Lv Jin: Theoretical and Practical Explorations of the Communist Party of Britain in Advancing Britain Towards Socialism in the 21st Century
Shortly after the end of the First World War, advanced elements within the British working class recognized that only the establishment of a communist organization representing the fundamental interests of the working class—a Marxist revolutionary party—could propel the workers' movement forward, eventually seize state power, and advance toward communism. Under the guidance of Lenin and the Communist International, the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) was founded on July 31, 1920. Its primary tasks at the time were leading domestic workers' strikes and supporting national liberation movements among colonial peoples.
Beginning in the 1950s, the international communist movement experienced turbulence and setbacks. Internal disagreements over the party's developmental line and other issues arose multiple times within the CPGB, resulting in four successive splits in the party organization. The fourth split occurred in the 1980s, when a series of social reforms by the Thatcher government triggered internal strife and exacerbated the party's crisis. Ultimately, a minority opposition group associated with Tony Chater, editor-in-chief of the party newspaper Morning Star, was expelled. This faction maintained control of the Morning Star and was subsequently known as the "Morning Star group." This group established the Communist Campaign Group in June 1985. On this basis, Mike Hicks, the former chairman of the CPGB London District Committee, organized a congress in April 1988 to re-establish the Communist Party, announcing the formation of a new Communist Party.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, the CPGB convened its 43rd Congress in November 1991 and announced its dissolution. Thereafter, the "Morning Star group" gradually took up the name and banner of the "Communist Party of Great Britain," gaining recognition both domestically and abroad. Today, the "Communist Party of Great Britain" referred to within the UK and internationally is primarily the Communist Party of Britain (CPB) (hereafter referred to as the "CPB") established by the "Morning Star group." The CPB asserts that "the Communist Party is now widely recognized at home and throughout the world as the continuation of the communist tradition in England, Scotland, and Wales."
At its inception, the CPB declared itself "re-established on the basis of inheriting the statutes and program of the original CPGB," consciously assuming the mission of propelling Britain toward socialism and dedicating itself to "achieving socialism in Britain." Since entering the 21st century, the CPB has remained grounded in reality and persistent in its efforts, undertaking new explorations in theory and practice to move Britain toward socialism.
I. The Theoretical Exploration of the Communist Party of Britain Regarding Britain's Path to Socialism
The CPB party program is a vital document that manifests the party's political thought and guides its various activities. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the CPB has revised its program, Britain’s Road to Socialism, three times—in 2001, 2011, and 2020—continually adjusting and updating its strategic thinking on the British path to socialism. In this process, the CPB has proposed major concepts such as the "Alternative Economic and Political Strategy," the "Left Wing Program," the "People’s Democratic Anti-Monopoly Alliance," and "Left-wing Government in Power," gradually forming a theoretical framework for Britain's transition to socialism.
(i) The Development of the Alternative Economic and Political Strategy and the Foundation for the Transition to Socialism
In its first post-founding program in 1989, the CPB inherited the Alternative Economic and Political Strategy (AEPS) advocated by the original CPGB since the 1950s. This strategy emphasized raising the people's standard of living, expanding democracy, pursuing an independent foreign policy, taking active measures to counter capitalist resistance, and mastering state power. The CPB believed that although building a socialist Britain required the initial seizure of state power, the conditions of the time did not allow for a socialist revolution because the British trade union movement was not yet mature and working-class consciousness had not yet risen to socialist consciousness. Under these circumstances, the CPB's primary task was first to address various specific struggles requiring urgent resolution. On this basis, it sought to build a front of working-class struggle to accumulate strength to seize the wealth and power of the bourgeoisie and achieve fundamental social transformation. Accomplishing these tasks required the AEPS to integrate a series of complex issues into a unified and coordinated framework, thereby more effectively defending working-class interests.
The AEPS in the 2001 version of the CPB program removed the sections on "countering capitalist resistance" and "state power," while updating policies regarding the economy, society, democracy, and foreign affairs. Regarding economic and social policy, the direct objective of economic planning shifted from the previous focus on increasing individual workers' incomes to boosting the economy, emphasizing that "stringent measures must be taken to protect the environment." Regarding political rights and the political system, it introduced new proposals such as strengthening freedom of the press and abolishing the monarchy and the House of Lords, calling for a further expansion of the democratic struggle. In foreign policy, it proposed that Britain must withdraw from the European Union, arguing that "the EU deliberately undermines the sovereignty and democracy of all member states—and weakening British democracy weakens the socialist struggle."
