CPGB

The Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) was a significant political party in the United Kingdom during the 20th century. Founded in 1920, the CPGB was the British section of the Communist International (Comintern), and it played a crucial role in the development of the British Labour movement. The party was led by figures such as J.B. (Joe) Hughes, Harry Pollitt, and later, Tom Wintringham.

The CPGB advocated for socialist and communist ideals, emphasizing class struggle and the need for a workers' revolution to overthrow capitalism. The party was known for its influence on the Labour Party, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s, when it provided significant support and intellectual leadership. The CPGB also played a role in the general strike of 1926, which was a major industrial action in Britain.

However, the CPGB's influence waned in the 1930s and 1940s due to internal divisions, the party's association with the Comintern, and its criticism of the Soviet Union. The party split in 1959, leading to the formation of the Communist Party of Britain (CPB) and the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist) (CPGB-ML). The CPGB-ML, which later became the Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist) (CPB-ML), continued to exist until the early 2000s.

The CPGB's legacy includes its contributions to the Labour Party, its role in shaping the British trade union movement, and its influence on the broader socialist and communist movements in the UK. Despite its decline, the CPGB remains an important part of the history of British politics and socialism.