July-August 2016 Vol. 121 No. 7 Ethical The Proceedings of the Record

Utopia Corbynomics ‘Marxism Now Can Work 2016’ by Reggie Adams by Neil Faulkner by Tom Rubens PAGE 16 PAGE 19 PAGE 22 CONWAY HALL ETHICAL SOCIETY Conway Hall 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL www.conwayhall.org.uk

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THE HUMANIST LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES

Conway Hall Humanist Library and Archives is home to a unique collection of published and archival sources on humanism and its related subjects. We are open for members, researchers and the general public on Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10 till 17. Our collections include printed materials such as books, pamphlets and journals as well as archival material of unpublished institutional and personal records and papers, such as manuscripts, letters and photographs. For your time and convenience it is advisable to contact the library before your visit so we can ensure the material you seek is available. Tel: 020 7061 6747. Email: [email protected]

Reg. Charity No. 1156033 Founded in 1793, the Society is a progressive movement whose Charitable Objects are: the advancement of study, research and education in humanist ethical principles. We invite people who identify with our aims, principles and objects to join our society. The Society maintains the Humanist Library and Archives. The Society’s journal, Ethical Record, is issued monthly. Conway Hall’s educational programmes include Thinking on Sunday, London Thinks, discussions, debates and lectures, courses, and Sunday concerts of chamber music. Memorials, funerals, weddings, and baby naming ceremonies can also be arranged. The annual subscription is £35 (£25 if a full-time student, unwaged or over 65) EDITORIAL On Leaving the Editorship

This July-August issue of theEthical Record will be the last one I edit on behalf of the Ethical Society. Although there have recently been several significant changes in how the journal is managed and produced, my main reason for retiring is that after 24 years I think it’s time for someone else to take over. I shall still be involved in helping to plan the Thinking on Sunday programme, welcoming your sug- gestions for subjects and speakers. I would like to spend more time on studying those questions which particularly interest me, such as how best to present to the public the humanist, naturalist point of view, the contradictions between science and religion, and the insoluble problem (maybe) of how the brain produces consciousness. I believe that the Ethical Society itself is well-placed to contribute to these matters, which happily would be quite in accord with its charitable objectives.

THE EU REFERENDUM – LEAVE OR REMAIN?

The Society as such does not take a view and so has hosted speakers from each side of the debate. This issue of the ER contains speakers for leaving (Pat McKenna) and for remaining (A.C. Grayling). Readers may of course contrib- ute their Viewpoints by writing to the Editor.

Norman Bacrac

In This Issue of the Ethical Record:

05 Behind the Scenes at Conway Hall – Responding to the EU Referendum Result Jim Walsh 07 Letter to all 650 MPs Professor A.C. Grayling 09 Discussion on EU Referendum Result Joseph Lacy 12 Congratulations on the Brexit Vote for Democracy! Patricia McKenna 14 Viewpoint: Some Thoughts in Favour of Brexit David Simmonds 16 Utopia Now Reggie Adams 19 Corbynomics Can Work Dr Neil Faulkner 22 ‘Marxism 2016’ Tom Rubens 24 Viewpoint: Atheists Awake! David A. Langdown 25 Viewpoint: Land of Hope – alternative national anthem Jay Ginn 26 Book Review: Wilma’s Story Norman Bacrac 27 Wildcat Anarchist Comics 24 Forthcoming Events

3 DON’T LET THE DUST SETTLE ON BREXIT

An event to stop the dust from settling, to provide a place for people to gather, and to stimulate independent thinking about where to go from here. #nodust Tickets £10, Concessions £5 Tickets purchased online, in advance. 100 free tickets for those 18 & under (booking essential). Monday 5 September Conway Hall Doors open 7pm 25 Red Lion Square Start 7.30pm London WC1R 4RL conwayhall.org.uk/nodust

CHRIS ARNING / MARK EARLS / AC GRAYLING / KATE HAMMER / TIM LENKIEWICZ / ANDRA SONEA / AND MANY OTHERS TBC

For anyone aged 12 and up An evening of non-party political conversation who has been affected by the and provocation relating to the Advisory EU Referendum and its aftermath. Referendum, its results and Brexit. poster by graincreative.com throughline.co.uk LONDON THINKS SWOOPS INTO ACTION Behind the Scenes at Conway Hall – Responding to the EU Referendum

Result

Dr Jim Walsh Watching the unfolding drama afterwards was a On 23rd June 2016 the UK had a referendum on mesmerising experience. David Cameron resigned whether to leave or remain in the European Union. on 24th June and stated that he was not going to The result that broke on 24th June was that 52% of invoke article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – the process the votes were in favour of leaving and 48% were in by which a member state leaves the EU – that would favour of remaining. The news that “Brexit” had won be left to the next Prime Minister to deal with. Nigel screamed across all media channels. The aftermath Farage declared on 23rd June an “Independence day”, is still being felt. Labour MPs started resigning from Jeremy Corbyn’s

