Before, during and after this crisis the spirit of solidarity has helped us prevail. It will help us prevail in the future – to defend the NHS and build it up again, to eradicate poverty, racism and homelessness, to win back the trade union rights we have lost, to defeat any attempts by the Tories to launch Austerity Mark Two. My message on May Day is simple – working class solidarity is our most treasured possession.

Let us celebrate it today and let us not forget that it will be vital in our battles with the Tories tomorrow.