It is with deep sorrow that I heard of the sad news of the passing of Gerry Gable (1937–2026) — a towering figure in the fight against fascism, racism, and the far right in Britain.
Gerry devoted his life to defending democratic values and exposing extremism, leaving a legacy that will inspire generations.
I first met Gerry during my time as a Liberal Democrat councillor and Parliamentary candidate, when I faced sustained attacks from the British National Party in Epping Forest and Brentwood.
One notable moment came when the BNP brought a complaint against me as an Epping Forest Councillor to the Standards Board for England over my description of them as “Nazis.” With Gerry’s guidance and support, I successfully defended my words, and the Board ruled that describing the BNP in this way was entirely acceptable within normal political debate. It was a landmark moment — showing that standing up to the far right, and calling out their ideology, was both right and lawful.
Gerry was best known as the founder and long-serving editor of Searchlight magazine, which he co-founded in 1975. Under his leadership, Searchlight became the definitive source of intelligence on the far right, exposing networks, funding, and tactics, and supporting campaigns that pushed fascists back from public life. From the 1960s onward, including his early work with the 62 Group alongside the likes of Sir Gerald Ronson (who later went on to form the venerable Community Security Trust), Gerry never stopped adapting to confront new forms of extremism.
Throughout this lifelong work, Gerry was inseparable from his wife and life partner, Sonia, who shared his commitment to anti-fascist activism for decades. Together, they were a formidable partnership — principled, brave, and utterly committed to justice.
Beyond his public work, Gerry was generous with his time and knowledge, especially to those of us confronting the far right at local and community level. He understood that fascism begins not in history books but in everyday life — and he ensured none of us faced it alone.
We owe Gerry Gable an immense debt. His work protected our democracy, defended our communities, and reminded us that silence is never neutral.
May his memory be a blessing.
* Gavin Stollar OBE is the Honorary Chair of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel. He is a former Parish and District Councillor, Parliamentary Candidate and parliamentary aide to Rt. Hon Charles Kennedy during his first two years as Party Leader.
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One Comment
Gerry was an amazing man. He worked with Liberals (and Liberal Democrats), including me, as he did people across the political spectrum to try and stop fascism and racism. He was involved in the first Searchlight in 1964, in fact. Not just its relaunch in 1975 as a magazine with himself and Maurice Ludmer. He was a mentor and inspiration to antifascists internationally. He worked with Lord Dholakia, he helped campaign against war criminals in the UK – and Eric Lubbock signed the founding statement of the Anti Nazi League, which Gerry and Searchlight were involved with.
He will be missed dearly by those of us who called him a friend. His work will be missed by everyone, even those who didn’t know him. He spent a life protecting our society, and people world wide, from the darkest parts of humanity’s nature. Politically, I hope that we all use this tragedy to evaluate whether we do enough to fight racism and fascism, and re-dedicate the party to re-engage on these issues. To become a beacon standing against those forces, in meaningful ways, and with allies. And not bystanders, doomed to wring our hands and tut in regret.
May his memory always be a blessing.