Welcome to the Reading Caucus
First there is a few words from the editor
Peter Tatchell thinks we need trade union power for a green society
Rupert Reed makes a new argument for egalitarianism
John Marias makes the case for council housing in The housing wars
Natalie Bennett on Abortion: how the forty year old law traps NHS patients
Salma Yaqoob argues there is a need for progressive voices
Mark Steel is skeptical that Obama offers real change in Change. Hope. America. Vote for Bob the builder
Jim Jepps looks at ethical tourism in Give ethics a break: greening tourism?
Michael Meacher say nuclear is a non-option
Cllr Matt Selwood writes that Green councillors should be the the political wing of community campaigns
Ben Lewis advocates support for Hands off the People of Iran
Peter Lux asks Where next for the anti-war movement?
Peter Cranie argues the Greens need to grow in size and influence beyond that of a niche party in The Others
What is Caucus? Well, it is what it is really. No more, no less. It’s a one off journal, primarily for the Green Party Reading conference that discusses ideas, raises issues and is a modest contribution to progressive politics.
Caucus is not a Green Party publication, and indeed half the contributors are not Green Party members. Nor is Caucus part of any group inside or outside of the Greens. Where it has an agenda it’s there for all to see.
The contributors share one thing in common, a desire to raise the level of political debate on the left, and they want to do that by talking to people with whom they do not always agree.
You’ll have already noticed that this is a lo-fi “quick and dirty” production. It’s been put together on a shoe string budget and with limited time. We should do this sort of thing more often. Feels great!
It’s better to make mistakes and learn from them than stay in pristine inactivity. There is a wealth of talent in our movement, but sometimes it’s held back for fear of not doing things perfectly or for stepping on someone’s toes. That’s a problem we must be sensitive to.
We need to release our imagination and enthusiasm, and nurture it in others where we can. That means we have to work together on our points of agreement and disagree and discuss in a civilised way when we don’t see eye to eye. Progressives don’t live Simon Pure lives, but constantly work for common cause. Unity is strength not grumpy sectarianism.
One problem in a publication with limited space is that issues and authors you respect will always get left out. I take responsibility for these editorial decisions, and if you have thoughts please do feel free to leace a message here or go to my blog, The Daily (Maybe)
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