Britain’s Communist party will not field any general election candidates for the first time since its formation in 1920 in order to throw its weight behind Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party.

Declaring its endorsement of Labour’s leader, the Communist Party of Britain said victory for Mr Corbyn at the general election in June would be “the first step towards a formation of left-led government at Westminster”.

The party's general secretary Robert Griffiths added that it was crucial to stop the Labour leader facing a leadership challenge from “right-wing” figures in his own party. He added his party was in “no doubt” that Mr Corbyn’s party “serves the interests of workers and their families”.

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view. From 15p €0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras.

It came as the Labour leader made his first visit to Scotland of the election campaign and unapologetically celebrated his party’s relationship with the trade unions. Addressing delegates at the Scottish Trade Union Congress directly, he added: “You are our family”.

In a statement on the Communist Party of Britain’s official website, Mr Griffiths said:"In every general election since the formation of the CP in 1920, we have stood our own candidates, not least in 2015 when we fielded nine. Now, on this occasion, we will not contest any seats, although this does not signal any withdrawal from the electoral arena in the future.

"We call for a Labour vote in every constituency across Britain, despite the reactionary views of numerous Labour Party candidates."

Mr Griffiths added: "The maximum possible Labour vote is necessary not only to secure the election of a Labour government. We also recognise that this election marks a further intensification of the left-right struggle within the labour movement and the Labour Party.

"The higher the Labour vote and the number of Labour MPs elected, the more secure will be the position of Jeremy Corbyn and his left allies in the parliamentary Labour Party.

"Any reverses for Labour will be used as a pretext by the right-wing pro-EU, pro-Nato faction in the parliamentary Labour Party and its trade union allies to launch yet another bid to remove Jeremy Corbyn and take the Labour Party back to the neoliberal and pro-war policies of the past."

But the Conservatives seized on the endorsement. Amanda Milling, a Tory MP who sits on the business, energy and industrial strategy committee in Westminster, said: “Let this sink in: Jeremy Corbyn has been endorsed today by a party who want to close down businesses, leave the protection of NATO and hike up taxes to a level never seen before in this country.

“At this election every vote is going to count. Unless people get out there and vote for Theresa May and their local Conservative candidate, this man will be our Prime Minister in a little over 6 weeks – propped up by the Lib Dems and SNP in a coalition of chaos.”</s>The Communist Party of Great Britain will not stand any candidates in the election, and has called for supporters to vote for Jeremy Corbyn .

It’s the first time since 1920 the party has fielded no candidates in a general election.

The party, which has had five MPs elected to parliament in its 97 year history, said they would be ‘campaigning for a Labour victory.’

A Labour party spokesman said: “Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day.”

Communist Party general secretary Robert Griffiths said: “Labour's policies in this election include more progressive taxation, state bank investment in public services, support for industry, an end to NHS privatisation, public ownership of the railways, community ownership of energy, an end to zero-hours contracts, the restoration of employment and trade union rights and building half a million new council houses.

“The Communist Party is in no doubt that this second option is the only one that serves the interests of workers and their families. Therefore our members will be campaigning for a Labour victory as the essential first step towards the formation of a left-led government at Westminster.”

He added: “The higher the Labour vote and the number of Labour MPs elected, the more secure will be the position of Jeremy Corbyn and his left allies in the Parliamentary Labour Party .”

Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael said: “From 1920 to 2017 the Communist Party of Great Britain elected 5 MPs.

“They have obviously concluded they can continue in that tradition by backing Jeremy Corbyn ’s Labour Party. I think that they are probably right about that.”</s>The Communist Party of Britain has announced it will not stand candidates at the election and ask its supporters to vote for Corbyn’s Labour instead. The reds write in the Morning Star, obviously:

“In every general election since the formation of the CP in 1920, we have stood our own candidates, not least in 2015 when we fielded nine. Now, on this occasion, we we will not contest any seats, although this does not signal any withdrawal from the electoral arena in the future. “We call for a Labour vote in every constituency across Britain, despite the reactionary views of numerous Labour Party candidates. Communist Party organisations will approach local Labour Party bodies in their area with offers of practical campaigning assistance… “The higher the Labour vote and the number of Labour MPs elected, the more secure will be the position of Jeremy Corbyn and his left allies in the Parliamentary Labour Party.”

