Christians on the Left

A meeting of the Oxford Branch of the Christian Socialist Movement, with Larry Sanders speaking, October 2007

Christians on the Left, formerly known as the Christian Socialist Movement (CSM), is a socialist society affiliated to the British Labour Party.

The CSM was an amalgamation of the Society of Socialist Clergy and Ministers and the Socialist Christian League. R. H. Tawney made one of his last public appearances at the Movement's inaugural meeting on 22 January 1960. Donald Soper chaired the Movement until becoming its President in 1975. In August 2013 it announced that following a consultant with its members it would be changing its name to Christians on the Left[1]

The movement fulfilled a need among Christian socialist activists on the Christian left in Britain for an organisation that would be politically engaged and theologically reflective at the same time. It affiliated to the Labour Party in 1988.

The CSM was a volunteer organisation until 1994 when it appointed a co-ordinator, followed by an administrator. This followed interest in the movement following the disclosure that the then Labour Leader John Smith was a member.

Today Christians on the Left has over 40 members in the House of Commons and House of Lords, including former prime minister Gordon Brown.[2] As of April 2009, its Director was Andy Flannagan; its Executive Committee Chair was Alun Michael; its Vice Chair was Helen Dennis.

Christians on the Left is a member organisation of the International League of Religious Socialists.

Notes

  1. ↑ CSM to become Christians On The Left
  2. ↑ "Labour Party Affiliation". Christian Socialist Movement website. Retrieved 2009-04-11.

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