Fabian Society

1945: It’s amazing how quickly a mood can shift in politics; or perhaps more specifically in the bubble of a political conference. But there’s no doubt the view that Ed’s speech was a triumph is hardening among Labour members and media commentators – even a potential game changer. But it will take the end of…

Labour need to engage and promote a politics of the common good and resist the tendencies of market society to reduce all social issues to the logic of exchange. This was the message of Professor Michael Sandel of Harvard University, international guest at Labour Party Conference 2012, who in two sessions on Sunday afternoon stimulated…

The British people have never felt a great affinity with political parties, and politicians are unwise to think that we can return to a golden era of political engagement. However, the current ‘anti-politics’ mood is not only further eroding trust in politicians of all parties, but is likely to do most damage to Labour, as…

On a visit to Newcastle airport last year I met two apprentices – one was completing the last day of a three year mechanical engineering traineeship and preparing to start his first day as a permanent employee, and the other was a senior supervisor who had been the airport’s first ever mechanical engineer apprentice 40…

Last week I wrote about conference, and continued to ask what conference is for. So I thought I’d build on the three ideas I threw out at the end of the piece that I think might make conference work better – or at least make it more accessible to members. I don’t think bringing back…

Ed Miliband should resist calls to announce policy at this year’s Labour party conference. There is always a lot of pressure on the leader’s speech at any party conference. Competing priorities are forcefully prescribed, some calling for more detailed policy commitments, others for stronger opposition attacks. Ed Miliband must instead use this opportunity to explain…