New Premises Fund (1936)

Party News from the July 1936 issue of the Socialist Standard

The fund being raised to enable us to obtain larger and more convenient premises has now been open for more than a year and out of the sum aimed at, £300, we have so far received £182. We now urgently appeal for further donations to complete the fund at latest before the end of this year.

A list of donations up to 23rd June appears below.

Important. (1909)

Party News from the March 1909 issue of the Socialist Standard

Will all whom it may concern note that the Head Office of the Socialist Party of Great Britain has been removed to —

10, Sandland Street,

    Bedford Row,

      London, W.C.

where all communications should be addressed.

Blogger's Note:

The September 1954 commemorative issue of the Socialist Standard carried an article by 'Gilmac' (Gilbert McClatchie) on the party's many premises. Contained within that article was 'Gilmac's' description of the party offices at Sandland Street:

"In 1909 we began really to move upward. We got two rooms on the first floor of a house in 10, Sandland Street, Bedford Row (a little behind the north side of Holborn). This was the first Head Office visited by the present writer. When he went there as a youth he felt he had really reached the heart of deep red revolution. The ground floor was an old dilapidated junk shop. The side  door led up two flights of dark rickety stairs to a couple of bare rooms. The floor was bare boards. One room contained an old desk for the use of the General Secretary and anyone else who had writing to do. Beside was piled the stock of unsold Standards. As time passed the pile grew far beyond the height of the desk until it was in danger of being knocked down by anyone passing. The other room contained a long table and some chairs. This room was used for economics classes on Thursday evenings and for folding Standards on Saturdays. On Tuesday evenings the table was moved into the secretarial room for the E.C. meetings. When the E.C. was sitting it was almost impossible to get anyone else into the room, in spite of the fact that we advertised and boasted that our E.C. meetings were open to the public—so they were, if you could get in!

While we were at Sandland Street the General Secretary, Sammy Quelch, had a coffee shop nearby, and he had a habit of pinning a note on the door asking any members who called to go round to the coffee shop. Robert Blatchford had a humorous dig at the Party in his paper The Clarion (the most popular Labour paper of its day) at the time. He said he "called at the Headquarters of the Socialist Party of Great Britain but found that the Party had gone to get a cup of coffee." Later this was changed to "The Secretary, the Treasurer, and the member had gone to get a cup of coffee." "

As Others See Us: The New Statesman (1983)

Found via the 8th Wonder of the World: Archive.org

Sadly, I can't find a better quality of picture but I'll take what I can get. An architecture/politics piece from the New Statesman that dates from the 10th of June, 1983. It would have tied in with the General Election that was taking place that month. That election where Thatcher trounced Foot, and the Party was contesting Chris Smith's seat in Islington South and Finsbury.

I've cropped the picture and blurb for the Party's Head Office, but it's not the best. For those of you who can't read the text, it reads as follows:

"Good for the SPGB — the only party with the courage to say who they are, and in tasteful sans-serif lettering. The Ecology Party masquerades behind the Yuk Chuen Chinese Restaurant and the Jearlene Unisex hairdressers. The far left and far right can always be identified by their taste for barricades wire mesh perimeter fencing and other forms of security (e.g., SWP, CP and, below, the Conservative Party)."

A piece so old the Green Party were still called the Ecology Party, and my only political activity in that year - in fact, it was in that actual month - was me waving back at Paul Boateng as he went around the local constituency waving at bemused Saturday shoppers from the top of an open-topped double decker election bus. (I was a polite kid.)

Posted below is the full article from that issue of the New Statesman. You'll have to click on the image to make it larger. Good luck reading the text!

Three Hundred Pounds (1935)

Party News from the August 1935 issue of the Socialist Standard

These words are addressed to those workers who want Socialism. Most of those who want Socialism and who agree that the method advocated by the Socialist Party of Great Britain for its adoption is the correct one, are already inside the ranks of the Party. There are others, however, who, whilst sympathising with our position, have not yet found their way to join with us in the organised work for Socialism. Whether inside or outside the Party, however, it will be obvious that, carrying on our work under capitalism, we need, if our work is to be effective, plenty of that exchange medium—Money.

