In Britain in the 1930s, "The Left" typically referred to a broad coalition of progressive political and social movements that sought to promote greater social and economic equality, protect workers' rights, and challenge the status quo of British society. At this time, the Labour Party was the main political force associated with the Left, and its platform included policies such as public ownership of key industries, government investment in social welfare programs, and progressive taxation. However, there were also a number of smaller socialist and communist parties that were active in Britain at the time, and they often worked alongside the Labour Party in various campaigns and protests. Beyond political parties, there were also a range of other left-wing movements that were active in 1930s Britain, including trade unions, anti-fascist groups, and various internationalist and anti-imperialist movements. These groups often worked together to organize strikes, protests, and other forms of direct action aimed at challenging the inequalities and injustices of the day. Overall, the Left in 1930s Britain represented a diverse range of political and social movements that shared a common goal of creating a more equal and just society. While their tactics and strategies often differed, they were united in their belief that meaningful change could only come about through collective action and a willingness to challenge established power structures. The Communist Party played a significant role within the Left in Britain during the 1930s. While it was a relatively small party, with only a few thousand members, it was highly active and influential within many areas of British society, particularly in trade unions, cultural and intellectual circles, and anti-fascist and anti-war movements. The Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) was dedicated to the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist state. It was aligned with the Soviet Union, and its members followed the ideology of Marxism-Leninism, which emphasized the importance of a vanguard party leading the working class in a revolutionary struggle. The CPGB was involved in many political campaigns and social movements during the 1930s, and it played a particularly significant role in organizing anti-fascist activities, such as the Battle of Cable Street in 1936, where thousands of anti-fascists prevented Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists from marching through the East End of London. While the Communist Party was a driving force in many left-wing movements, it was also controversial within some circles due to its allegiance to the Soviet Union and its support for Stalinist policies. This led to a degree of factionalism and tension within the broader Left, particularly between the CPGB and the Labour Party. Nonetheless, the Communist Party's presence within the Left was an important and influential one during the 1930s, shaping the political and social landscape of the era. The Fabian Society was a prominent socialist society in Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for its advocacy of gradual, democratic socialism and its intellectual and cultural influence on the British Left. The Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) had a complex relationship with the Fabian Society, which was generally more moderate and reformist in its approach to socialism than the CPGB. While some members of the CPGB were critical of the Fabian Society and saw it as too cautious and insufficiently revolutionary, others saw the Fabians as allies in the fight for social justice and progressive reform. This was particularly true in the early years of the CPGB, when the party was focused on building alliances with other left-wing organizations and movements. During this time, the CPGB worked alongside the Fabian Society and other socialist groups in various campaigns and initiatives, such as the campaign for women's suffrage and the fight for workers' rights. However, as the CPGB became more committed to revolutionary socialism and more aligned with the Soviet Union, its relationship with the Fabian Society became more strained. By the 1930s, the CPGB had become more critical of the Fabian Society, viewing it as too moderate and insufficiently committed to socialist revolution. In contrast, the Fabian Society remained committed to its gradualist approach to socialism and continued to advocate for progressive reform within the existing political system. Overall, while there were some areas of overlap and cooperation between the CPGB and the Fabian Society, the two organizations had different approaches to achieving their socialist goals and ultimately developed different political ideologies and strategies.