If you saw a Solidarity Federation sticker on a lamppost in Didsbury, the chances are it was Ron Marsden who put it there. Ron, born in 1937 in Lancashire, passed away peacefully on 21 August 2026 after six decades fighting for and promoting anarcho-syndicalism, a revolutionary form of trade unionism based on direct democracy, class struggle and anti-authoritarianism.
Ron first became interested in syndicalism after being active in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and began to move in anarchist circles where he met his first wife, Jan. He joined the Syndicalist Workers Federation when he moved to Manchester, an organisation that emerged out of the Anarchist Federation of Britain (AFB) in 1948. The SWF, along with some other class-based anarchist groups and individuals, became the Direct Action Movement in 1979; this became the Solidarity Federation in 1994. Like Ron, these federations have kept their allegiance to the International Workers’ Association (IWA/AIT), an International that continues to grow today.
Ron was alert to movements that embraced a broad interpretation of anarchism as well as a syndicalist approach and it was in the context of anarcha-feminism that he met Clare, his second wife. Ron attended many of DAM’s and SF’s federal conferences and even though he often only decided to do so at the last minute (sometimes to the frustration of other members and delegates), his contributions were always incisive and focused on strategic aims, publicity campaigns and ways of getting our ideas across. His range of interests was wide and his early acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities (often going to bars in Manchester’s Gay Village after meetings with younger members), awareness of racial discrimination and ability to connect with a diverse set of libertarians – often through the feat of attending meetings nearly every weeknight – meant that our Federation achieved a public face that was welcoming yet decisive politically.
He wrote for the federation’s paper, Direct Action, often bringing to editorial meetings scraps of paper with ideas and phrases noted down that magically became articles for publication. He also drew and was interested in design and art as propaganda. He was the author of the legendary Heinz-spoof on Lenin and authoritarian communism, “57 varieties – all unfit for human consumption” on what could have been a tin of baked beans. Not everything was serious with Ron, and his ability to connect with others of any age was renowned and much appreciated by those who were feeling less sure of themselves or who had come from overseas sections of the IWA. Politics and gentle satire merged in his opposition to religious fundamentalism and his cartoons depicting a rodent decrying religious intolerance (“Blasphemouse”) always raised a smile and occasionally an eyebrow as the reader tried to disentangle their cryptic nature.
He will be missed for his energy, inclusiveness and unwavering dedication to the cause of anarcho-syndicalism. His mission was the fight for a better world and this stays with us as we struggle for the same.
Despedida a un compañero que compartió su vida con nosotrxs [en es]
Si alguna vez has estado en Manchester en el barrio de Disbury y has visto una pegatina de Solidarity Federation en el poste de una farola, lo más probable es que fuese Ron quien la puso ahí. Ron Mardsen nació en Lancashire en 1937 y nos dejó el pasado 21 de agosto de 2026. Deja atrás seis décadas de lucha y compromiso con el anarcosindicalismo, con la lucha sindical basada en el asambleariamo, la acción directa y el antiauturitarismo.
Ron empezó a interesarse por el anarcosindicalismo tras participar en el CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) y acercarse al anarquismo. Tras mudarse a Manchester, se unió a la Syndicalist Workers Federation (SWF), una organización fundada en 1948 por militantes de la Anarchist Federation of Britain (AFB). En 1979 la SWF daría lugar a al Direct Action Movement (DAM) y en 1994 a la actual SolFed, la sección británica de la IWA/AIT, la internacional anarcosindicalista.
Nuestro compañero fue un militante activo de todos estos grupos. Siempre que pudo acudió a las asambleas y conferencias (a las que solía apuntarse a última hora para frustración de sus compañerxs); siempre con propuestas y abierto a nuevas ideas.
Escribió numerosos artículos para el Direct Action, el periódico de la federación; en las reuniones acostumbraba a aparecer con frases o recortes de prensa que mágicamente convertía en artículos para publicar.
Siempre apostó por una visión abierta e inclusiva del anarquismo y el anarcosindicalismo. Se interesó por el anarcofeminismo, por las luchas del colectivo LGTB+ (después de la asambleas, solía acompañar a lxs compañerxs más jóvenes a los bares del Gay Village de Manchester), por el antirracismo y por todo tipo de asuntos, lo que muchas veces implicaba asambleas todas las tardes. Con ello contribuyó a la visibilización y a la apertura de SolFed a otras luchas y colectivos.
Interesado en el diseño, ideó campañas antiautoritarias llenas de creatividad y buen humor. Suyo es el recordado cartel del bote de judías Heinz con la cara de Lenin (57 varieties, all unfit for human consumption), o el manhumorado ratón anticlerical (The Blasphemouse).
Recordaremos a Ron por su energía y su compromiso incombustibles, su simpatía, su apertura de mente y su entrega al anarcosindicalismo. Toda su vida luchó por un mundo mejor y en esa lucha estará siempre con nosotrxs.