5 shadow cabinet. Boris Johnson and Michael Gove Now send them home” were being worn openly. looked suspiciously sheepish at what one would have Verbal and physical attacks were coming thick and thought was their moment of glory – one doesn’t look fast. Pandora’s Box seemed to be lidless and smashed like one wants to “take back control” when wearing on the floor. a frown and wringing one’s hands. The week felt as To this background, speakers were committing, if political sands were continually shifting. although some unfortunately couldn’t attend due By 29th June, it was clear something should to prior engagements to do with such things as the happen at Conway Hall as soon as possible. The long awaited release of the Chilcot Report. The final ‘spirit’ of Conway Hall as a place for social change panel, though, was assembled alongside Professor and radical thought had to be galvanised and fired A.C. Grayling and included: up. History was in the making on a daily basis. As an educational charity the prime driver was to deliver • Matthew Goodwin – Professor of Politics and a panel of experts who might be able to educate in International Relations at the University of Kent terms of “What Happens Next?” • James O’Malley – Journalist – petitioning the Professor A.C. Grayling was the first to commit London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, for London’s to speaking and a date was found – 6th July – for Independence and to give London a chance of the event. The title “The EU Referendum – What remaining in the EU as a city state Happens Next?” was pushed out under the London • Shannon Harmon – co-founder of the Stop 35K Thinks banner and tickets went on sale on 29th June. campaign – a pay threshold imposed by the The text – the blurb – for the event was crafted at government on skilled migrant workers from speed as follows, with speakers added as they came outside the EU. on stream over the next few days; • Takis Tridimas – Professor of European Law at “Now that the result of the referendum for the King’s College London. UK’s membership of the EU is known, we need to see how change in the UK will take place. The event was chaired by Guy Foster – City of There are still many questions left unanswered: London Political and Financial commentator – and How and when will this process happen? What are attended by over 350 people. The results can be the long-term and short-term effects of Brexit? What viewed on the Conway Hall channel on YouTube. will happen to the non-UK residents living here and To achieve in one week what usually takes the millions of UK nationals living outside the UK? months of preparation was due to the efforts of the How can the Leave campaign fulfil their promises on staff team at Conway Hall, the commitment of the extremism, immigration and the NHS? Will they? speakers, but also the need for urgency and ‘stand- What about Article 50? Is the second referendum ing up’ amidst scenes of seismic political shifts on which some Remainers are petitioning for a real a daily basis. possibility?” As always, there is the next event. Watch this On 1st July Professor Grayling sent his letter to all space – www.conwayhall.org.uk – for “Don’t Let the 650 MPs urging Parliament not to support a motion Dust Settle on Brexit” on 5th September. to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty (please see full text of this letter on page 7). On 2nd July a “March For Europe” rally was held with tens of thou- sands turning out in London and meeting peacefully at Parliament Square to hear speeches from several active remain campaigners such as David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham. News was constantly coming in regarding racist abuse escalating, as many thought and acted upon long repressed bitterness that now seemed ok, in their eyes, to exhibit. T-shirts with “Yes, we’ve won.

6 Letter from Professor A.C. Grayling to all 650 MPs

29 June 2016 For all these reasons and more, there is a powerful case for At the urging of many of my students – who come both from Parliament to use its discretion to determine that it is not in the United Kingdom and the European Union – and my own the UK’s interests to leave the EU. conscience, I write to you to express a respectful but strongly No doubt this will cause anxiety among those MPs who held view that, for the reasons set out below, Parliament should think that a simple majority in a referendum confers a moral, not support a motion to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. even though not legal, obligation to treat the referendum It is within your democratic remit and duty as a Member of outcome as prescriptive and binding. This is far from being our Parliament to vote on whether to initiate that procedure. so, for the following reasons. By voting not to do so, you will keep the UK in the EU. First, in most jurisdictions major constitutional change The non-binding referendum, its circumstances, and its slim requires a supermajority or two-thirds majority to effect them majority achieved in those circumstances, is not an adequate (as e.g. in the USA and Germany), whether in a legislature or in ground for the UK to leave the EU. referendums. In Switzerland, which alone among developed The relevant factors and reasons are as follows. nations employs frequent referendums in its ‘semi-direct’ In order for the UK to begin the process of leaving the democracy, major decisions require a double majority of the EU, Parliament has to vote in favour of invoking Article 50. electorate and the cantons. It is possible that complex constitutional issues might have For a very major change such as exiting the EU, it is not to be settled in advance of such a vote, for example repeal acceptable to have matters decided by a small simple majority. of the 1972 European Communities Act. This is a matter that So great a change requires a significant degree of genuine con- legal expertise is required to settle. But the key matter in the sensus, at the minimum such as a 60% majority would reflect. end is a vote on whether to initiate the Article 50 procedure. Second, a referendum is in essence a decision by crowd Parliament as presently constituted has a substantial major- acclamation. You will of course well understand that there is ity in favour of remaining in the EU. Given the following factors: an excellent reason why most advanced and mature polities • that the referendum was advisory only and non-binding, do not have systems of ‘direct democracy’ but instead have • that the majority for ‘Brexit’ was small (3.8%), systems of representative democracy, in which legislators are • that there are major questions about the circumstances not delegates sent by their constituents but agents tasked of the respective Remain and especially Leave cam- and empowered to investigate, debate and decide on behalf paigns regarding probity of information, claims and of their constituents. This reason is that rule by crowd accla- promises made to voters, mation is a very poor method of government. • that a serious risk of break-up of the UK impends upon a Consider: suppose that every item of proposed legislation ‘Brexit,’ were decided by referendums, which would therefore occur • that the economic consequences of a ‘Brexit’ are not in very frequently. Bills on health and safety in manufacturing the UK’s favour, industry, on reform of higher education, on the use of chemi- • that a ‘Brexit’ would damage our neighbours and part- cals in water treatment plants, on regulation of air traffic over ners in Europe, the nation’s airports – bills proposed by government and • and that the future of the young of our country is focally drafted in detail by civil servants – would be presented to the implicated in the decision, public, who would then vote. Would that work?

