The end of an era for the anti-fascist movement – Searchlight founder Gerry Gable retires

NOTE: This article was published on 7 March 2025With the publication of the final print edition of Searchlight, the magazine’s founder and often-times editor, Gerry Gable, has announced that he is stepping back from running the magazine. The final issue, a huge 72-page look back over the magazine’s history and achievements, comes shortly after Gerry’s…

NOTE: This article was published on 7 March 2025
Gerry Gable at the Battle of Cable St 80th anniversary rally, 2016 (photo: David Hoffman)

With the publication of the final print edition of Searchlight, the magazine’s founder and often-times editor, Gerry Gable, has announced that he is stepping back from running the magazine.

The final issue, a huge 72-page look back over the magazine’s history and achievements, comes shortly after Gerry’s 88th birthday, and in it he writes that:

“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…

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…

Gerry Gable

“…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.

“…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.”

Decades of dedication

In recognition of his extraordinary work over the decades he has been declared by the team who will carry on the work online to be Searchlight’s ‘Editor Emeritus’. He will also remain Honorary Chair of the Editorial Committee.

You can read his valedictory editorial here.


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

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

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

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

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

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

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