Public meeting: Lidgett Park Methodist Church Hall. North Park Avenue, Roundhay, 7pm-9pm Friday 3rd July 2009 –all welcome
Come and take part in a debate on how to revitalise our democracy with the Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton, and the Leeds North East parliamentary candidates for the Conservatives, Matthew Lobley, the Candidate for the Liberal Democrats, Aqila Choudhry and representatives from the Green Party and the Alliance for Green Socialism.
CAN BRITISH DEMOCRACY BE RENEWED?
HOW CAN WE CHANGE THE WAY WE DO POLITICS?
HOW SHOULD PARLIAMENT BE REFORMED?
Amongst the questions to be debated are:
How do we make politics more open and transparent?
Electoral reform: Does it matter how we elect our representatives?
What do we think our representatives role should be?
Does it matter most of our representatives are male, middle class and white?
Should citizens have the right to call for the reselection of their MPs?
Should there be fixed term parliaments?
How do we hold the government to account? Do MPs need more power to scrutinise government legislation?
Should we restrict the role of party whips and allow more cross party voting in parliament?
Do we need a written constitution or a bill of rights?
How can we empower citizens?
Should local government have more powers?
For further information please contact
Sarah Perrigo
01132 686426
Monday, 22 June 2009
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Join the debate: politics after the crash
Texts now online to the Soundings seminar Saturday 20 June
Lynsey Hanley, Mike Kenny, Paul Mason, Doreen Massey, Andrew Pearmain, Ben Rogaly, Becky Taylor, Ejos Ubiribo and Leanne Woods are discussing the role of place and belonging in a post-crash politics.
Read Leanne Wood on civic nationalism in Wales
Read Andy Pearmain on Labour's lost voters and the BNP
Read Ejos Ubiribo on young black men and street life
Read Doreen Massey on London as a global city
Politics after the Crash
10.30am-4.30pm, Saturday 20 June 2009
120 Belsize Lane,
London NW3
(nearest tube stations Belsize Park and Finchley Road)
Registration: £25 (includes an excellent lunch).
Reserve a place online
Or: Phone 020 8533 2506 or email sally@lwbooks.co.uk
Lynsey Hanley, Mike Kenny, Paul Mason, Doreen Massey, Andrew Pearmain, Ben Rogaly, Becky Taylor, Ejos Ubiribo and Leanne Woods are discussing the role of place and belonging in a post-crash politics.
Read Leanne Wood on civic nationalism in Wales
Read Andy Pearmain on Labour's lost voters and the BNP
Read Ejos Ubiribo on young black men and street life
Read Doreen Massey on London as a global city
Politics after the Crash
10.30am-4.30pm, Saturday 20 June 2009
120 Belsize Lane,
London NW3
(nearest tube stations Belsize Park and Finchley Road)
Registration: £25 (includes an excellent lunch).
Reserve a place online
Or: Phone 020 8533 2506 or email sally@lwbooks.co.uk
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
The Ford McGuire Society (Leeds's own excellent local history group) is presenting a meeting on 'Trade Unions and Chartism' by Malcolm Chase from the University of Leeds (author of Chartism: A New History).
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 23rd at 7.30PM in Bridget's Bar in the Victoria Hotel on Great George Street behind Leeds Town Hall.
Should be good.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 23rd at 7.30PM in Bridget's Bar in the Victoria Hotel on Great George Street behind Leeds Town Hall.
Should be good.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Economic Justice for All: What needs to be done to move to a greener, fairer, future?
Special Cafe Economique on Thursday 11th June 2009 from 6.30 pm
Thursday 11th June 2009, from 6.30 pm, at the Methodist Centre, Town Street, Chapel Allerton.
Please note this is a different venue and a different weekday, in relation to our usual meetings.
A number of the speakers at previous cafes are coming to discuss with us ways forward to a fairer, more eco-sustainable future.
The question for the evening will be: Economic Justice for All: What needs to be done to move to a greener, fairer, future?
We think a useful framework for this discussion is provided by Professor Tim Jackson, of the University of Surrey, in his report for the UK Sustainable Development Commission -
There is a useful summary on pages 6 - 13. This includes 'Twelve Steps To a Sustainable Economy' which are listed below.
Because this is a special event, two years since we started the Cafe Economique, we plan to have a simple buffet supper from 6 30 pm. You, and any other interested people you know, are welcome to join us for this. As usual there is no charge for this event, but if you are planning to come, please let us know, to help with the catering arrangements..
