The International Marxist Group ( IMG ) was a Trotskyist group in Britain between 1968 and 1982. It was the British Section of the Fourth International . It had around 1,000 members and supporters in the late 1970s. In 1980, it had 682 members; by 1982, when it changed its name to the Socialist League, membership had fallen to 534.
66-887: The IMG emerged from the International Group , a sympathising organisation of the International Secretariat of the Fourth International (IS). Its founders, Pat Jordan and Ken Coates , had broken with the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) in Nottingham in 1956. They were members of the Revolutionary Socialist League (RSL) in the late 1950s (which was later renamed Militant) , Jordan becoming organising secretary. In 1961, they split to form
132-631: A Zimbabwe exile who later served as a minister under Robert Mugabe , was one of the non-IMG members on the editorial board. IMG members also took part in New Left Review : Tariq Ali, Robin Blackburn , and Quintin Hoare were on its editorial board for much of the 1970s and subsequently. Because Red Mole was used by the IMG as its main organ, articles were sometimes mistakenly thought to indicate
198-409: A Zimbabwe exile who later served as a minister under Robert Mugabe , was one of the non-IMG members on the editorial board. IMG members also took part in New Left Review : Tariq Ali, Robin Blackburn , and Quintin Hoare were on its editorial board for much of the 1970s and subsequently. Because Red Mole was used by the IMG as its main organ, articles were sometimes mistakenly thought to indicate
264-425: A Labour government. In March 1970, The Black Dwarf' s editorial board split over questions of Leninism . A second newspaper was established, Red Mole , which Tariq Ali edited alongside an editorial board with an IMG majority. Red Mole was a "revolutionary internationalist" paper that carried a broad range of left-wing opinion in its pages, including a famous interview with John Lennon. Chenhanho Chimutengwende ,
330-424: A Labour government. In March 1970, The Black Dwarf' s editorial board split over questions of Leninism . A second newspaper was established, Red Mole , which Tariq Ali edited alongside an editorial board with an IMG majority. Red Mole was a "revolutionary internationalist" paper that carried a broad range of left-wing opinion in its pages, including a famous interview with John Lennon. Chenhanho Chimutengwende ,
396-514: A number of new activists to the group: John Lennon was friendly to the organisation. While IMG members largely remained in the Labour Party, including Charlie van Gelderen, International marked a break from 'deep entrism'. Its first issue claimed that " The Week was brought out in the expectation that a mass left would arise in the Labour party once labour was in power. [Its] main function
462-721: A role in the squatting movement. However, by the time of the 1976 USFI World Congress, internal disputes over Latin America were becoming more difficult to reconcile as divisions became entrenched between supporters of the International Majority Tendency, led by Ernest Mandel , and the Leninist Trotskyist Faction, which was led by the American Socialist Workers Party. Despite a 'truce' reflected by
528-409: A role in the squatting movement. However, by the time of the 1976 USFI World Congress, internal disputes over Latin America were becoming more difficult to reconcile as divisions became entrenched between supporters of the International Majority Tendency, led by Ernest Mandel , and the Leninist Trotskyist Faction, which was led by the American Socialist Workers Party. Despite a 'truce' reflected by
594-619: The ANC in South Africa despite the complete contempt of the Communist parties for Trotskyists: some opponents nicknamed them 'MIGs', after the Soviet military MiG . In domestic politics, the early 1970s saw the IMG completely reject parliamentary politics. In 1970, the group used the general election as an opportunity to make revolutionary propaganda rather than canvassing for the return of
660-401: The ANC in South Africa despite the complete contempt of the Communist parties for Trotskyists: some opponents nicknamed them 'MIGs', after the Soviet military MiG . In domestic politics, the early 1970s saw the IMG completely reject parliamentary politics. In 1970, the group used the general election as an opportunity to make revolutionary propaganda rather than canvassing for the return of
726-615: The Labour Party Young Socialists in order to build it and win activists to the IMG's politics. The IMG was soon to send a second wave of members into the Labour Party, leading it to merge in 1982 with the League for Socialist Action , a small group of Fourth International supporters that had been engaged in entrism in the Labour party for at least five years. Initially, IMG members in the Labour Party continued to sell Socialist Challenge . They used it to argue that
