There are so many things I would like say on behalf of Portsmouth Socialist Workers Party following John Molyneux’s death in Dublin on Saturday 10 December. It is such an immense loss in so many ways. We are devastated. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Sara, Jack and Mary and all of John’s family, comrades and friends.
I first met John in 1986 when I joined the SWP in Portsmouth and became an active member. John’s exceptionally deep understanding of Marxism and his ability to explain things in ways you could really understand was one of the first things that struck you. John had been part the revolutionary turmoil at the end of the 60’s and had glimpsed at how another world is possible. He was on the anti-Vietnam war demonstrations and in Paris in 68 when students and workers rose up. John’s writing about the future socialist society reflects this and in my opinion has never been bettered.
John excelled in all aspects of being a revolutionary socialist. He wrote wonderful books which have been read around the world in various translations. He was an inspiring and brilliant speaker, whether at a small meetings, at rallies in Dublin, at the Marxism Festival or on the steps of Portsmouth Guildhall. He was an active trade unionist. He was a stalwart on Commercial Road selling Socialist Worker. He was instrumental in United Front work such as the Anti Nazi League and the Stop the War Coalition. He was completely involved in building the SWP and the International Socialist Tendency at the level of the branch, nationally and internationally. For example, his books had big impact on comrades in South Korea and he played a very active part in the Cairo Conferences and work with our Egyptian comrades.
John did all this while working and bringing up a family. His work rate was phenomenal and he drove himself too such high standards throughout his life. His passion for getting rid of the ‘muck of ages’ and freeing up the true potential of humanity never dimmed. John was truly an outstanding Marxist and his legacy and influence will live on in the international workers movement for years to come.
John could really write, whether short columns, articles or books. His last book of selected writings is something to treasure and gives us a flavour of the breadth and depth of his work. John’s passion for, and understanding of, art was unparalleled. His book ‘The Dialectics of Art’ is amazing and many of us remember to the wonderful talks he gave at the Marxism Festival on art. There are so many books that John wrote that are essential reading.
But John wasn’t just an exemplary revolutionary. He was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known. If someone John knew was in need, John would always do everything he could to help. Class solidarity was not an abstract concept or just on picket lines for John. His humanity was not confined to party members or activists. He understood at very deep and personal level how the brutal system of capitalism wrecks people lives and how we need to support and care for each other. John was a wonderful example of what a revolutionary socialist should be like. He talked the talk and he walked the walk.
John’s influence has a profound effect on many of us. As Huw Williams has said, he was such and amazing resource for anyone who really wants to change the world. There are so many comrades who were influenced by John. We used to joke about if all the comrades who spent time in Portsmouth SWP Branch had stayed after finishing at the Polytechnic/University, we would have been the biggest in the country! It is in a large part testament to John that many of those comrades are still very active and leading the party.
John was truly an independent thinker. His knowledge of Marxism was second to none, but he did not shy away from hard arguments and being in minority at times. His loyalty to the International Socialist Tendency and the SWP was never in doubt, but he was always in favour of open and honest debate.
When John moved to Ireland in 2010 is was a big loss for us in Portsmouth but we all knew we owed such a debt to John that we did all pull together made sure he had a branch he could remain proud of. We loved keeping in touch with John and hearing about the movement in Ireland. John was always interested in his comrades and what they were doing. Only 2 weeks ago John was in Portsmouth giving the eulogy to his dear friend and comrade, Max. We spent the evening with John in the pub and I’m sure many of wish we had been able to tell him how much he means to us and how much he changed our lives.
John Molyneux will never be forgotten, he will always be in our hearts and we will honour him by continuing the struggle for socialism, the struggle in which he was such a beacon.