PP/4/1/5/9 - [Letter, A.E. Blake to Jack Pritchard, 4/11/33]

PP/4/1/5/9

Item

[Letter, A.E. Blake to Jack Pritchard, 4/11/33]

1933

3 leaves Letters (typescript)

Nicholson, Max, 1904-
Sieff, Israel,
Trenchard, Hugh Montague,
Lloyd, George Ambrose,
Nichols, Beverly, 1898-1983

Blake, A. E.
Pritchard, John Craven,recipient

The letter gives Blake's comments on "the document" [A View on Planning?]. He considers that "it is more important and deserves to have more influence than the Communist Manifesto", and approves Jack Pritchard's additions "particularly the policy on security". He expresses his anxiety at "bastard-planning" and forsees for Britain " the coincidence of an economic crisis and a political crisis which will create a situation favourable to fascism... " which would bring "planning with a vicious purpose". "In these crises" he continues, "the subtle and no doubt useful work of our PEPs will be a trickle in a cataract". He advocates a "definitely organised movement - party if you like - as disciplined and purposeful as the Russian Communist Party" to prevent a "lift towards fascism ... If Lord Lloyd and Trenchard and the rest of the pinchbeck Cromwells are not preparing much more purposefully for the coming political stalemate than Sieff and Nicholson I am, as a prophet, beneath contempt."

Blake considers himself of "little use to a planning organisation of the kind Nicholson contemplates though... of use to a definitely constituted one".

He offers his services "in any part of the work of getting the 'document' distributed. That's thoroughly well worth doing". Referring to his enjoyment of a party given by Jack and Molly and commenting on "how many different circles of acquaintances you have" he writes that he found Atkinson particularly stimulating and there was an "agreeable Beverly Nicholsian youth who designs furniture whom I should like to meet again".