Thursday, March 11, 2010

"After The Crash" - Available Now

Available free for download, via all good internet connections now...





After the Crash - re-inventing the the left in Britain
Edited by Richard S.
Grayson and Jonathan Rutherford

© Soundings 2010

We believe that now is the time for a new coalition of ideas and action on the centre left, working together to find common ground for change. At the heart of such a coalition is the belief that social democrats, liberals, greens and civic nationalists share a wide range of concerns. We all want to build a society in which individuals have more life chances, and we all fear for the future of the planet. We all believe that a more equal society is absolutely essential to secure these aims, and we all believe that greater democracy is crucial in giving people power, voice and the ability to secure more freedom and a sustainability economy.

Although Labour remains a central part of the progressive future, there are also tens of thousands of members of the Green Party, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the SNP, along with progressive people in no party, who are prepared to discuss this kind of coalition politics. After the Crash is intended to help begin a conversation between these constituencies, so that we can find better solutions to the problems we face than are currently on offer from the mainstream of the major political parties.

Jointly published by Soundings, Social Liberal Forum and Compass, in association with the Media Department at Middlesex University and Department of Politics,
Goldsmiths, University of London. Supported by the Lipman Miliband Trust.

Contributors: Jon Cruddas, Caroline Lucas, Steve Webb, Neal Lawson, Stuart Hall, Doreen Massey, Richard S. Grayson, Jonathan Rutherford, Alan Finlayson, Jonathon Porritt, Leanne Wood, Richard Thomson, Stuart White.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now, what does this all mean?

Preparations for what?

Need to download and read I suppose.

bugger!

Anonymous said...

Found and reading the chapter, Richard

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed reading your contribution. While I feel it successfully addressed how an independent Scotland would change the geopolitical landscape of rUK I feel it failed to demonstrate how an independent Scotland would benefit the ‘left’ of the wider British Isles. Perhaps this is recognition that, with the creation of New Labour and now its imminent defeat in the next election, that the ‘British left’ as a political power is dead. The SNP is a vehicle through which independence can be gained and the people of Scotland can have the freedom to elect a Government of the left which will be able to make the fundamental changes needed to address the ills of our country, a Government which will be able nationalise wealth of the nation in the interests of its people and not nationalise dept in the interests of big business!

PON

Richard Thomson said...

Thanks PON,

Yes, perhaps I didn't do enough to demonstrate that in my contribution. I've got another couple of writing 'gigs' on this subject coming soon, so I'll maybe get a chance to better put it accross then.

Cheers,

Richard

Anonymous said...

Managed to catch you speak at the university this evening and was impressed with how forcefully you articulated and presented your points even when faced with a hostile ramblings of an overly enthusiastically, arrogant, Tory boy. I would be interested in helping out with your or the SNP’s campaign in Aberdeen.
Cheers PON

Richard Thomson said...

PON,

Thanks for the kind words. If you want to email me on richard dot thomson at snp dot org, I'd be delighted to have your support in the Gordon campaign.

Regards,

Richard