We often talk of the crucial role of leadership in the struggle, and that’s 100 percent correct. Yet what is a leadership without the mass rank and file to carry it out? Miles was one such, who found Marxism through Militant in 1977 as a student at what is now Liverpool Hope University.
He read Marxist texts voraciously. He bought every publication we produced and, after a house fire, proceeded to buy them all again. He wrote numerous reports as a Scunthorpe flying picket arose in Sheerness during the 13-week British Steel pay strike in 1980.
Despite a bipolar diagnosis, he defied naysayers, mockers, and all, to sell the paper around the pubs and clubs – and from hospital beds! – for decades. I estimate his sales total five, possibly six figures.
He never doubted the path, despite long geographic isolation. He was one of ‘the 250’ – stalwarts of our organisation who swam against the stream for thirty years. Miles spoke daily about the Party, particularly the International, and paid his last dues from hospital, surrounded by his favourite Marxist texts.
Our thoughts are with his three brothers, his family, friends, and comrades he knew; recalling him as a pub raconteur, and a Beatles, Bush, Bowie and Marx Bros fan.
Particular thanks to the young members of the Lincoln branch, whose activity cheered him tremendously, and to the entire Yorkshire region for the card.
RIP friend and comrade; the Lincolnshire comrades salute you, recall you, and go forward.
Michael, Steve, Ryan, Trev, and Lincoln comrades