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#1732772049579792-480: The Labour Party Young Socialists in order to build it and win activists to the IMG's politics. The IMG was soon to send a second wave of members into the Labour Party, leading it to merge in 1982 with the League for Socialist Action , a small group of Fourth International supporters that had been engaged in entrism in the Labour party for at least five years. Initially, IMG members in the Labour Party continued to sell Socialist Challenge . They used it to argue that
858-855: The Revolutionary Socialist League (RSL) in the late 1950s (which was later renamed Militant) , Jordan becoming organising secretary. In 1961, they split to form the Internationalist Group in support of the IS against the leadership of the RSL, its British section. In 1963, the ISFI reunited with the majority of the International Committee of the Fourth International as the United Secretariat which advised
924-742: The Revolutionary Socialist Students Front , in which Peter Gowan and Murray Smith were active. The agitational work of The Week was carried on in The Black Dwarf and in Socialist Woman , launched in 1969. The Group gained some public prominence when Tariq Ali, who had joined in April 1968, was widely publicised in the media as a leader of protests against the Vietnam War . After the IMG became
990-536: The 1963 reunification of the majorities of the Fourth International, including Charlie van Gelderen . The Group played a major role in raising Vietnam solidarity at the 1965 Labour Party conference. The 1965 World Congress of the International demoted the RSL to a "sympathising" group: the International Group was granted the same status. In the words of the RSL's Peter Taaffe, "We decided that
1056-548: The Bennite left needed to organise together with the trade union left. IMG members, often describing themselves as ' Socialist Challenge supporters', supported the formation of Bennite organisations such as Labour Briefing and the Labour Committee on Ireland. In mid-1982 its central committee started to discuss whether to announce that the IMG was dissolved in order to better facilitate its entry. In December 1982,
1122-426: The Bennite left needed to organise together with the trade union left. IMG members, often describing themselves as ' Socialist Challenge supporters', supported the formation of Bennite organisations such as Labour Briefing and the Labour Committee on Ireland. In mid-1982 its central committee started to discuss whether to announce that the IMG was dissolved in order to better facilitate its entry. In December 1982,
1188-561: The British section of the Fourth International in May 1969, International started to be formally presented as the publication of the IMG. The group began to focus on work in the student movement and trade unions. It abandoned its earlier systematic entryist work within the Labour Party, although the IMG continuously operated a "fraction" to organise its members within the Party. This turn out from
1254-634: The Canadian section of the FI seconded to the British section, Ernie Tate and Pat Brain. In early 1968, the International Group renamed itself as the International Marxist Group. The IMG's activists published International , which was launched in May 1968 with IMG secretary Pat Jordan as editor and incorporated The Week . It was published with varying formats and frequencies throughout the organisation's life. Socialist Woman magazine
1320-725: The IMG continuously operated a "fraction" to organise its members within the Party. This turn out from the party led to a small number of members, including Al Richardson , being marginalised: they went on to form the Revolutionary Communist League , better known as the Chartists. The IMG was quickly noted for its energetic support for international solidarity campaigns concerning Vietnam, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, South Africa, and its support for socialists facing repression in France, Bolivia and Mexico, support for which
1386-627: The IMG formally assumed control of the Red Mole and prepared to relaunch it as a weekly newspaper. The IMG strongly supported the IRA , adopting the slogan "Victory for the IRA". After the events of Bloody Sunday John Lennon and Yoko Ono attended a protest in London while displaying a Red Mole newspaper with the headline "For the IRA, Against British Imperialism". In May 1973, the fortnightly Red Mole
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#17327720495791452-419: The IMG formally assumed control of the Red Mole and prepared to relaunch it as a weekly newspaper. The IMG strongly supported the IRA , adopting the slogan "Victory for the IRA". After the events of Bloody Sunday John Lennon and Yoko Ono attended a protest in London while displaying a Red Mole newspaper with the headline "For the IRA, Against British Imperialism". In May 1973, the fortnightly Red Mole
