Three Candidates statements for Fabian Executive including myself

As a Labour party progressive, I feel we need to change society. We must make it more equal, so more inclusive than exclusive. As part of this change we must close the poverty gap. As an active trade unionist, co-operator, Manchester society member and democratic socialist, I feel we must debate key issues around us including the environment and economic instability. I will hopefully match the proud tradition of Fabians.

John Wiseman

Scott Lomax has announced he is standing again, Scott is a fellow progressive, who would add much to the Fabian Executive.  As some of you may know Scott has stood before and has a facebook group.

Scott Lomax


I am writing to you as I think you may be a Fabian Society member. If you are
not - apologies, but you should be flattered. If you are, you will soon be
receiving your ballot paper for the election to the Fabian Executive. I am
standing and I would like to ask for one of your votes.

For the past year, as most of you will know, I have been Chair of the Young
Fabians. I have previously served as Vice Chair, International Officer, and
Policy and Publications Officer, and have been active in the Society for five
years. Last year I edited and co-wrote the Fabian pamphlet 'Stopping the Far
Right'.

During my year as Chair, Young Fabian membership has grown rapidly, at a time
when membership of the Labour Party and other sections of the Fabian Society has
decreased. Despite having no staff, we have held over 40 events. At Labour
Conference next week, we will be hosting a fringe and reception. We have
produced four issues of Anticipations, and four editions of our policy
newsletter. Our Schools Project has been backed by over 20 MPs and has reached
out to thousands of young people for whom the Project is their first taste of
politics. We are leading a trip of nearly 100 Labour and Fabian members to Ohio
for the US elections and have developed a new website - www.youngfabians.org.uk.
Finally, we formed six policy commissions and held consultations throughout the
year with our members to produce a submission to Ed Miliband MP on our proposals
for the next Labour manifesto - a process commended by Ed and by many senior
MPs.

Of course, the fantastic Young Fabian Executive members who organised this
year's events, publications, projects, trips and consultations should take the
credit for these achievements. However, I hope that my chairing has contributed
to what has been - despite a difficult political environment - a fantastic year
for the Young Fabians.

Throughout the year, I have also represented the Young Fabians on the Fabian
Society Executive, attending every meeting and successfully rebutting a proposal
to diminish Young Fabian representation on the Fabian Executive.

I do not want to be elected simply to amass points for a political CV. To
reinvigorate our party, we need a constant supply of new centre-left ideas. The
Fabian Society is a unique source of this thinking and I believe that I have a
valuable contribution to make to the next year of Fabian work. My strong
commitment to the Fabian Society is clear from my work with the Young Fabians
over the last five years. If elected, I would continue this commitment and would
always be open to ideas from the Fabian membership.

Please do not 'reply all' to this message, as people will get angry and nobody
will vote for me. If you would like to ask me any questions about this, or the
work of the Young Fabians, drop me an email at markrusling@hotmail.com or give
me a ring - 07796 393944.

Best wishes, Mark Rusling