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Marxism Today is essential reading for everyone involved in political and democratic questions. Where else could you get such thoughtful and informa- tive pieces? Happy birthday - warmest congratulations. Lang mae yer lum reek. Gordon McLennan (General Secretary, Communist Party) Reading Marxism Today gives me a bit of mental space in a crowded world. As a woman, however, I would prefer that it enabled me to take space. Inez McCormack (trade union official) For most of its 30 year life, Marxism Today has served with honour the development of marxist-leninist theory; we are sure it will return to its I get Marxism Today. I read it. I wel- historical role again in the future. comed the new format and MT quite Tony Chater (editor, Morning Star) frequently figures in my work and in my social discourse, although I wish it were less London-centred. MT has not yet Happy made itself necessary as a journal but it's on the way. Trevor Griffiths (playwright) Birthday I always read Marxism Today. I don't always agree with it but I think it is a stylish, well-written and beautifully produced magazine. It makes a unique To Us and important contribution to debates' on the Left. In particular, it has made an important intervention in the debate Marxism Today is 30 this month. around the relationship between race, Despite approaching early middle sex and class. I wish it another age, we still seem to be growing - and successful 30 years. far from settling down, we seem to be Diane Abbott (Labour MP) Having foreseen the Steel-Owen di- causing more bother and raising vorce in Marxism Today last March, I more eyebrows than ever before. We am delighted to pay my respects on your 30th birthday. For a bourgeois magazine asked an unscientifically selected to include the views of a simple work- group of readers what Marxism ing-class lad like myself proves what a grand job you're doing. I wonder if Marxism Today has been vital in Today means to them Harry Pollitt reads the wine column. moving the issue of democracy and the Derek Jameson (broadcaster) future of socialism to the centre of political debate in Britain. Ken Livingstone (Labour MP) Marxism Today means I have a grip on the world. I never bullshit without a copy under my arm. Pat Kane (musician, Hue and Cry) Marxism Today is to me like an extreme- ly bright, cheerful little rodent, with bright-rimmed glasses and a bow tie, leaping off a sinking ship. Michael Ignatieff (writer) To me Marxism Today means a con- troversial and very readable journal, one that produces controversy by speaking uncomfortable truths, saying Marxism Today is always worth reading things the Left does not always want to even when it's wrong. hear. However, it must beware of a Clare Short (Labour MP) growing tendency to produce con- troversy for its own sake. I feel that it I'm extremely glad that the Marx has reached a critical juncture; a point brothers' memory is being kept alive where it must be careful not to alienate since their films were among my its readership while maintaining its favourites. Was it Karl who sang? valuable, and necessary, cutting edge. Muriel Grey (broadcaster) David Blunkett (Labour MP) 32 MARXISM TODAY OCTOBER 1987 Marxism Today is to marxism what Eddie Shah is to Today. Ann Pettitfor (Labour activist) You've still got your complement of petty-marxists who spin their beliefs out with all the finesse of single issue fanatics everywhere. Nevertheless you do have some writers who are not ideological about their ideologies. If there was a second coming, I'm sure He would write for you. John McVicar (journalist) It makes me think. George Bolton (president, Scottish NUM) I try to apply my political ideas and I hate being caught on the spot! I get feelings to everything I do - I read most of my political education from Marxism Today because it does the conversations with friends and musi- same. We don't always agree but I cians. When I do see Marxism Today, enjoy it more when we think different- it's a good read. ly than when we think alike. Sarah Jane Morris (musician) Jill Tweedie (writer) I enjoy quarrelling with Marxism To- Marxism Today has been something day. In the average article my 'yes-but's almost entirely new on the Left: always usually start around paragraph three. I open-minded, striving to be fair to its like its intellectual honesty. It rarely opponents, usually jargon-free, and takes refuge in 'scapegoating' or in often a pleasure to read. It is thus in- knee-jerk rhetoric of the 'Thatcher's escapably a symptom of the decline of vicious attacks on' variety. I think its socialism. title is misleading. I see very little Ferdinand Mount (journalist, The Spec- which is classically marxist in its analy- tator) sis, which is presumably why so many marxists hate it. Socialism For The Thinking Yuppie may not be a snappy title but would undoubtedly be a more accurate one. Ann Leslie (journalist, Daily Mail) The great thing about Marxism Today, and especially Martin Jacques, was the courage in taking on established and often fossilised thinking on the Left at a time when to challenge that thinking was regarded as divisive and heretical. Marxism Today opened up, for anyone on the Left prepared to think, major areas of policy and of culture which had been dust-covered for too long and made the job of others like myself much easier. John Lloyd (editor, New Statesman) As a musician I find Marxism Today useful. It takes cultural politics seriously and has become a major force on the Left. Simon Booth (musician, Working Week) Marxism Today has long provided a significant forum for discussions about socialism and we now need to extend the dialogue to include all those who are on the Left. Tony Benn (Labour MP) Best wishes to Marxism Today for Marxism Today is an early warning many tomorrows. system for the movement. You don't Neil Kinnock (leader of the Labour always agree with what it says, but you Party) cannot disregard it. Why does Marxism Today keep asking Tom Sawyer (deputy general secretary, It is very useful to have the credo of the questions like this? If you must know NUPE) greatest ideological influence of the I've just given myself an advance 20th century expressed in such a read- birthday present and taken out a sub to Oh, that's heavy ... I never read it. I able and regular manner. MT. I can't bear to be without it. don't know anything about it. Melvyn Bragg (broadcaster) Joan Ruddock (Labour MP) Paul Smith (fashion designer) 33 MARXISM TODAY OCTOBER 1987.
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