7 Very obviously, not. The expertise, patience and time that One of the most important reasons why Parliament must most of the public could bring to the task would be extremely take a bold sovereign stand on the outcome of this small-ma- limited; the lack of expertise, especially, would be a serious, jority advisory referendum, is the interests of the young. We perhaps disastrous, handicap. And very soon turnouts in ref- know that the Remain and Leave votes divided along the fault erendums would plummet to single figures, rendering their lines of age, educational level, and geography. There is every democratic value nugatory. reason to urge that the wishes and interests of the young – the Now I beg: really do consider the implications of the fore- younger, more aspirational creators of the country’s future – going thought. Referendums are snapshots of sentiment at a should be given most weight. Parliament should protect those given point in time. Government by referendum is government interests and respect those wishes. Some say that any among by crowd acclamation: not democracy, but ochlocracy. That the young who could vote but did not, have only themselves is exactly why we have representative democracy. If referen- to blame. This argument will not do. Those young people dums would be a poor way to decide on health and safety, might have legitimately thought that their elders would not air traffic control, or education, they are an exceedingly poor be so foolish as to betray the future by a ‘Brexit’ vote. But way to decide a matter as momentous as membership of the punishing them with a ‘Brexit’ is not the right response. The EU. This is and should be a matter for Parliament, taking all sober judgment of Parliament should be on their side. factors into account. You might think that Parliament’s discretion not to trigger Moreover: the circumstances of the campaigns and the the Article 50 procedure would leave matters hanging in the consequences of the vote itself must be considered. There was air, with continued uncertainty and the instability and political a great deal of misinformation, distortion, and false promises, upheaval that it would bring. much of it quickly revealed in the immediate aftermath of the Not so. vote, and resiled upon even by those who had made those In debating and voting on whether to trigger the Article claims and promises. Tabloid urgings for Brexit were followed, 50 procedure, it can be made clear that Parliament has noted in the very same tabloids, immediately after the vote by infor- • the outcome of the advisory referendum, mation on its consequences which shocked readers. We have • the small size of the majority of actual votes cast (thus, seen much reported about the post-vote regrets of people who not the majority of the electorate), had voted for ‘Brexit,’ – including some high-profile individuals • the circumstances of the campaigns, who before the vote had been urging it in their newspapers. • the consequences both already actual and in prospect, These factors add up to this: that there are grave doubts for the future interest, unity and prosperity of the UK, about whether the basis on which votes were cast, espe- • and the impact on our neighbours in Europe: cially among many who voted for ‘Brexit,’ are good grounds • and that it is exercising its democratic duty to take a for Members of Parliament to resign their competence and view and to vote accordingly. If the vote is to not trigger duty to consider whether the UK should leave the EU. On the the ‘Brexit’ procedure, our partners in Europe can be contrary: these considerations make it all the more imperative informed and normality can be restored. that Parliament should exercise its sovereign responsibility The EU is flawed and has problems. But as a powerful in the matter. member of one of the three great blocs in the world, the UK There is a formal online petition requesting a second can do much to help it get better, and to work within it to help referendum. If this petition is genuine and not the result of all its members realize the great ideals of peace, prosperity fraudulent computer hacking, it is the most extraordinary and co-operation for which the EU exists. phenomenon: as I write these words it stands, only a few days Let us not absent ourselves from this beautiful endeavour. after the vote itself, at over four million signatures. However if Let us not injure it by refusing to be part of it, thereby also Parliament were to exercise its responsibility in voting down damaging ourselves and the hopes of our young. a proposal to trigger the Article 50 procedure, no second Please – you have both the ability and the duty to use your referendum would be necessary. own discretion in this matter. I very respectfully urge you to use Some have suggested that following a general election, in the first and obey the second. The future truly depends on it. which each MP made clear his or her standpoint on Remain or Yours sincerely, Leave, would provide a definitive conclusion to Parliament’s decision on the matter. However this is not constitutionally Professor A.C. Grayling necessary: Parliament is sovereign: an election would merely prolong uncertainty.

8 Discussion on EU Referendum Result Joseph Lacey, Panellist for the THINKING ON SUNDAY event on 24 July 2016, the other panellists being Lucy Anderson, Simon Usherwood and Norman Bacrac

I voted for the UK to remain in the EU because I But before then, there will have been German, thought this would be better for all parties involved, French Dutch, Austrian, and possibly early Italian both the UK and the EU. That being said, I agree elections. Discontent with the EU is rapidly increas- with David Cameron’s refrain throughout the ref- ing in all these countries, some of which are calling erendum campaign that the UK can indeed survive into question the wisdom of unrestricted free move- and eventually thrive outside the EU. ment in the EU. A new constellation of European So, where are we as of August 2016? I think the political elites could soon emerge and significantly government has been smart since Theresa May took change the major bargaining positions on Brexit over as Prime Minister. She needs to buy time and negotiations. This is speculative and somewhat is doing that well. European partners have acqui- unlikely, but the point is that a lot can change over esced that the government won’t initiate Brexit until the course of two or three potentially very volatile the coming December or January. That’s valuable years for the EU. So buying time is the best strategy breathing space for the government to formulate a for the government right now. plan of action and build up a staff to manage trade As things stand, the UK’s bargaining position negotiations. The aim will be to conclude these nego- with regard to both the EU and the rest of the world tiations by 2019. isn’t at all as bad as some tried to make out during the

