[4][5] The founding groups argued that the likely election of a New Labour government would entrench the legacy of Thatcherism and further diminish the political influence of the working class.

[7] It has received support from some anarchists,[8][9] but it criticises the contemporary socialist movement,[10] describing it as "hopelessly middle class – and obsessed with Identity Politics".

[10][17] The IWCA was able to raise the £20,000 required for participation in the 2004 London mayoral election and nominated Lorna Reid,[18] a resident and advice worker on the Highbury council estate.

[15] In 2009 the two IWCA Oxford councillors missed a meeting at which an above-inflation rise in council tax of 4.5% was decided, due to work and family commitments.

[10] In contrast to many other left-wing groups, the IWCA actively campaigns on crime affecting working-class people and a lack of services.

[7] It campaigns on issues of local concern such as council housing stock transfers, muggings[34][35] and inner-city regeneration,[36] and against social harm due to drug abuse.

[10][38] With its notable electoral results in Oxford in the early to mid-2000s, the IWCA is briefly mentioned in Patrick Keiller's 2010 film Robinson in Ruins, which explores the social, political and natural history of Oxfordshire and its surrounds.