London
Dec. 15, 1953
Dear Comrades,
The End of the Road
Just over four weeks ago Collins and Romney united publicly with centrists and launched an attack on our group. They denounced leading members as "anti-Soviet" elements before a non-group audience. This startling degeneration now drives its victims pell mell down the slope to further revisionist actions.
We publish for your information their "rallying call" for a "Conference." In doing so, we confess that it is almost incredible that after only four short weeks they should be capable to producing a document on so low a political level.
They shout, hurl personal abuse, shriek threats and of course wind up with a funeral oration on the majority comrades. Who is this supposed to convince? certainly nobody in this country. It is for international consumption, designed to mislead those who have no knowledge of what has actually happened in England.
To begin with, where is this so-called majority of members? We are informed that they have a 58% support— percentage of what? Everyone knows this is a complete lie. Not only is the basic cadre intact and mobilized for the struggles ahead, but it has the full support of the decisive worker militants. For instance our Merseyside docks group sent the following statement to our N.C. of Dec. 12:
"We the members of the group in the docks on the Merseyside fully endorse the resolution that Collins and those who supported him should be suspended and we wholeheartedly support the majority."
The representative of Pablo who attended their so-called conference, agreed without hesitation that the basic group was with the majority.
Revolutionary parties can be constructed only on the basis of great principles. These are embodied in the teaching of Comrade Trotsky in the founding conferences of our movement and in the 2nd and 3rd conferences.
Our group since its inception has loyally adhered to these principles. Yet without the slightest proof or explanation, without charges and a meeting of the I.E.C., the General Secretary is expelled, together, we now learn, with Comrade Sinclair.
They made no public statements against the International, no rules were broken, yet they are expelled without trial or opportunity for a declaration.
If there was one single act which condemns the unprincipled basis of the Pablo clique, it is this. Pablo breaks the statutes of the F.I. in a manner only comparable to the practices in the Stalinist movement. And these people talk in the name of the F.I.
In Britain, Collins and Co. join forces with centrists to attack the loyal internationalists. This action is endorsed by Pablo.
In the name of the F. L, Pablo and his clique expel leading members without explanation, violate the Statutes and then, in company with centrists, support a public attack on the comrades defending the line of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Congresses.
Such unprincipled conduct is therefore incorporated in the history of our movement as part of the basic education of future cadres.
We say in all sincerity that these actions can never build a movement and will never defeat the loyal Trotskyists in this country.
Contrast these methods with the treatment of Collins and Romney by the N.C. majority. They broke the discipline publicly after being warned three times. They were then charged separately in writing, provided with facilities to retract without reprisals and in addition guaranteed a conference in eight weeks. This is Trotskyist procedure. Need more be said to condemn Pablo and his followers in this country?
We are informed that the majority who finance, produce and sell the overwhelming bulk of the papers have now been deprived of control of "the paper." Behind the backs of the militants it has been stolen by the Pablo clique. This was the real meaning of their conspiracy all along. That was why they would not agree to Romney being replaced by Sinclair. Far from the fine principles of democratic centralism being involved, it was just an act of amateur thievery.
We use the word "amateur" because the strategic positions they occupy were not won as a result of group to group struggle. They obtained these as members of the section with its full support.
The fact that they now choose to combine with centrists and rat on their comrades who placed confidence in them, provides a certain temporary advantage, but it is not the last word.
We are sure that all our comrades will be incensed with this treachery; but let us be patient.
Loyal Trotskyists throughout the world are now gathering around the banner of orthodox Trotskyism. The Appeal of the International Committee issued to all sections is the beginning of a real world mobilization of revolutionary forces for the coming showdown with imperialism, its Stalinist and social-democratic agencies.
With fraternal greetings, Mason