9 referendum campaign. The UK is a major importer as well as three-quarters of all legislation passed in of goods from several European countries, especially Brussels while paying substantial sums to the EU Germany, so there are incentives for EU countries budget, without the right to have a say in how any to make concessions in any trade deal. It will not of this legislation is made by way of participation in simply be an offer from the EU, which the UK must European institutions. either take or leave. Switzerland rejected joining the European Economic Also, when the Leave campaign drew up a picture Area in 1992, but since then its government has been of the UK as a kind of James Bond of world trade, a pursuing dozens of bilateral treaties with the EU that global and flexible agent playing by its own rules to effectively bring Switzerland close to EEA membership. suit itself, it doesn’t now seem to have been painting And this has created a tense atmosphere in Swiss politics an entirely false picture. The US has made it clear over the last decade: those who voted against EEA mem- that it will not leave the UK out in the cold, while bership feel that they’ve been cheated, brought in by the Australia is rushing to do a trade deal. Meanwhile, back door. The populist and xenophobic Swiss People’s the UK isn’t the only one that’s under pressure to Party capitalised on this sentiment and is now the biggest conclude deals. To take one example, the members party in that country. In 2014, this Party provoked a of the South American trading bloc Mercosur are referendum where the Swiss rejected free movement trying to compete with the Trans Pacific Partnership with the EU. If the government has to enforce this vote – a mega trade deal between the US, Mexico, Canada, by 2017, as required by law, all bilateral Treaties between Australia, Japan and several other Asian countries – Switzerland and the EU are at risk of being called off. and very keen to trade more with the UK. This is the kind of situation the UK should avoid. Depending on your perspective, the UK’s newly Any agreement it makes with the EU should not be forming trade ambitions may have their drawbacks. seen as circumventing the intention of the Brexit vote. For example, a trade deal with the US is very likely It may be tempting for those who voted Remain to to be on similar terms as the Trans-Atlantic Trade advocate a subtle circumvention of the vote. But this and Investment Partnership (TTIP). This deal-in- kind of thing will come back to haunt the UK in the progress between the EU and US has hit the rocks end, some way or another, whether through another recently, due to opposition in many EU member destabilising referendum in the future or by fuelling states, especially Germany. There have been con- populist and xenophobic parties. cerns raised about poor quality US products flooding Others have pointed towards the Canadian or European markets, as well as provisions that would Turkish model, where there is free trade of goods but allow private enterprise to take governments to court no free movement. The problem is that these trade over policies that may harm these enterprises in their deals don’t cover services, which make up 80 percent quest for profit. Ironically, given opposition towards of the UK economy. So there’s no blueprint out there TTIP inside the EU, the UK may be more likely to that fits the UK. Any decent trade deal is going to become part of something like TTIP on the outside. have to be a unique “British model” that allows at This will be particularly true if it finds itself under least some market access for services and significant economic pressure to have improved access to larger restrictions on free movement. Failure to strike such markets. And the intensity of this pressure will in an agreement could produce a worst case scenario, large part be determined by the kind of trade deal where the UK secures little or no preferential access the UK manages to strike with the EU – currently to the European market. the destination for roughly half of the UK’s exports. But we’re behaving like there’s only one urgent So what are the options with regard to Europe? problem to be solved. Right now the government, The UK could join the European Economic Area, and most observers, are asking only this: how can like Norway. But this would be democratically dis- we best continue business as usual in a globalising honest: it wouldn’t achieve the kind of restrictions world after Brexit? The government might be right on free movement, or the kind of reduction on rule to ask that question. However, if the UK is to make imposition from Brussels, that a vote to leave the EU a success of itself in the new world it has chosen for implies. Norway is required to accept free movement, itself, it must also ask another question: how can

10 we spread the benefits of globalisation more evenly and the feeling of being “a second-class citizen in my and protect the vulnerable from its drawbacks? In own country”, as one former mining worker in Wales other words, how can we improve the situation of the put it recently. Unless the problems motivating such working poor, the squeezed middle, and depressed sentiments are addressed, there’s no global strategy regions of the UK? that the UK can successfully achieve. When you Here are some research findings, released during feel that you’re being left behind by your society, as June/July, which most people have missed due to that society continues to open its arms to the world, the attention focused on Brexit. Over the last year, there’s no such thing as an acceptable level of immi- child poverty has increased by 200,000, giving us a gration from the EU or elsewhere – it will always look grand total of 2.3 million children living in poverty. like too much immigration. There’s no agreement Unless something is done, that figure is expected to with the EU that will be seen as acceptable because increase to 3.6 million by 2020. Two-thirds of these too much will always have been conceded. children aren’t destitute, but have one working parent. My great fear for Britain is not whether it can The Resolution Foundation claims that the next gen- get good trade deals, but whether it can ensure that eration of parents will be significantly poorer than the benefits of its globalisation strategy will be felt the previous one, with the average couple currently across a much wider spectrum of society. This will earning 8,000 GBP less a year in their 20s than their be all the more difficult should the economic uncer- parents did. Now, at first glance, the unemployment tainty provoked by Brexit lead to a recession, while figure of 5% looks pretty good, but look closer and additional funds will need to be secured that can you see that 9 out of 10 new jobs created are highly both replace and supplement regeneration funding insecure self-employed jobs, like we find in Uber or that was previously secured through EU grants for Deliveroo. The Institute for Fiscal Studies reports that depressed regions in the UK. Failure to improve the middle income families with children now resemble situation of those who are feeling left behind, and I more closely poorer families in the past. For example, worry about the direction in which the energies of half of these families are now renters rather than discontent might be taken in future. Who will be owner-occupiers. the next Nigel Farage, and what will be his claims? In my view, the vote to leave the EU was a Let’s just say I hope Donald Trump doesn’t have a warning signal that made apparent the level of anger British cousin.

Photo from the event “The EU Referendum – What Happens Next?”

