The CPGB-PCC's declared intention is to emulate Iskra[2] in providing Marxist analysis of politics and organisation to an initial vanguard of the working class.
It aims instead to have the paper provide a focus for Communist organisation and theory that will be absorbed by a Marxist party that will arrive in a time of greater working-class activism.
This has often resulted in lengthy debates being conducted through the letters section, leading to a set of familiar names appearing repeatedly.
The basic structure is: The paper runs a weekly section 'What we Fight for'[8] outlining in bullet point the core programme of the CPGB-PCC.
It also has a "Fighting Fund" section, where "Robbie Rix" encourages readers into donating to the paper while providing an update on readership levels.
The paper was first published in 1993, having developed out of The Leninist, the eponymous underground publication of the left group opposed to the Euro-communist leadership of the by then dissolved Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB).
This found primary expression in their stance towards the Soviet Union, where they denounced Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms and the developments within the Warsaw Pact.
The party's position was as rigorous to lead the group to publish denouncements of the Polish Solidarność trade union for agitation against the workers regime.
After a factional confrontation with the then Euro-communist leaning leadership, a group called the New Communist Party (NCP) split from the CPGB in 1977.
[19] A part of the NCP engaged close alliance with the Communist Party of Turkey (CPT), which left a lasting influence on the groups philosophy.
After a period of years this small grouplet, headed by John Chamberlain, decided that they should refocus on Britain's political situation.
It however reversed this position early in Respect's life to agree retrospectively with the anti-affiliation faction; Red Platform led by Manny Neira.
This reversal managed to alienate both factions at different times, resulting initially in Manny Neira breaking away to form the short lived Red Party, followed by Ian Donovan after the change of position.
The paper's commitment to angular debate and reporting on the topic, combined with the lack of coverage from more official sources, led to increase in readership.
The Weekly Worker has been estimated to have as few as 37 members as of 2007 (which is consistent with the £2,250 the party attempts to raise through the paper every month to cover printing costs).