Correspondence December 1942 - January 1943¶
Core Argument¶
This chapter presents a series of internal organisational letters from the central leadership of the British Trotskyist movement, written by Ted Grant, to a comrade named Jim on Merseyside during the winter of 1942-43. The core narrative thrust is the chronic factionalism and organisational instability that plagued the revolutionary left during wartime, set against the practical demands of building a coherent political organisation.
The letters document two major factional crises. First, the ongoing conflict with the Revolutionary Socialist League (RSL) is described as descending into "absolutely farcical" conditions. Grant reports that the RSL's so-called "right" faction has been expelled, and then, faster than predicted, the remaining leadership has turned on itself: Harber, controlling the organisation, expelled Robinson and his entire faction on some pretext, leaving three-quarters of the membership either suspended or expelled. This is presented as evidence of "irresponsible social-club politics" and a vindication of earlier warnings about the RSL's trajectory. Second, the central committee faced a crisis when G. Healy resigned to join the Independent Labour Party (ILP), leading to his expulsion. Grant frames this as "perhaps inevitable" given Healy's past attitude, but insists on democratic procedure by inviting the expelled member to address the London membership.
Alongside these polemics, the correspondence reveals the practical work of building a revolutionary organisation. Grant expresses confidence that Merseyside, with its more experienced members, should make "big strides" organisationally, politically, and financially. He urges systematic work with the ILP and notes with concern that Liverpool is the only large industrial city without a group. There is persistent pressure for financial contributions and, crucially, for industrial and local material to feed the party paper, the Socialist Appeal, and its supplements. A central study circle running three times a week is questioned as "rather excessive."
The letters also touch on solidarity work: a successful campaign to secure the release of comrade Armstrong from detention in Northern Ireland, achieved through resolutions and financial assistance from Belfast and Britain. The tone is fraternal but firm, mixing encouragement with sharp criticism of missed opportunities and failures to send material. The chapter offers a ground-level view of a revolutionary organisation struggling to maintain discipline, expand its base, and produce its press, while its rivals tear themselves apart through expulsions and splits.