The Chartist Group was co-founded by the historian Al Richardson in May 1970 with the intention of orienting the left toward the Labour Party.

[1] Chartist started as an 8 page tabloid style newspaper of the grouping, advocating insurrectionist politics.

This is because it seeks to invite debate with the broader left including greens and various independence movements.

Chartist defines its policy as being "to promote debate amongst people active in radical politics about the contemporary relevance of democratic socialism across the spectrum of politics, economics, science, philosophy, art, interpersonal relations – in short, the whole realm of social life".

Other members of the Editorial Board include Duncan Bowie, Peter Chalk, David Floyd, Don Flynn, Roger Gillham, Frank Lee, Dave Lister, Mary Southcott, James Grayson, Patricia d'Ardenne and Sheila Osmanovic, Robbie Scott, Patrick Mulcahy and Tehmina Kazi.