Attached is a list of all our previous cafes with the names of the speakers and the topics.
We also attach a schedule for the evening, and a flier that you may wish to use to advertise the meeting to people you think may by interested.
We look forward to hearing that you will be able to join us on 11th June 2009.
Lorna Arblaster, David Adshead and Claire Bastin
Economic Justice for All
Thursday 11th June 2009, from 6.30 pm, at the Methodist Centre, Town Street, Chapel Allerton.
Please note this is a different venue and a different weekday, in relation to our usual meetings.
A number of the speakers at previous cafes are coming to discuss with us ways forward to a fairer, more eco-sustainable future.
The question for the evening will be: Economic Justice for All: What needs to be done to move to a greener, fairer, future?
We think a useful framework for this discussion is provided by Professor Tim Jackson, of the University of Surrey, in his report for the UK Sustainable Development Commission -
'Prosperity without Growth? The Transition to a Sustainable Economy'.
There is a useful summary on pages 6 - 13. This includes 'Twelve Steps To a Sustainable Economy' which are listed below.
Because this is a special event, two years since we started the Cafe Economique, we plan to have a simple buffet supper from 6 30 pm. You, and any other interested people you know, are welcome to join us for this. As usual there is no charge for this event, but if you are planning to come, please let us know, to help with the catering arrangements..
Attached is a list of all our previous cafes with the names of the speakers and the topics.
We also attach a schedule for the evening, and a flier that you may wish to use to advertise the meeting to people you think may by interested.
We look forward to hearing that you will be able to join us on 11th June 2009.
Lorna Arblaster, David Adshead and Claire Bastin
Economic Justice for All
Red Pepper Magazine in Leeds
We would like to invite you to our next event. It features a gig from the
'Red Pepper Magazine'. We will be discussing with editor Hilary Wainwright about RPs Plans and Political Prospects.
In the second part of the meeting we will discuss together with Wainwright and other on a Post-election Debate titled: What kind of progressive future?
See you there!
6.00 pm – 8.00 pm, Monday, 22nd June
Old Broadcasting House,
Leeds Metropolitan University, Woodhouse Lane
'Red Pepper Magazine'. We will be discussing with editor Hilary Wainwright about RPs Plans and Political Prospects.
In the second part of the meeting we will discuss together with Wainwright and other on a Post-election Debate titled: What kind of progressive future?
See you there!
6.00 pm – 8.00 pm, Monday, 22nd June
Old Broadcasting House,
Leeds Metropolitan University, Woodhouse Lane
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Kenan Malik speaks to Leeds Salon
Leeds Salon is a new public debating forum which aims to promote lively and open debate around contemporary political, social, cultural and scientific issues.
From Fatwa to Jihad: The Rushdie Affair and Its Legacy
Kenan Malik will present and debate his new book From Fatwa to Jihad: The Rushdie Affair and Its Legacy, Borders book shop, 94-96 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NP, Thursday 4 June 2009, 6:00pm (for a 6:15 start) - 8.00 pm.
Description
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Rushdie fatwa, "From Fatwa to Jihad" tells, for the first time, the full story of this defining episode and explores its repercussions and resonance through to contemporary debates about Islam, terror, free speech and Western values. When a thousand Muslim protesters paraded through a British town with a copy of Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" before ceremoniously burning the book it was an act motivated by anger and offence as well as one calculated to shock and offend. It did more than that: the image of the burning book became an icon of the Muslim anger. Sent around the world by photographers and TV cameras, the image announced a new world.
Twenty years later, the questions raised by the Rushdie Affair - Islam's relationship to the West, the meaning of multiculturalism, the limits of tolerance in a liberal society - have become some of the defining issues of our time. Taking the Ayatollah Khomeini's fatwa as his starting point, Kenan Malik examines how radical Islam has gained hold in Muslim communities, how multiculturalism contributed to this, and how the Rushdie affair transformed the very nature of the debate on tolerance and free speech.
About the Author
Kenan Malik is a writer, lecturer, broadcaster, regular panellist on Radio 4’s Moral Maze and author of Meaning of Race (1996); Man Beast and Zombie (2000): What science can and cannot tell us about human nature; and Strange Fruit: Why both sides are wrong in the race debate (2008). He’s also a Senior Visiting Fellow at the University of Surry. His website is www.kenanmalik.com/.
