BRITAIN’S communists have accused “lapdog Labour” of pandering to the Tories’ appalling foreign policy agenda that seeks to distract from its dire failings at home.

Johnnie Hunter told the Communist Party political committee on Tuesday evening that recent announcements on military spending, extremism and China show the desperation of the Tories to avoid a general election fought on their domestic record.

But he added: “The tragedy is that Labour — the only realistic alternative to another Tory central government — is pandering to this anti-democratic, warmongering agenda instead of challenging it.

“The new cold war against China intensifies with each passing day, a drive which makes the people of Britain poorer and the world a more dangerous place.”

The former Young Communist League general secretary urged the labour movement to fight instead for an independent foreign policy free from US diktat and Nato, based on peace and co-operation not imperialist exploitation and war.

Turning to the domestic front, Mr Hunter pointed to soaring housing costs, privatisation and longer waiting lists in the NHS, widespread river pollution, bankrupt local councils and the “swindle by stealth” of millions of women of their state retirement pension.

“No wonder the ruling class is intensely relaxed about the prospect of a lapdog Labour government,” he added.