Kmflett's Blog

Socialist History Seminars Spring Term 2023

Monday January 23^rd 5.30pm Steve Cushion. The Drax Family Dynasty and the Business of Slavery: Reparations for Enslavement as a Trade Union Issue. Book https://www.history.ac.uk/events/drax-family-dynasty-business-slavery-reparations-enslavement-a-trade-union-issue

Monday February 13^th 5.30pm John Foot, The Left and Italian Fascism. Violence and Victims? Book https://www.history.ac.uk/events/left-italian-fascism-violence-victims

Monday February 20th 5.30pm, Judy Greenway, ‘A Poet among the Social Reformers’: Elizabeth Gibson Cheyne, Suffragist, Socialist and Freethinker. Book https://www.history.ac.uk/events/a-poet-among-social-reformers-elizabeth-gibson-cheyne-suffragist-socialist-freethinker

Monday March 6th 5.30pm Merilyn Moos, Living With Shadows. A memoir of a daughter of German Anti-Nazi activists. Book https://www.history.ac.uk/events/living-shadows-a-memoir-a-daughter-german-anti-nazi-activists

I will be talking about how my memoir, through a series of evocative vignettes, casts light on the impact of being the child of activist political refugees from Nazi Germany. It is often supposed that a person born in the UK will not feel like an outsider but this talk will consider how far the shadow of the past shaped my lived experience and sense of being as well as the contrary ways by which I became a revolutionary

Beard Liberation Front

5th December

Contact BLF Organiser Keith Flett 07803 167266

Jeremy Corbyn faces challenge for Parliamentary Beard of the Year final vote

The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has revealed the shortlist for the Parliamentary Beard of the Year 2022.

Eight candidates will attempt to shave each other for the coveted annual accolade. Jeremy Corbyn received the award in 2021 for a record ninth time. He now faces three other MPs for a place in the final.

Former Cabinet Minister Sajid Javid failed to make the final cut with Colum Eastwood and Andy McDonald winning the first close shave round.

The winner of Parliamentary Beard of the Year will be announced on 14th December

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, Jeremy Corbyn may have won the Parliamentary Beard of the Year vote nine times but past performance is no guide to present success. It’s the impact of his beard in 2022 that counts here.

Parliamentary Beard of the Year 2021 shortlist

Jeremy Corbyn, (Independent Labour, Islington North)

Andy McDonald (Labour, Middlesbrough)

Jon Trickett (Labour, Hemsworth)

Andrew Stephenson (Tory, Pendle)

Colum Eastwood (SDLP, Foyle)

James Duddridge (Tory, Southend)

Sajid Javid (Tory, Bromsgrove)

Toby Perkins (Labour, Chesterfield)

Voting will start in early December. Two preliminary close shave rounds will provide four finalists for a Beard Off round with the result announced on 14th December

Close Shave Round One Dec 2-4

Close Shave Round Two Dec 5-7

Beard Off final Round Dec 10-12

I was intrigued by this picture of Stuart Hall the first Editor of New Left Review carrying the journal’s banner on what I suspect was the 1961 CND march. I wasnt aware NLR ever had a banner but as the convenor of the London Socialist Historians Group, which does have a banner which hasnt been on a demo for some years I recognise a sort of political and historical process at work. Any further pictures of the banner viewed with interest…

Update

I’ve had a look through the issues of New Left Review for 1960 and 1961 when Stuart Hall was Editor (He resigned in December 1961). There is nothing specifically about the banner! Nor of course is there anything particularly not known to historians of the new left.

In this period, over 60 years ago now, NLR was of course a theoretical journal as it remains, but it was also a network of activists, what is known as the first or Old New Left. There was NLR Clubs around the country-up to 50 at one point. There was also a serious orientation on CND, in its first mass movement phase and the Labour Party- a daily newsletter was produced for Labour Conferences.

There are occasional notes from the Editorial Board and the one marking Stuart Hall’s departure as Editor, also underlined that he had been very active in building the new left, speaking at up to six meetings a week. That probably explains why he is pictured with the NLR banner but details of how often it appeared and where remain to be discovered.

Hall wrote a memoir of his time as Editor of NLR- the first 12 issues (NLR 2/61 2010) where he underlines the orientation on the new layers of people coming into activity with CND which very much fitted the first New Left perspective of being non-aligned with either social democracy or Stalinism

Craft Beer & the cost of living crisis

Marx’s analysis of capitalism has several points which are relevant to the cost of living crisis and the current state of craft beer. Firstly that capitalism while promoting a free market ideology in fact tends towards monopoly. Secondly that it is a system based on crisis. In order for profit to be made there must regular clear outs of less efficient areas.

None of this helps if your favourite craft beer brewery or bar is struggling but given the wide impact of the cost of living crisis and the Government’s reluctance to do much to help SMEs there will unfortunately be trouble ahead.