11 THINKING ON SUNDAY LECTURE, 12 June 2016 Congratulations on the Brexit Vote for Democracy!

Patricia McKenna, former MEP for Dublin, in discussion with Professor Takis Tridimas

The result of the referendum is a victory for “Project this democratic vote of the people. As an Irish Hope” over “Project Fear.” The voters of the UK must person I warn that there may be an attempt to be congratulated for their bravery and for voting override the will of the people; it was done to the to win back Britain’s political independence and Irish people’s vote against the 2001 Nice and 2008 national democracy in the face of the anti-democratic Lisbon Treaties and the French and Dutch votes in entity that is the European Union. While the EU is 2005 against the EU Constitution. presented as a wonderful democratic regime that puts The embarrassment of the Brussels elite and the rights of people, peace and social justice first, it their national agents is well-deserved – they must is in fact the exact opposite. The rights of people and not be allowed to circumvent the result. Former EU the type of EU which people want is pushed to one Commissioner, Peter Sutherland went on Twitter side in the interest of transnational capital and the immediately after the UK vote to say, “Somehow powerful elite of this world. The reaction by the EU this result needs to be overturned” (Irish Times, 27 elite to EU referenda results in Denmark, Ireland, June, p.16). France and the Netherlands prove this point. Democrats across the member states of the EU should now look at what opportunities this decision A SUPRANATIONAL EU provides for them to win back their own independ- IS REACTIONARY ence so they can restore true democratic principles in their political systems. Ireland needs to reassess its The UK vote must be seen as a positive and progres- own relationship with the EU in light of its strong ties sive blow against the reactionary supranational EU with the UK and the fact that Ireland does two-thirds integration project. All those who fought against of its foreign trade outside the nineteen-member the odds in this campaign must strive to counter Eurozone – 63% of its exports and 72% of its imports the attempt being made to reverse or frustrate in 2013 were outside the Eurozone. Ireland applied

Patricia McKenna is a Barrister-at-Law candidate at The Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Dublin, and is a Bachelor of Law & Political Science (LL.B.) from Trinity College Dublin. She was a Member of the European Parliament for 10 years and is a former Vice-President of the Green Group in the European Parliament, and was a member of the Irish Green Party and one of its most prominent figures until she resigned in 2009. She has been a consistent and vocal critic of what she describes as “the undemocratic nature of the EU” for many years and has been a leading campaigner in EU referendum campaigns in Ireland since the late 1980s.

12 to join the then EEC in 1961 because the UK did so. commit itself to adopting the disastrous euro-cur- Ireland renewed its application and joined the EEC rency with the permanent balanced budget obliga- along with the UK in 1973 because it did so. Some tions required by the EU Treaties? Are the majority economists argue that leaving the EU is the only legal of Scots people ever likely to vote for that? way in which Ireland can disentangle itself from the On the issue of Northern Ireland, although Sinn disastrous Eurozone, joining which was the biggest Fein has called for a Border poll, the conditions set mistake ever made by the Irish State. down in the Good Friday Agreement for holding The size of the UK’s Leave-side majority may have such a poll do not exist at present. Therefore, as been even greater but for the British Government’s pointed out by Theresa Villiers, the former Secretary spending £9 million on sending a Remain-side of State for Northern Ireland, there is no chance of booklet to all UK households, the alarmism of such a poll being held. Even if it were to be held, “Project Fear” and the many other abuses of fair many believe that there would be a big majority procedures by the Remain side. in Northern Ireland at present against any United Outside the EU, Britain can once again become a Ireland. workshop of the world if its new Government adopts Many Northern Nationalists and Republicans progressive policies that put people and democracy would vote against a United Ireland, because by first. One of the core fundamental issues at stake in voting for Irish unity they would in effect be voting the EU debate is that of democratic self-government to put themselves under Brussels/Frankfurt instead of versus rule by supranational EU institutions that are Westminster. A key factor would be that they would ever more obviously under German hegemony. be voting to adopt the euro and take on board the This world-historical vote of the British people €64 billion of private bank debt which the Eurozone on 23 June will encourage democrats in every EU authorities imposed on Irish taxpayers in 2010. It country, whether on the political Right or Left, to is unlikely that any sensible Northern Nationalist push ahead with their struggle against the anti-dem- would vote for such an outcome. ocratic and reactionary EU and work to replace it Finally, with regard to what happens post Brexit, with a Europe of independent cooperating demo- it is essential that negotiations are open and transpar- cratic Nation States, which is the only basis for any ent and that the public are fully informed and fully internationalism worth the name in the continent involved in the process. This call for openness and we live in. The EU is an out-of-date construct left transparency also applies to the other 27 member over from the Cold War, when it was the economic states of the EU. At present, Irish political leaders are underpinning of NATO in Europe. The situation having discussions on the planned approach to the in the world today is very different and it is time to UK exit behind closed doors and without any public move on and look for a better way forward. scrutiny. This is yet another assault on the democratic rights of people to decide their own destiny. The NO INDEPENDENCE governments of the other 27 member states have at WITHIN THE EU present no direct mandate from their people with regard to the post Brexit decisions. People cannot be The discussion on a break-up of the UK ignores many presented with a fait accompli on what their respec- political and economic realities especially with regard tive governments have agreed. to Scotland and the talk of independence in Europe. Firstly, independence in the EU is a contradiction in terms – a country cannot be independent in the EU. Furthermore, Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum was premised on Scotland’s retaining the pound sterling as its currency, which is not meaning- ful independence. Do those who speak of Scotland remaining in the EU while the rest of the UK leaves it not realise that to do this Scotland would have to