While the 2011 version of the CPB program continued the previous AEPS thinking, it made significant adjustments and detailed plans in sections such as "The Struggle on Three Fronts," the "Left Wing Program," the "People’s Democratic Anti-Monopoly Alliance," and "Left-wing Government in Power." "The Struggle on Three Fronts" proposed from a macro perspective that political struggle must be waged against the bourgeoisie on "three distinct but interrelated main fronts: the economic, the political, and the ideological and cultural." The "Left Wing Program," included in the party program for the first time, is a unified alternative policy proposal aimed at advancing the labor and progressive movements. It covers essential issues such as economic, environmental, social, cultural, financial, democratic, and foreign policies addressed in previous versions. The "People’s Democratic Anti-Monopoly Alliance" is dedicated to building an alliance between the working class and other progressive forces opposed to state-monopoly capitalism, concentrating strength for joint action to advance the realization of the "Left Wing Program." "Left-wing Government in Power" and the final chapter, "The Road to Socialism and Communism," comprehensively expound on the "three-step" vision for Britain's path to socialism, providing a macro-level plan for how to achieve socialism in Britain.
The explanation of the AEPS in the 2020 CPB program is largely consistent with the 2011 version. The main changes involved supplementing and perfecting the content of the "Left Wing Program" based on new social conditions, such as emphasizing the importance of uniting the working class and progressive forces and explaining the characteristics of progressive federalism. "On the whole, the 2011 and 2020 versions of the program are more radical than previous editions."
Currently, the CPB carries out its activities under the guidance of the 2020 program, which has undergone a series of adjustments and improvements. The AEPS is the CPB's strategic thought, in which the "Left Wing Program" is the specific alternative policy proposal and the "People’s Democratic Anti-Monopoly Alliance" is the practical force for advancing it. The full development of the "Left Wing Program" and the "People’s Democratic Anti-Monopoly Alliance" constitutes the primary foundation for achieving a left-wing government in power and moving toward socialism in Britain.
(ii) The First Step Toward Socialism: Strengthening Electoral Power
The CPB believes that "the first stage of the British revolutionary process signifies a substantial and sustained leftward shift in the labor movement, with more and broader support from the working class and the masses for the key policies of the 'Left Wing Program,' and the strengthening of the anti-monopoly alliance through a series of struggles." Thus, the beginning of the British socialist revolution depends on the development of the people’s democratic anti-monopoly alliance and the labor movement.
In the CPB’s view, the People’s Democratic Anti-Monopoly Alliance "transforms a series of defensive struggles against capitalist monopolies, right-wing governments, and reactionary policies into a united offensive on a broad front to win support for the 'Left Wing Program,'" thereby concentrating strength to advance its implementation and the socialist revolutionary process. British state-monopoly capitalism’s exploitation of people is all-encompassing; if revolutionary movements are carried out in isolation or individually, they cannot create a powerful impact on the systemic rule of the bourgeoisie. Therefore, the organized working class, as the leading force for social progress and revolutionary change, must establish the broadest possible alliance with all other social movements striving for progress, democracy, equality, and justice, integrating social revolutionary forces to strengthen the anti-capitalist struggle.
The CPB points out that in the first stage, the primary task of the anti-monopoly alliance is to do its utmost to unite revolutionary forces to participate in parliamentary elections and increase their influence therein. Support from the working class and the masses is crucial for advancing the "Left Wing Program," but in the initial stage, electoral methods are needed to gain popular support: "The beginning of the British socialist revolution must culminate in the election of a left-wing government to Parliament, which depends on whether socialists, the Labour Party, communists, and progressive forces hold a majority in the election." Therefore, it is necessary to give full play to the role of the anti-monopoly alliance. As the leading forces of social change, socialists and communists must flexibly adjust their electoral strategies according to political principles and realistic conditions, strengthening the unity and cooperation of revolutionary forces during election periods.
(iii) The Second Step Toward Socialism: Left-wing Government in Power
The CPB believes that "the election of a left-wing government committed to advancing the AEPS and the 'Left Wing Program' marks the transition of the revolutionary process to its second stage." The "Left Wing Program" is the core of the AEPS; it is a unified and specific alternative policy scheme that comprehensively considers economic, political, cultural, and foreign affairs. It points out the specific direction of social revolution and serves as the administrative foundation for a left-wing government. The main contents of the "Left Wing Program" include developing an efficient and sustainable economy, maintaining social justice and developing a democratic culture, raising funds for the program, expanding and deepening democracy, implementing progressive federalism, and pursuing independent foreign and defense policies. Its purpose is to resist the exploitation and oppression of state-monopoly capitalism and expand the interests of workers and the masses.