Book reviews and related articles:
After the Fatwa, the Free Speech Wars, Kenan Malik, spiked review of books, April 2009
Britain Since the Fatwa, Faisal Gazi, Guardian, 14 April 2009
Lisa Appignanesi, Independent, 10 April 2009
Marcus Dubois, politics.co.uk, 9 April 2009
Bryan Appleyard, Sunday Times, 5 April 2009
Why the Fatwa is Still a Burning Issue, Robert McCrum, Observer, 5 April 2009
Stuart Kelly, Scotsman, 5 April 2009
Lindsay Jones, New Humanist, March-April 2009
Events
Coming up at Leeds Salon on Monday 6 July 2009:
James Woudhuysen, visiting professor of Broadcasting and Innovation at De Montfort University, writer and journalist will be discussing Energise: A Future For Energy Innovation by James Woudhuysen & Joe Kaplinsky (Beautiful Books, 2009). Fuller details will be announced shortly.
This is event is free. To let us know you’re coming please reply to this e-mail. Visit our website and join our mailing list at: www.leedssalon.org.uk/contact-leeds-salon.html.
From Fatwa to Jihad: The Rushdie Affair and Its Legacy
Kenan Malik will present and debate his new book From Fatwa to Jihad: The Rushdie Affair and Its Legacy, Borders book shop, 94-96 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NP, Thursday 4 June 2009, 6:00pm (for a 6:15 start) - 8.00 pm.
Description
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Rushdie fatwa, "From Fatwa to Jihad" tells, for the first time, the full story of this defining episode and explores its repercussions and resonance through to contemporary debates about Islam, terror, free speech and Western values. When a thousand Muslim protesters paraded through a British town with a copy of Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" before ceremoniously burning the book it was an act motivated by anger and offence as well as one calculated to shock and offend. It did more than that: the image of the burning book became an icon of the Muslim anger. Sent around the world by photographers and TV cameras, the image announced a new world.
Twenty years later, the questions raised by the Rushdie Affair - Islam's relationship to the West, the meaning of multiculturalism, the limits of tolerance in a liberal society - have become some of the defining issues of our time. Taking the Ayatollah Khomeini's fatwa as his starting point, Kenan Malik examines how radical Islam has gained hold in Muslim communities, how multiculturalism contributed to this, and how the Rushdie affair transformed the very nature of the debate on tolerance and free speech.
About the Author
Kenan Malik is a writer, lecturer, broadcaster, regular panellist on Radio 4’s Moral Maze and author of Meaning of Race (1996); Man Beast and Zombie (2000): What science can and cannot tell us about human nature; and Strange Fruit: Why both sides are wrong in the race debate (2008). He’s also a Senior Visiting Fellow at the University of Surry. His website is www.kenanmalik.com/.
Book reviews and related articles:
After the Fatwa, the Free Speech Wars, Kenan Malik, spiked review of books, April 2009
Britain Since the Fatwa, Faisal Gazi, Guardian, 14 April 2009
Lisa Appignanesi, Independent, 10 April 2009
Marcus Dubois, politics.co.uk, 9 April 2009
Bryan Appleyard, Sunday Times, 5 April 2009
Why the Fatwa is Still a Burning Issue, Robert McCrum, Observer, 5 April 2009
Stuart Kelly, Scotsman, 5 April 2009
Lindsay Jones, New Humanist, March-April 2009
Events
Coming up at Leeds Salon on Monday 6 July 2009:
James Woudhuysen, visiting professor of Broadcasting and Innovation at De Montfort University, writer and journalist will be discussing Energise: A Future For Energy Innovation by James Woudhuysen & Joe Kaplinsky (Beautiful Books, 2009). Fuller details will be announced shortly.
This is event is free. To let us know you’re coming please reply to this e-mail. Visit our website and join our mailing list at: www.leedssalon.org.uk/contact-leeds-salon.html.
Friday, 15 May 2009
No BNP MEPs!
Campaign against BNP!
Vote and get involved ahead of June 4th elections
Our campaign in the next 6 weeks centers around the European Parliament Elections, which take place on June 4th. The BNP are standing candidates across the country and we face the prospect, according to current polls, of as many as FOUR fascist MEPs from the British National Party representing the UK in the European Parliament come mid-June.
BUT THEY CAN BE STOPPED.
Any BNP success will rely on low turnout so we want to ensure that people are aware of this threat and that they register to vote in the June 4th poll, and use that vote on any party other than the BNP.
