When I sat down with a couple of former 62 group leaders in 1975 to discuss possibly relaunching Searchlight, the anti-fascist newspaper we had published in the mid-60s, I had no idea that it would set a course for me for the rest of my life.
The newspaper, which appeared only four times, was the idea and creation of the 62 Group. The proposal to relaunch in 1975 came from Maurice Essex and Baron Moss, both previously involved in the leadership of the group and now working with its more respectable successor, JACOB.
Intelligence gathering
The initiative this time was a response to the worrying growth of the National Front and a desire to put the intelligence gathering expertise of the 62 Group at the service of the local anti-fascist groups which were springing up all over the country.
Baron and Maurice introduced me to Maurice Ludmer, like all of us a former Communist and but now a journalist and hugely respected trade unionist and anti-racist in the West Midlands. Together, Maurice and I would edit and launch Searchlight, though this time, in magazine format.
If I’m honest, I saw the project as similar to the earlier newspaper: something that would appear only while a particular short-term need was being met.
And yet, here we are now, celebrating half a century of continuous publication, of service to the anti-fascist and anti-racist movement, and of visiting exposure and disruption on the forces of racism and right-wing extremism both in the UK and abroad.
Exhilarating ride
It’s been an exhilarating, if sometimes bumpy, ride. Our achievements are a continuing source of pride – and our longtime supporter and contributor, the playwright David Edgar, describes many of them in the history of the magazine he has generously written to open this anniversary issue.
Some of these victories enjoy articles in their own right in these pages, and I hope that younger anti-fascists in particular who may not be that familiar with our long history, will enjoy reading about them, and maybe pick up a tip or two from them.
Intelligence war
If there is one single lesson to be drawn from our history, it is this: that the battle against right-wing extremism must be fought on all fronts.
Campaigning and demonstrating against them is vital but not sufficient. We also need to wage an intelligence war which informs us about their plans and crimes which we can use to disrupt their activities.
This was understood by the wartime generation which set up the 43 Group and 62 Group and has been at the heart of Searchlight’s efforts over the last 50 years.
We have always said our work was ‘intelligence-led’ and I think it’s fair to say that we pioneered an approach to anti-fascist activity which has subsequently been taken up not just by other anti-fascists in the UK, but all over the world.
It is something we must never lose sight of.
Wicked plots
The fascists have many times tried to shut us up – using legal means, harassment, and even attempts on our lives – but we have survived all their wicked plots and carried on inflicting damage upon them and their endeavours.
Searchlight has survived not least of all because of the dedication and talent of a series of editors who each enjoy their own mention in this issue. Maurice Ludmer, who died in 1981 far too young at only 53 years of age, was succeeded by Vron Ware, Andy Bell, Nick Lowles and Steve Silver.
In between their periods in the editorial chair, I occupied it myself for several spells supported and hugely assisted by my indefatigable wife Sonia over many years. None of it would have been possible without people like this and the countless volunteers and supporters who have always backed us up.
Passing the baton
Baron Moss and the two Maurices are no longer with us, and having recently celebrated my 88th birthday, I intend now to take a bit of a back seat and leave the day to day running of the magazine in the hands of the very capable editorial committee which has been taking some of the burden and pressure off me for the last two years or more.
But I won’t be completely detached; I will remain as Honorary Chairman of the Editorial Board and (so they tell me) Editor Emeritus, but it’s time to pass the baton to younger folk.
They are, if truth be told, much more suited to the future which we have charted for Searchlight, being more at home in the world of social media and the like than I ever would be. As such, they will steer our work increasing into the digital universe where already it is having an impact that, frankly, I have been amazed by.
Online sceptic
I was, I admit, a sceptic when the suggestion to close the magazine and move entirely online was first mooted.
But, seeing the reach we have achieved with some of our online stories – a reach that far outstrips anything we might expect with the printed magazine – and the way we can break stories or respond much more nimbly to developing stories, I too came to the view that this is the way forward.
Proud history
Searchlight’s history places it firmly in the struggles and traditions of the 43 Group and the 62 Group, whose members conceived it and set the ball rolling. It is a history of which we could not be prouder, and one we all strive to live up to.
But Searchlight is not just their victory or achievement; it is in my view one of the great achievements of the entire post-war anti-fascist movement in this country and with your support we will carry on harrying and disrupting the fascists, neo-Nazis and far right extremists for another half century and beyond.
No Pasaran!
