Our statute

This Statute is adopted by the Central Committee of Communist Vanguard in September 2025 as a temporary organisational framework for the foundation period of our organisation, in the course of building a Communist Party of the working class, guided by Marxism-Leninism.

It is recognised that this Statute must be updated and amended as the organisation stabilises, consolidates its ranks, and advances in political maturity. In particular, the section on the Central Committee and the leading organs is provisional and shall be subject to comprehensive revision. The process of review and amendment shall be undertaken within two years of adoption. The Central Committee has the authority to decide on any matter not explicitly provided for in this Statute.

Introduction

1. Communist Vanguard (CV) is a political organisation whose aim is to create the Communist Party of Britain. CV bases its work on the theory and method of Marxism-Leninism and functions according to the principles of democratic centralism.
2. CV considers the Communist Party of the working class a historical necessity and the strategic instrument for the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism and the construction of socialism-communism. This perspective is rooted in the experience of the October Revolution in the USSR and informed by the history of class struggle in Britain.
3. In theory and practice, CV fights for the unity of the working class, both domestically and internationally. To this end, CV conducts a consistent struggle against capitalism and imperialism, while engaging in a persistent effort to root the organisation within the working class in Britain and to advance proletarian internationalism. 
4. CV wages an unrelenting struggle against reformism, opportunism, and all deviations from Marxism-Leninism. It works actively to build a pole of international revolutionary communism, drawing inspiration from the revolutionary heritage of the Third International.
5. Defending the principles contained in this statute is the foremost duty of every member, inseparable from safeguarding the organisation’s revolutionary role in leading the working class to socialism-communism.

Part I – Principles

Article 1 | CV is a cadre organisation composed of its members and candidates, primarily from a working-class background. The development of members and candidates prioritises quality over quantity in all aspects of theoretical and practical organisational life, ensuring the formation of disciplined, educated, and active communists capable of leading the working class in struggle.

Article 2 | CV is organised around local units formed on a geographical basis, with the long-term strategic aim of developing workplace cells as the primary organisational form. Leadership is exercised collectively through the Central Committee, which directs and coordinates the activity of all units in line with the organisation’s theoretical and strategic foundations, principles, programme, and political line.

Article 3 | The organisation is structured according to the principles of democratic centralism, uniting inner-party democracy, centralised leadership, and coordinated action, based on voluntary, disciplined, and principled commitment.

1. The decision-making process follows a hierarchical structure and is unified under the leadership of the Central Committee. Decisions taken by higher organs must be implemented by lower organs and all members. Such decisions must always be accompanied by sufficient information and the opportunity for discussion and examination.
2. The minority must submit to the decisions of the majority. In the event of disagreement, those who dissent are obliged to unconditionally implement the decision made by the majority. Factionalism is not tolerated.
3. The Party is led collectively. Collective leadership is essential for developing the principles of democratic centralism – unified and coordinated action combined with freedom of discussion – and operates at all levels of the organisation. Within collective leadership, each member’s theoretical and practical contribution can best develop.
4. Inner-party criticism and self-criticism are essential to the political development of the organisation and its members. They are not conducted on a personal or informal basis but only within the appropriate organisational settings.
5. All Party members are equal, possessing the same rights and duties within the organisation, regardless of role or seniority.

Article 4 | Members embody and defend the organisation’s principles in all settings, with particular attention to their workplace. They are characterised by:

1. Approaching political and social life with active and combative engagement to struggle in defence of working-class interests.
2. Practising and promoting solidarity with colleagues and the wider working class, uniting with them in collective struggle.
3. Demonstrating personal integrity and responsibility in all aspects of life, both within and beyond the organisation.
4. Neither deriving nor accepting any personal privilege from membership, and opposing the existence of privileges within the organisation.
5. Actively participating in trade unions and other mass organisations, working under the guidance of the organisation’s principles to orient these movements in a class-based and revolution-oriented direction.