What a day for the Tories – Communist-backed Labour busy arguing about Trident, UKIP’s leader bottling standing…

In the eighties the Communist Party of Great Britain was split between a ‘Stalinist’ pro-Soviet faction and an anti-Soviet “Eurocommunist” faction. Some lefties were very upset that the CPGB was rejecting Soviet communism. They denounced the Eurocommunists as CIA plants. The anti-Eurocommunist faction included Corbyn’s two top spinners Seumas Milne and Steve Howell. Milne and Howell worked for Straight Left, a Stalinist newspaper which represented the pro-Soviet, anti-Eurocommunist wing of the CPGB. Pro-Soviet CPGB members split and set up the Communist Party of Britain. Supporters included Stop the War’s Andrew Murray, a friend of Corbyn. It is this Communist Party of Britain, the pro-Soviet, Stalinist wing full of Corbyn’s old mates, which has endorsed Labour today…</s>Jeremy Corbyn has insisted a second Scottish independence referendum would be “unwanted and unnecessary” as he ruled out the prospect of Labour doing a deal with the SNP after the General Election.

The UK Labour leader used a campaign rally in Fife, to hit out at the nationalists, accusing them of having “failed abysmally” in the fight against poverty and inequality because of their “obsession” with independence.

On a previous visit to Scotland, Mr Corbyn sparked an angry reaction from inside his own party when he said another independence referendum would be “absolutely fine”.

But with the Tories warning of a possible coalition between Labour and the SNP at Westminster, Mr Corbyn stressed the only “progressive alliance” in politics was between Labour and its trade union allies.

He said: “If you want progressive policies that deliver social justice, fairness and equality then you should vote Labour, vote Labours MPs to elect a Labour government

“Let me be clear – there will be no deals with the SNP or anybody else.”

He added: “Remember, this is not a referendum, it’s a General Election, and only Labour can form another government and offer an alternative that will transform the lives of people all across Scotland and all across Britain.”

Mr Corbyn was making his second speech of the day in Scotland, and his 13th appearance in the election campaign.

He told party supporters: “I’m loving every minute of it. We are absolutely up for this fight.”

He used much of his speech to criticise the SNP, which has been in government in Scotland for 10 years, accusing Nicola Sturgeon’s party of having “forgotten the day job and the basic requirements to look after people” while they “obsess over another unwanted referendum”.

The Labour leader questioned why people “want to vote for the SNP, who want to fight for another unwanted and unnecessary referendum, but who have failed abysmally in the fight against poverty and inequality”.

He said the nationalists had “failed in government in all policy areas as they systematically forget the day job and obsess about the constitution”.

He pledged Labour would keep Scotland in the UK and ensure the whole country is “a far fairer, a more just and equal version of anything the Tories could ever offer”.

The SNP in power in Scotland has “passed on Tory cuts without even a whimper”, Mr Corbyn claimed.

Mr Corbyn’s message was echoed by Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, who told the rally there would be “no alliance, no pact and no deals with the SNP” following the election.

She said voters face a choice between “two nationalistic parties which will tear the UK apart” in the Conservatives and the SNP and “a Labour Party which will put the people first”.</s>The biggest rail union is giving its full support to Labour in the General Election, warning that another Conservative government would continue “attacks” on workers.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, which is not affiliated to the Labour Party, praised the policies already announced by Jeremy Corbyn, including the repeal of the Trade Union Act.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Jeremy Corbyn is the genuine article, who has a vision of Britain based on hope not fear, that delivers for working people.

“He has pledged to put transport, and the renationalisation of our railways, right at the top of the agenda. That´s a policy that is backed by 70% of the British people and stands in stark contrast to the privatised racketeering on our tracks under the Tories.

“In contrast to Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party, Theresa May is a hard-right politician who is seeking a mandate to carry out the agenda of the big business establishment. That means more cuts to our public services and driving down pay and job security through shredding employment and trade union protections.”

The Labour leader has also won the support of the Communist Party of Britain, whose general secretary Robert Griffiths said a Labour victory would be an “essential first step” towards a left-wing UK government, and crucial to stop Mr Corbyn facing a leadership challenge from “right-wing” figures in his own party.

The Communists will not field any general election candidates for the first time in its history and said it would be approaching local Labour parties “with offers of practical campaigning assistance” ahead of the June 8 poll.</s>London mayor Sadiq Khan has voiced his support for Jeremy Corbyn as he endorsed the Labour leader for Prime Minister.

The mayor said the choice between Mr Corbyn and Theresa May “was simple” and that voting for a Labour government would stop the Conservatives from securing “a bigger majority for a hard Brexit”.

He said that Mr Corbyn would be able to secure a good deal with the EU and protect jobs, the NHS and policing.

In an interview with Sky News, Mr Khan was asked if he could tell Londoners that Mr Corbyn was the best person to vote for as Prime Minister in the upcoming general election on June 8.

