ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the contending theories for the soul of the Labour movement by examining some small groups which have already been mentioned and then at the main contenders – the Marxists and the moderates. If the trade unions claim to have a major role in defining Labour policy then they must be prepared to put forward positive objectives and specific policies instead of only reacting to the policies produced by the political wing of the movement. The chapter discusses the views of the large group of Marxists who have dominated the political left wing of the Labour party since it was formed seventy years ago. If the lot of the workers in advancing capitalist societies had been one of increasing poverty then sheer frustration and anger would have led, if not to revolution, certainly to more agitation and political discontent with the capitalist system.
