Barcelona May Days: 80 Years On

The street-fighting that took place in Barcelona in May 1937 remains one of the most controversial episodes of the Spanish Civil War. Hundreds died as the city was criss-crossed by a labyrinth of barricades....

Radical Readings for Salford’s Radical Library

Actors Christopher Eccleston, Sheila Hancock, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Mike Joyce and Maxine Peake will all be reading extracts from radical works of literature and history as part of the Working Class Movement LIbrary’s second ‘Radical Readings’ fundraiser on Sunday 27 November....

The ILP and the Spanish Civil War

Even after 80 years the role of the ILP in the Spanish Civil War is still a controversial topic. Its role was minor, says CHRISTOPHER HALL, but the contribution and sacrifice of ILP volunteers deserves to be remembered. George Orwell’s ‘Homage to Catalonia’ is still the most famous and most read book about the Spanish...

Soldiers for Spain

Volunteers who fought in the Spanish civil war were political soldiers striking a blow against oppression across the continent, according to BOB HARRISON....

Talking Labour History

Paul Preston and Jane Martin will be the key speakers at the Labour Heritage annual general meeting on 21 May when discussions will focus on the Spanish Civil War and the education reformist and socialist, Caroline Benn....

John McNair’s Spanish Diary

With the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, John McNair became the ILP’s representative in Barcelona, channelling money and medical supplies to support the republican cause and liaising with the ILP contingent which fought alongside the POUM militia. McNair’s graphic account of the war was reprinted in the ILP’s Socialist Leader in 1974 and later...

Greece Must Not Stand Alone

Support for the new Greek government is vital and in Labour’s interests, argues MIKE DAVIS. Hope, dignity, bread could summarise the slogans of the newly elected Syriza party in Greece. It has been an historic victory, the first radical left party to be democratically elected in Europe since the Second World war. Expectations of the...