He replied: "The choice is simple. The choice is a Conservative prime minister who wants a bigger majority for a hard Brexit, risking jobs, growth and prosperity, or a Labour prime minister, Jeremy Corbyn, making sure we get a good deal with the European Union, protecting jobs, growth and prosperity, but also protecting the NHS, the police service and our city.

“We have had too many years of those who were the poorest, those who are working their socks off, not getting a fair share, and I’m hoping a Labour government will ensure that all of us get a fair share."

Mr Khan’s remarks come despite him urging Labour members to vote for Owen Smith when he challenged Mr Corbyn for the leadership of the party last September.

In an article for the Observer, he said that while Mr Corbyn was a “principled Labour man”, he had shown he was not up to the job and was “extremely unlikely” to lead the party back to power.

He criticised Mr Corbyn’s conduct during the EU referendum and said his position on membership of the European Union was never clear.

Mr Khan was one of the Labour MPs who nominated Mr Corbyn for the leadership in 2015 which appeared to help him beat Tess Jowell to the mayoral nomination.

But once he became candidate for mayor he appeared to distance himself from Mr Corbyn and went onto criticise the Labour leader.</s>Jeremy Corbyn has thanked JME for his endorsement of the Labour leader’s campaign in the forthcoming General Election.

The Boy Better Know MC took to his Twitter account yesterday (April 23) to inform his 688,000 followers of his support for Corbyn’s campaign in the forthcoming snap election, which will take place on June 8.
• Read more: Why the June General Election can be an opportunity, not a disaster

“If you want to vote Corbyn,” he wrote, “Step 1: Register https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote … Step 2: vote Corbyn. Step 3: press Up, X, Y, B, A Step 4: press start.”

Corbyn thanked JME for his support in a follow-up tweet last night, placing special attention on the MC’s call to register to vote by telling his 836,000 followers to “do what [JME] says.”

You can register to vote in the forthcoming General Election here.
• Read more: How to make a difference in the June General Election

The latest odds for June’s snap election were revealed by bookmakers Coral over the weekend.

JME, meanwhile, recently starred in comedian Simon Amstell’s feature film debut Carnage: Swallowing The Past, which is about veganism. Set in 2067, the film – which was also narrated by Amstell – depicts a utopia where everyone on Earth has adopted the vegan lifestyle.</s>Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has reiterated that there will be "no deal" with the SNP after the general election, accusing Nicola Sturgeon of "failing abysmally" to tackle poverty and inequality in government.

On a campaign trip to Scotland, the Labour leader delivered a sustained attack on the SNP government saying it was a "disgrace" and has failed to devote as much time to tackling inequality than it has to pursuing independence.

Corbyn took no questions from the media during the campaign trip to Dunfermline in Fife, and also avoided journalists earlier in the day in a trip to the Scottish Trade Union Congress in Aviemore in the Highlands of Scotland.

Speaking to a crowd of local activists, Corbyn criticised the SNP for pursuing what he called an "unwanted and unnecessary" independence referendum and claimed that independence would "threaten your pensions".

"I ask people do they want to vote for the SNP who want to fight for another unwanted and unnecessary independence referendum but who have failed abysmally in the fight against poverty and inequality?

"An SNP who have failed in government in all policy areas as they systematically forget the day job and obsess about the constitution instead of making life better for college students, school pupils, the low paid, or the elderly languishing in hospital.

"Or do they want a Labour party who will retain Scotland in the UK but in a UK that is a far fairer, a more just and equal version than what the Tories offer."

Corbyn spoke after the Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, and both received lengthy standing ovations from the crowd of activists. The reaction to Corbyn's speech peaked with his opposition to a second independence referendum.

The Labour leader accused both the SNP and the Conservatives of being obsessed with "power struggles" against Westminster and Brussels respectively, and that only his party was interested in delivering "social justice".

"Many Scots rightly expect the Scottish Parliament to protect them from the vicious Tories. It is a disgrace that the SNP have not fought for these people and against poverty and inequality in the same way they have fought for independence," said Corbyn.

"The truth is that the Tories and SNP are obsessed with fighting against Brussels and Westminster and winning back political power but neither of them want to take economic power back from multi-nationals and big business."

At his earlier speech in Aviemore, Corbyn vowed to repeal the Conservatives' "vicious" Trade Union Act if he becomes prime minister, said all corporations would have to publish their tax returns, and that he would protect the triple-lock on pensions.

Corbyn went on to underline his refusal to enter any kind of deal with the SNP after the election, with Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale going on say there would be "no alliance, no pact and no deals" with Sturgeon's party.