13 VIEWPOINT SOME THOUGHTS IN FAVOUR OF BREXIT (or: Why I Voted Brexit)

Most of my family and humanist friends, as well as whom are you accountable? (3) How can I get rid of my favourite guru, A.C. Grayling, were strongly pro-­ you?” If the answer is “You can’t get rid of me” and remain. What almost drove me into their camp was “I’m accountable to virtually no-one”, then we have a the company I was keeping – Donald Trump, Putin, problem. The situation is undemocratic and unhealthy. Neil Hamilton and other assorted bigots. It could be argued that this partly explains why the far right in Europe has mushroomed. It’s a recipe for HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE discontent, and for treating laws with contempt. SOVEREIGNTY QUESTION Can we imagine America pooling its sovereignty with neighbouring countries? Depending on how we I remember campaigning on the same side as the late define ‘laws’, between 15 and 50% of all new laws in Tony Benn in 1975 in favour of leaving the Common Britain emanate from the European Commission Market, as it was then (we joined in 1973). Benn was (EC), which means hundreds every year. Since 1996 a Brexiteer all his life, I believe, and his arguments Britain has picked on many of these EC laws to chal- apply even more today than they did in 1975, as lenge in the Council of Ministers, as not being in our Brussels continues to make inroads into the sover- interest – and was almost always defeated. The EC is eignty of member states. made up of 28 people, one from each EU state, but When voting this time I still had Benn’s words all are appointed, not elected. ringing in my ears: “If people have power over you, A future British government may replace the you should ask them: (1) Who put you there? (2) To European Human Rights Act with its own watered

14 down Bill of Rights. We’ll have to watch them care- MIGRATION fully. We will at least gain the very basic human right of being able to elect the people who have power We know that Brexit and any talk about immigration over us. will embolden racists to give vent to their bile. We also know that the country would collapse without NOT A DIVORCE immigrants. I’m one myself. During the several weeks I spent in hospital I was looked after by the most I do not see it as a ‘divorce’ from Europe, as the wonderful nurses, doctors, cleaners etc. from all over Remain camp describe it. I love Europe as much the world. If you go back far enough, most of our as any Remainers. I hope that we stay in and coop- population are immigrants. But this does not mean erate with all the other European bodies of which that we should not control the numbers and the skills there are many, for example the European Science coming in. It is not racist, in my opinion, to argue Foundation, various medical societies, biomedical that our capacity to absorb increasing numbers is not research, organisations to do with policing, secu- infinite. I believe in taking our fair share of the refu- rity, defence, arts, archaeology, sports etc., many of gees languishing in Greece and elsewhere, especially which have nothing to do with the EU, and of course when children are involved. European humanist associations. REVERSING OR IGNORING TRADE AND THE WORLD THE VOTE

Some were arguing that to leave would be to turn A huge petition has gained momentum to repeat the inwards and become ‘little Englanders’ and away referendum, or at least to get the government not to from globalism. I agree that Britain has a largely invoke Article 50, in effect to ignore the result of the European identity; but what about the world? The referendum. This would be very damaging. It reminds EU in my opinion is more of a club, run by overpaid, me of those regimes masquerading as democracies unelected bureaucrats. Once outside the EU we’ll be who hold referendums or elections but who then able to take up our empty seat at the World Trade ignore the result or repeat the exercise until they get Organisation and build new markets, negotiating the result they want. One of the reasons given is that trade agreements without asking EU permission. the Brexit side won votes on the basis of a ‘lie’ – in It’s the Remain camp who are not thinking globally. particular that we’d save £350 million per week. It is true that Jean Claude Junker, president of the EC, However, this was exposed almost continuously recently forbade all EU states from negotiating any on radio and television as dishonest, so I don’t think one-to-one trade deals with Britain. So, for example, there is any excuse for gullibility. In any case there even if it’s in Spain’s (and our) interests to make a deal was dishonesty and hyperbole on both sides. Another to carry on selling us wine, fruit etc., and to buy our reason given is that the margin of victory was too beef, machine tools or whatever, they’re not allowed small to make a binding result with something so to! It reminded me why I voted Leave. important. But this criterion, a simple majority was However, my sense is that trade with Europe is what was agreed at the outset. We cannot change likely to get back on to an even keel before too long. the goalposts just because we didn’t get the result They sell more to us than we do to them, and I can’t we wanted. see them wanting to punish us for too long. But time will tell how long. I am aware that the EU will not David Simmonds – Woking, Surrey want to give us very much at this stage, for fear of encouraging other states to leave.

15 THINKING ON SUNDAY LECTURE, 26 June 2016 Utopia Now

Reggie Adams stone because this scatty-minded Essex boy, this At a time when Britain has never looked so divided nightclub owner turned management consultant, after the vote to Brexit, we have to seriously con- this player turned playwright, is asking for your ear sider the question ‘Is our system of governance fit for for a moment to consider a whole new world of pos- purpose in the 21st century?’ How is it that so many sibility. I propose that our utopia is closer than we people have such a lack of faith in their own nation’s realise with the simple recognition of the emerging political system that they would rather that author- ideology of our time, which I refer to as POLITICAL ity be handed to bureaucrats in Brussels despite its HUMANISM. It’s the subject of my book Now Utopia, being democratically further away? How is it that my humble attempt at political problem solving. In people are so resigned to the fact that, ultimately, its essence it’s a book about how we make the world Parliament does not deliver what the people want a better place. yet is still allowed to function? Political Humanism is a notion that starts with To me the answer is quite simple. Nobody has analysing ‘what the people want’ for their society, come up with a better idea that stands as a better identifying a series of value systems, recognising viable alternative. Well, I hope you forgive my hubris the aims and ambitions that people have for their for stepping forward to pull the sword out of that society, defining and naming each one, applying a

Reggie Adams is a very 21st century political philosopher, a blogger, campaigner and author. His book, Now Utopia, sets out a vision for a better future based on what he believes to be the emerging ideology of our time, ‘Political Humanism’. His work has become the basis for The Humanist Party’s Manifesto and he is co-designer of MagnaSocia – an online platform for Direct Democracy. A former nightclub owner turned business consultant, he is an established playwright as well as an artist and musician.

