This article which was written almost 70 years ago is interesting for a number of reasons, but we feel that it gives a clear exposition of the attitude that the Worker’s International League – to which the IMT trace our history, took towards the Republican movement. As the author explains:

“Yet the Trotskyist movement has not been singled out for attack on account of its smallness, but because its programme is feared. A move threatening to disturb the caste upon which the Stormont regime easily balances, is to be feared above everything else. The Stormont regime fears not an alliance between IRA and the Trotskyists, but the passing over of the glorious Falls Road proletariat from IRA utopianism to a revolutionary socialist program.

For that we will not require to pander to the illusions of the IRA or any other organisation which stands apart from and against the programme of the revolutionary working class. We need no catspaws. We turn to the dauntless working-class youth of the Falls Road and strive to win them, not by nursing outworn prejudices but by proclaiming the power of proletarian methods of struggle you and your class”.  

• UNISON General Secretary Election: Elect Paul Holmes for a General Secretary on a Workers wage!

Paul Holmes is standing for election as General Secretary of UNISON. Paul has been active in the union for 36 years, he’s branch secretary of Kirklees Branch in Yorkshire. The branch has over 10,000 members and an 80% membership density. Paul agreed to be interviewed for Fightback. We are keen to offer our full support to Paul alongside our comrades from UNISON Socialist Appeal Supporters in Britain.