"There will be no deals with the SNP or anyone else," said Corbyn. "Why vote for a poor imitation that has overseen an increase in child poverty and the biggest increase since devolution of those people classified as poor despite being at work, when you can have the real thing in the progressive Labour party?

"This is not a referendum – it’s a general election and only Labour can form another government and offer an alternative that will transform the lives of Scots."</s>Jeremy Corbyn will take his upbeat campaign message to Scotland on Monday, promising to “fight for every seat in every corner of these isles”.

Labour has just one MP at Westminster representing a Scottish constituency, Edinburgh South, after the party’s vote in the north collapsed in 2015.

But while his party lags behind the Conservatives by more than 20 points in the polls, Corbyn will tell the Scottish TUC in Aviemore that he relishes the challenge of the snap election and is “in it to win it”. He will also outline the party’s policies, including a requirement for firms bidding for government contracts to recognise unions and an increase in the minimum wage to £10 an hour by 2020.

Corbyn’s speech comes as his party scrambles to finalise a fully-costed manifesto. While a series of headline policies have been announced in recent weeks, Labour members received an email on Sunday asking them to give their views on what policies should be included. The consultation doesn’t close until 2 May, and the Guardian understands that the Clause V committee – the key party grouping which must sign off the plans – is not expected to meet until 11 May.

Corbyn’s team are keen for Labour’s campaign to be livelier than Theresa May’s tightly-controlled strategy, and hope to benefit from what they regard as his authenticity.

But the risks of that approach were underlined on Sunday when they were forced to move hastily to shut down speculation that Labour could withdraw support for Britain’s nuclear deterrent, after Corbyn appeared to leave open the idea that renewing Trident could be left out of the party’s manifesto.

In an interview on BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show, Corbyn, who has been a longstanding campaigner against nuclear proliferation, said he did not believe maintaining Trident would make the UK safer.

“The issue has to be that we want a secure and peaceful world,” Corbyn said. “You achieve that by promoting peace and also promoting security. Security comes from that process.”

He said a Labour government would hold an immediate defence review, adding: “We haven’t completed work on the manifesto ... We are less than 100 hours into this election campaign. We are having this discussion within the Labour party.”

Shortly afterwards, as speculation mounted that Labour could be set to dump its backing for the nuclear deterrent – an issue Labour MPs are deeply divided about – a spokesperson issued a statement saying: “The decision to renew Trident has been taken and Labour supports that.”

“We also want Britain to do much more to pursue a proactive, multilateral disarmament strategy,” he added.

It was the second time since Theresa May announced the snap election that Labour has had to clarify its position on key campaign issues.



At the party’s campaign launch event on Thursday, both Corbyn and the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, appeared to refuse to rule out backing a referendum on the final Brexit deal. But Labour later issued a statement saying a second referendum would not be in the manifesto.

Corbyn was also pressed by Andrew Marr on his approach to the use of nuclear weapons. New prime ministers are asked to write “letters of last resort” on their first day in office, which are sealed and given to captains of the UK’s nuclear submarines in the event that the government is wiped out by a nuclear strike.



Asked whether, as prime minister, he would instruct a retaliation in his letter, Corbyn said: “I have made clear there would be no first use of it. I’ve made clear any use of nuclear weapons would be a disaster for the whole world.

“Nuclear weapons are not the solution to the world’s security issues. They are a disaster if ever used.”

He also said he would be cautious about acting on military intelligence if he were ever asked to authorise a drone strike on the Islamic State leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. “What is the objective? To have more strikes that would kill more possibly innocent people, or to get a political solution in Syria?” Corbyn asked.

“Does this help to get a political solution? I think the leader of Isis not being around would be helpful, but I would also argue that the bombing campaign has killed a large number of civilians, many of them virtual prisoners of Isis.”

The home secretary, Amber Rudd, said the comments made it clear Corbyn would “refuse to strike against terrorists, dismantle our nuclear defences and fail to control our borders”.</s>Labour’s General Election campaign chief said he would authorise a drone strike to kill the leader of Isil if he was in charge in direct contradiction of Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn suggested on Sunday he would be reluctant to launch a strike against Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isil.

But Andrew Gwynne, a Labour shadow minister and the party’s campaign and elections chairman, said he would act to kill the terror leader if it was his decision to make.

Meanwhile, Mr Gwynne said nuclear weapons can act as a deterrent even if you have ruled out ever using them.
The Communist Party of Britain announces it will not field any candidates in the upcoming general election for the first time since its formation in 1920, and endorses Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, saying victory for Mr Corbyn at the general election in June would be “the first step towards a formation of left-led government at Westminster”.