11.05.1995

Communication of the Amsterdam Bureau

From Workers’ Dreadnought, paper of the Workers’ Socialist Federation, May 8 1920

The sub-bureau of the Communist International is under the impression that some misunderstanding prevails about the attitude of the Bureau towards affiliation of communist groups and parties to the British Labour Party.

A resolution passed at the February conference in Amsterdam and two letters written to comrades of the ILP have been interpreted differently. It is for this reason that we wish to accentuate our opinion briefly ...

We have stated that affiliation with the Third International of groups that participate in the Labour Party is possible, as is shown by the British Socialist Party, in so far as they accept common principles and tactics, which involves a persistent struggle with the Labour Party against the policy and tactics of this body. We are convinced that participation in the Labour Party, if accompanied by communist critics and action, will only be temporary.

Since we agree with those comrades in England that object to any participation in the Labour Party, we are of the opinion that they should not give up their attitude on the plea of unity. Much as we should like to see a united Communist Party in England, it may be better to postpone this ideal than to compromise on important issues.

We strongly appeal to our English friends to unite on the basis of ‘no affiliation to the Labour Party’, as we clearly see the catastrophe that will follow the coming into power of a parliamentary Labour government. Warning in advance may help to unite the workers, after the failure becomes evident, under the banner of communism.