United for progress: Tolpuddle rally, July 2019. Photo Workers.
The Bolsheviks called for “Peace, Land and Bread” in 1917 at a time of crisis and transition in Russia. They aimed to unite a country weary of a war for rulers they despised and for aims they did not share.
Britain in 2025 is a different country with different problems, but we also need to live at peace and provide for our people. And British workers too are weary of our ruling class.
Peace was important. The First World War was being fought for imperialist aims, and not in the interest of Russian peasants and workers.
Land was important. In a predominantly agricultural country, it was the source of wealth. Yet land was owned by a few: many who laboured were tied as serfs. The call was for the people of Russia to control their means of production.
Bread was important. Feeding (and housing) the population had become chaotic. The state under the Tsar could not manage it. And the government which came after his abdication could not manage it, because they could not accept the need to cast off the old ways completely.
In Britain now, peace is important. Being ready to defend our country is prudent. But becoming involved in other people’s wars is quite different. It is not in the interests of Britain or those who live here.
The British people have allowed the prolongation of a war in Ukraine that we never agreed to support. The government is determined to carry on funding the war, while they raise taxes and cut essential spending at home. We must demand that we exit the war, and not accept further escalation.
What of land in Britain? Labour acts as if Britain can do without farming. What it hopes to receive from inheritance tax will be swallowed up many times over by military adventures.
Thatcher’s attack on miners was an attack on all industry, not just coal. And likewise the attack on farmland is an attack on people and their attachment to, and affection for, Britain as a place rather than a commodity.
From the standpoint of workers, land is our food security and is critical to our defence in time of war. The attack on farming and farmland is an attack on the working class’s ability to defend itself and its national independence.
We need our bread too. The slogan “No Farmers, No Food” is an invitation to the whole working class to understand the significance of what is happening here.
And we should not stop there. Britain’s industries create our wealth and maintain our independence. The ruling class and their governments are intent on attacking our industries through free trade deals, net zero targets and want to fight wars with weapons bought overseas. They have nothing to offer for the future of Britain.