1518-475: The IMG grew to its highpoint of 758 members in good standing, and a total of 1,000 supporters. In 1980, Tony Benn 's campaign led the IMG to increase its focus on the Labour Party. It developed a 'combination tactic' in which its fraction of members in the Labour Party was boosted. By 1981, the IMG-organised youth organisation called Revolution Youth, which organised its magazine Revolution , had entered
1584-412: The IMG grew to its highpoint of 758 members in good standing, and a total of 1,000 supporters. In 1980, Tony Benn 's campaign led the IMG to increase its focus on the Labour Party. It developed a 'combination tactic' in which its fraction of members in the Labour Party was boosted. By 1981, the IMG-organised youth organisation called Revolution Youth, which organised its magazine Revolution , had entered
1650-655: The IMG renamed itself the Socialist League , while continuing to refer to itself as the IMG in internal documents. The group had fully entered the Labour Party and in 1983 began publishing the Socialist Action newspaper, by which name the League was often known. Despite initial successes, Socialist Action was established at a time when the Bennite movement had started to suffer defeats. In 1983,
1716-410: The IMG renamed itself the Socialist League , while continuing to refer to itself as the IMG in internal documents. The group had fully entered the Labour Party and in 1983 began publishing the Socialist Action newspaper, by which name the League was often known. Despite initial successes, Socialist Action was established at a time when the Bennite movement had started to suffer defeats. In 1983,
1782-752: The IMG's supporters on the New Left Review editorial board. A smaller tendency supported the positions of the American Socialist Workers Party . Other tendencies included a small group that eventually left to join the Workers' Socialist League of Alan Thornett , and a Left Opposition Tendency, some of whose members left and formed a new group, the Revolutionary Marxist Current, which later joined Big Flame . The United Secretariat prepared theses on
1848-461: The IMG's supporters on the New Left Review editorial board. A smaller tendency supported the positions of the American Socialist Workers Party . Other tendencies included a small group that eventually left to join the Workers' Socialist League of Alan Thornett , and a Left Opposition Tendency, some of whose members left and formed a new group, the Revolutionary Marxist Current, which later joined Big Flame . The United Secretariat prepared theses on
1914-490: The International Group, together with some former members of the Socialist Labour League (SLL) who had opposed that organisation's refusal to take part in the 1963 reunification of the majorities of the Fourth International, including Charlie van Gelderen . The Group played a major role in raising Vietnam solidarity at the 1965 Labour Party conference. The 1965 World Congress of the International demoted
1980-464: The Internationalist Group in support of the IS against the leadership of the RSL, its British section. In 1963, the ISFI reunited with the majority of the International Committee of the Fourth International as the United Secretariat which advised the RSL and Internationalist Group to unite. A unity conference in September 1964, brokered partly by Pierre Frank and Jimmy Deane , voted for unity but
2046-458: The RSL and Internationalist Group to unite. A unity conference in September 1964, brokered partly by Pierre Frank and Jimmy Deane , voted for unity but the fusion was not accepted: RSL member Peter Taaffe recalls that he "led a walk-out of the Liverpool delegation, with the majority in Liverpool in support". Very soon the former Internationalist Group members left to form a new organisation,
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2112-477: The RSL to a "sympathising" group: the International Group was granted the same status. In the words of the RSL's Peter Taaffe, "We decided that the time had arrived when we must turn our backs on this organisation." The RSL left the FI, and ultimately became the Militant Tendency, or just Militant. The International Group continued the production of a cyclostyled bulletin known as The Week . As it
2178-584: The Russell Tribunal, in which Ernie Tate was prominent and in which the RSL and Socialist Labour League did not work, the Institute for Workers' Control and the Revolutionary Socialist Students Front , in which Peter Gowan and Murray Smith were active. The agitational work of The Week was carried on in The Black Dwarf and in Socialist Woman , launched in 1969. The Group gained some public prominence when Tariq Ali, who had joined in April 1968,
