The Republican Communist Network was originally set up in 1999 and Allan was one its primary architects. The aim of the RCN was to bring together 2 key aspects of Allan’s beliefs.
Firstly, Internationalism from Below, which involved the RCN joining, on a principled basis, with republican communists from Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales.
The second aspect was to argue for republicanism and revolutionary democracy in our socialist organisations and campaigns.
The RCN became an open platform in the Scottish Socialist Party, raising the banner of republicanism, internal democracy and transparency in the party, with Allan very much at the heart of this struggle.
It is undoubtedly down to Allan’s persistence that the SSP was eventually won to take an explicitly republican position.
On the theoretical side, Allan will no doubt be rightly remembered for his extensive and insightful writings that he produced over many years, on a variety of subjects for a wide range of publications.
However, he was always drawn back to the national question in the UK and Ireland and was a passionate advocate for the concept of Internationalism from Below and unity on a truly democratic basis.
The three books he has written on these questions are a fitting legacy and will have a lasting impact.
Allan was always keen to have his ideas and arguments examined, tested and debated to reach a better understanding and a higher truth.
Allan was not content to just be a writer and theoretician. He lived by Marx’s idea that communists should not just interpret the world, but look to change it.
In that spirit, he was very much an activist, who threw himself into a wide variety of struggles over the decades, as we have already heard.
Personally, some of my earliest memories of Allan were marching beside him on the annual Connolly march in Edinburgh.
In the years he was in the SSP, Allan was an active member of his branch. He could always be found on a stall, at a protest or picket, or campaigning in elections. He was a long serving delegate to the SSP National Council and SSP conferences.
In the lead up to the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum, he was fully committed to and active in the Radical Independence Campaign. After the defeat of the referendum, Allan saw RIC as the vehicle for continuing the struggle for Scottish self-determination on a radical and principled basis.
Finally I wanted to mention Allan’s tremendous humanity. This was expressed on both a macro scale and micro scale.
On a macro scale, he always championed the oppressed or exploited wherever they were in the world, making him a true internationalist.
On a micro scale, his humanity was embodied in his approach to his comrades and political opponents. In debate, whether on paper or in person, Allan always treated those he was debating with respect. He always dealt with our arguments and wanted to get to the truth rather than resorting to petty point scoring or trading insults. He was particularly keen to hear the views of younger comrades. He encouraged comrades to stretch themselves – whether through writing articles or speaking at conferences. Like all good teachers, he never cajoled only encouraged.
Allan’s approach and influence led the RCN to formally adopt a comradely conduct policy, which aimed to foster an atmosphere in which all members can participate to their fullest without feeling inhibited, intimidated, embarrassed or belittled. This approach has subsequently been adopted by other organisations.
In summing up: These three aspects: his theoretical writings; his commitment to action and activity; and finally the way he respected and treated people made Allan a true republican communist.
I think I speak for all RCN comrades when I say that Allan has had a profound effect on our lives, our politics and our actions.
I will continue to miss his comradeship, friendship and political insight.