Kara Sears
Communism was perceived as a threat during the inter-war period in the UK, leading to a climate of anti-communism and the targeting of communists by the state. While communism itself was not illegal, many arrests of communists were made on alleged acts of sedition and conspiracy against the Crown or the British government. The Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB), founded in 1920, faced police raids and burglaries, with selected communist documents being published at public expense. MI5's surveillance of communists extended beyond the ranks of the CPGB, targeting transnational networks and anti-colonial movements. The perception of communism as a threat influenced the interpretation and enforcement of laws related to freedom of speech and expression, with limitations imposed to prevent incitement to violence or crimes against the community.
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What You'll Learn
- Communism was perceived as a threat to the UK during the interwar period
- Arrests were made based on alleged acts of sedition and conspiracy against the Crown
- Communist organisations were the target of police raids and burglaries
- The UK's MI5 focused on communists' transnational networks and their anti-colonial connections
- There was no law against holding communist opinions, but there were limits to freedom of speech
Communism was perceived as a threat to the UK during the interwar period
During this time, the UK was also facing the rise of fascism, and the CPGB played a role in organising resistance against the British Union of Fascists at the Battle of Cable Street in 1936. The defence of the British Empire and colonialism was also a concern, as communism was seen as a malign influence due to its connections with anti-colonial movements and European anti-fascists.
The free movement of individuals in and out of the CPGB, along with the potential for the removal of key documents by defecting members, posed a unique challenge for the British state. The political mystique of British communism, with its claims of unity, discipline, and infallibility, further contributed to the perception of communism as a threat.
While there was freedom of speech in the UK, there were limits, particularly when it came to inciting violence or crimes against the community. The right to hold and express opinions was protected, but the expression of those opinions could be restricted if they incited violence or broke the law.
In conclusion, communism was perceived as a significant threat to the UK during the interwar period due to its conflict with established political doctrines, its connections with anti-colonial and anti-fascist movements, and the potential for inciting violence. The CPGB's internal dynamics and the broader social and political context also contributed to the perception of communism as a menace to the established order in the UK.
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Arrests were made based on alleged acts of sedition and conspiracy against the Crown
Although communism itself was not illegal in the UK, the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) was the target of numerous police raids and arrests. Arrests were often made based on alleged acts of sedition and conspiracy against the Crown, even if these accusations were false or difficult for the accused to disprove.
The perception of communism as a threat, particularly during the inter-war period, meant that arrests were relatively easy to make. This was due in part to the "absence of legality" in the conduct of the state, as legal historians Ewing and Gearty describe it. The state's actions were influenced by the defence of empire and colonialism, as well as concerns about the Communist Party's connections to the Soviet Union, European anti-fascists, and anti-colonial movements.
In the UK, freedom of speech does not extend to inciting violence or crimes against the community. This includes inciting assault on the police or the assassination of political opponents. While individuals cannot be prosecuted for holding an opinion, expressing that opinion can be restricted if it incites violence or crimes.
The CPGB's transnational networks and connections with other organisations, such as the communist-organised League Against Imperialism, likely contributed to the perception of the group as a threat. The free movement of individuals in and out of the party, along with the potential for the removal of key documents by state agents or defecting members, may have further fuelled concerns about the CPGB's activities.
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Communist organisations were the target of police raids and burglaries
During the inter-war period, communism was perceived as a significant threat in the UK, with anti-communist sentiment being prevalent. While communism itself may not have been illegal, communist organisations and individuals were often targeted for prosecution and surveillance. The Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) was subjected to numerous police raids and burglaries, with their meetings and transcripts being closely monitored and documented. This surveillance extended to the personal lives of communists, with biographical data being collected and individuals being monitored for any potential breaches of the law or incitement to violence.
One example of police raids targeting communists was the interception of a transcript of a CPGB debate in 1939. During this debate, the CPGB accepted the Comintern's anti-war stance, which compromised its anti-fascist credentials and led to a crisis in its relations with other left-wing groups. The transcript was obtained by the British state through a police raid and provided insights into the internal deliberations of the party.
Communist organisations were also scrutinised for their connections to foreign entities and potential threats to national security. MI5, for instance, viewed communism as a threat due to its associations with anti-colonial movements, European anti-fascists, and the Soviet Union. The Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP), founded in 1978, faced scrutiny for its campaigns against racism, its opposition to Northern Ireland's inclusion in the UK, and its involvement in the Irish Freedom Movement, which was accused of complicity in the 1984 bombing of the Conservative Party conference.
