What Trump’s election means

NOTE: This article was published on 8 November 2024We are not going to try to list all the ways in which the election of Donald Trump is a catastrophe. That is being comprehensively catalogued in many, many other places and we all know there is much to be feared. Suffice to say that those who…

NOTE: This article was published on 8 November 2024

We are not going to try to list all the ways in which the election of Donald Trump is a catastrophe. That is being comprehensively catalogued in many, many other places and we all know there is much to be feared.

Suffice to say that those who believed that the election of Barack Obama in 2009 was America coming of age, have been proved sorely wrong. In fact, it signalled the launch of a ruthless right-wing fightback determined to ensure that it would never happen again.

This result is testament to their extraordinary success and reveals just how deep racism and misogyny run in American society. The effects of this election will be felt both on an international scale, where climate change may now be dramatically accelerated, and at a domestic level with the extreme right, here in the UK and in many other countries, hugely emboldened.

Our fightback is going to have to measure up to theirs. There are simple lessons from the past to draw on. In this fightback all defenders of democracy must come together, uniting around the simple, fundamental things that bind us. There can be no place for division, nor sectarian disputation. That way lies further defeat. We simply cannot afford it.

For our part, we will continue the work Searchlight magazine has been doing for nearly 50 years, since it was launched in 1975 with the words ‘Defend Democracy – Expose the racists and extremists’ on its front cover. We will, with your support, continue to investigate, expose, analyse and disrupt the activities of the far right, and put our work at the disposal of the movement.

The fightback must start now. No pasaran!


Nick Davies

Nick Davies

To investigate fascists takes real courage and unusual commitment. The government, police, mainstream media occasionally take a look, but in the UK only Searchlight have kept at it, relentlessly and admirably, regardless of threat or obstacle. It’s journalism that matters. A rare thing.

Nick Davies
Multi-award-winning investigative journalist and writer

Paul Holborow

Paul Holborow

In the campaign against the National Front, Searchlight provided a rich and utterly reliable basis for much ANL propaganda – particularly with reference to the two leading NF figures, John Tyndall and Martin Webster. The appearance of Tyndall in full nazi uniform, drawn from the archives of Searchlight, was a key part of ANL propaganda, coupled with deeply damaging nazi quotes from Webster.

Paul Holborow
Founding member of the ANL and National Organiser 1977-81

Alf Dubs

Lord Alf Dubs

Searchlight’s voice is more important than ever, and I am delighted that it will now be available to a wider audience than ever before in its new incarnation online. Searchlight has been extremely helpful over the years in exposing the far right, corruption, criminality and the murky links between organised crime and powerful interests in the UK and abroad. I wish Searchlight the very best.

Alf Dubs
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minister, and Kindertransport child

Peter Hain

Peter Hain, founder of the ANL and friend of Searchlight

British Jews have been persecuted over the centuries; British blacks since the Windrush generation of the 1950s; British Muslims, especially after the Islamist 9/11 and then 7/7 terrorist attacks in New York 2001 and London 2005. But until the last few years there has not been a simultaneous threat against all three British communities of Jewish, Black and Muslim Britons – meaning the need for Searchlight has never been greater.

Peter Hain
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minster

Professor Colin Holmes

Professor Colin Holmes
Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.
Professor Colin Holmes
University of Sheffield

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak

The essence of trade unionism is solidarity, fairness and equality – for all workers – from all backgrounds. That’s why our fight against the far-right has always been part of our movement’s DNA. Searchlight is an incredibly important resource for trade unions and members to understand the contemporary tactics of far-right activity. Their work and intelligence gathering over the years have been incredibly insightful for the work we do, and how we fight the scourge of fascism.

Paul Nowak
TUC General Secretary

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