I don’t know if Pete Brown had his copy of Capital Volume One to hand when he wrote about craft beer for the Sunday Times (4^th December, paywalled but see photo above) but his article certainly constitutes what nineteenth century radicals would have called really useful knowledge about the state of craft beer.

While numbers of small independent brewers and bars are struggling what many would see as craft beer thrive. I refer of course to the likes of Camden Helles and Beavertown Neck Oil, owned by global brewers ABInBev and Heineken respectively. There is nothing wrong with these beers. Quite the opposite. They are brewed at state of the art breweries in North London (tofu and copies of the Guardian optional)but this is big business. It’s a world away from the quirky craft beer operations designed to meet local tastes and experimenting with new styles that is what many (even those drinking Helles and Neck Oil) associate with craft beer.

As Pete Brown concludes this winter it’s a case of use it or lose it. Of course for many struggling to get by that will be an issue in itself. What not organise to get a pay rise too?

Beard Liberation Front

4th December

Contact BLF Organiser Keith Flett 07803 167266

Sajid Javid fails to make shortlist for Parliamentary Beard of the Year

The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has revealed the shortlist for the Parliamentary Beard of the Year 2022.

Eight candidates will attempt to shave each other for the coveted annual accolade. Jeremy Corbyn received the award in 2021 for a record ninth time.

In the first close shave round Colum Eastwood and Andy McDonald went through to the final beard off vote. Former Tory Minister Sajid Javid failed to make the cut

The winner of Parliamentary Beard of the Year will be announced on 14th December

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, As the Chester By-Election underlined the Tories are deeply unpopular at the moment. It doesn’t matter how much gravitas a Tory beard wearer has they are unlikely to make a positive public impression. Nadhim Zahawi is an obvious case in point. Congratulations go to Colum Eastwood and Andy McDonald.

Parliamentary Beard of the Year 2021 shortlist

Jeremy Corbyn, (Independent Labour, Islington North)

Andy McDonald (Labour, Middlesbrough)

Jon Trickett (Labour, Hemsworth)

Andrew Stephenson (Tory, Pendle)

Colum Eastwood (SDLP, Foyle)

James Duddridge (Tory, Southend)

Sajid Javid (Tory, Bromsgrove)

Toby Perkins (Labour, Chesterfield)

Voting will start in early December. Two preliminary close shave rounds will provide four finalists for a Beard Off round with the result announced on 14th December

Close Shave Round One Dec 2-4

Close Shave Round Two Dec 5-7

Beard Off final Round Dec 9-12

The Ambridge Socialist

Cost of Living crisis: we say enough is enough

BBC reporting from Ambridge is focusing on the cost of living crisis, rightly so. Tracy is buying Xmas dinner bit by bit as money allows, while Jazzer ponders some cut price pork from Berrow Farm. Meanwhile The Bull and the Tea Rooms have started Winter Warmer sessions where people can stop by to warm up and save on the cost of heating at home. Stella has discussed how to get an affordable costume for a school requirement. The focus is good, up to a point. Its surely time for an Enough is Enough rally on the village green and a demand that employers in the area pay a proper living wage.

Ben in crisis

Ben has been self-obsessed since his break up with Beth and his liaison with Chelsea. Chelsea is moving on but Ben isn’t. While self-obsession is perfectly normal for members of the Archers Dynasty, Ben has developed health issues. We can only hope that hard pressed NHS services in Tory Borsetshire have the resources to help him.

In Other News

David is cooking the Christmas dinner at Brookfield as Jill remains in exile. She has taken all her Christmas recipes with her, so it may be a microwave job

The two choirs of Ambridge. Mick has signed up to warble with Jolene while Joy is with Fallon. Why not a battle of the choirs.

In a plus side to the cost of living crisis Joy has determined the hot tub is out of commission.

The future of St Stephens

Now that the census has revealed that less than 50% of people see themselves as Christian its surely time for alternative uses for St Stephens to be looked at. A Wetherspoons may be out of the question at the moment, but perhaps a community centre with a cordoned off area for Church related activities..

In April 2021  the Government under FOI released two texts from then Chancellor Rishi Sunak to former Tory PM Dave Cameron.

Cameron was attempting to lobby Sunak for COVID grant money for the now collapsed Greensill finance company who he was then working for.

The texts from Cameron to Sunak remain private.

Sunak promised to try and ring Cameron when he had finished meetings and in a second text said he was pushing officials to find a way to provide funds. Ultimately the senior officials did not.

It reflected what is now known as a ‘chumocracy’ William Cobbett’s world of placemen and sinecures before the 1832 Reform Act that he called The Thing, a sort of many headed hydra of power & money. Cameron did PPE at Brasenose College Oxford and some years later Sunak did PPE at Lincoln College Oxford. The two colleges are adjacent.

