Michael Banda
Michael Banda (1930 – 29 August 2014), born Michael Alexander Van Der Poorten, was a
Early life and relocation to the UK
Born in
Rise to prominence
The Club underwent a major split in 1953, leaving the Fourth International, and Banda was a leading supporter of the majority around Healy.[1] In particular, Banda attacked Michel Pablo, a leading figure in the international, for becoming critical of Tito.[3]
The Banda brothers played a leading role in the design and printing of the group's publications, and remained leading figures as it transformed into the
In 1973, the party was again renamed, becoming the
Split in the WRP
The WRP underwent a major split in 1985, with Healy's secretary alleging that he had sexually assaulted a large number of female members. Banda expelled Healy from the party in October.[8] However, Vanessa Redgrave, a WRP member supportive of Healy, argued that the allegations were false, and that the expulsion was "...part of a political frame-up by Mr Banda who wants to dissolve the WRP because he has moved to the right".[9][10]
Healy and his supporters continued to claim they were the WRP, and Banda's group became known as the
Marxist Philosophy Forum
The Communist Forum was a short-lived political group formed in 1986 by Mike Banda, following his expulsion from the
After the splits
Banda moved temporarily back to Sri Lanka, where he discussed politics with Colvin R. de Silva of the LSSP.[5]
On returning to Britain, Banda devoted his time to campaigning for the Kurdish community, forming the Kurdistan Solidarity Committee and Peace in Kurdistan Campaign. He died in 2014, after suffering from increasingly poor health.[1][13]
References
- ^ a b c d e Corrine Lotz, "Mike Banda (1930-2014)", A World To Win, 14 September 2014
- ^ Alex Mitchell, Come the Revolution: A Memoir, p.222
- ^ Sam Bornstein and Al Richardson, The war and the international, p.212
- ^ Alex Mitchell, Come the Revolution: A Memoir
- ^ a b c d David North, The Heritage We Defend
- ^ Corrine Lotz and Paul Feldman, Gerry Healy: a revolutionary life, p.275
- ^ Private Eye, Nos.445-470, p.65
- ^ Dennis Tourish and Tim Wohlforth, On the Edge: Political Cults Right and Left, pp.166-170
- ^ Horsnell, Michael (5 November 1985). "Vanessa Redgrave denies WRP 'lies'". The Times. London. p. 36. (subscription required)
- ^ Kelvin Alexander, "Redgraves claim Healy letter forged", The Guardian, 5 November 1985
- ^ Peter Barberis, et al, Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations, pp.154, 170
- ^ Encyclopedia of British and Irish political organizations parties, groups By Peter Barberis, John McHugh, Mike Tyldesley, p.154, p.170
- ^ "A World to Win | Resources | Mike Banda".