Tonbridge
& Tunbridge Wells
Fabian Society
Fabian Society
We'll keep the red flag flying here!
Click
on Diary of meetings and events for latest meeting information
We are a
Society which is concerned with the improvement of the lot of our fellow beings
by acting on Socialist principles.
On this website we will
discuss local, national and international issues. We hope you will read the
bits which interest you and welcome any comments. For people who live in this
area there are details of our meetings and other events.
Comment on current political
issues includes articles on:
Middle Class Middle English
Democratic Socialism by John Champneys
Reform by John Champneys
Policies for Labour by
John Champneys
True Health of the Nation by
John Champneys
You can send us
an email on twfabians@mailexcite.com by clicking here
What is the Fabian
Society?
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.
If you would like to contact your local
Fabian Society you can send an email to the National
Fabian Society at FABIAN-SOCIETY@GEO2.poptel.org.uk telling them where you
live. You can also become an individual member of the Fabian Society and
receive the Fabian Review.
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What does the Fabian
Society do in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells?
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.
We have also undertaken research into local
social issues and published the results - a recent study covered the defection
of local dentists from the National Health Service.
Once a year we have our Fabian Walk, when we
meet in some beautiful corner of Kent or Sussex and go for a footpath walk,
enjoying the fresh air and the countryside. We then have a picnic, usually near
a good pub!
If you like the sound of this, come and join
us. Click here for details of our next meetings, just
roll up. If you have a good time, join the Society and come to all our
meetings.
If you would like to join, send an email to twfabians@mailexcite.com
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Last Revision: 17/09/08
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