There are four events open to local Fabian members in the next month or two. Full details will be emailed to the main mailing list:
7pm, 11th May - Compass panel debate on 'Plan B' - central Manchester.
7pm, 25th May - Hannah Mitchell Foundation debate on Identifying the benefits of devolution for the North.
11am, 8th June - Tour for Greater Manchester Fabians of The Working Class Movement Librray in Salford.
TBC: Fabian discussion group on the Fabian pamphlet: "How to rebuild Labour's economic reputation." Date and venue to be confirmed shortly.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Monday, 12 March 2012
Youth Unemployment Debate
We're holding a debate on youth unemployment in Manchester this Friday evening (16th March).
The panel will consist of: Jonathan Reynolds (MP for Stalybridge & Hyde), Lisa Nandy (MP for Wigan), Professor Richard Meegan (Liverpool John Moores University) and Amanda Bickerton (Director and Chair of the Youth Committee, Broughton Trust).
Email me on graham_whitham@hotmail.co.uk for full details.
Thursday, 19 January 2012
The North needs its own voice: new Northern think-tank formed
The North needs its own voice: new Northern think-tank formed
A new think-tank promoting devolved government for the North of England has been formed. The Hannah Mitchell Foundation held its first annual general meeting in Huddersfield on Friday – on the 119th anniversary of the foundation of the Independent Labour Party in nearby Bradford.
Linda Riordan, MP for Halifax, was appointed president. “I’m delighted to be involved in this exciting new venture,” said Linda. “At a time when we the future of the United Kingdom is coming under increasing scrutiny, the North needs its own devolved government within the UK, otherwise we risk being part of an increasingly centralised, Tory-dominated, England.”
Barry Winter, a retired Politics lecturer from Leeds, was elected chair of the Foundation. “A key priority is to influence thinking within the Labour Party,” said Barry. “At a time when any vestige of regional government has been abolished by the Coalition, we need to make the case for regional devolution on economic as well as democratic grounds.”
The Foundation aims to stimulate debate across the North of England on the most appropriate forms of devolution. Vice-chairs from the North-West, Yorkshire and the North-East were elected. Professor Paul Salveson, a railway writer and consultant, was appointed General Secretary to oversee the development of the Foundation. “I’m a strong believer in giving the North of England the sort of powers that regions in Germany and other parts of Europe enjoy,” said Paul. “That would benefit England and the UK as a whole. The alternative is to see a growing economic divide between North and South.”
The Foundation is named in honour of Hannah Mitchell, a Northern grassroots activist in the early socialist movement and for many years a Labour councillor in the Newton Heath ward of Manchester. “She was a great working class socialist and passionate advocate of women’s suffrage,” said Linda Riordan. “She epitomises all that was best in the North of England’s radical traditions – who better to name the Foundation after?”
“We hope the Foundation will make a real impact on English politics”, said Barry. “We’ve already got strong backing from several MPs and John Prescott has agreed to be a patron. Our next step is to organise a launch event in Bradford in early March”.
The Foundation has a website at www.hannahmitchell.org.uk and membership is open to individuals and organisations, both large and small.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Hi All
A number of people have been in touch saying they are keen to see ongoing Fabian activity in Manchester. I’ve not have enough time to take this forward myself over the last year due to work commitments. I’m keen to know if anyone is interested in helping take things forward (organising meetings, updating the blog, emailing members etc).
I thought we could hold a meeting one evening week beginning 25th July in central Manchester. Let me know if you’re interested in being involved and also let me know which evening that week suits you best. I can do any day that week except Friday 29th.
If you’re not able to get into Manchester that week but do want to help out, please drop me a line.
Thanks
Graham
Greater Manchester Fabian Society
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Going into opposition - heads held high
Ok, I recognise that I've stopped using the site for opinion pieces over the last year or so but...below is my take on what should happen. This doesn't attempt to set out the view of other Fabians or the Fabian Society at large but does give my opinion on the position the Labour Party and Gordon Brown finds itself in.
Graham
Going into opposition - heads held high
The very threat of a double dip recession, harsh benefit sanctions on the most vulnerable in our society and cut backs to some of the most progressive elements of the Labour Government's policies (Child Trust Fund, Sure Start etc...) makes this very hard to write. If you truly believe the Labour Party represents the best hope for the poorest and most vulnerable in our country and if you believe only the Labour Party can keep the union of Greater Britain and Northern Ireland together and that only the Labour Party will tackle inequalities then you shouldn't want to risk this by accepting that Brown and his cabinet have to accept defeat and move onto the opposition benches. But that is what needs to happen.
The failure of the Liberals to hold up their side of the bargain, means that the so called progressive alliance of Labour and the Lib Dems is not strong enough to control Parliament. Nick Clegg, the Guardian and all those who consider themselves on the centre left and voted Lib Dem on Thursday have let the poorest and most vulnerable in our society down. The Labour Party represented the best way to stop Cameron gaining power. Some commentary pieces in the last few days of the campaign made this point elegantly - urging people to only vote Lib Dem in the minority of seats where they stood a better chance of defeating the Tories than Labour. But these arguments should have been set out months ago by left thinking commentators if they were have the desired impact. In scores of seats the Tories won by a handful of votes because the anti-Tory majority were duped by the totally unfeasible idea that Clegg could stop Cameron. The perverse result of which may be a joint Cameron-Clegg government.
The truth is, as we are now finding out, that there is no progressive alliance in Britain. Students of the Lib Dems will have long since noted the strong centre-right approach to economics put forward by 'orange bookers', they will have noted the party's more recent willingness to cut back on tax credits or on scrapping the Child Trust Fund. They are a party happy to work closely with the Conservatives in council chambers up and down the country. Happy to see the public sector cut back and sent into retreat. It is now that the great schism in the Liberal Democrats is now coming to the fore, a social democratic support base finds its representatives in Parliament to be the true-centre right liberals many of us had suspicions they were.