Each MEP that the BNP gains garners respectability for their racist views and "normalises" their poisonous message. Each MEP can claim hundreds of thousands of pounds in office and staff expenses. The BNP would use this money to employ full-time organisers to peddle race hatred. Areas where the BNP gains an electoral foothold see a sharp rise in the level of racist attacks as words of hate are turned to actions.
GET INVOLVED
(1) REMEMBER TO REGISTER TO VOTE!
The deadline for voter registration is 19th May. You can check whether you are registered at: www.aboutmyvote.com
If you’re not yet old enough to vote then give older friends or family a nudge to make sure they do.
(2) HELP WITH LEAFLETS AND STALLS, OR COME TO AN EVENT
17 May. Chapel Allerton – Leafleting, meet outside The Three Hulats at 11am.
17 May. Harehills- Unite to Stop the BNP and Fascism in Europe, 2pm, Bangladeshi Centre, Roundhay Road.
23 May. Beeston – Unite to Stop the BNP and Fascism in Europe, 1.45pm, Hamara Centre, Tempest Road.
24 May. Beeston and Holbeck- Leafleting, meet outside the Hamara Centre, 11am.
29 May. LMHR: Paper Tiger LIVE @ TJ's, Woodhouse Liberal Club (with Mikey J, Fantastic Mr Fox & Rich Reason, High Pressure Soundsystem).
30 May. Love Music Hate Racism Festival 2009, transport leaves 10am, various locations across Leeds, tickets £20 including transport.
More leafleting sessions to be announced- look out for future e-mails, or sign up for text alerts (see below).
(3) NOT IN MY CITY, NOT IN MY STREET
If you can’t make any of the leafleting sessions, or want to do more, can you leaflet some streets in your area?
Fill in the attached form and send to:
e-mail: info@leedsuaf.org.uk
phone: 07932 221 014
post: Leeds UAF
c/o Leeds National Union of Teachers
Spen Lane
Leeds
LS16 5BE
(4) JOIN UNITE AGAINST FASCISM IN LEEDS
Fill in the attached form, or get in touch using the above contact details. Visit the Leeds website at: http://www.leedsuaf.org.uk.
(5) SIGN UP FOR TEXT ALERTS
Text your name to 07932 221 014, to receive texts about additional leafleting sessions and emergency protests against the BNP.
(6) COME TO AND HELP BUILD THE LMHR FESTIVAL IN STOKE
LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM FESTIVAL 2009
SATURDAY 30th MAY
Co-organised by Stoke City FC and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Supported by Kick Racism out of Football, The Independent, Unite the Union, NASUWT, Signal Radio, The Sentinel + many more
The 2009 Love Music Hate Racism Festival will be taking place at Stoke-on-Trent’s Britannia Stadium on the 30th May, running from 12 midday til 10pm.
The festival will be the highlight of LMHR’s campaign against the BNP in the European Parliament elections.
The fantastic initial line up announced this weeks includes…
Main stage:
N-Dubz
Reverend & The Makers
Jerry Dammers + very special guests (live)
The Beautiful South
The Beat
VV Brown
Bashy
Helsinki (Babyshambles’ Drew McConnell + special guests – last year’s included The View, Guillemots, Noisettes, Poly Styrene and Jimmy Pursey)
Roll Deep
The Sport
Delilah’s Dance Arena:
Mistjam (Radio 1/1Xtra) presents Speakerbox:
DJs inc Mistajam, CJ Beatz, Nighttrate, Blame.
PA’s inc Donae’o, Selah (w/Blame), Crazy Cousinz ft Kyla, Skepta
More headliners for both stages still tba!
Tickets cost just £10 and are available from:
Gigantic.com: http://www.gigantic.com/gigantic/home_love_music_hate_racism.html
Stoke City FC website: http://www.scfcdirect.com/boxoffice/chooseevent.aspx
Book yours now!
The Stoke Festival will be a nation-wide symbol of unity against racism and fascism. We’re urging local LMHR and UAF groups, trade unionists and student unions to block-book tickets (email us with your order) and book or sponsor local coaches to the Festival.
For more information and updates keep checking the festival site:
http://www.stokelmhrfestival.com/
Vote and get involved ahead of June 4th elections
Our campaign in the next 6 weeks centers around the European Parliament Elections, which take place on June 4th. The BNP are standing candidates across the country and we face the prospect, according to current polls, of as many as FOUR fascist MEPs from the British National Party representing the UK in the European Parliament come mid-June.
