Circular letter from A Fenner Brockway, press secretary of the Independent Labour Party campaign (Keir Cottage, Thorpe Bay, Essex) to [WSC] enclosing and commenting on a copy of the new constitution of the Independent Labour Party [see CHAR 2/125/23] and asking WSC for his views on it.

"Socialism re-stated: the new constitution of the Independent Labour Party". Sent with CHAR 2/125/22.

Letter from James Ramsay Macdonald (House of Commons) to WSC stating that the Labour Party will not vote for the second reading of the Trade Union Bill because of its provisions regarding union contributions to the political fund to support Labour MPs. Explains why a ballot among trade unions on the issue of labour representation would not at that juncture produce a fair result.

Letter from F Maddison (12 Acris Street, Wandsworth, London) to WSC proposing measures to protect the interests of trade union members who do not wish to contribute to the political fund for the support of Labour MPs. Returned with CHAR 2/52/26. Annotated by WSC that the letter be sent to the Attorney-General [Rufus Isaacs, later Lord Reading] for a suggested answer, 4 Jun.

Letter from Rufus Isaacs [later Lord Reading] [Attorney-General] to WSC suggesting responses to F Maddison's proposals to protect the interests of trade union members who do not wish to contribute to the political fund for the support of Labour MPs [see CHAR 2/52/25]. 2 sheets.

Letter from WSC (Home Office) to "Mr Manson" [F Maddison] responding to his proposals to protect the interests of trade union members who do not wish to contribute to the political fund for the support of Labour MPs. Typescript copy.

Letter from James Ramsay Macdonald (House of Commons) to WSC asking for a reply to his letter about aspects of the Trade Union Bill. Signed typescript. Annotated by "A J W": "will you reply to this, or see the Home Secretary about it?" Preceded by a piece of paper printed with the word "pressing".

Letter from H S Lindsay, Labour Party parliamentary assistant (House of Commons) to Edward Marsh asking for a reply to James Ramsay Macdonald's letter to WSC on the Trade Union Bill because a committee of the Labour Party needs the information. Signed typescript. Annotated by Marsh that an answer is promised that week.

Answers by Rufus Isaacs [later Lord Reading] (Attorney General) to the questions about the Trade Union Bill put by James Ramsay Macdonald in a letter to WSC [see CHAR 2/52/32-34]. Signed and annotated typescript. Includes note that the answers were embodied in a letter to Macdonald, 18 Jul.

Letter from Herbert Vivian (Hotel de Luxembourg, Promenade des Anglais, Nice, [France]) to WSC on: "The Curiosity of Literature", "The River War", and the best way of engaging in published controversy with Colonel [?Ivor] Maxse; Vivian's review of WSC's last book; the activities of "those Labour devils". Suggests WSC meet Horatio Bottomley with a view to getting "our own paper to draw blood properly.".

Letter from W H Wainwright (Gore Lodge, Gorton, [Manchester]) to WSC discussing the result of the election in Huddersfield [Yorkshire] and reporting that Canon Tynan, secretary of the Roman Catholic Education Association, believed that Catholics would work against Liberal and Labour candidates. Also reports the widespread belief that WSC's speech swayed many voters to the Liberal side.

Letter from D J Shackleton (51 London Terrace, Darwen, [Lancashire]) to WSC on the by-election in the Cockermouth Division of Cumberland, and its implications for contests between Liberal and Labour candidates.

Letter from Edward Hemmerde (1 Hare Court, Temple, [London]) to WSC asserting that Labour men can only be kept in the Liberal ranks if candidates are selected for their ability rather than their wealth. Advocates the establishment of a democratic fighting-fund.

Letter from Herbert Vivian (Blenheim Club, 12 St James's Square, [London]) to WSC asking him to fix a date for a meeting at Deptford and reporting that the Labour people there are angry at Vivian's adoption by the Liberals. Annotated in shorthand.

Letter from Walter T Williams, an honorary secretary of the Cardiff and District Free Trade League (17 Working Street, Cardiff, [Wales]), to WSC reporting the hostility of the local Labour Party and Trades Council to the candidature in Cardiff of Ivor Guest [later Lord Ashby St Ledgers and Lord Wimborne (2nd baron, 1st viscount)] and asking WSC to help to win them over by sharing a platform with Guest at a Free Trade meeting. Signed and annotated typescript.

Letter from John Penny (Netherthong, Huddersfield, [Yorkshire]) to WSC rejecting WSC's views on the different approaches of French and German socialists and his contention that the British Labour Party should ally itself with the Liberals. Cites illustrations of the Liberals' lack of a unifying principle and examples of their political incapacity. Signed typescript.

Letter from Sir Archibald Sinclair [later Lord Thurso] (Thurso Castle, Thurso, [Caithness, Scotland] to WSC arguing that the Labour Party will remain united in government unless electoral reform is introduced to reinfranchise Liberal voters, which will strengthen the position of moderate Socialists and cause them to split from their extremist colleagues.

Letter from John Davidson [later Lord Davidson] (Conservative and Unionist Central Office, Palace Chambers, Westminster, [London]) to [J P Hutchings, general secretary of the National Federation of Insurance Workers] explaining why he cannot accede to Hutchings' request that he withdraw a leaflet attacking the Labour Party's policy of nationalising life assurance [see CHAR 2/166/5]. Copy sent to Conservative candidates.

Leaflet issued by Conservative Central Office attacking the Labour Party's policy of nationalising the life assurance system.

Circular letter from J P Hutchings, general secretary of the National Federation of Insurance Workers, to members of affiliated unions on the steps they should take to make known their opposition to the Labour Party's proposed nationalisation of the life assurance system. Report from the watch committee of the Federation on the action necessary to oppose the nationalisation proposals. Copies sent to Conservative candidates.

Typescript copy of the second edition of a Labour Party leaflet on their intention to give more generous pensions. Sent with CHAR 2/167/97.

Typescript copy of a Labour Party leaflet on the growth in their women's organisation and their main policy principles. Sent with CHAR 2/167/97.