We
are a Society which is concerned with the improvement of the lot of our fellow
beings by acting on Socialist principles.
Historically
the Fabian Society was founded in 1884 by a group of
British intellectuals who believed in the gradual peaceful change of society
through democratic methods to bring about equality without revolution. Some of
the best thinkers of the time were involved, George Bernard Shaw, Sidney and
Beatrice Webb, Ramsay McDonald and H.G. Wells amongst them.
Local Fabian
Societies like ours were later formed throughout Britain and these are affiliated
to the parent body. The Fabians have never constituted themselves as a
political party. However, they participated in founding the Labour
Representation Committee in 1900, which later became the Labour party, and are
affiliated to the party (which gives them a say in the election of the Labour
Party leaders).
In recent years the Fabian Society has influenced socialist thought by the
publication of pamphlets, articles in the Fabian
Revue and the organisation of conferences on particular topics. Senior figures
in the Labour Party often float new ideas through Fabian
publications. There is no "left" or "right" bias, New
Labour and Old Labour viewpoints are to be found.
We
are a group of people who are interested in political and social issues and
enjoy discussing them with other people. You do not have to be a member of the
Labour Party to join the Fabians, some of our most active members are outside
the Labour Party and we welcome all centre to left
party members to our meetings, including the Green Party and the Liberal
Democrats, who are often to be seen there.
We meet about once a month
and invite a guest speaker to talk about a topical political issue. Afterwards
there is always a discussion period (usually very lively) when all present are
encouraged to contribute their knowledge and views. Speakers come from a wide
diversity of backgrounds, politics, the media, government officials, Protest groups, there is no bar except that the subject of
the discussion must be interesting. We respect the views of all participants.
To contact us email to richard bomford@yahoo.co,uk
Let us hope that One Nation Labour starts to offer a new vision, something for us to be excited about.
We all may have views as to what that should be. Three suggestions:-
1 There is talk about banks learning to be socially useful again. Perhaps we could move towards business all being socially useful- paying employees fairly and not majoring on cigarettes or armaments that kill people, but on industries which address the real problems we face to-day-climate change and global population growth.
2 Do we any longer need to play an undistinguished part in
the undistinguished aim of ruling the world by force? Why not instead welcome
our being part of
3 It is perhaps not too late to celebrate one great achievement-the prominence of democratic civil government which celebrates and cherishes our traditions of history culture and religion whilst respecting and giving equal rights to those of different faiths and traditions.(This is IMHO the opposite of a multiculturalism which seems, ridiculously, to say “all cultures are equal we ourselves have no culture here” .)
Anyway I hasten to send our
WINTER/SPRING PROGRAMME
(meetings
Fridays 8pm at 71A
17th Jan
at Jim and Margarets house,12
Broadwater down TW. IVANA BARTORELLI on “Labour’s
policy on Referendum and Europe” .Ivana is Chair of Fabian’s Woman’s Network , and
21st Feb. MAURICE GLASMAN on “Forging a coalition within Labour does not mean destroying Labour’s ideals”,, We are lucky to be having Lord Glasman, prominent politician of the “blue labour” wing. He is reliably reported as being an excellent speaker, and welcomes all shades of opinion.
21st March PETER SINNOTT on “The folly of Royal Mail privatisation”. Petar is an experienced union speaker, with knowledge of the mail situation on the continent. There are lessons to be learnt in a situation which is not over yet.
11th April
MARTIN CLAY on “
At present we plan to have our usual picnic and walk in May-details to follow.
Do come and bring your friends.
Best wishes
John Champneys
Hon Sec