Those who perused our last issue will have seen that our need is, at the moment, particularly urgent. We have to vacate our present, somewhat cramped, premises very shortly. The Party is growing, and in order to carry on efficiently the increased amount of work and the various new forms of activity, larger and more commodious premises are necessary. It is estimated that the minimum amount required to enable us to effect the removal and obtain a tenancy of the type of premises deemed most suitable is Three Hundred Pounds.

Now, fellow workers, it is up to you. If you want Socialism, then let us have the wherewithal. Those who have a banking account can send us a nice little cheque, or even a fat one, if your balance is well on the credit side. If you do not possess a banking account, there is a Post Office not so far away, who will kindly oblige with a postal order of anything from 6d. to 21s. in exchange for the necessary cash. If you cannot afford a postal order, even stamps will be welcome. If you are not in the Party, but know one of the comrades, he will gladly give you a receipt for your subscription, however small—but we would like it large, if possible! All donations sent to Headquarters will be acknowledged in the Socialist Standard. 

Now, fellow-workers—step on it!

Donations to General Funds and the New Premises Fund (1935)

Party News from the August 1935 issue of the Socialist Standard

Socialist Party book & record fayre (2024)

Party News from the December 2024 issue of the Socialist Standard

Notices. (1918)

From the August 1918 issue of the Socialist Standard

We have also received several water-colour drawings from Comrade May, and a number of books from others. Kindly note that all such offerings should be sent direct to the Head Office.

———————————-

NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS–28 Union Street, London, W. 1.

———————————-

Readers who find it difficult or impossible to obtain the Socialist Standard through the usual channels should communicate with the Head Office, 28 Union St., W.C., 1., when regular delivery will be arranged.

———————————-

At present, on the reduced size of our organ, we have a margin of paper available for an increased circulation. Every opportunity should therefore be taken to push its sale.

Local histories (2008)

Pamphlet Reviews from the January 2008 issue of the Socialist Standard

The Class War Radical History Tour of Notting Hill by Tom Vague, Psychogeography, 2007.

Camden History Review 31, Camden History Society, 2007

The Class War pamphlet, the ‘souvenir programme’ of a recent London march maturely entitled “Bash The Rich”, is a rambling and rather unfocussed (as the doubtlessly pseudonymous author’s name would suggest) example of the local radical history writing which is currently fashionable. In this case it also is an unintended comment on the Class War organisation, which has itself become historic. Nonetheless the pamphlet might help locals gain “the sense of place in time” necessary to overcome the crazy disconnectedness of London living which makes political action in the capital so difficult to achieve nowadays.

In contrast the politics (and arts) issue of the Camden History Review is, as one might expect coming from the premier local history organisation of the capital, immaculately produced and finely focussed. The piece on Camden’s MPs is a rather old-fashioned biographical exercise, useful mainly for reference; however, the articles on the fight for a free library in Highgate and the St Pancras Civil Defence revolt of 1957-58 are prime examples of how on-the-ground-floor writing can help illuminate the real processes of history. The particular lesson to be learned from these two cases is that within capitalism every advance in the freedom of knowledge or the search for peace has to fought for tooth and nail. And how fruitless such actions, whether achieved via constitutional reform or direct action, ultimately are. The Socialist Party gets a mention fourth political essay, on the radical history of Grays Inn Road, as a radical organisation which once had its head office in the area and which pushes the solution – production for use not profit – to all capitalist problems from attacks on libraries to warmongering.

Kaz.

The Clapham Commoners

How's this for serendipity? 

Just 45 minutes ago I visited Andrew Whitehead's excellent website to snaffle an image of John Burns from the 1880s to accompany this front page article from the April 1906 Socialist Standard and, as an afterthought, I thought I'd check out Andrew's latest posts on his website. 

What do I find as his most recent post in 2024?  . . .  An account of his recent visit to the SPGB's Head Office in Clapham, South London.

Okay, his piece is gently mocking in its tone in places but that's fair enough. If you're going to wrap yourself in a hostility clause for 120 years you can't be too quick to clutch at your pearls if and when someone gives it back to you in kind. And, as someone who's written about the SPGB in the past - I seem to remember a New Statesman article he wrote on Harry Young ('Horatio') in the early 1990s - he knows more about the history of the SPGB than most *cough* 'outsiders'. 