BUT THEY CAN BE STOPPED.
Any BNP success will rely on low turnout so we want to ensure that people are aware of this threat and that they register to vote in the June 4th poll, and use that vote on any party other than the BNP.
Each MEP that the BNP gains garners respectability for their racist views and "normalises" their poisonous message. Each MEP can claim hundreds of thousands of pounds in office and staff expenses. The BNP would use this money to employ full-time organisers to peddle race hatred. Areas where the BNP gains an electoral foothold see a sharp rise in the level of racist attacks as words of hate are turned to actions.
GET INVOLVED
(1) REMEMBER TO REGISTER TO VOTE!
The deadline for voter registration is 19th May. You can check whether you are registered at: www.aboutmyvote.com
If you’re not yet old enough to vote then give older friends or family a nudge to make sure they do.
(2) HELP WITH LEAFLETS AND STALLS, OR COME TO AN EVENT
17 May. Chapel Allerton – Leafleting, meet outside The Three Hulats at 11am.
17 May. Harehills- Unite to Stop the BNP and Fascism in Europe, 2pm, Bangladeshi Centre, Roundhay Road.
23 May. Beeston – Unite to Stop the BNP and Fascism in Europe, 1.45pm, Hamara Centre, Tempest Road.
24 May. Beeston and Holbeck- Leafleting, meet outside the Hamara Centre, 11am.
29 May. LMHR: Paper Tiger LIVE @ TJ's, Woodhouse Liberal Club (with Mikey J, Fantastic Mr Fox & Rich Reason, High Pressure Soundsystem).
30 May. Love Music Hate Racism Festival 2009, transport leaves 10am, various locations across Leeds, tickets £20 including transport.
More leafleting sessions to be announced- look out for future e-mails, or sign up for text alerts (see below).
(3) NOT IN MY CITY, NOT IN MY STREET
If you can’t make any of the leafleting sessions, or want to do more, can you leaflet some streets in your area?
Fill in the attached form and send to:
e-mail: info@leedsuaf.org.uk
phone: 07932 221 014
post: Leeds UAF
c/o Leeds National Union of Teachers
Spen Lane
Leeds
LS16 5BE
(4) JOIN UNITE AGAINST FASCISM IN LEEDS
Fill in the attached form, or get in touch using the above contact details. Visit the Leeds website at: http://www.leedsuaf.org.uk.
(5) SIGN UP FOR TEXT ALERTS
Text your name to 07932 221 014, to receive texts about additional leafleting sessions and emergency protests against the BNP.
(6) COME TO AND HELP BUILD THE LMHR FESTIVAL IN STOKE
LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM FESTIVAL 2009
SATURDAY 30th MAY
Co-organised by Stoke City FC and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Supported by Kick Racism out of Football, The Independent, Unite the Union, NASUWT, Signal Radio, The Sentinel + many more
The 2009 Love Music Hate Racism Festival will be taking place at Stoke-on-Trent’s Britannia Stadium on the 30th May, running from 12 midday til 10pm.
The festival will be the highlight of LMHR’s campaign against the BNP in the European Parliament elections.
The fantastic initial line up announced this weeks includes…
Main stage:
N-Dubz
Reverend & The Makers
Jerry Dammers + very special guests (live)
The Beautiful South
The Beat
VV Brown
Bashy
Helsinki (Babyshambles’ Drew McConnell + special guests – last year’s included The View, Guillemots, Noisettes, Poly Styrene and Jimmy Pursey)
Roll Deep
The Sport
Delilah’s Dance Arena:
Mistjam (Radio 1/1Xtra) presents Speakerbox:
DJs inc Mistajam, CJ Beatz, Nighttrate, Blame.
PA’s inc Donae’o, Selah (w/Blame), Crazy Cousinz ft Kyla, Skepta
More headliners for both stages still tba!
Tickets cost just £10 and are available from:
Gigantic.com: http://www.gigantic.com/gigantic/home_love_music_hate_racism.html
Stoke City FC website: http://www.scfcdirect.com/boxoffice/chooseevent.aspx
Book yours now!
The Stoke Festival will be a nation-wide symbol of unity against racism and fascism. We’re urging local LMHR and UAF groups, trade unionists and student unions to block-book tickets (email us with your order) and book or sponsor local coaches to the Festival.
For more information and updates keep checking the festival site:
http://www.stokelmhrfestival.com/
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