The fall out within the Labour Party between leader Kier Starmer and Jeremy Corbyn has led a former anti-apartheid freedom fighter form the East Suffolk Communist Party serving Felixstowe and neighbouring villages.

Steve Marsling, who was among a growing of young white activists, (known as the London Recruits) who smuggled explosives and pamphlets into South Africa to help spread the African National Congress message, is chair of the group, with Felixstowe resident Mark Jones the secretary.

The East Suffolk Communist Party branch. which is very much in its infancy but is growing from its small base and encouraging membership between Felixstowe and Lowestoft along the Suffolk Coast, which is predominately Conservative.

"There are sympathisers in Felixstowe and there have been a few who have resigned the Labour Party and are encouraging us," said Mr Marsling, "even though they have yet aligned themselves to our party.

"We feel there is a strong case for a strong Marxist movement to continue the advancement of socialist study and the theory in parallel. While the Labour Party is tearing itself apart with suspensions and the such, like it seems our job is to explain to people why capitalism is not working and how a Socialist society would benefit people in this country, which we firmly believe in."

Coronavirus restrictions means the group has not yet met physically the group has held two meetings looking at Sizewell and the Communist Party's programme The British Road to Socialism.

"Spreading that message is what we are hoping to achieve," said Mr Marsling. "Realistically winning elections is unlikely but we hope people will notice us and join us or come to our discussions.

"Political activity as once was is out of the question at the moment so we hold lots of Zoom meetings and sign petitions online."

Mr Marsling, who has lived in the area fro the past nine years, was chairman of the Leiston & District Labour Party branch, while Mr Jones chaired the Suffolk Coastal region before both resigned the party.

The former postal worker, teacher, local government offer and art dealer, will be 70 next March but remains as active as ever in the police area.

He said: "I'm a Socialist first then Labour Party second when Jeremy resigned and Kier Starmer started his witch-hunt against members up and down the country, including here in Suffolk, I decided to join the Communist Party of Britain, which is very different to the one I originally joined."

Anyone interested in learning more should contact Steve by emailing: [email protected] or contact the Communist Party of Britain HQ in London.

Link here for our UP CLOSE with Steve Marsling and the London Recruits.