And, sadly, he is right about the current health of the SPGB. It has seen better days and it is going through one of the roughest patches in its history but the SPGB - and more importantly its ideas - aren't going to go away any time soon.

New Premises Fund (1936)

Party News from the December 1936 issue of the Socialist Standard

Final Appeal

A total of £300 is urgently required before close of Fund at the end of the year. Many readers of The Socialist Standard have doubtless "put off” from time to time their response. Delay no longer; realise what decent accommodation would mean for the S.P.G.B. and for Socialism. Visit present Head Office, and see how overworked officials and other voluntary workers carry on under almost impossible conditions.

Give NOW; give generously; it is your privilege. Let "duty” and privilege coincide, and send your donations to the Treasurer.

Notice

Will all those who remit money to the S.P.G.B. please take care that Cheques, Money and Postal Orders should be crossed and made payable to the Socialist Party of Great Britain.

Our new Head Office (1941)

Party News from the August 1941 issue of the Socialist Standard

The address of Head Office is 33, Gloucester Place, Portman Square, W.1. It is about five minutes from Marble Arch and is just off the end of the Oxford Street end of Baker Street.

Blogger's Note:

The SPGB previous Head Office at 42, Great Dover Street had been hit by a German bomb in April. See the May 1941 issue of the Socialist Standard for more details.

Cash and carry on (1964)

From the September 1964 issue of the Socialist Standard

Looking back over the years, it is remarkable to notice how much the Party has accomplished with such slender financial resources.

In 1904 the Founder Members were faced with the problem of finding the necessary cash from their own scanty means.

They had set their hands to a mighty task, to convert the workers of the world to the cause of Socialism.

To carry out this work, they needed a central office from which to operate and a journal to carry the message.

Apart from the difficulty of finding the necessary cash to pay the rent, most landlords were hostile and many would not accept us as tenants at any price.

After being pushed from one miserable office accommodation to another equally depressing, we were finally, in an air raid, blown out of premises in Great Dover Street. This happened towards the end of the last war and although we managed to find other accommodation it was evident that the one satisfactory solution to this problem was to secure our own Central Office.

During the war, with the bombing and the black-out, activity was greatly reduced and as a result of this inactivity we were in the most unusual position of accumulating funds.

This small reserve, together with a mighty effort on the part of the members and a generous loan from a member, enabled us to buy the premises we now occupy as our Central Office.

Sixty years ago, the Party published the first number of the Socialist Standard and every month since then this journal has made its appearance.

In spite of all the difficulties and dangers caused by two world wars the Standard appeared regularly. The difficulty of obtaining newsprint and finding the money to pay for it on the one hand, and the problem of avoiding a shutdown by authorities on the other, were overcome. The case for Socialism was clearly stated in every copy, as was our bitter opposition to that bloody slaughter.

This magnificent record, as far as we know unequalled by any other organisation in any part of the world, was accomplished by the voluntary and unpaid services of members of the Party.

The sixty volumes of the Socialist Standard stand as a living record of the ability and courage of those members who laboured to produce them.

Apart from the generous and unpaid services members give to the Party, an organisation such as ours is always faced with the problem of finance. As a working class party we depend upon the donations that working people can afford and it is most gratifying to note how generously they respond to our appeals.

The cost of producing the Socialist Standard has increased by over three hundred per cent. during the past twenty years. The present copy is costing much more than we are selling it for, but we are happy to produce a special issue such as this. If you wish to take part in this effort we shall be pleased to accept your donations and assure you that they will be made good use of.

Ted Lake

The New Offices (1979)

From the September 1979 issue of the Socialist Standard

The following article is reprinted from the December 1923 issue of the Socialist Standard.

"No, Jack! I shall not join just yet. Your Party is right, your position sound, and your arguments conclusive. I admit all that, but I don't think the time is ripe. When that time comes, Jack, 'You may count on me.”

"And when do you think the time will be ripe, as you call it?"

"I haven't a ghost of a notion. But I'd like to see the workers wake up a bit, first. I'd like to see your Party bigger, more active, you know what I mean — more prominent.”

"So would I, friend. But apparently you have not seen our new headquarters, I can hear."

