The South West London branch of the Fabian Society is holding its second meeting tomorrow evening.
The South West London branch of the Fabian Society, the UK’s oldest political think-tank, is holding its second meeting in the Richmond Labour Party office tomorrow evening.
The economic and political issues facing the Labour Party is on the agenda with Stephen Beer, the author of the pamphlet The Credibility Deficit, present to lead the discussion.
Lord Alf Dubbs, who was raised to peerage in 1994 and previously held the seat of Labour MP for Battersea South and Battersea, spoke about human rights and parliamentary reform at the inaugural meeting in November.
He said: “The meeting went well. It was a sign that people are interested in politics, believe in politics and want to engage. It shows that it is a lie that people aren’t interested.”
The founder and chair of the group, Anthony Eades, is hoping that the next meeting will be just as well received.
He said: “Richmond and the surrounding areas, despite being relatively wealthy, will not be immune from the looming economic and social crises.”
The group will meet quarterly and anyone interested in knowing more about the activities of the society is welcome to attend.
Mr Eades said that most people feel remote from the crucial decisions made on their behalf by the government and other non-elected bodies – therefore it is appropriate to develop informed debate at local level about key issues such as health and education.
“In a small, but hopefully important way, the local Fabian Society can act as channel for these views,” he said.
All Labour Prime Ministers have been members of the Fabian Society, which has 7,000 members of which 200 are parliamentarians.
Zac Goldsmith, Conservative MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, is yet to comment on the significance of the meeting.
The South West London branch meeting is on Thursday 23rd February at Starr House, 57 Church Road, Richmond, TW10 6LX.
For further information about the Fabian Society go to http://www.fabians.org.uk/