2244-473: The establishment of Socialist Challenge , these divisions would result in the permanent splintering of the IMG's successor organisation, the Socialist League. This vigorous internal life did not impede its growth among students and workers. The IMG's growth was reflected when it established Red Books as its publishing house and bookshop. By 1977, when the leadership team around Tariq Ali had started
2310-406: The establishment of Socialist Challenge , these divisions would result in the permanent splintering of the IMG's successor organisation, the Socialist League. This vigorous internal life did not impede its growth among students and workers. The IMG's growth was reflected when it established Red Books as its publishing house and bookshop. By 1977, when the leadership team around Tariq Ali had started
2376-402: The fusion was not accepted: RSL member Peter Taaffe recalls that he "led a walk-out of the Liverpool delegation, with the majority in Liverpool in support". Very soon the former Internationalist Group members left to form a new organisation, the International Group, together with some former members of the Socialist Labour League (SLL) who had opposed that organisation's refusal to take part in
2442-544: The group's history. Under the pressures of the defeat of the 1984–1985 miners' strike , the group fragmented into three organisations. Some of its many pamphlets are listed below. International Group The International Marxist Group ( IMG ) was a Trotskyist group in Britain between 1968 and 1982. It was the British Section of the Fourth International . It had around 1,000 members and supporters in
2508-407: The group's history. Under the pressures of the defeat of the 1984–1985 miners' strike , the group fragmented into three organisations. Some of its many pamphlets are listed below. Peter Gowan Peter Gowan (15 January 1946, Glasgow – 12 June 2009) was a Professor of International Relations at London Metropolitan University , activist, published author and public speaker. He
2574-529: The group's membership fell to around 500. Different tendencies developed in the organisation over how to relate to the political evolution of figures like Ken Livingstone and Arthur Scargill . At the same time, the Socialist Workers Party in the US, which influenced many of the group's members, started to withdraw from the International. This opened up the most bitter internal political struggle in
2640-405: The group's membership fell to around 500. Different tendencies developed in the organisation over how to relate to the political evolution of figures like Ken Livingstone and Arthur Scargill . At the same time, the Socialist Workers Party in the US, which influenced many of the group's members, started to withdraw from the International. This opened up the most bitter internal political struggle in
2706-434: The late 1970s. In 1980, it had 682 members; by 1982, when it changed its name to the Socialist League, membership had fallen to 534. The IMG emerged from the International Group , a sympathising organisation of the International Secretariat of the Fourth International (IS). Its founders, Pat Jordan and Ken Coates , had broken with the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) in Nottingham in 1956. They were members of
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2772-424: The organisation on the road towards Socialist Challenge , both International and Socialist Woman were well-produced quarterly journals. During this period, the small Marxist Worker group also joined the IMG. In June 1977, Socialist Challenge replaced Red Weekly . It raised two slogans. Around this time IMG members also published several issues of a magazine called Black Liberation and Socialism . By 1979
2838-423: The organisation on the road towards Socialist Challenge , both International and Socialist Woman were well-produced quarterly journals. During this period, the small Marxist Worker group also joined the IMG. In June 1977, Socialist Challenge replaced Red Weekly . It raised two slogans. Around this time IMG members also published several issues of a magazine called Black Liberation and Socialism . By 1979
2904-427: The party led to a small number of members, including Al Richardson , being marginalised: they went on to form the Revolutionary Communist League , better known as the Chartists. The IMG was quickly noted for its energetic support for international solidarity campaigns concerning Vietnam, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, South Africa, and its support for socialists facing repression in France, Bolivia and Mexico, support for which
2970-429: The positions of the IMG. For example, there was confusion after Robin Blackburn had written an April 1970 article entitled "Let it bleed" for Red Mole , in which he argued that Marxists should disrupt the campaigns of the Labour and Conservative parties in the 1970 General Election. IMG secretary Pat Jordan replied a month later to explain why the IMG favoured a Labour victory. The group's general orientation at that time