Sunak went to Winchester whereas Cameron was at Eton but there is an assumption of favours and special treatment here based on class background. Ultimately it didn’t work out and we can thank not the Tory politicians but the professional diligence of civil servants for that.

In Mr Sunak’s reply to a text from Mr Cameron on 3 April 2020, the chancellor said: “Hi David, thanks for your message. I am stuck back to back on calls but will try you later this evening and if gets too late, first thing tomorrow. Best, Rishi.”

In the second reply on 23 April, Mr Sunak said: “Hi David, apologies for the delay. I think the proposals in the end did require a change to the Market Notice but I have pushed the team to explore an alternative with the Bank that might work.

“No guarantees, but the Bank are currently looking at it and Charles should be in touch. Best, Rishi.”

Source: BBC News

This is part of British political history but it raises the question how with messaging services, much of this history is going unrecorded

CAMPAIGN FOR REAL SANTAS

Organised by the Beard Liberation Front

3^rd December

Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266

Campaign For Real Santas praises those who promote the Beard Power of Santa

The Campaign for Real Santas, which promotes Santas with genuine organic beards, has said that it has identified a range of Santas who, while not having genuine organic beards, are paying tribute to the positive power of Santa’s beard

The campaign promotes real Santas with genuine beards by warning people to be aware of absurd false bearded Santas as the busiest pre-Christmas shopping weekends get underway.

The Campaigners say that with unemployment and under-employment amongst mature men over 50, there are limited reasons for anyone to use an assistant Santa who does not have a real beard.

At the same time the Campaign is also keen to encourage more female Santas with organic knitted beards.

Campaigners are urging parents and children to demand that Santas vigorously tug their beards as a definitive test as to whether they are in the presence of a real Santa or not.

CFRS organiser Keith Flett said, while there are Santas out there with genuine beards and others with ridiculous fake ones, there are also Santas who seeking to pay tribute to the beard power that Santa has.

THREE STEPS TO SPOT A GENUINE SANTA

1 Ask the Santa to tug their beard. If it comes away, then the Santa may be FAKE

2 If the beard remains intact ask the Santa to tug their beard again. If the Santa swears then they are genuine. If they simply repeat a ‘ho ho ho’ mantra they are FAKE

3 The Campaign for Real Santas says that genuine Santas must have just the right mix of bonhomie and grumpiness and a real organic beard or an acceptable alternative.

Notes

The Organic Santa of 2022 will be named on December 18th. In 2020 and 2021 Michael Rosen shaved Brian Blessed for the annual honour

The Campaign for Real Santas is organised by the Beard Liberation Front

Their Festive Season & Ours. Guide to what champagne to drink with your egg & chips

The media is full of guides on how to reduce spending this Christmas for the many who are cash strapped thanks to the cost of living crisis.

Not everyone has this problem though. The Financial Times (26^th November) published a guide to the best champagne to drink with some arguably proletarian food choices.

The best champagne to match with a burger for example is Eric Rodez Rose that costs a mere 65.55 a bottle.

If you prefer marmite on toast then Gosset Grand Reserve at £52 is the thing.

Cheers…. If you can afford it. If you can’t get protesting. It’s free

Beard Liberation Front

2^nd December

Contact BLF Organiser Keith Flett 07803 167266

Sajid Javid on Shortlist for Parliamentary Beard of the Year

The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has revealed the shortlist for the Parliamentary Beard of the Year 2022.

When voting opens eight candidates will attempt to shave each other for the coveted annual accolade. Jeremy Corbyn received the award in 2021 for a record ninth time.

Former Cabinet Minister Sajid Javid, who has announced his intention to step down as an MP at the next Election, has been shortlisted

The winner of Parliamentary Beard of the Year will be announced on 14th December

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, as usual it’s not about whether the politics of a particular MP are approved of or not. It is about the positive impact their beard has had in the public eye during the year, or not as the case may be. There are no whips or block votes involved so it’s entirely down to public support. Sajid Javid is currently the most senior Tory MP with a beard. He may do better in this vote than he might have done at the next Election

Parliamentary Beard of the Year 2021 shortlist

Jeremy Corbyn, (Independent Labour, Islington North)

Andy McDonald (Labour, Middlesbrough)

Jon Trickett (Labour, Hemsworth)

Andrew Stephenson (Tory, Pendle)

Colum Eastwood (SDLP, Foyle)

James Duddridge (Tory, Southend)

Sajid Javid (Tory, Bromsgrove)

Toby Perkins (Labour, Chesterfield)

Voting will start in early December. Two preliminary close shave rounds will provide four finalists for a Beard Off round with the result announced on 14th December

Close Shave Round One Dec 2-4

Close Shave Round Two Dec 5-7

Beard Off final Round Dec 9-12