"New headquarters? I -"

"Listen! It is neither a pretentious, nor a massive building. We are not building it for posterity; we shall not need it long. Immediately to the right of the entrance hall, there is a book saloon wherein any work helpful to the furtherance of Socialism may be procured or consulted. Most of the leading periodicals are represented on the reading stands. To the left are the editorial offices, where the three official journals and numbers of pamphlets are produced"

"Three official journals? I –“

"Wait a minute. There is the Socialist Standard, now enlarged to forty pages, still appearing monthly and having all the characteristics of a first-class political review. There is the Socialist Tribune, a weekly summary of a more topical character. It focuses the reader's attention upon events whilst they are still current, and picks out the thread of history whilst it is being made. The Socialist News appears daily, and, I say it without boasting, is unique in the world's journalism. Not an advertisement appears in it. It is thus entirely free from subsidised matter, and is independent of any attempt at a capitalist boycott. It is smaller in size than the usual capitalist rag, but it is all meat. Its editorial and contributory staffs are well grounded in Marxian economics and their historical application. Its daily articles are the despair of the few remaining capitalist sheets, for the latter's long reliance upon reiterated lies and mass suggestion has broken down in face of hard economic facts. You cannot convince a man who is going down for the third time that he is not drowning by bawling through a megaphone fifteen times that all is for the best. And the workers were no longer convinced that capitalism was the only possible system, when they remembered the hard times before the war, the little glimpse of better times during the war's progress, and the return to bad times again afterwards. But I am digressing. There is a dispatch department at the back, and that about completes the ground floor. Upstairs there are writing rooms, studies, classrooms and committee rooms. There is a good-sized hall for lectures and public meetings, and there is even an information bureau, where anyone with a difficulty may seek Socialist 'counsel's opinion'. The most interesting perhaps are the Organiser's room, where information, facts and figures are compiled for the use of our staff of speakers and propagandists. There are other details you would find interesting, and even stimulating, but I think I have said enough to set you wondering."

"You have, Jack! I have been wondering where these premises are situated."

"There now! If you, a convinced Socialist, were only in the movement, you would know as much as I about it."

"Yes! But tell me, Jack, where are these new headquarters?"

"Well! At the moment, they are in my mind's eye. All we are waiting for is for you, and many others like you, to leave off waiting for the time to be ripe, and to come and help ripen it. We shall get our new offices and our new journals, when we get the funds. We shall get the funds when we get the members. We shall get the members when you leave off waiting, as I said just now, and start working. Then will follow, not merely new offices and journals, but, greater than all else, a new social system — Socialism. Join up!"

W.T. Hopley

All friends and sympathisers . . . (1919)

From the May 1919 issue of the Socialist Standard

All friends and sympathisers are asked to do their utmost to extend the sale of the Socialist Standard in the immediate future. In particular every effort should be made to justify the present enlargement by selling out this issue. Much depends upon this being achieved. Nuff said.

#    #    #    #

CHANGE  OF ADDRESS.
Please note that the Head Office address is now:

17, MOUNT PLEASANT,
LONDON, W.C.I.,

where   all   communications   should   be sent.

To Members and Sympathisers (1951)

Party News from the April 1951 issue of the Socialist Standard

An Appeal

At a Party Meeting held in Central London on the 19th January, it was decided that the Executive Committee proceed with the purchase of premises in Clapham for use as the Head Office of the Party. The need for new premises arose a year ago when the lease on Rugby Chambers expired. An extension of one year was obtained, and that year is now at an end. The lease could be renewed, the landlords informed the E.C., at a rental of £357 p.a., payment of rates at approximately £60 p.a. and provided that the premises were redecorated, the cost of which would have been in the region of £400/450. In addition, the display of bills, posters and advertising matter generally on the outside of the premises was prohibited.

Faced with this alternative, the E.C. decided to purchase suitable premises and those at Clapham High Street were chosen. Much more space will be available there for the routine tasks of the Party-tasks which increase in size and number as the Party grows. The room for E.C. meetings is much larger and there will be ample space for those members who attend Head Office on E.C. meeting nights. In addition, there are eight other rooms which can be used for storage and despatch of literature, meeting rooms for the various committees, a room for the library, and so on. The possession of suitable premises can materially assist the Party in its growth, and the main object of our organisation—Socialist propaganda—can go ahead unhampered by cramped quarters.

