Communist Party of Britain appoints Alex Gordon as new General Secretary

The Communist Party of Britain has announced the appointment of Alex Gordon as its new General Secretary, following a decision taken by the Party’s Executive Committee on 17 January 2026.

Gordon brings decades of experience from the trade union movement, as well as from peace, anti-fascist, anti-racist and international solidarity campaigning. He is a long-standing member of the Party’s Executive and Political Committees and has played a prominent role in struggles across Britain in defence of workers’ rights, democratic freedoms and peace.

He succeeds Robert Griffiths, who has retired from the post after 27 years of service as General Secretary. Comrade Griffiths remains a member of the CPB Executive Committee. The election of Comrade Gordon forms part of a new collective leadership, which the Party describes as marking a new chapter for Britain’s growing Communist Party.

Commenting on his appointment, Comrade Gordon said that the Executive Committee had done him “a great honour” by entrusting him with the role of General Secretary. He underlined the scale of the political responsibility involved, stressing the duty of every Party member to work for a united front against austerity, imperialism and war at a time when capitalism’s general crisis is deepening.

He emphasised that the Party’s immediate focus is on building unity between trade unionists and campaigns for housing, health and essential public services, while confronting poverty, racism and the promotion of war by reactionary political forces and media. These divisions, he noted, are deliberately fostered to weaken working-class resistance.

Referring to key historical milestones, Comrade Gordon highlighted that 2026 marks both the centenary of the British General Strike and the 90th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades — struggles in which the Communist Party played a leading role. He stressed that the Party is fully conscious of the legacy it inherits and the responsibilities that flow from it.

Reaffirming the CPB’s strategic direction, he stated the Party’s commitment to building a Marxist party rooted in the labour movement in Britain, concluding with the declaration: “Our Flag Stays Red.”

The Communist Party of Britain continues to fight for public ownership of key industries, workers’ rights, democratic freedoms and civil liberties, and for peace against imperialism and war. In the period ahead, the Party has pledged to intensify its activity in communities, workplaces and campuses, stepping up the struggle for peace, democracy and socialism.

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