Left Fraction
Encyclopedia
The Left Fraction, sometimes calling itself the Left Fraction, British Section of the Fourth International (In Opposition), was a Trotskyist organisation in the United Kingdom
.
The group formed as a tendency of the Revolutionary Socialist League
(RSL) in 1940. It was described by other tendencies in the disintegrating organisation as pacifist. The group opposed Trotsky's Proletarian Military Policy
, and were expelled in 1943. One the first day of conference held by the Fourth International
in 1944, the Left Fraction and also the Trotskyist Opposition and the Left Fraction were reunited with the RSL. Despite the objections of the Left Fraction, the second day saw the reformed RSL unified with the rival Workers International League – on the WIL's terms – to form the new Revolutionary Communist Party
(RCP).
The Left Fraction initially remained within the RCP, but refused to accept the authority of its leadership. They published their own newspaper, the Militant Miner, aimed at coalminers, and determined instead to pursue a policy of entrism within the Labour Party
. As a result, they were expelled in 1945.
Outside the RCP, the Left Fraction began publishing a general entrist newspaper, the Voice of Labour. The Labour Party opposed this, and expelled two Fraction members, Tom Mercer and Harry Selby
, for contributing to it. This led to a split within the organisation over tactics, with the group's leadership deciding to join the newly formed Socialist Fellowship. They dissolved the organisation in 1948.
A majority of the organisation opposed the group's dissolution, but only a small rump based in Glasgow
actually continued under the Left Fraction name. Some members left to join a new Revolutionary Socialist League
in 1956. After a failed attempt to work with the International Group
, the remainder determined to continue alone, publishing the journal Politics.
In 1966, the Left Fraction - by now possibly consisting solely of Selby - discussed a joint publication with the tiny Socialist Current organisation, but this was not pursued.
The Left Fraction finally ceased operations in 1967. Selby later became a Labour Member of Parliament
.
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...
.
The group formed as a tendency of the Revolutionary Socialist League
Revolutionary Socialist League (UK, 1938)
The first RSL was formed in early 1938 with the merger of two different parties, the Marxist League led by Harry Wicks and the Marxist Group led by C. L. R. James....
(RSL) in 1940. It was described by other tendencies in the disintegrating organisation as pacifist. The group opposed Trotsky's Proletarian Military Policy
Proletarian Military Policy
The Proletarian Military Policy was a policy adopted by the Fourth International in response to World War II. It was an attempt to apply transitional demands such as trade union control of military training and the election of officers to transform what it characterised as an imperialist war into...
, and were expelled in 1943. One the first day of conference held by the Fourth International
Fourth International
The Fourth International is the communist international organisation consisting of followers of Leon Trotsky , with the declared dedicated goal of helping the working class bring about socialism...
in 1944, the Left Fraction and also the Trotskyist Opposition and the Left Fraction were reunited with the RSL. Despite the objections of the Left Fraction, the second day saw the reformed RSL unified with the rival Workers International League – on the WIL's terms – to form the new Revolutionary Communist Party
Revolutionary Communist Party (UK, 1944)
The Revolutionary Communist Party was a British Trotskyist group, formed in 1944 and active until 1949, which published the newspaper Socialist Appeal, a theoretical journal Workers International News and an entrist paper for its Labour Party work The Militant .- Collapse of the RSL and founding of...
(RCP).
The Left Fraction initially remained within the RCP, but refused to accept the authority of its leadership. They published their own newspaper, the Militant Miner, aimed at coalminers, and determined instead to pursue a policy of entrism within the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
. As a result, they were expelled in 1945.
Outside the RCP, the Left Fraction began publishing a general entrist newspaper, the Voice of Labour. The Labour Party opposed this, and expelled two Fraction members, Tom Mercer and Harry Selby
Harry Selby
Harry Selby was a Scottish politician.A barber by trade, based in Glasgow, he became an active Trotskyist, joining the Revolutionary Socialist League. When this disintegrated, he became a leading figure in the Left Fraction...
, for contributing to it. This led to a split within the organisation over tactics, with the group's leadership deciding to join the newly formed Socialist Fellowship. They dissolved the organisation in 1948.
A majority of the organisation opposed the group's dissolution, but only a small rump based in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
actually continued under the Left Fraction name. Some members left to join a new Revolutionary Socialist League
Revolutionary Socialist League (UK, 1938)
The first RSL was formed in early 1938 with the merger of two different parties, the Marxist League led by Harry Wicks and the Marxist Group led by C. L. R. James....
in 1956. After a failed attempt to work with the International Group
International Group
The International Group was the name taken by two groups of British supporters of the Fourth International.In both cases, the Group was formed as a public faction by members loyal to the International who felt that the then-current leadership of the British section of the Fourth International had...
, the remainder determined to continue alone, publishing the journal Politics.
In 1966, the Left Fraction - by now possibly consisting solely of Selby - discussed a joint publication with the tiny Socialist Current organisation, but this was not pursued.
The Left Fraction finally ceased operations in 1967. Selby later became a Labour Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
.