The CPB notes that the task of the second stage of the socialist revolution is to combine parliamentary and extra-parliamentary struggle to implement the main policies of the "Left Wing Program." After seizing power, the left-wing government must cooperate closely with the labor movement (centered on the organized working class) and other forces in the anti-monopoly alliance, doing its best to involve them in the formulation and implementation of government decisions. The left-wing government must take measures to counter all covert and overt counter-revolutionary activities to consolidate power. Economically, it must control capital flows, close tax havens, control and liquidate Britain's overseas assets, and promote public ownership. Culturally, it must curb counter-revolutionary propaganda. Politically, it must transform the state apparatus by reorganizing administrative agencies. Internationally, although international capitalism will attempt to obstruct Britain's path to socialism, communists, left-wingers, progressives, anti-imperialists, and non-aligned governments in other countries will provide aid to the left-wing government to alleviate the external pressures it faces.
(iv) The Third Step Toward Socialism: Establishing Socialism
The CPB believes that the struggle by the left-wing government to implement key policies of the "Left Wing Program" will inevitably encounter resolute resistance from monopoly capital and reactionary forces both within and outside its state apparatus. "The fierce confrontation between the two signifies that the social revolutionary process has entered its third and most critical stage."
In this decisive stage of the revolutionary process, the key factor in the struggle lies in the growth of extra-parliamentary and broader social support. The CPB points out that at this time, special attention must be paid to mobilizing the anti-monopoly alliance to safeguard popular sovereignty and assist the left-wing government in implementing its policies. If the implementation of key policies of the "Left Wing Program" encounters obvious obstacles, the government may have to temporarily abandon policies that could trigger a confrontation over state power and instead implement other, more moderate policies of the program. However, if the wealth and power of finance capitalists grow significantly and they use all the weapons at their disposal to oppose the revolutionary movement and the left-wing government, then necessary measures must be taken to completely deprive them of their political power. Whether the most optimal revolutionary movement strategies can be adopted to weaken the power of the bourgeoisie determines the level of violence in the social revolution.
In short, a Left government in power will "through a comprehensive program of reform, restructuring, and democratization, replace the capitalist state apparatus with a state apparatus representing the interests of the working class and the people as a whole, establishing what Marx and Lenin called the 'dictatorship of the proletariat.'" For Britain, this means "replacing the current dictatorship of the small minority with the rule of the vast majority." Accompanied by the total collapse of monopoly capitalism, Britain will eventually establish socialism.
II. The Practical Exploration of the Communist Party of Britain in Advancing Britain Toward Socialism
The Constitution of the CPB states that "socialism can only be achieved by the will and action of the vast majority of the people, led by the working class," emphasizing the importance of the Communist Party leading the masses in practical struggle to advance the process of socialist revolution. Since the 21st century, the CPB has adjusted its practical orientation and expanded its fields of activity in light of developments in the international socialist movement and British social conditions. It has actively explored the road to socialism in Britain through participation in elections, the development of social movements, and support for the international communist movement.
(i) Participating in electoral activities and defending workers' rights
The electoral system is an important component of the British political system. Although the CPB is small in scale and occupies a marginal position in the landscape of British party politics, it remains registered with the Electoral Commission and can nominate its own candidates for elections. In the absence of sufficient conditions to launch a socialist revolution, the CPB seeks to win more rights for the working class and expand its influence in electoral activities through active participation. This is also a major task in the first stage of the Alternative Economic and Political Strategy (AEPS) [5] for moving Britain toward socialism.
The CPB fielded six candidates in the general elections of 2001, 2005, and 2010; however, their vote share remained below 0.01%. In 2015, the CPB fielded nine candidates, but support showed no significant change. Subsequently, the CPB changed its electoral strategy, deciding to support the Labour Party in general elections rather than nominating its own candidates. Additionally, before announcing its support for Brexit, the CPB worked with other Left groups to actively participate in European Parliament elections, hoping to unite Left forces in handling regional affairs.