3036-429: The positions of the IMG. For example, there was confusion after Robin Blackburn had written an April 1970 article entitled "Let it bleed" for Red Mole , in which he argued that Marxists should disrupt the campaigns of the Labour and Conservative parties in the 1970 General Election. IMG secretary Pat Jordan replied a month later to explain why the IMG favoured a Labour victory. The group's general orientation at that time
3102-551: The situation in Britain and the tasks of the IMG in 1973, and again in 1976, to help orient the organisation. In 1974, its members started to publish South Asia Marxist Review . The IMG came to the public attention in 1974 during Lord Justice Scarman 's Public Judicial Inquiry into the violent disturbances known as the Red Lion Square disorders , which led to the death of Kevin Gately , a University of Warwick student who
3168-434: The situation in Britain and the tasks of the IMG in 1973, and again in 1976, to help orient the organisation. In 1974, its members started to publish South Asia Marxist Review . The IMG came to the public attention in 1974 during Lord Justice Scarman 's Public Judicial Inquiry into the violent disturbances known as the Red Lion Square disorders , which led to the death of Kevin Gately , a University of Warwick student who
3234-430: The time had arrived when we must turn our backs on this organisation." The RSL left the FI, and ultimately became the Militant Tendency, or just Militant. The International Group continued the production of a cyclostyled bulletin known as The Week . As it was engaged in entryism inside the Labour Party, this journal gained various sponsors including Bertrand Russell , whose Russell Tribunal employed two members of
3300-475: Was 13, in 1959 and from there went on to read politics and history at Southampton University . Gowan was diagnosed with his fatal illness only a couple of weeks after the onset of the Global Financial Crisis. Despite knowing that his condition was terminal and his health fast-deteriorating, he not only bore it with good humour, but bravely continued to work to the limits of his capacity over
3366-774: Was a member of the editorial committee of New Left Review and was one of the founders of Labour Focus on Eastern Europe . Along with his older sister and his mother Gowan moved to Belfast in April 1946 and lived there until he was nine. He never knew his father. He went to school at Princess Gardens in Belfast until he was seven and then to Brackenburgh House. When he was nine his mother moved to London to work and he went to prep school in Suffolk, Orwell Park, ultimately becoming head boy. He left there to go to Haileybury and Imperial Service College , in Hertfordshire when he
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#17327720495793432-487: Was brought out in the expectation that a mass left would arise in the Labour party once labour was in power. [Its] main function was that of an organiser and co-ordinator [...] but this will be a by-product of the main function of International : the creation of a firm marxist core in the labour movement." Its campaigning was focussed on broader initiatives such as the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign and
3498-405: Was engaged in entryism inside the Labour Party, this journal gained various sponsors including Bertrand Russell , whose Russell Tribunal employed two members of the Canadian section of the FI seconded to the British section, Ernie Tate and Pat Brain. In early 1968, the International Group renamed itself as the International Marxist Group. The IMG's activists published International , which
3564-477: Was launched in June 1968 under Tariq Ali 's editorship, with several other IMG members on its editorial board. Its creative and pluralist nature attracted a number of new activists to the group: John Lennon was friendly to the organisation. While IMG members largely remained in the Labour Party, including Charlie van Gelderen, International marked a break from 'deep entrism'. Its first issue claimed that " The Week
3630-460: Was launched in May 1968 with IMG secretary Pat Jordan as editor and incorporated The Week . It was published with varying formats and frequencies throughout the organisation's life. Socialist Woman magazine was published from 1969 to 1980. The evolving orientations taken by the IMG were reflected in the sequence of newspapers it supported: The Black Dwarf ; Red Mole ; Red Weekly ; Socialist Challenge ; and Socialist Action . The Black Dwarf
