It was established in the United Kingdom in 1990, following a split from the Workers Revolutionary Party.
[1] It was considered part of the radical branch of Trotskyism, and was led by Bob Archer.
[2] In 1985 the Workers Revolutionary Party (UK) (WRP) underwent a fragmentation which split the organization apart after the ousting of its leader, Gerry Healy.
[3] Initially the organization split into two: with the WRP remaining under the leadership of Sheila Torrence and a splinter group attached to the Workers Press being led by Cliff Slaughter.
[6] The WIRFI initially had support in the Workers Revolutionary Party (Namibia)[7] and a South African section which renamed itself WIRFI and took part in the historic 1994 South African general election after the end of apartheid.