Skip to main content
Why socialism is now at the core of Labour's advance
Simon Hannah’s concise and very readable account of the ongoing struggle between left and right within Labour couldn't be more timely, says CARLOS MARTINEZ
JC and JM

A Party With Socialists In It: A History of the Labour Left
by Simon Hannah
(Pluto Press/Left Book Club, £12.99)

 

A PARTY with Socialists In It is inspired by Tony Benn’s comment that “the Labour Party has never been a socialist party, although there have always been socialists in it” and the book charts the attempts of those socialists to promote their vision over the course of the past 118 years.

[[{"fid":"2000","view_mode":"inlineright","fields":{"format":"inlineright","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"inlineright","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-inlineright","data-delta":"1"}}]]This fight has been taken on by numerous parties, groups and factions, including the Independent Labour Party, the Communist Party of Great Britain, the Socialist League, the Socialist Fellowship, the Young Socialists, Militant and the Socialist Campaign Group. Hannah details how such efforts have in the past been frustrated by “pragmatic” rightwingers who, until recently, dominated the commanding heights of the party.

Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with French President Emmanu
Features / 7 March 2025
7 March 2025
CARLOS MARTINEZ condemns Europe’s failure to develop genuine autonomy from US hegemony, as leaders like Starmer and Macron cling to a declining imperial order rather than building good relations with the emerging powers
Taklimakan desert workers
Features / 28 December 2024
28 December 2024
Chinese socialist planning and action over decades have created the world’s greatest reforestation programme, writes CARLOS MARTINEZ, and now its lessons in fighting desertification and climate change are taking root worldwide
17 - PRC founding celebrations 2019
Features / 7 September 2024
7 September 2024
Despite relentless hostility, the People’s Republic of China has lifted millions out of poverty, and become a global leader in innovation and climate action, while pursuing peaceful development in a multipolar world, writes CARLOS MARTINEZ
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, the return cap
Features / 9 July 2024
9 July 2024
Brussels is following the US’s lead in slapping punitive duties on China’s electric vehicles, sabotaging Europe’s climate goals and economic interests to appease Biden’s anti-Beijing crusade, writes CARLOS MARTINEZ
Similar stories
Firefox ridden by Sam Ewing on their way to winning the Mong
Horse racing / 12 March 2025
12 March 2025
Joyeuse ridden by James Bowen (left) passes Tutti Quanti rid
Horse racing / 8 February 2025
8 February 2025
Our tipster gives this weekend's lowdown
End Zone
Horse racing / 22 June 2024
22 June 2024
This week Farringdon looks at the final day of Ascot, as well as races in Newmarket and Haydock Park
Korker
Horse racing / 25 May 2024
25 May 2024
Racing with Farringdon