I only knew John Molyneux for the last 7 years of his life. A fraction of what he lived through, but his impact on me during that time was enormous.

One of the most important memories I have of him was in 2016 when I had been canvassing for Bríd Smith for the general election. I hadn’t yet joined PBP or the SWP (as it was then). I was in his and Mary’s kitchen after a canvass and he told me he thought I should join the SWP. I told him I had been thinking about it but I felt I needed to read and learn more before joining.

He said something along the lines of, “Aha! You’re absolutely right! But let me show you something”.

He then brought me into his study, which was crammed wall to wall with hundreds and hundreds of books.

He told me, “You absolutely should read, you should always learn, this is good, it is really important. But don’t wait until you’ve read everything, or you’ll never do anything.”

He then gave me a copy of his book on Marxist philosophy, The Point Is To Change It. I read it and joined a few weeks after that.

This one memory for me sums up so much of what John was about. He had an incredible knowledge of history, but he wasn’t just recounting historical artefacts – all of this was to be drawn on to help fuel the struggles of today. He was a real socialist, not just in his theory and his politics, but in the way he related to everyone around him, the way he shared his knowledge and constantly encouraged people, particularly younger comrades.

In the years that I knew him, he was throwing himself into the question of the climate and biodiversity crisis – both analysing what was going on and joining and building the movement on the street. I think he recognised the centrality of this challenge quicker than many and was arguing for an ecosocialist approach from early on. There is such a huge amount to learn from what he has written on this over the last few years.

On a more personal note, I will greatly miss our conversations about art, creativity, alienation, mental distress, and the intersections between all of these. He always had very thought provoking insights on these matters. I think these conversations with John, more than anyone, opened up for me the idea and liberatory potential of a different kind of world where all human beings might be able to live full, creative lives.

John’s loss will leave a chasm, both for the socialist movement and for all of us who were lucky enough to know him as a friend. We will always hold his fire in our hearts. La lutte continue.