‘Change: How?’ is the to-the-point title of the 2013 conference of left pressure group Compass, to be held in London on Saturday 30 November....
ILP@120: Ada Salter – Sister of the People
Ada Salter’s ideas and activism transformed social and economic conditions in a poverty-stricken corner of south-east London, and revolutionised local politics. So why has she been written out of Labour history? GRAHAM TAYLOR reveals her remarkable story. Ada Brown was born in 1866 in Raunds, Northamptonshire. Her family were Gladstone Liberals in politics and Wesleyan...
Labour’s Anti-Austerity Forum Assembles in London
A new forum for Labour Party members to discuss alternatives to austerity and build support for the People’s Assembly movement will hold its first meeting in London on Saturday 9 November....
Fabians Call for Focus on Inequality
The summer 2013 issue of Fabian Review contains a series of articles which document the increasing rate of inequality in the UK, criticise Blue Labour for taking attention away from inequality, and recommend new approaches for Ed Miliband’s party....
Ralph Miliband: Democrat and Anti-fascist
The Daily Mail’s recent claims about Ed Miliband’s father made headline news for more than a week. This article from the POUMISTA website comprehensively destroys the paper’s case....
ILP@120: John Wheatley – Glasgow’s Christian Socialist
From the pits to parliament via Glasgow rebellion, IAN S WOOD charts the often turbulent life and political career of John Wheatley. John Wheatley was born on 19 May 1869 in Bonmahon, a village in Waterford, Ireland, the son of John Wheatley, a miner, and Johanna (née Ryan). The Wheatley family emigrated to Scotland and...
Balls to Call for a Co-operative Economy
Shadow chancellor Ed Balls will outline his vision of an economy based on co-operative values when he speaks at the Co-operative Party conference next weekend....
One Nation Book Launched at Conference
A new book about the ideas behind Ed Miliband’s ‘one nation Labour’ was launched at the Labour Party conference in Brighton last weekend and is now available to buy or download from the Labour website....
ILP@120: James Maxton – Glasgow’s Red Rebel
WILLIAM KNOX charts the devoted life of ILP leader James Maxton, “a special kind of orator who inspired human beings to struggle for socialism”. James Maxton was born on 22 June 1885 in Pollockshaws, Glasgow, the son of James Maxton, schoolteacher, and Melvina (née Purdon), a former school teacher. At the time of Maxton’s...
ILP@120: James Maxton – Socialism’s Great Crusader
James Maxton was the ILP’s visionary, a man with “an inherent sense of human equality” who ultimately failed in his mission to make socialism the common sense. GORDON BROWN MP assesses his life and legacy. Throughout his career, whether on a street corner or in the House of Commons, Maxton sought to make socialism the...
First Impressions of the People’s Assembly
MATTHEW BROWN reports from the first meeting of a local People’s Assembly, where hardship and hope were much in evidence – unlike the Labour Party. “I paid my rent just 10 minutes ago and now I have £22 left in my account.” The words came from a young man introducing himself to the first meeting...
ILP@120: Herbert Witard – From Ragamuffin to Lord Mayor
Herbert Witard emerged from a childhood of dire poverty to become an ILP councillor and Labour’s first Lord Mayor of Norwich. MAGGIE PEPLOE tells the tale....