As Trump assembles a team of fascists and we know a new McCarthyism will take place, the Left are left gob-smacked by the realisation of the depth of the rout, mutterings of equity and justice from the academy increaingly marginalised, shivering from the realisation of who voted for him – even Afro American, Latino, Middle Eastern people, women… Our beliefs can become platitudes and a testing time lies ahead. Are we capable of resisting the terror? Do we have the structures?

It will be horrific for Palestinians as the genocide and Nakbar proceeds. Cuba is also in the firing line bigtime. As is Iran. Expressions of moral outrage will no longer be enough. Is there a generation of disenchanted youth who will eat the beast from within? In some ways the soccer riots in Europea against Israeli fans bring hope. When the violence penetrates to the centre, the establishment may lilsten. They will shout and condemn but when property is threatened, they sometimes listen, despite themesleves.

And what of the UN? Salvageable? And the climate crisis? And BRICS as an alternative global order? Difficult times requiring political organisation of a resolute kind. Webinars and left wing branding will not bring down the Empire. Nor long-winded legal machinations. Nor performative gesturing adding to the spectacle.

This is a fight for life.