Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf

YOUTH AGAINST FASCISM
centred upon "exposing the policy of the leaders of the Labour Party, the League of
Youth and the Trade Union, and all who drag our movement backwards." 60 Though
communist rhetoric was softened on scorning the Guild, YCI dictates still necessitated
the Guild's acceptance of communist principles. At this point, the YCI contended unity
could only be achieved by acceptance of the "correct" theory and practice of the
Comintern.
In 1934 the YCL went further to soften their oppositional rhetoric against both the ILP
Guild and the Labour League of Youth, courting their organizations for socialist unity.
The YCL began directing their attacks at reformist adults who were limiting the political
scope of socialist youth activities. The YCL denounced the Labour Party leadership for
not allowing the LLOY to hold an annual conference to set a youth policy and for upholding
"a ban on Socialist Youth working with Communist Youth in struggle against
Fascism and War." 61 Similar rhetoric was directed against the ILP leadership for attempting
to divert unity efforts between the Guild and YCL. 62 The YCL contended that adults
sought to limit the activities of socialist youth due to the "clearer vision of the youth,
their lack of old traditions, combined with courage and a desire for action" as opposed to
the "leaders who have no stomach for self-sacrificing struggle." 63 The YCL offered
socialist youth "Unity and Comradeship in Action" for any who were willing to "fight
sincerely against war." 64 The YCI supported the development of this unity arguing that
"in the struggle for the United Front and for their own independence, [socialist youth]
will be able to find the path which will help them to become bold and firm fighters
against Fascism, for Socialism." 65 Such inclusive and supportive rhetoric met with
success in Britain and in "May 1934, the whole Guild voted to affiliate" to the YCI. 66 In
affiliating to the YCI, the Guild was urged to "fight against… [any] association with the
Trotskyists" since they stood against the YCI's vision of unity. 67 Such inclusive rhetoric
towards socialist youth and denunciations of Trotskyism became regular features of
Popular Front propaganda.
With the adoption of the Popular Front line, John Gollan declared the YCL's new goal
was "rallying the young generation for a happy future." 68 Gollan dropped much of the
YCL's traditional rhetoric, making direct appeals to socialist youth and the "whole
middle-class youth." 69 Gollan contended that "the struggle for Peace and against Fascism"
required the YCL to work "in a radically different manner from what we have ever
done previously" since the "whole young generation must be swung into the fight… for
the defence of the youth." 70 Unity and "friendly co-operation" necessitated that young
communists transform "the structure, the forms of work and, indeed, the whole character
of our YCL." 71
Popular Front initiatives contrasted past practices with fresh prospects for the future.
Gollan reflected on previous relations between socialist and communist youth, detailing
the YCL's new perspective on future relations:
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