LABOUR is sacrificing millions of working-class votes for war, militarism and corporate profits, Communist Party general secretary Robert Griffiths told the party’s political committee on Tuesday.

He accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government of prioritising “scores of billions” for nuclear weapons, support for Israel’s assault on Gaza and the war in Ukraine, while denying “relative petty cash” to pensioners, low-income families and disabled people.

Mr Griffiths condemned the government’s “military Keynesianism” as a boost to the arms industry at the expense of real economic planning. 

He called instead for progressive taxation, public investment and ownership, and democratic economic control.

“The City of London and big business dictate Labour government policies, while millions of former Labour supporters look to the millionaire charlatans of Reform UK for help with their escalating food, housing, energy and transport bills,” he said.

Ahead of the CP’s 58th congress, Mr Griffiths said the longstanding call to “Vote Labour where no Communist is standing” no longer holds.

“A growing number of socialist, progressive and Communist candidates are likely to contest future elections who deserve the support of everyone who upholds the principles of working-class solidarity, social justice, peace and democratic and human rights,” he said.