Compared to national and European results, the CPB’s performance in local elections has been relatively optimistic. Since 2000, the CPB has participated multiple times in elections across parts of England, Scotland, and Wales, with support levels consistently above 0.2% and often exceeding 1%, notably reaching 2.2% in the 2010 Hackney mayoral election. In the May 2021 local elections, the CPB fielded its largest number of candidates since its founding, contesting over 40 seats across the Welsh Senedd, the Scottish Parliament, the London Assembly, and English local councils, using the slogan "Capitalism is the problem, socialism is the solution." Robert Griffiths, General Secretary of the CPB, argued that this record number of candidates was no coincidence, as the CPB "offered the only viable alternative to the decaying economic, environmental, and social systems under capitalism." He noted that the newly revised party program, Britain’s Road to Socialism, resonated with many radical working-class voters, particularly young people facing precarious employment, expensive and poor-quality housing, and collapsing public services.
(ii) Developing social movements and opening the path to revolution
As early as the beginning of the 21st century, the CPB pointed out that "in Britain, the key to advancing toward socialism in unity lies in the unity of the Left." They argued that "if real forces can be mobilized around the demands of the Alternative Economic and Political Strategy, Britain can be pushed onto a new course to resolve the crisis of people’s interests, expand democracy, and open the road to socialist revolution." The CPB’s mobilization methods primarily include developing the labor movement and promoting social-democratic movements such as women's liberation, anti-racism, anti-austerity (opposing cuts to social spending), environmental protection, and nuclear disarmament.
For over 20 years, the CPB has engaged in diverse practices within the labor and social-democratic movements, striving to ensure more people recognize and take action to solve the problems currently facing capitalism. In the labor movement, the CPB focuses on urging its members to join trade unions, emphasizing that unions are the most powerful working-class organizations and lead the direction of the labor movement. In social-democratic movements, the CPB maintains that "struggles against the subordinate status of women, against racism, and other forms of oppression, while having their own characteristics, are all vital aspects of the class struggle" and integral to the anti-capitalist struggle. Among these, women’s liberation has remained a key focus. Although more women are striving to improve their status through labor, they still do not enjoy equal status with men. To this end, the CPB has made efforts to help women secure employment opportunities, narrow the gender pay gap, defend women's inheritance rights, and call for an end to violence against women. It also publishes the journal Communist Women, calling on communist women to move forward. The 56th Congress of the CPB specifically noted the need to encourage all comrades to study Marxist classics on the social status of women to deepen their understanding of the struggle for liberation. The CPB consistently and firmly opposes racism and Nazism, viewing racism as a serious threat to British society. It has organized numerous anti-racist demonstrations and the "One Day" series of anti-fascist activities, calling on people of all races to unite against racial discrimination. Regarding ecological protection, the CPB supports integrating the green movement into the anti-capitalist movement, joining with environmentalists to push for social change. The CPB also supported the Brexit movement as a means to better protect the interests of trade unions and the working class.
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Britain faced crises of unemployment, disease, and the failure of public service functions. Under these circumstances, the CPB acted vigorously to protect the rights and interests of the working class, organizing the "Unemployment Fightback" campaign to prevent layoffs and maintain job stability. It severely criticized the underfunding and privatization of healthcare institutions, identifying these as the primary culprits behind high mortality rates, and called for increased vaccination to protect the safety of the people.
(iii) Assisting the international communist movement and strengthening international solidarity
The CPB explicitly defines itself as an "integral part of the international communist movement" and assists it in various ways, contributing the strength of British communists to the global labor movement and the movements for peace, solidarity, and democracy.
The CPB consistently values close ties with Communist and Workers' Parties worldwide, dedicating itself to promoting the union and solidarity of the working class on a global scale. The International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP) is a major global platform for cooperation and exchange. Since its inception in 1998, the CPB has sent representatives to the meeting every year to exchange experiences, except in 2001 and 2002 when it sent congratulatory letters. In December 2021, due to the pandemic, the IMCWP was held via a special teleconference. 355 parties or organizations worldwide, including the Communist Party of China, participated. General Secretary Griffiths delivered a speech introducing the social situation in Britain and the CPB’s plan for advancing Britain toward socialism.
The CPB resolutely opposes imperialism and war, actively supporting the resistance of nations and countries oppressed by imperialism. It criticizes the so-called "humanitarian interventions" of imperialist powers, pointing out that "due to the military interventions of the US, Britain, and France, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria have fallen into catastrophic chaos and slaughter." It argues that "the true concern of these Western governments was never human rights, but mineral resources, trade routes, and military bases." Following sporadic anti-socialist demonstrations in Cuba—encouraged by the US and exacerbated by Hurricane Elsa and the pandemic—the CPB praised the rapid response of the Communist Party of Cuba and patriotic forces in quelling a US-backed coup attempt, stating that "no amount of fake American-style 'freedom' can provide the health and education services that are central to Cuban socialism."