Article 5 | Under conditions of the Party’s prohibition, democratic centralism is maintained through forms that safeguard the organisation’s continuity in the best possible way.

Part II – Membership

Article 6 | Members of CV are comrades over the age of 16 who accept the Statute, the Revolutionary Line, and the Theoretical Foundations of the organisation, and who actively contribute to its theoretical, practical, and financial life.

Article 7 | Members of CV are primarily workers, with particular attention given to recruiting from the most intensely oppressed strata of the working class, including women, black, and migrant workers.

Article 8 | New members are admitted on an individual basis and initially as candidates, serving a probationary period of at least one year.

Article 9 | Admission as a candidate requires the recommendation of two full members, each of whom must have maintained a political relationship with the candidate, including both practical and theoretical activity, for no less than three months. The recommending members are accountable to the organisation for their proposal.

Article 10 | Admission is formally proposed by the two recommending members, decided by the Central Committee and, ultimately, ratified by the relevant unit within two months. Group admission is not permitted.

Article 11 | Candidates possess all the rights and obligations of full members except the right to vote or to stand for election. They participate in the organisation’s activity alongside members, contributing in both practical and theoretical work, with their role remaining advisory.

Article 12 | All members and organisational units are responsible for providing candidates with the necessary guidance and support to integrate them into the organisation’s life, ensuring they assimilate all its theoretical and practical principles. Candidates must complete a compulsory programme of self-education.

Article 13 | The decision to promote a candidate to full membership is taken by the relevant unit, and in the presence of the candidate. The decision must be ratified by the Central Committee within two months.

Article 14 | Former members of other political parties may be admitted to CV as candidates, with a probationary period of two years, following at least six months of political contact with two full members of CV. In special circumstances, the Central Committee may shorten or otherwise adjust this period at its discretion.

Article 15 | No member may belong to any other British party or political organisation.

Article 16 | Members of non-British Marxist-Leninist organisations residing in Britain temporarily may be admitted to CV on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the Central Committee.

Part III – Members’ obligations and rights

Article 17 | Members actively participate in the life of the organisation, including attending meetings, contributing to discussions and decision-making, engaging in the practical work of their unit, helping to elaborate the organisation’s theory and strategy, defending its Statute, and fulfilling the responsibilities of their roles.

Article 18 | Members exercise initiative, understood as the capacity to take responsible action that advances the organisation’s political objectives and tasks without waiting for instructions, while remaining within the framework of collective decisions.

Article 19 | Where possible, members must be active in their relevant trade union, undertaking political work within it in line with the organisation’s principles.

Article 20 | Members are committed to deepening their understanding of capitalism, imperialism, the British working class, and the international revolutionary movement, not only through education and self-education, but by uniting theory with practice.

Article 21 | Members practise criticism and self-criticism as a means of personal and organisational development. Members who obstruct or suppress criticism bear serious responsibility and may face disciplinary measures, including expulsion.

Article 22 | All organs are obliged to provide timely and regular reports to update other members and organs on their political and organisational activity. If such updates are not provided, members and organs may formally request that the matter be addressed.

Article 23 | No member shall face disciplinary or political repercussions for personal views expressed within the framework of the Statute.

Part IV – Organs and their functioning

Article 24 | For all the organs of the organisation, the following rules apply

1. Attendance is mandatory. Any absence must be openly and clearly explained, and members must make every effort to minimise the impact of their absence.
2. Members may take up to six weeks of holiday per year.
3. A plenary meeting is in quorum when at least 50% plus one of its members are present. Decisions are taken by consensus; if consensus is not reached during the meeting, a vote by simple majority shall be held the following week.
4. In every organ, there is a coordinator who is responsible for setting the agenda, producing minutes, and handling any other matters related to the ordinary and extraordinary affairs of the organ.
5. There are no fixed criteria for evaluating the contribution of members and candidates, other than their capacity to take initiative on internal and external political matters.

Article 25 | The Central Committee is the organisation’s highest leading organ and directs its overall political activity.

