The Communist Party Historians’ Group

Morton’s interests in English radicalism found a home in the Communist Party Historians’ Group, founded in 1946—again, his and their activities were monitored by the secret serviceSecret Service (British) (with the help of a mole). This chapter shows how influential Morton was in anticipating arguments associated with the British Marxist historians of the 1960s and 1970s. The Historians’ Group initially met to revise A People’s History of England and this chapter provides analysis of editorial changes made after such suggestions. Morton published on the connection between strands of conservatism and anti-capitalist thinking (e.g., the Brontë sisters, Ruskin) and how some of their ideas were adopted by the workers’ movement. Even so, Morton stressed the reactionary nature of historic conservatism and its brand of anti-progressive religion to compare the situation in postwar Eastern Europe. Disillusionment with the Labour PartyLabour Party prompted a rethinking of the English radical traditionEnglish radical tradition in the CPGB as an alternative to a growing conservatism in the nation. Morton was involved in the 300th anniversary of the regicide and promoted the importance of the LevellersLevellers and radical movements. Where they failed, Morton argued, workers and veterans led by the Communist Party could now succeed in transforming society and challenging colonialism.