right to strike, and to recommence the ruling-class programme of privatisation.

“But equally, despite the hostility of powerful forces in the establishment, big business and the mass media, millions of people have voted for Labour’s radical manifesto. This must now be built upon.”

Mr Griffiths said there were a number of factors behind Labour’s defeat, including the “relentless state-sponsored and media attacks” on Jeremy Corbyn’s character and on Labour’s economic and social policies. 

He said: “The disunity promoted by those fanatically pro-EU elements who manoeuvered the party into a position where it was seen by many working-class electors as a ‘Stop Brexit’ party also played a major part. 

“In this new political situation, the CP will be redoubling its efforts to strengthen the labour movement, including the trade unions, many of which played a splendid role during the six-week general-election campaign. 

“Now is a time for rebuilding, extending and developing Britain’s extra-parliamentary mass movements in working-class communities. In particular, we look forward to working even more diligently with and in the People’s Assembly Against Austerity, the peace and anti-racist movements, the National Assembly of Women and the LeFT Campaign for a People’s Brexit.

“We should also note one important lesson from the general-election result and its main causes — the urgent need in England, Scotland and Wales for a much stronger, more influential CP and a much wider readership of Britain’s only daily socialist paper: the Morning Star.”