1. The Central Committee sets out the organisation’s foundational documents and ensures that practical commitments reflect the organisation’s theoretical and strategic principles. It monitors the work of all units, assesses their political and organisational effectiveness, and ensures the financial sustainability of the organisation.
2. The Central Committee meets in regular plenums every three months and may convene extraordinary meetings with the agreement of two-thirds of its members.
3. The Central Committee elects comrades coordinating key aspects of the organisation’s work, including mass work, international relations, communications, education, finance, disciplinary matters, and other areas as required.
4. The position of coordinator of the Central Committee rotates every one years.

Article 26 | Local units are the foundation of the organisation, representing the Party in their specific field of activity.

1. Units are established with the approval of the Central Committee, provided they include at least one member and one candidate.
2. Units are organised on a geographical basis.
3. Units meet in regular plenums every week.
4. The position of coordinator of a unit rotates every four months.

Article 27 | Working groups operate within the framework of the organisation’s theoretical and practical tasks, in order to complete their objectives more efficiently.

1. Units or the Central Committee may establish working groups, which may be composed of several members or a single member.
2. The continuation, expansion, or dissolution of a working group is decided solely by the organ that created it.

Part V – Finance

Article 28 | Members and candidates are obliged to contribute financially to sustain CV and ensure its continued activity. The organisation’s financial resources may also be increased through members’ fundraising initiatives and voluntary donations from supporters.

Article 29 | The Central Committee sets the level of members’ monthly dues, which shall be no less than 4% of their monthly income, although this percentage may be adjusted according to the organisation’s needs and prevailing conditions. Reductions in dues are applied to safeguard the participation of low-income workers, students, and families. Such reductions are openly and clearly determined by the Central Committee and apply equally to all members and candidates.

Article 30 | The Central Committee elects a treasurer responsible for collecting, managing, and reporting on the organisation’s finances. The treasurer serves for a two-year term.

Article 31 | New candidates begin contributing with a full month’s dues starting from the day of their admission. Contributions must be received by the treasurer no later than the 5th of each calendar month.

Article 32 | In special cases, the Central Committee may require additional fundraising activities to strengthen the organisation’s financial position.

Part VI – Discipline and security

Article 33 | Members and candidates must be fully aware of the responsibilities and consequences of belonging to a communist organisation, and must conduct themselves accordingly at all times.

Article 34 | The organisation is prepared to employ all necessary means to carry out its political activity, in accordance with the specific conditions of the political situation. The Central Committee provides continuous guidance on how to respond to internal and external threats.The organisation provides legal and financial assistance in circumstances arising from work carried out on behalf of CV.

Article 35 | Internal documents of the organisation must not be circulated outside the membership. Participation in external, public or private, activities must always follow centrally decided and coordinated actions.

Article 36 | The use of alcohol or any drugs is tolerated only insofar as it does not interfere, in any way, with the political activity of the organisation.

Article 37 | Any contact with the police must be reported to the Central Committee without delay.

Article 38 | Candidates must provide essential personal information to the organisation prior to admission as full members. The Central Committee reserves the right to request further information if necessary.

Article 39 | Allegations concerning the conduct of any member or candidate may be made internally to any comrade within the organisation, who is obliged to report them to the Central Committee. The Central Committee shall initiate the appropriate procedural steps in accordance with the Statute and internal regulations.

Article 40 | Members, candidates, or units that violate the Statute are subject to disciplinary measures proportionate to the offence: warning; warning of expulsion; expulsion. Any comrade accused has the right to be informed in detail of the reasons for the penalty and the right to defend themselves in a specially convened assembly, with the presence of at least one member of the Central Committee and one member of their unit, chosen by the accused. All disciplinary measures must be carried out in accordance with the principles of democratic centralism.

Article 41 | Disciplinary measures may be imposed by either the relevant unit or the Central Committee. Expulsion from the organisation requires ratification by the Central Committee within two months. 

Communist Vanguard 2025