Those are the facts: now for some figures. The new premises were bought at a cost of £4,000. Following appeals to Branches and members, approximately £2,700 has been subscribed towards the cost. This represents a generous response by the membership as a whole, but more is needed. The balance of the purchase price could be borrowed from bank or building society, but, if this sum can be subscribed, it will relieve the Party funds from having to bear the considerable strain of making mortgage repayments on the loan. Interest alone on £1,300 (i.e. the balance required) amounts to £1 per week. It is highly desirable, therefore, that, wherever possible, the Party is freed from the necessity of using its funds in this manner. Accordingly this further appeal for funds for the new premises is being made.

To those who have already given we say “ Thank you—and can you give again?” To those who have not yet subscribed, “Can you and will you?” iTo those who find themselves unable to help the Party in its day-to-day tasks or to attend Branch meetings regularly or frequently; to Central Branch members whose contact with the Party is necessarily restricted; to all those who, for one reason or another cannot do all they would like to help the progress of Socialism, we say “This is a fine opportunity. This is an occasion when the Party needs help and you can supply it.”

Finally, a word to those readers who understand and sympathise with the aims and principles of the Socialist Party of Great Britain but who are not members. The help of all is needed.

The acquisition of these premises represents a large step in the progress of the Party, but it could mean a heavy drag on the Party’s funds. This can only be avoided by sufficient money being subscribed to cover the full purchase price and, in addition, the legal costs, cost of removal, decoration and furnishings. The extent to which the Party can flourish—free of binding financial restrictions—depends completely on how much you will give.

Please give quickly and generously. The address for your subscription is: E. Lake, Socialist Party of Great Britain, 52 Clapham High Street, Clapham, S.W.4.

Thank you,

Funds Organiser.

50 Years Ago: To Members and Sympathisers (2001)

The 50 Years Ago column from the April 2001 issue of the Socialist Standard

An Appeal 

At a Party Meeting held in Central London on the 19th January, it was decided that the Executive Committee proceed with the purchase of premises in Clapham for use as the Head Office of the Party. The need for new premises arose a year ago when the lease on Rugby Chambers expired. An extension of one year was obtained, and that year is now at an end. The lease could be renewed, the landlords informed the E.C. at a rental of £357 p.a., payment of rates at approximately £60 p.a. and provided that the premises were redecorated, the cost of which would have been in the region of £400/450. In addition, the display of bills, posters and advertising matter generally on the outside of the premises was prohibited.

Faced with this alternative, the E.C. decided to purchase suitable premises and those at Clapham High Street were chosen. Much more space will be available there for the routine task of the Party—tasks which increase in size and number as the Party grows. The room for E.C. meetings is much larger and there will be ample space for those members who attend Head Office on E.C. meeting nights. In addition, there are eight other rooms which can be used for storage and despatch of literature, meeting rooms for the various committees, a room for the library, and so on. The possession of suitable premises can materially assist the Party in its growth, and the main object of our organisation—Socialist propaganda—can go ahead unhampered by cramped quarters.

Those are the facts: now for some figures. The new premises were bought at a cost of £4,000.

(From front page article, Socialist Standard, April 1951)

Head Office (1960)

Party News from the December 1960 issue of the Socialist Standard

The Socialist Party of Great Britain need a Head Office in Central London comprising a large room, suitable for Executive Committee and other meetings; plus a number of other rooms, for literature distribution. sub-committee meetings, etc. The location must be within reasonable walking distance of an Underground station, in the Kings Cross, Euston, or Camden Town areas; or could be a little further North, or further West. The market for business properties is very lively nowadays. and our approaches to agents have not led to any success. Therefore we ask readers who may be able to help, to send their suggestions to: The New Premises Committee. 52 Clapham High Street, London, SW4.

Saturdays evenings at No. 52 (1970)

Party News from the January 1970 issue of the Socialist Standard

SPGB Notices (1936)

Party News from the April 1936 issue of the Socialist Standard

70 Years of the S.P.G.B. and the Socialist Standard (1974)

Party News from the May 1974 issue of the Socialist Standard