Labour Left Briefing

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Labour Briefing is a monthly political magazine produced by members of the British Labour Party.

It originated in the 1980s as London Labour Briefing, edited by (among others) Graham Bash, Chris Knight and Keith Venness and counting Ken Livingstone, Tony Benn and other prominent Labour councillors and MPs among its supporters. Throughout the early period, Its masthead slogan was "Labour - take the power!" While the magazine's followers often acted as a political faction, its internal politics were non-sectarian and open, ranging from democratic socialist backers of the former Labour MP Tony Benn to some of the Trotskyist groups.[1]

The group campaigned for left-wing policies and greater democracy in the Labour Party. The paper also emphasised sexual and personal politics and anti-racism campaigns. London Labour Briefing was also prominent in supporting Irish Republicanism and the UK Miners' Strike (1984-1985). In due course, London Labour Briefing spawned local papers around Britain, such as Devon Labour Briefing.

Throughout the 1990s, London Labour Briefing lost supporters and influence as New Labour's hold over the Labour Party increased. London Labour Briefing also diminished as control inside the Labour Party was centralised, and the role played by activists was reduced.

London Labour Briefing was renamed Labour Briefing and was then known as Labour Left Briefing. In 2008 it reverted to Labour Briefing on merging with Voice of the Unions. It supports the Socialist Campaign Group of Members of Parliament, and aims to promote and build the network of local Campaign Groups.

Labour Briefing voted to be hosted by the pressure group Labour Representation Committee in 2012.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Peter Barberis, John McHugh, Mike Tyldesley Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations: Parties, Groups and Movements of the Twentieth Century, London: Pinter, 2000, p.284
  2. ↑ Labour Briefing AGM votes to transfer to LRC http://www.labourbriefing.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=595:labour-briefing-agm-votes-to-transfer-to-lrc&catid=36:editorial&Itemid=53

External links

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