It is with a heavy heart that we report the death of Andy Myers, an active member of Leeds branch of the Socialist Party until the last year, when health problems and hospital trips prevented Andy from participating.
A retired vicar is perhaps not the typical member of a revolutionary Marxist party. But Andy was steeped in the workers’ movement. He had always been a trade unionist, as a member of the faith workers’ branch of Unite, and before that in Unison. During the campaign against the bedroom tax, he had allowed the use of his church for a public meeting against the opposition of local Labour councillors who demanded he cancel it.
He contrasted the opulence of the bishops at the top of the church, with the relative pittance those in retirement received. He read widely and would always fiercely defend his viewpoint in meetings if he disagreed with others, whilst always being prepared to learn from others’ ideas. His last leadoff at the Leeds branch was on the implications of the development of AI for the workers’ movement.
Andy became a Socialist Party member around the time of the 2019 General Election, when Jeremy Corbyn’s radical programme had been undermined by the sabotage of the predominantly Blairite MPs, councillors and party machine. Whilst a Labour Party member, he challenged his local Blairite MP Hilary Benn on numerous occasions over their attacks. It was seeing the need for an organised force to fight back against this that brought Andy into our ranks. He expected to be expelled after openly joining us on campaign stalls and at rallies, but eventually resigned, and was enthusiastic about the launch of Your Party which he joined along with Socialist Party members, ultimately disappointed by the direction it took.
We came into regular contact with Andy when, back in 2016, Labour Party meetings were suspended as a result of the 2016 Labour leadership contest. Andy and other members in South Leeds were incensed about this, so organised a weekly meet-up instead to discuss what was taking place, inviting other local trade unionists and socialist activists they knew. A number of this group, including Andy, regularly bought and then subscribed to the Socialist, and have placed May Day greetings in the Socialist since. Andy recalled to us how, in the 1980s, he assisted in the creation of cassette tape versions of the Militant newspaper for blind or partially sighted people.
Andy’s health and difficulties walking meant he couldn’t get to all of the meetings and activities he wished to. When he was on stalls, he would bring a fold-up chair and would enjoy discussions he would have with those stopping to sign the petition. He was keen to encourage young people to be politically active, and always gave generous donations to help young comrades attend national and international events.
Iain Dalton
