Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Liberation, formerly the Movement for Colonial Freedom

Stan Newens, Liberation, 60 pages, £3.00

The Movement for Colonial Freedom (MCF) was founded in 1954 by MPs such as Fenner Brockway, Tony Benn and others to campaign in Britain for the self-determination of colonial peoples.

The MCF became Liberation in 1970, reflecting the belief that its primary mission, the political emancipation of colonial peoples, had largely been achieved.

Although the organisation was less prominent thereafter, it helped launch organisations such as the Anti-Apartheid Movement, War on Want, the Britain Vietnam Association, the Chile Solidarity Campaign and other campaigns.

This history, written by Stan Newens, a former MP, MEP and leading figure in the campaign, reflects on a whole epoch of international work carried out in the British labour movement. Whatever its strengths and weaknesses, there is little doubt the organisation was both prominent and influential.