ABSTRACT
The British Communist Party (CP) was formed in 1920. In line with its Marxist-Leninist philosophy, die CP placed great emphasis on die importance of the class struggle at the point of production. As mass working-class or ganizations, trade unions were seen as vital instruments in diat struggle. Therefore, the CP sought to influence their policies and tactics. Such activ ity came naturally to many of the CP’s foundation members, who were experienced trade unionists. So, too, were many of the CP’s opponents, who tried from its inception to contain Communist influence in the unions. Hence forward, Communist and anti-Communist activity became a significant feature of the internal politics of trade unionism. Indeed, in many respects ‘Cold War’ politics and antagonism existed in the unions from 1920 on wards, aldiough without doubt it intensified greatly during the late 1940s and early 1950s. This was due not only to the deterioration of international relations, but also to the rapid extension of CP influence from 1941 on wards. Communist influence before the war had to a large extent been contained by its opponents, particularly at a national level. That said, it is true that die CP had been making considerable progress, especially at ‘grass roots’ levels, from die mid-1930s onwards. It is unlikely diat die wartime expansion would have been as significant as it was without diis important ‘foundation’ work. Wartime conditions did, however, help the CP to expand quickly to its highest ever membership of 56,000 in late 1942. Membership subsequently declined, but the CP’s influence in a number of unions remained strong.1
