Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Great Britain


The Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Great Britain was the governing body of the Communist Party of Great Britain between 1920 and 1991. It governed the party between congresses, at which successive ECs were appointed/elected. The EC played an important leadership role, according to the principles of democratic centralism to which the CPGB adhered.

Provisional Committee for the Communist Party

The Provisional Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Great Britain was based at 21a Maiden Lane, Strand, London, W.C.2.
In June 1919, the first of a series of meeting to discuss founding a Communist Party for Great Britain took place. Eventually the following proposal was formulated:
Whereas the BSF were firmly behind affiliation to the Labour Party, the WSF rejected such a proposal, along with sections of the SWSS and the SLP. However, sections within the SWSS formed the South Wales Communist Council in favour proposal, just as the Communist Unity Group was formed within the SLP, only to be expelled by the SLP executive committee.
The provisional committee then proceeded to organise a National Convention, at which the proposal was to be turned into a resolution, which if carried would transform the convention into the Founding Congress of the Communist Party. Those groups attending the convention were obliged to pledge to pass the resolution and transform all the branches, groups, and societies sending delegates to the convention would be transformed into branches of the new party, bound by the decisions of the convention. This was in line with Lenin's democratic centralism and was rejected by the WSF.
The Foundation Congress took place at Cannon Street Hotel, London and the International Socialist Club, London, 31 July – 1 August.
NameRoleLocationPolitical organisationEthnicitySocial class
Tom BellLondonScottishWorking Class
George Deer South Wales Communist CouncilLincolnEnglishWorking Class
Will HewlettAbertilleryWelshWorking Class
Fred HodgsonReadingEnglishWorking Class
Albert InkpinSecretaryLondonEnglishWorking Class
Arthur MacManusChairmanLondonScottishWorking Class
Cecil MaloneLondonEnglishMinor aristocracy
Dora MontefioreCrowboroughEnglishMiddle class
William PaulDerbyScottishWorking class
Fred ShawHuddersfieldEnglishWorking class
Bob StewartDundeeEnglishWorking class
Alf WattsTreasurerLondonEnglishWorking class
Fred WillisLondonEnglishWorking class

First EC of the CPGB

Foundation Congress, 31 July – 1 August 1920