16 measurement system for how much closer or further forget that this reigning political ideology is chasing away we are getting from those aims and ambitions its own algorithm, C+G+I+(X-M), the growth of and then designing our system of governance to go GDP, constant growth, exponential growth in this about working towards those aims as efficiently as finite planet. This is the ideology that prevails on possible so that our taxation is put to the best possi- the international stage, the same one that is not just ble use. It is a notion that hands over the confidence allowing but fuelling the wholesale destruction of our and the power to the voter and the taxpayer and asks environment. This is the ideology that has pulled the that they rally, they pool their mental resources, their complete range of political classes into its fold like a collective will, and they start to think of themselves black hole, absorbing not just the traditional right but as an ‘Agreed Collective’ and start to realise that there steering the language of any opposition coming from should be no higher authority in this nation state the ranks of the Lib Dems and Greens and pulling than the will of its people. You only obtain that level New Labour so far off its Socialist anchoring that the of confidence when people are clear about what the difference in policy and rhetoric coming from the problem is and what needs to be achieved to solve two main parties often becomes negligible. that problem. By defining societal aims we instantly Political Humanism is an offering of a better make a clean sweep of the smoke and mirror politics alternative to those who are currently standing of our prevailing system. against the elitist-led project of deregulated capi- talism. Already potentially two thirds of the voting WHAT PEOPLE WANT public currently divide their vote and allegiances between Labour, The Greens and the Lib Dems. So, let’s knuckle down on what it is that people want Political Humanism could stand as the only other for their society: people want a system of Social alternative rallying position that brings together Care, we want Democracy, improved Education, an those wanting a better recognition of rights for the improved Health System, Sustainable Lifestyles in average citizen, those who want an alternative to the pleasant communities, better national Infrastructure, seemingly unstoppable destruction of the planet by a fairer system of commerce like PopCapitalism, an untouchable form of capitalism, those who want a consistent and ethical foundation for Overseas to see an evolution in democracy before there is a Relations, effective and fair Guardianship from our revolution that destroys it. police, our military and our emergency services. Political Humanism is a new and very BIG idea. People want a fair, effective, restorative Justice It is both an ideological vision as well as a carefully & Penal System, people want Personal Prosperity planned pragmatic approach to governance. The coupled with the time and means to afford leisure detail of this big idea can now be found in the man- pursuits, and finally, the preservation ofHeritage ifesto of the UK’s Humanist Party*. Other writings and Culture and the safeguarding of societal values. can be found on its website. The aim though is not to Surely these societal values are universal, they are chain the ideal to a grassroots movement but to allow essential to human well-being, so as they become it to permeate through the current political alter- values that we can define and measure, all twelve natives until it binds them to the same set of ideals of them, they become Human Well-being Indices and becomes a collective voice of the people against or HWI × 12, which is just about as simply as I can the 1% and their faithful followers. In the meantime, possibly express this idea. while the alternative ideal of Political Humanism is slowly marinating within the minds of the alter- POLITICAL HUMANISM native parties, there are two very distinct projects A BETTER ALTERNATIVE that can draw cross-party attention. Two projects that can rapidly accelerate our political thinking, Political Humanism then, with its simple algorithm, albeit two projects a long time in the making, two stands as the only real anti-dote to the reigning polit- ancient ideas in fact. One is Dêmos-Krátos and the ical ideology of deregulated capitalism, austerity other Res Publica. for the poor, tax breaks for the rich. And let’s not

17 First, what is the ‘res’, the very real thing that DÊMOS-KRÁTOS AND MAGNASOCIA brings us together as the ‘publica’? The people. I suggest that the very real thing we can have in Dêmos-Krátos, the authority of the people, not what place is a document of terms and conditions, a we are led to believe is a democracy just because social contract, a declaration on rights, all brought we have our say once every five years for a limited together in one very real, very agreeable, very British number of options and then have to put up with Constitution. I suggest that this is a project of con- until next time round. No, this is not democracy. flict resolution sorely needed at this time for those It’s time to evolve that thinking. Myself and a group 52% who have voted in favour of a national sovereign of other nerdy types are busy designing and pro- democracy and those 48% who voted for improved gramming a platform for direct democracy called global outlook, more environmental protections, MagnaSocia. We have all that we need at our finger and for the enshrining of rights. tips to realise what a proper democracy looks like Well, why not have it all. In fact why not go even here in the 21st century. People should not be asked further with ‘what the people want’. Let’s take this to divide themselves into differing thought camps. time, as we struggle to replace some of the desired The best innovations in our lives are as a result of legislation that we are walking away from in the EU, human collaboration, not human conflict. to building in its place something that truly repre- MagnaSocia starts by bringing closer attention to sents the will of the people, that can define what gov- Parliamentary activity and putting pressure points ernment is to do, that can protect people’s rights, can on each part to do its job as expected by the people. protect our environment and achieve so much more. The ultimate objective however is that MagnaSocia, Based on the ideals of Political Humanism, I have once road tested, becomes the bigger machine that invested about a thousand hours into what that docu- is driven by the will of the people and inspired by ment might look like and I invite all to come and see the words of Buckminster Fuller “You never change it, make their observations, suggest improvements, things by fighting the existing reality; to change things try to identify any potential flaws, submit perhaps you must build a new model that makes the existing what you feel would be better, and by doing so I model obsolete.” You may volunteer to be part of the suggest that we become collaborators as opposed steering committee at www.magnasocia.org. to political rivals. There will be differing opinions So ladies and gentlemen, this is a call to rally, but each person should be attempting understand to get involved in collectively shaping our collec- the other in order to build an agreeable outcome tive future, protecting our very survival against the together. It starts today as a Facebook page entitled ravages of the machine, this global tragedy of the ‘A very British Constitution’ but it is gradually being commons. You have three very definite options built as we speak as a political discussion platform in front of you today to make that change; The which brings me to my next point. Humanist Party*, A very British Constitution or MagnaSocia. Why not get involved in one or all three? Let’s start that conversation, let’s rally and let’s make this world a better place.

