Idyllic Lewes in Sussex is hotbed of revolution, according to social media group 

It is the radical communist philosophy which conquered China.

Now Maoism has a new territory in its sights: the idyllic market town of Lewes in East Sussex. 

The riverside town, overlooked by a Norman castle and peppered with boutiques and antiques shops, is a hotbed of revolution, according to Facebook page the Lewes Maoist Action group.

The anonymous founders claim they are propagating the beliefs of Mao Zedong through three secret followers who have ‘infiltrated’ the local council.

They have even produced new versions of the town’s historic shield complete with either the face of Mao or the hammer and sickle in the corner.

But though Chairman Mao proclaimed that ‘political power grows out of the barrel of a gun’, they seem keener on running cake stalls. 

An spokesman said: ‘Unlike many other communist movements we do not seek to deny the mistakes, horrors and corruptions of the past.’

He went on: ‘We will begin our work locally but we hope to create more syndicates in Sussex.’ 

A social media post suggested a counter-revolutionary plot by comrades Nigel, Imogen and Gary to ‘thwart the progress of Mao Zedong thought in Lewes’ had been foiled. 

But the posting continued: ‘We will be having our usual cake stand by the castle gate on Saturday.’ 

Asked about the cake stall, the spokesman said: ‘People think that’s funny, but what’s wrong with cake? Why can’t communists eat cake?’

A Lewes council spokesman said: ‘It would be wonderful if we had a sleeper cell of Maoists. I was speaking to the leader earlier, but he couldn’t commit any resources to rooting out the infiltrators.’