Since the global outbreak of COVID-19, the CPB has multiple times joined with other Communist Parties to protect public health and safety, highly praising China’s outstanding performance in combating the pandemic. The CPB believes the "pandemic has further proven that capitalism is unwilling or unable to meet people's basic needs during a general crisis," and that "the environmental crisis and the inequality of vaccine distribution reflect the inherent conflict, war, disease, and environmental degradation within capitalism." In April 2021, the CPB and 38 other Communist and Workers' Parties issued a joint statement on vaccines, calling for increased efforts in vaccination and the treatment of infectious diseases, identifying this as a priority for the common interest of the working class and the masses. China’s anti-epidemic work won high praise from the CPB. The CPB argued that China’s decisive intervention effectively controlled the virus, while criticizing the British government's laissez-faire policies for worsening the situation: "While vast numbers of Chinese people could safely enjoy National Day holiday travel, millions in Britain faced difficult choices and a Christmas without their families."
The CPB places great importance on strengthening ties with the Communist Party of China, believing China plays a vital role in advancing the world socialist movement. In its 2020 party program, the CPB noted that "China, rising as a major progressive force in the world, may play a crucial role in the process of social revolution in Britain and other regions." In 2021, at a conference celebrating the centenary of the CPC jointly organized by the Chinese Consulate-General in Manchester and the CPB, General Secretary Griffiths remarked with admiration: "China has achieved more in 50 years than other countries like Britain could in over 200, and it has done so without the international slave trade or colonial plunder." He added that "on the international stage, China represents a voice of sanity and reason, serving as a beacon of hope for countless people."
III. The Practical Difficulties and Development Prospects of the Communist Party of Britain
The CPB consistently adheres to the ambitious goal of achieving socialism in Britain and has engaged in unremitting exploration to move the country in that direction. In practice, the CPB maintains the scientific attitude of Marxism by advancing with the times, adjusting its theories according to changes in the international situation and domestic social conditions, and has made some progress. However, numerous internal and external difficulties hinder the CPB from achieving substantive development, and its path toward socialism in Britain will inevitably be tortuous and long.
(i) The Communist Party of Britain faces internal development difficulties
First is the insufficient number of party members. Between 2000 and 2014, the CPB’s membership consistently remained around 900. After 2015, the number dropped significantly to under 800, fluctuating between 700 and 800 for a long period. It was not until 2021, at its 56th Congress, that the CPB announced its membership had grown to over 1,200—an increase of nearly one-third since 2018—largely due to the significant growth of the Young Communist League (YCL). Nevertheless, the CPB’s organizational strength remains negligible in British politics. The CPB itself feels the weight of this shortfall keenly, expressing concern that "insufficient membership causes us to be overworked most of the time; if this problem is not solved, our work will stagnate."
Second is the lack of operating funds. The CPB claims that "the Communist Party is the party that the rich cannot buy," and that "every penny of the CPB’s income comes from its members and supporters," stating this position to show it is not swayed by powerful interests and remains firm in its struggle for socialism. Between 2008 and 2021, the CPB’s total donation income was £250,000. Factors such as having a single channel for fundraising and a weak appeal for donations have led to chronic funding shortages, leaving the party at times unable to repay its debts. According to the UK Electoral Commission's website, since 2012, the CPB has carried an annual debt of approximately £20,000, with the total annual debt showing a fluctuating upward trend. The lack of funds prevents the party from fully carrying out its activities and limits its development.
Furthermore, organizational development has been unfavorable. Although the CPB Constitution stipulates that the Party's organizational principle is democratic centralism, this principle has failed to be effectively implemented. In particular, the insufficient development of intra-Party democracy has, to a large extent, restricted the Party's vitality and stamina, hindering its sustained and healthy development. As some scholars have pointed out, within the CPB, "democratic construction under the principle of democratic centralism is relatively lacking, making it difficult for the Party to accommodate dissenting voices." Political parties that neglect intra-Party democratic construction "usually cannot develop into truly broad-based party organizations," which constitutes a "critical flaw in the CPB's political structure."
