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Splits, sectarianism and sects
A new book on Trotskyism in Britain demonstrates why it has never made a significant impact politically, says MARY DAVIS

Contemporary Trotskyism: Parties, Sects and Social Movements in Britain
by John Kelly
(Routledge, £29.99)

THIS painstakingly and meticulously researched book provides both a narrative history and an insightful analysis of the multitude of Trotskyist groups and “front” organisations extant in Britain from the 1930s to 2017.

It is an almost impenetrably confusing picture, which the author does his best to unravel. It's a laborious task given the characteristic sectarian feature of Trotskyite organisations, resulting in frequent splits and divisions at both a national and international level.

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