Public confidence in the British government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has nosedived.

They’re split over how and when to bully workers back into unsafe workplaces to restart the capitalists’ profit engines. And they’re split over how and when to pay off the massive debts incurred by lockdown relief measures.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party - under its new, pro-capitalist leader Keir Starmer - could hardly be more tame. But the trade unions have a renewed national profile. Tens of thousands are joining and organising to resist the bosses’ unsafe working conditions.

And the turning point seemed to be Boris Johnson’s farcical “stay alert” speech on 10 May, which tried to lift the lockdown and impose new restrictions at the same time.

What’s behind the chaos at the top? And with the bosses squabbling over how best to make us pay for the pandemic, what would help workers coordinate the most effective political response?

This episode of Socialism looks at a political turning point in the coronavirus crisis: the end of ‘national unity’.

Further reading

Confidence plummets in Tory strategy for Covid-19: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/30781/20-05-2020/confidence-plummets-in-tory-strategy-for-covid-19

Rich get handouts - workers get pay cuts: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/30780/20-05-2020/rich-get-handouts-workers-get-pay-cuts

Stay alert to bosses putting profit before safety: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/30753/13-05-2020/stay-alert-to-bosses-putting-profit-before-safety

Johnson's reckless 'back to school' plans threaten everyone's safety: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/30782/20-05-2020/johnsons-reckless-back-to-school-plans-threaten-everyones-safety

Transport workers and passengers must not pay the price: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/30788/20-05-2020/transport-workers-amp-passengers-mustnt-pay-the-price

Tories put profit before lives - unions must stand firm on workplace safety: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/30754/13-05-2020/tories-put-profit-before-lives-unions-must-stand-firm-on-workplace-safety