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.
click here to return to the list of contents
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
click here to return to the list of contents
Last Revision: 23/01/08
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