Tuesday 19th
… an interesting lantern lecture which I enjoyed on ‘The Old Masters of Florence’—the lantern was worked hitchlessly by self and M who [were] congratulated to our infinite pride … ! … zlu zat
Wednesday 20th
… I have resolved into a clear issue a political conflict in my mind; I am sure that socialism is right, and I am sure that democracy is desirable (and only fully attainable under former). How to get it. zpn
Will our democratic socialist votes ever outweigh the money backed power of our opposition; once we have our majority, how ruthless can we be? Can we be utterly, as the Communists—even if elected on that basis—or must we give reaction a chance, which it will doubtless do its best to use. … What I must decide is, will the end be attained without the ruthlessness? That is so hard to say, Marxist analysis of history says no; I must examine Marxist analysis to decide whether it, or the British socialist parties (not the moribund Labour, but, say, Common Wealth [a new left-of-centre party]) are correct. A problem. More heads would be welcome, but I’ll find few enough here! zpn
[Added] Mon 15 / xi / 43. Conflict largely resolved, for time at least, by Strachey’s ‘What are we to do’. CP for me eventually by that. zbp zpn
Saturday 23rd
… Soc. soc. on India by OG [Old Greshamian] ex-commissioner of reforms (gave up, not enough to do!!). … I asked if he believed the British economic exploitation of India, the British support to the autocratic princes, the absence of general education, and the general poverty of the agricultural population, were a good basis for Indian democracy, and was he satisfied with the British govt.’s attitude to these questions, and if so, why? A long, non-committal and incomplete answer. … zcb zpn zep
