Class War

Class War is an anarchist group and newspaper established by Ian Bone and others in 1983 in the United Kingdom. In February 2014, a reforged incarnation of Class War registered as a political party.

The organisation had its origins in Swansea, Wales, where it developed from a group of community activists who produced a local paper called The Alarm, which focused on issues such as corruption within local government. Following a move to London, the London Autonomists (including Martin Wright and Pete Mastin) soon became involved and a decision was made to produce a tabloid-style newspaper which would reach a wider audience, particular aimed at young anarchists, including followers of the anarcho-punk band Crass.

Class War's skull logo was copied from the logo of the Welsh punk band the Soldier Dolls. The band gave their permission for Class War to use it, but it was copied by anarchist groups all over the world and is still in use.

The articles in Class War, issued bi-monthly when its profile was at its highest, criticised pacifism and the Peace movement, arguing the idea that violence is a necessary part of the class struggle. This stance was further justified with the statement that "democratic systems are all supported on a basis of coercion sanctioned by the use of force", and "the ruling class are never more dangerous than when they are doing impressions of human beings".

Class War's attitude to violence was summed up in their own newspaper, which they called "Britain's most unruly tabloid": "While not giving unqualified support to the IRA you don't have to be an Einstein to realise that a victory for the armed struggle in Ireland would be a crushing blow to the ruling class and to the authority of the British state."

The group maintained that the vast majority of people in Britain remained exploited by the ruling class and their official literature has long stated that about 75% of the country is working-class. Most other estimates put a much lower figure on the proportion (although other estimates may not use the same definition of 'working class' as Class War).

Stand up and Spit was the title of another early Class War magazine, named after a song by punk band The Members and aimed at inner city youth.

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