Communist individuals and organisations were also targeted for their potential involvement in subversive activities and threats to the established order. There were concerns about the influence of communists in trade unions and their ability to incite public agitation, as mentioned in parliamentary debates from 1925. These debates also highlighted the perception of communists as a danger to the Constitution and the established political system, with references to subversive propaganda and the potential for conspiracy.
Overall, while communism may not have been explicitly illegal in the UK, communist organisations were subject to police raids, surveillance, and prosecution due to the perceived threat they posed to national security, foreign relations, and the social and political order.
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The UK's MI5 focused on communists' transnational networks and their anti-colonial connections
During the Cold War, the UK's MI5 believed that anyone with Communist links, no matter how tenuous, was a legitimate target. This included monitoring individuals and organisations such as the Anti-Apartheid Movement, the National Council for Civil Liberties, and CND. MI5 also kept a close eye on communists' transnational networks and their anti-colonial connections. MI5's definition of "defending the realm" extended beyond countering threats from Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan, and the Soviet Union to include defending Britain's colonial empire.
MI5 monitored the communications of two prominent African independence leaders, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, during and after World War II. Despite their contacts with British Communists, MI5 concluded that there was "no evidence of Communism as it was understood in Europe" in either West or East Africa. When Ghana gained independence in 1957, Nkrumah maintained friendly relations with MI5, even requesting the continued presence of a Security Liaison Officer (SLO). Kenyatta also sought assistance from MI5 in training Kenyan police officers ahead of Kenyan independence in 1963.
In British Guiana, MI5 monitored Cheddi Jagan, the leader of the People's Progressive Party, who became the first Marxist prime minister of a British colony in 1953. Jagan's connections with the British Communist Party were noted, but British officials attributed his support base more to opposition to local plantation owners and big employers. Jagan was removed from office after only a few months, and subsequent British governments colluded with the CIA to ensure that Forbes Burnham, Jagan's anti-Marxist rival, became the first leader of independent Guyana in 1966.
In addition to monitoring individuals and organisations with Communist links, MI5 also kept a close eye on potential targets of the Communist party. For example, MI5 spied on author Doris Lessing for 20 years, and monitored David and Martin Ennals, prominent figures in civil liberties and minority rights organisations.
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There was no law against holding communist opinions, but there were limits to freedom of speech
While communism was perceived as a threat during the inter-war period, there was no law against holding communist opinions in the UK. However, there were limits to freedom of speech, and many arrests were based on alleged acts of sedition and conspiracy against the Crown or the British government.
During this time, the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) was the largest communist organisation in the country, founded in 1920 through a merger of several smaller Marxist groups. The CPGB gained popularity, particularly among miners who joined during the 1926 general strike, and its members were present at the Battle of Cable Street in 1936, helping to organise resistance against the British Union of Fascists.
Despite the absence of a law specifically prohibiting communism, the CPGB was targeted by the state. There were numerous police raids and burglaries, resulting in the publication of selected communist documents at public expense. The political mystique of British communism, with its claims of unity, discipline, and infallibility, led to a focus on the non-disclosure of internal differences. This made the CPGB vulnerable to the abstraction of key documents by either state agents or defecting party members.
In the UK, the right to freedom of speech was limited by laws prohibiting incitement to violence or crimes against the community. While individuals were free to express their opinions and advocate for alterations to the Constitution, these expressions had to be within the bounds of existing laws. This meant that advocating for certain opinions or alterations to the economic system or the rule of law could be considered a crime if it incited violence or broke other laws.
In conclusion, while there was no law against holding communist opinions in the UK, the threat posed by communism during the inter-war period led to limits on freedom of speech and targeted actions by the state against communist organisations like the CPGB.
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Frequently asked questions
No, communism was never illegal in the UK, but it was perceived as a threat during the inter-war period, and many communists were arrested for alleged acts of sedition and conspiracy against the Crown.
Yes, the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) was the largest communist organisation in Britain. It was founded in 1920 through a merger of several smaller Marxist groups.
No, but in 1940-41, there were attempts to ban the CPGB through the 'People's Convention' movement.
Yes, the CPGB was the target of numerous police raids and burglaries. The group was also under surveillance by MI5, particularly due to its transnational networks and connections with anti-colonial movements and European anti-fascists.
