SPRING 1999       INTERNATIONAL MARXIST-LENINIST REVIEW             

FOREWORD:

The National Committee for the
Marxist-Leninist Party

he aim of the National Committee is to work towards the unification of the Marxist-Leninist, anti-revisionist forces in Britain, and eventually to form a single communist party.

The Marxist-Leninist movement in this country is characterised by ideological disunity and sectarianism, which has resulted in confusion and the isolation of Communists. For all that unites Communists, in this country we are not nearly ready to form the Communist Party.

It is our duty to work towards Communist unity. For this reason, a number of Communist groupings have put forward ideas such as the slogan of a United Front between communist groups, to allow communists to work together in spite of the differences separating them. It is in this spirit that a number of Communist groups and individuals are now working together in the National Committee for the Marxist-Leninist Party - a 'pre-party' committee.

However, the slogan of a united front between communists and the foundation of the NCMLP must not be confused with a call for the immediate foundation of a single communist party, founded on democratic centralism, and sharing the same revolutionary platform. This is the goal; but between the present period of disunity and the formation of a single Communist Party lies a period in which we must work towards this achievement.

Attempts have repeatedly been made in the past to
proclaim the Communist Party into existence. This voluntaristic declaration is made by individuals who have rejected the struggle for unity and who seek to skip over this task. Such attempts have consistently failed, and the proliferation of self-styled 'parties' testifies to this. Communist unity must be worked for. Open and thorough discussion between Communists, consensual agreement and consistent collaboration is  a prerequisite to achieving the level of ideological and practical unity necessary between revolutionaries, which alone can lead to one revolutionary programme and the formation of a Communist Party with roots in our class in this country.

We take the view that Communist unity can only be achieved over a period in which the different groups work together while maintaining their separate identities. Individuals who are not members of groups are also invited to take part in our work. Our plan of action, though clear, is not set in stone, and we welcome the input of all participants.

The basic principle of the Committee is that the gradual process of resolving the main ideological differences in the Marxist-Leninist movement should be accompanied by increasing unity of action.

We invite the advanced contingent, at present organised in diverse groupings and parties, or in isolation, to join us in the work of uniting and increasing the movement. As the crisis of imperialism deepens, with the prospect of a new revolutionary upsurge, the formation of the Communist Party is an urgent task.

We are in the preparatory period in this country. At this time, attention must be devoted principally to the formation and training of a nucleus of like-minded revolutionary communists.

The present period of communist disunity, characterised by theoretical muddle and sectarianism, can only serve the interests of reaction and the obsolete ruling class. It is in the interests of our class and of all contingents of our divided movement that we overcome it.

       John Green

SPRING 1999       INTERNATIONAL MARXIST-LENINIST REVIEW