SPECTRE Podcast

Joined by Matt Kerr, we touch on the life of legendary communist and trade unionist Mick McGahey. We examine Mick's early life and how it shaped him, his trade union organising and work in the NUM, his vision of a workers parliament in Scotland, and the current state of our trade union movement today.

We draw lessons from his life and challenges that we all must learn from and how to reclaim our unions

Additional Reading :

Michael ‘Mick’ McGahey: Miner, communist and trade union leader - https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/285121/

From the ashes: McGahey’s warning against Scottish chauvinism - https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ashes-mcgaheys-warning-against-scottish-chauvinism

Matt Kerr Twitter - https://x.com/_Matt_Kerr

Morning Star - https://morningstaronline.co.uk/

Music Credit: 16 Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford

Which Side are You On - The Almanac Singers

Twitter - https://x.com/SpectrePodcast_

Contact us - [email protected]

Joined by London Recruit, Steve Marsling, we explore the amazing story of the London Recruits and the fight against South African Apartheid. We explore the work that the recruits carried out: from planting pamphlet bombs, to setting up and operating safe houses. We draw the lessons learned from the work of a number of recruits and how we can apply it today

London Recruits resources & How to Master Secret Work - https://www.manifestopress.coop/product/how-to-master-secret-work-london-recruits

Ken Keable's London Recruits - https://www.londonrecruits.org.uk/index.php/reviews/28-london-recruits-edited-by-ken-keable

London Recruits film info - https://www.londonrecruits.com/

Music Credit: Holiday - Happy Mondays

Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Twitter - https://x.com/SpectrePodcast_

Contact us - [email protected]

Joined by Cole from the Thistle of Socialism, we explore the history of socialist Ethiopia - the Peoples Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. We examine it's formation and the Derg era, the advances achieved under socialism, democracy within the socialist state, the difficulties it faces against western imperialism, lessons to be learnt, and more

Thistle of Socialism Twitter and YouTube - https://x.com/1917Thistle

https://www.youtube.com/@ThistleofSocialism

Music Credit: You Better You Bet - The Who

Dance With the Devil - Immortal Technique

Twitter - https://x.com/SpectrePodcast_

Contact us - [email protected]

A solo episode where we explore the early life, work, and political journey of on of Scotland's most prominent communists figures - Willie Gallacher. We examine Gallacher's early life in Paisley, his political journey and campaign work during the Red Clydeside, his political development following his meeting with comrade Lenin, and the legacy he has left behind.

Sources/Articles: Gallacher's Tribute to Stalin - https://www.marxists.org/archive/gallacher/1953/04/stalin.htm

Gallacher's Maiden Speech in Parliament - https://grahamstevenson.me.uk/2008/09/19/willie-gallagher/

Gallachers on Meeting Lenin from ‘We Have Met Lenin’ by Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1939

- https://challenge-magazine.org/2023/08/12/reminiscences-of-lenin/

Music Credit: Squeez - Up The Junction

Oasis - Champaign Supernova

Contact us - [email protected]

Twitter - https://x.com/SpectrePodcast_

Joined by Alex and Ruaraidh of the SCF Edinburgh we discuss the Safe Consumption Edinburgh campaign, the extent of Scotland's drug crisis, what are safe consumption facilities, the stark contrast their operations have with bourgeoise interests, and more.

SCF Edinburgh Twitter - https://x.com/scfedi?lang=en-GB

Music Credit: Making Plans For Nigel - XTC

Sunshine on Leith - The Proclaimers

Twitter -https://x.com/SpectrePodcast_

Contact us - [email protected]

A new year and a new season on SPECTRE Podcast ! We're kicking things off with a solo episode exploring some of the history of the Red Army Faction in the West German State. We examine the formation of the group, it's operations in the west, it's strengths, weaknesses, what we can learn from their actions, and what happened to it's members

Most strikingly - We look at the RAF's capturing and execution of Nazi SS officer Hans Schleyer and how the PFLP aided in their campaign

Music Credit - Jun Tzu - A Cause Worth Living For

The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

Contact us - [email protected]

Twitter - https://x.com/SpectrePodcast_

Interested in the sources we use for episodes? Feel free to send us an email and these can be shared with you for further reading !

Joined by Dr Conor McCabe we explore the early life and political journey of one of Irelands most famous icons, James Connolly. We discuss his involvement in the 1916 Easter Rising, his legacy, and what we can learn from his struggle. We delve into Dr McCabe's book "The Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly 1889-1898" and discuss the importance of documenting the political development of men such as Connolly

Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly 1889-1898 pdf link - https://conor-mccabe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-mccabe-connolly-iskra.pdf

Iskra and Connolly Books purchase links - https://www.iskrabooks.org/lost-and-early-writings

https://www.connollybooks.org/product/hardback-the-lost-and-early-writings-of-james-connolly-1889-1898

Dr Conor McCabe Twitter - https://x.com/CMacCaba

Music Credit: A Pair of Brown Eyes - The Pogues

James Connolly - The Wolf Tones

Twitter - https://x.com/spectrepodcast_

Contact us - [email protected]

Joined by Keith Bennett of Friends of Socialist China, we explore the Peoples Republic of China! We examine the how history has shaped china and it's modern socialist development, socialism in China, the driving up of anti-communist propaganda against China, the role that Friends of Socialist China plays in brining workers together, democracy in China, and more !

Friends of Socialist China website and twitter - https://socialistchina.org/

https://x.com/socialist_china

Music Credit: Wu-Tang Clan - Bring Da Ruckus

JME and Skepta - Freestyle

Twitter - https://x.com/SpectrePodcast_

Contact us - [email protected]

We are back ! After a brief hiatus SPECTRE Podcast is back with a solo episode where we explore a brief history of famous Scottish Communist John Maclean. We examine his political thought, political journey, and the legacy he left behind

As mentioned at the end of the episode, be sure to check out Unity Books who have over 5,000 books, pamphlets and periodicals from across the workers movement. They also have some great works on John Maclean

Unity Books - https://x.com/unitybookshop/status/1848726251269218587

Music Credit - Eminem - Without Me

Foo Fighters - MY Hero

Contact us - [email protected]

Twitter - https://x.com/spectrepodcast_

Joined by Brian Reynolds of the RMT we examine the beautiful Blockade Runners to Spain memorial. Situated on the banks of the Clyde, this monument stands as a testament to the brave actions of the seafarers who broke Franco’s blockade of Republican ports. Thirty-five merchant navy and eight Royal Navy seafarers died and scores were injured on vessels attacked by submarine, naval and aerial forces under fascist control between 1936-38. The memorial to seafarers will stand as renewed testimony to the importance of international solidarity in the face of fascist aggression. We also examine the need for Trade Unions to remember such actions and what role Trade Unions must play in the fight against fascism

RMT Glasgow Shipping Branch Twitter - https://x.com/rmtgsb?lang=en

International Brigade Memorial Trust - https://international-brigades.org.uk/

Music Credit : Icky Thump - The White Stripes

Fine Art - KNEECAP

Twitter - https://x.com/spectrepodcast_

Contact Us - [email protected]