Democratic Left (United Kingdom)
Encyclopedia
Democratic Left was a post-communist political organisation in the United Kingdom
during the 1990s, growing out of the Eurocommunist strand within the Communist Party of Great Britain
and its magazine Marxism Today
. It was established in 1991 when the CPGB decided to reform itself into a left-leaning political multi-issue grassroots campaign group/think-tank based on the party's Manifesto for New Times. The first chairperson was Nina Temple
, the last General secretary
of the CPGB.
Some members of the CPGB disagreed with this decision and joined the Communist Party of Britain
that had broken away from the CPGB in the 1980s, whilst some Scottish
members formed the Communist Party of Scotland
.
Democratic Left stated a belief in a pluralist and socialist society "incompatible with the structures and values of capitalism." Beginning as a political party, it decided not to stand candidates but instead to support tactical voting
against the Conservatives at the 1992 general election
and soon become a non-party campaigning organisation. DL campaigned on modernising unions, including Unions21, anti-racism and cultural diversity, democratising Britain, including Make Votes Count, and social exclusion and poverty, including the Social Exclusion Network, focussing on coalition building, and operating in effect as a 'socialist anti-Conservative front'. A series of policy magazines titled Futures were published in 1997 as the group tried to stem falling membership. Members of the Socialist Alliance
tried to join in 1998, but were blocked after legal action was taken, and the decision was taken to stop being "stuck in the swamp of sectarian politics." Democratic Left in England and Wales was dissolved and reformed as the New Times Network in December 1998, open to members of Labour and other political parties. It published a monthly magazine, New Times
, and collaborated with the Fabian Society
on the 'Getting Real' conference in June 1999. New Times Network became the New Politics Network
in December 1999. In Scotland it continues as Democratic Left Scotland
, founded in May 1998.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the 1990s, growing out of the Eurocommunist strand within the Communist Party of Great Britain
Communist Party of Great Britain
The Communist Party of Great Britain was the largest communist party in Great Britain, although it never became a mass party like those in France and Italy. It existed from 1920 to 1991.-Formation:...
and its magazine Marxism Today
Marxism Today
Marxism Today was the theoretical journal of the Communist Party of Great Britain and was disestablished in 1991. It was particularly important during the 1980s under the editorship of Martin Jacques...
. It was established in 1991 when the CPGB decided to reform itself into a left-leaning political multi-issue grassroots campaign group/think-tank based on the party's Manifesto for New Times. The first chairperson was Nina Temple
Nina Temple
Nina Claire Temple was the last Secretary of the Communist Party of Great Britain, and was formerly a think-tank director in the United Kingdom.-Early life:...
, the last General secretary
General secretary
-International intergovernmental organizations:-International nongovernmental organizations:-Sports governing bodies:...
of the CPGB.
Some members of the CPGB disagreed with this decision and joined the Communist Party of Britain
Communist Party of Britain
The Communist Party of Britain is a communist political party in Great Britain. Although founded in 1988 it traces its origins back to 1920 and the Communist Party of Great Britain, and claims the legacy of that party and its most influential members Harry Pollitt and John Gollan as its...
that had broken away from the CPGB in the 1980s, whilst some Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
members formed the Communist Party of Scotland
Communist Party of Scotland
The Communist Party of Scotland , also known as Pàrtaidh Co-Mhaoineach na h-Alba, was established in 1991 when the Communist Party of Great Britain was disbanded and re-formed as the Democratic Left think-tank. Many Communists in Scotland disagreed with this decision and instead set up the CPS,...
.
Democratic Left stated a belief in a pluralist and socialist society "incompatible with the structures and values of capitalism." Beginning as a political party, it decided not to stand candidates but instead to support tactical voting
Tactical voting
In voting systems, tactical voting occurs, in elections with more than two viable candidates, when a voter supports a candidate other than his or her sincere preference in order to prevent an undesirable outcome.It has been shown by the Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem that any voting method which is...
against the Conservatives at the 1992 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1992
The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992, and was the fourth consecutive victory for the Conservative Party. This election result was one of the biggest surprises in 20th Century politics, as polling leading up to the day of the election showed Labour under leader Neil...
and soon become a non-party campaigning organisation. DL campaigned on modernising unions, including Unions21, anti-racism and cultural diversity, democratising Britain, including Make Votes Count, and social exclusion and poverty, including the Social Exclusion Network, focussing on coalition building, and operating in effect as a 'socialist anti-Conservative front'. A series of policy magazines titled Futures were published in 1997 as the group tried to stem falling membership. Members of the Socialist Alliance
Socialist Alliance (England)
The Socialist Alliance was a left-wing electoral alliance in England between 1992 and 2005.In late 2005, a small group reformed with the name "Socialist Alliance", with a mutual affiliation with the larger Alliance for Green Socialism.-Origins:...
tried to join in 1998, but were blocked after legal action was taken, and the decision was taken to stop being "stuck in the swamp of sectarian politics." Democratic Left in England and Wales was dissolved and reformed as the New Times Network in December 1998, open to members of Labour and other political parties. It published a monthly magazine, New Times
New Times (politics)
New Times was a short-lived intellectual movement among leftists in Great Britain. It was centred on the Eurocommunist faction of the Communist Party of Great Britain , and most of the intellectual groundwork for the movement was laid out in the latter party's official theoretical journal, Marxism...
, and collaborated with the Fabian Society
Fabian Society
The Fabian Society is a British socialist movement, whose purpose is to advance the principles of democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist, rather than revolutionary, means. It is best known for its initial ground-breaking work beginning late in the 19th century and continuing up to World...
on the 'Getting Real' conference in June 1999. New Times Network became the New Politics Network
New Politics Network
The New Politics Network was an independent political and campaigning think tank in the United Kingdom, concerned with democratic renewal and popular participation in politics...
in December 1999. In Scotland it continues as Democratic Left Scotland
Democratic Left Scotland
Democratic Left Scotland is the continuation in Scotland of Democratic Left, the organisation formed when the Communist Party of Great Britain was dissolved in 1991...
, founded in May 1998.
External links
- Democratic Left on the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...