(2) The Communist Party of Britain faces external suppression and restrictions. The British authorities have always taken the maintenance of the interests of big capital as their responsibility, adopting policies of suppression against radical left-wing forces. In June 2019, Counter Terrorism Policing under the British Home Office placed the CPB and several other left-wing organizations on an extremist watch list, claiming a need to prevent the danger of terrorism. In response, CPB General Secretary Robert Griffiths stated helplessly: "The main function of the British intelligence services is to maintain the capitalist status quo and protect the ruling class, so it is not surprising that the CPB is on the list, as the CPB is a party dedicated to replacing capitalism with socialism."
The Conservative Party, which has governed Britain for over a decade, represents the business community and the wealthy strata. It advocates for restricting the development of trade unions and workers' movements, which has greatly undermined the CPB's foundation for development. After the 2019 UK General Election, the Conservative Party once again defeated the Labour Party to win. Griffiths warned: "The Conservative victory means there will soon be a new attack on trade unions and workers' rights—especially in transport and emergency services—and on local democratic government." Sure enough, shortly after the general election, the new Conservative government intended to refuse to codify the campaign promise that "workers' rights would not be weakened after Brexit" into the Brexit bill submitted to Parliament, seriously harming the sentiments and interests of the broad masses of workers.
As the target of the CPB's attempts at alliance-building, the Labour Party is rife with factions and internal contradictions, making it difficult for the CPB’s "Left Wing Programme" [6] to be effectively realized in practice. In summarizing the reasons for Labour's defeat in the 2019 general election, the CPB pointed out that Labour's shift toward an "anti-Brexit" stance was the primary cause of its loss, and that fanatical pro-EU Labour MPs played a role in fueling this process, with the objective of attempting to drive class politics and socialism completely out of the Labour Party. Furthermore, other small radical left-wing parties in Britain differ significantly from the CPB in terms of policies and practical paths, making it difficult to reach consensus or establish alliances.
(3) Development prospects for the Communist Party of Britain: Slow progress amidst hardships. In the thirty-plus years since the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe [7], the world socialist movement has moved forward through twists and turns amidst difficulties and challenges. Communist parties in various countries have striven to expand their space for survival and seek revitalization. As a small party rebuilt after the shock of the "political earthquake" in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, the path forward for the Communist Party of Britain is even more arduous.
However, the CPB has never abandoned the lofty goal of establishing socialism in Britain and has actively sought to expand its influence through various means. The CPB attaches great importance to educational and propaganda work directed at the broad masses. It not only utilizes mass media extensively to propagate socialist ideology and Party positions but also organizes long-term Party educational activities. Regarding print media, the CPB publishes series such as Communist Classics and Our History, focusing on propagating Marxist theory and the history of working-class struggle. The Party newspaper Morning Star is the primary front for propagating the Party’s political positions and was called "the best newspaper in Britain" by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Periodicals and pamphlets such as Communist Review, Challenge, Communist Women, Country Standard, Unity!, and International Briefing carry out ideological propaganda regarding specific aspects such as women's liberation and class solidarity. Regarding electronic media, the CPB official website provides a comprehensive introduction to and promotion of the Party's theory and practice, produces electronic versions or websites for its various print media, and makes full use of media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to strengthen the dissemination of Party ideology through multiple channels.
In terms of educational activities, the CPB organized "Communist University" events annually between 2004 and 2010. Participants in these activities were mostly individuals dedicated to developing the labor movement, progressive movements, and anti-imperialist movements. They studied Marxism together in a festive atmosphere, expanding the CPB's influence nationwide. In 2011, this activity was renamed "Marxism in the 21st Century." Furthermore, the Young Communist League (YCL), composed of youth aged 12 to 29 dedicated to the communist cause, serves as the CPB’s reserve force. The education of YCL members and the development of the organization have always been highly valued by the CPB.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPB has promptly and deeply exposed the irreconcilable contradictions of capitalism. It has adopted many innovative ways to severely criticize the crisis of capitalist society and the impotence of the bourgeois government, increasing its efforts to propagate socialist ideology. Both the Party's influence and its power to mobilize have seen significant improvements. In November 2021, at its 56th National Congress, the CPB celebrated a significant growth in the scale and influence of the British labor and progressive movements.
In short, the current social environment in Britain greatly restricts the operational space for the CPB to deepen its practice and grow its strength. However, the CPB remains unswerving and persistent, proactively seizing opportunities and seeking development. It is achieving slow progress amidst hardships, continuously accumulating strength and creating conditions for Britain’s path toward socialism.