The democratic anti-monopoly alliance.

The motive force for advance in our society is the class struggle between workers and capitalists. But capitalism not only exploits people at work, it also oppresses them in many different aspects of their lives.

Thus people react and struggle against capitalism and its effects not only in their workplaces, but in their communities and in their social, culture and leisure activities, as men and women, black and white, young and old, and of whatever nationality.

Movements and organisations develop which may embrace people not only from different sections within the working class, but from other classes and strata in society.

However, if these movements and their struggles proceed in isolation from each other, they can only challenge the position of the ruling class on single, isolated issues - never challenging the overall control and domination exercised by that class.

If these movements remain apart from the labour movement, not only will they suffer from the lack of its support, but the organised working class will be unable to fulfil its role as the leading force in society.

It is imperative, therefore, that the organised working class builds the widest possible alliance with all other movements fighting for progress, democracy and equality. The objective basis for uniting these forces is that they all face a common enemy, namely British state monopoly capitalism, which blocks advance on every front.

Thus the combined weight of the overwhelming majority of the population needs to be brought to bear on the power of the capitalist state and the monopoly corporations.

The construction and development of the democratic anti-monopoly alliance will also strengthen unity within the working class itself, as it promotes a deeper understanding of how capitalism creates the full range of problems facing all working people.

In seeking to implement the alternative economic and political strategy, the organised working class can become more conscious of - and confident in - its tasks of leading a popular challenge to state monopoly capitalism, taking state power and abolishing the system of exploitation.

The role of the Morning Star in helping the left to build the democratic anti-monopoly alliance is crucial. It remains the only national daily newspaper which is co-operatively owned and free of big business control.

The Morning Star consistently takes up the cause of working people in their struggle against all forms of monopoly capitalist exploitation and oppression. It forges links between the labour movement and other sections of the peoples of Britain.

All on the left should support the Morning Star and help to expand its circulation and influence within the labour and progressive movements.