Labour should balk at the prospect of doing a deal with such a party. Not because of unhelpful tribal loyalties but because the Liberals have proved themselves unworthy of a progressive alliance. As in the 80s they only serve to divide the centre-left vote and let the Tories in. They have had no significant role in Westminster elections over recent decades other than that.
Despite losing control of Parliament, Thursday appears to be something of a triumph for Labour. The Liberals are now being shown for what they are, allowing for a realignment of the centre-left vote to occur under the one true centre-left party in this country. Labour re-established a position of strength in local government up and down the country and proved itself to be the only party with real strength in all three countries of Britain. Gordon Brown can now takes his Party into opposition with his head held high. Proud in his achievements as chancellor and prime minister and proud of his record over the banking crisis. Fearful in the knowledge that the Conservatives and Liberal are about to put those achievements at risk but recognising the in the long-term, the benefits of the Lib Dems being found for what they are, increases the likelihood that the progressive majority of this country can make their voice heard through the Labour Party.
Graham
Graham
Going into opposition - heads held high
The very threat of a double dip recession, harsh benefit sanctions on the most vulnerable in our society and cut backs to some of the most progressive elements of the Labour Government's policies (Child Trust Fund, Sure Start etc...) makes this very hard to write. If you truly believe the Labour Party represents the best hope for the poorest and most vulnerable in our country and if you believe only the Labour Party can keep the union of Greater Britain and Northern Ireland together and that only the Labour Party will tackle inequalities then you shouldn't want to risk this by accepting that Brown and his cabinet have to accept defeat and move onto the opposition benches. But that is what needs to happen.
The failure of the Liberals to hold up their side of the bargain, means that the so called progressive alliance of Labour and the Lib Dems is not strong enough to control Parliament. Nick Clegg, the Guardian and all those who consider themselves on the centre left and voted Lib Dem on Thursday have let the poorest and most vulnerable in our society down. The Labour Party represented the best way to stop Cameron gaining power. Some commentary pieces in the last few days of the campaign made this point elegantly - urging people to only vote Lib Dem in the minority of seats where they stood a better chance of defeating the Tories than Labour. But these arguments should have been set out months ago by left thinking commentators if they were have the desired impact. In scores of seats the Tories won by a handful of votes because the anti-Tory majority were duped by the totally unfeasible idea that Clegg could stop Cameron. The perverse result of which may be a joint Cameron-Clegg government.
The truth is, as we are now finding out, that there is no progressive alliance in Britain. Students of the Lib Dems will have long since noted the strong centre-right approach to economics put forward by 'orange bookers', they will have noted the party's more recent willingness to cut back on tax credits or on scrapping the Child Trust Fund. They are a party happy to work closely with the Conservatives in council chambers up and down the country. Happy to see the public sector cut back and sent into retreat. It is now that the great schism in the Liberal Democrats is now coming to the fore, a social democratic support base finds its representatives in Parliament to be the true-centre right liberals many of us had suspicions they were.
Labour should balk at the prospect of doing a deal with such a party. Not because of unhelpful tribal loyalties but because the Liberals have proved themselves unworthy of a progressive alliance. As in the 80s they only serve to divide the centre-left vote and let the Tories in. They have had no significant role in Westminster elections over recent decades other than that.
Despite losing control of Parliament, Thursday appears to be something of a triumph for Labour. The Liberals are now being shown for what they are, allowing for a realignment of the centre-left vote to occur under the one true centre-left party in this country. Labour re-established a position of strength in local government up and down the country and proved itself to be the only party with real strength in all three countries of Britain. Gordon Brown can now takes his Party into opposition with his head held high. Proud in his achievements as chancellor and prime minister and proud of his record over the banking crisis. Fearful in the knowledge that the Conservatives and Liberal are about to put those achievements at risk but recognising the in the long-term, the benefits of the Lib Dems being found for what they are, increases the likelihood that the progressive majority of this country can make their voice heard through the Labour Party.
Graham
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Young Fabian Event - Watch the Leader's Debate in Bar 38
This is the third and last Leaders' Debate this Election and the last chance Brown, Cameron or Clegg will have to 'seal the deal' with the millions of viewers that have been watching these historic debates.
Because of the success of our London Debate Parties we've managed to organise a screening in Manchester. Come and join the Young Fabians, Compass, Labourlist, London Young Labour, Co-op Youth, Progress and LGBT Labour for our final debate party.
Before we settle down to watch the debate proper, we'll be encouraging people at home to watch these important debates and you can help by taking part in telephone canvassing at the Labour Party office in the centre of Manchester.
From there we'll be heading to Bar 38 Pavillion, Great Northern Warehouse,
Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5GP to watch the debate. (Map: http://bit.ly/9MujJs)
Hope you can join us!
For any further information contact Vincenzo Rampulla, Member Development Officer: vrampulla@youngfabians.org.uk, 07900 912 587
Because of the success of our London Debate Parties we've managed to organise a screening in Manchester. Come and join the Young Fabians, Compass, Labourlist, London Young Labour, Co-op Youth, Progress and LGBT Labour for our final debate party.
Before we settle down to watch the debate proper, we'll be encouraging people at home to watch these important debates and you can help by taking part in telephone canvassing at the Labour Party office in the centre of Manchester.
From there we'll be heading to Bar 38 Pavillion, Great Northern Warehouse,
Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5GP to watch the debate. (Map: http://bit.ly/9MujJs)
Hope you can join us!
For any further information contact Vincenzo Rampulla, Member Development Officer: vrampulla@youngfabians.org.uk, 07900 912 587
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