3696-596: Was not an IMG member. Scarman found that the IMG had made a "vicious, violent and unprovoked attack on the Police" who were guarding Conway Hall to try to prevent access to the hall by the National Front who had booked it for a meeting to protest against the Labour Government's decision to grant an amnesty to illegal immigrants. According to a BBC documentary, the IMG was the only socialist group to play
3762-412: Was not an IMG member. Scarman found that the IMG had made a "vicious, violent and unprovoked attack on the Police" who were guarding Conway Hall to try to prevent access to the hall by the National Front who had booked it for a meeting to protest against the Labour Government's decision to grant an amnesty to illegal immigrants. According to a BBC documentary, the IMG was the only socialist group to play
3828-830: Was organised through the Black Dwarf . International' s May 1969 famous headline " Permanent Revolution Reaches UK" reflected its support for armed self-defence against the British state's forces in Northern Ireland in the Red Weekly and in its propaganda activity. It also supported, in orthodox Trotskyist fashion, the Communist-influenced struggles of the MPLA in Angola , FRELIMO in Mozambique and
3894-414: Was organised through the Black Dwarf . International' s May 1969 famous headline " Permanent Revolution Reaches UK" reflected its support for armed self-defence against the British state's forces in Northern Ireland in the Red Weekly and in its propaganda activity. It also supported, in orthodox Trotskyist fashion, the Communist-influenced struggles of the MPLA in Angola , FRELIMO in Mozambique and
3960-407: Was published from 1969 to 1980. The evolving orientations taken by the IMG were reflected in the sequence of newspapers it supported: The Black Dwarf ; Red Mole ; Red Weekly ; Socialist Challenge ; and Socialist Action . The Black Dwarf was launched in June 1968 under Tariq Ali 's editorship, with several other IMG members on its editorial board. Its creative and pluralist nature attracted
4026-580: Was replaced by Red Weekly . International' s editors and editorial board included many of the organisation's leaders, including Tariq Ali, Patrick Camiller, Ann Clafferty, Gus Fagan, Peter Gowan, Quintin Hoare, Michelle Lee, Bob Pennington, John Ross , Tony Whelan and Judith White. During the 1970s the organisation developed a number of fluid, competing factions and tendencies. The IMG's leadership included Alan Jones (John Ross), Brian Grogan, Bob Pennington, Brian Heron and others. A notable minority tendency included Pat Jordan , Tariq Ali, Phil Hearse and many of
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#17327720495794092-580: Was replaced by Red Weekly . International' s editors and editorial board included many of the organisation's leaders, including Tariq Ali, Patrick Camiller, Ann Clafferty, Gus Fagan, Peter Gowan, Quintin Hoare, Michelle Lee, Bob Pennington, John Ross , Tony Whelan and Judith White. During the 1970s the organisation developed a number of fluid, competing factions and tendencies. The IMG's leadership included Alan Jones (John Ross), Brian Grogan, Bob Pennington, Brian Heron and others. A notable minority tendency included Pat Jordan , Tariq Ali, Phil Hearse and many of
4158-429: Was summarised by Ali's book The Coming British Revolution ( ISBN 0-224-00630-4 ). By September 1970, Red Circles had been set up to organise activists who supported the paper. Many went on to join the IMG. The IMG radicalised as it grew: Pat Jordan's leadership gave way to that of John Ross, who anticipated that the rising tide of class struggle could lead to a pre-revolutionary crisis in Britain. In August 1972,
4224-429: Was summarised by Ali's book The Coming British Revolution ( ISBN 0-224-00630-4 ). By September 1970, Red Circles had been set up to organise activists who supported the paper. Many went on to join the IMG. The IMG radicalised as it grew: Pat Jordan's leadership gave way to that of John Ross, who anticipated that the rising tide of class struggle could lead to a pre-revolutionary crisis in Britain. In August 1972,
4290-439: Was that of an organiser and co-ordinator [...] but this will be a by-product of the main function of International : the creation of a firm marxist core in the labour movement." Its campaigning was focussed on broader initiatives such as the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign and the Russell Tribunal, in which Ernie Tate was prominent and in which the RSL and Socialist Labour League did not work, the Institute for Workers' Control and
4356-410: Was widely publicised in the media as a leader of protests against the Vietnam War . After the IMG became the British section of the Fourth International in May 1969, International started to be formally presented as the publication of the IMG. The group began to focus on work in the student movement and trade unions. It abandoned its earlier systematic entryist work within the Labour Party, although
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