*Note. This Humanist Party is distinct from and not part of the secular humanist movement in this country, as the term is normally understood. {Ed.}

18 BASED ON A THINKING ON SUNDAY LECTURE, 22 May 2016* Corbynomics

Can Work * With acknowledgement to Red Pepper magazine Illustration: Luke Carter Illustration: Luke

Neil Faulkner argues that the biggest barrier to Jeremy Corbyn’s rational economic policy is the huge profit the super-rich are making from an irrational one

The Bank of England has shelled out £375 billion in Jeremy Corbyn, shadow chancellor John McDon­ ‘quantitative easing’ since the 2008 crash. It has, quite nell and others are proposing an alternative approach: literally, created electronic money out of nowhere ‘people’s quantitative easing’. Rather than using public and used it to buy up financial assets held by the money to re-finance casino banks, the idea is for the banks. The idea has been to pump ‘liquidity’ – len- government to create money for direct investment dable money – into the economy. in jobs, homes and public services. But the financial system is loaded with debt, aus- The objections being raised to this have nothing terity has deflated demand and the real economy is to do with economics. People’s QE is eminently sen- stagnant. Instead of lending, the banks have used sible and do-able. The problem is political: it poses the new government money to pay down debt and a clear and present danger to the wealth and power fund a new round of speculation. of the 1 per cent.

Let’s have a go at unpicking some of the complexities.

Dr Neil Faulkner FSA is an archaeologist, historian, writer, lecturer, and broadcaster. He is Research Fellow at the University of Bristol, Editor of Military History Monthly, and Co-Di- rector of the Great Arab Revolt Project and the Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project. His books include Rome: empire of the eagles, A Marxist History of the World: from neanderthals to neoliberals, and, just published, Lawrence of Arabia’s War: The Arabs, and The British. He is active in the anti-war and anti-capitalist movements, and his political writing includes the pamphlet No Glory: The real history of the First World War.

19 A GREEK LESSON incarcerated asylum-seekers, student fees, the bul- lying supervisor, the tears in the toilet, the fear, the The Greek economic crisis is no longer headline stress, the despair – all of it is happening to make news. It should be. The destruction by European the rich richer. finance-capital of the Syriza government in the first The class interest of the 1 per cent forms the six months of last year – a triumph of debt over hard wiring of the political response to the crisis. A democracy, of profit over people – has plunged the pathological form of neoliberal capitalism based on country into an economic death-spiral. debt has imploded, and it is the greed of the rich that Unemployment stands at one in four. Among the drives every attempt to shore it up. These efforts are young, it is one in two. Wages have fallen by about contradictory and self-defeating. But they cannot a third. So has employment in education, health contemplate the only rational alternative: public and other public services. Overall, the economy has ownership of banks and money, and the disposses- contracted by about 25 per cent since the 2008 crash. sion of the global financial elite. As a direct consequence, the Greek debt burden The lesson of Greece is that half-measures will has increased from about 130 per cent of GDP to not do. Either we end the rule of the 1 per cent and about 180 per cent. Deflation is choking off revenue the corporations or they will crush us. To under- flows and reducing the country’s ability to pay its way, stand why, we have to grasp the inner logic of early forcing it to take out new loans to roll over old debts. 21st-century capitalism. And in this respect, much Greece is trapped in an austerity-induced depression of the left is woefully behind the curve. from which escape seems ever more distant. One part of the left is trapped in a 1970s sec- The raw statistics represent untold human suffer- tarian time-warp. I have heard people argue that ing. Yet the Greek economic crisis – unlike the Greek finance does not really matter – it is just ‘froth’ on the refugee crisis – has dropped from view. The reason surface – and that what is happening in production is simple: it is the elite that decides what counts as remains decisive. These are usually the people who a ‘crisis’, not the poor. also argue that exploitation is always rooted in the When the Syriza government was challenging workplace, and that ‘real’ class struggle must always the wealth of the 1 per cent, it was a ‘crisis’. Not any be union-based. more: democracy has been trampled, the rule of the On the other hand, there are people on the soft bankers restored, and the rich are again sucking the left who kowtow to bogus Tory economic arguments lifeblood out of the Greek people to sustain their because they feel under pressure from New Labour parasitic existence. spivs and the Daily Mail. The result is a half-baked commitment to anti-austerity economics without the understanding, policies, and boldness to give us even CLASS AND POWER a fighting chance of avoiding a Syriza-style car crash. The challenge posed by the economic crisis does And here we approach the kernel of the economic not boil down to simply putting right ‘ideological’ crisis that confronts humanity in the early 21st distortions, correcting ‘imbalances’ and injecting century. Economics is not neutral. It is inseparable some ‘demand’ into the economy. The challenge is from questions of class and power. We live in a class nothing less than this: to stop the current process society ruled by the 1 per cent. The banks and the of capital accumulation in its tracks; to begin the corporations are run by a small class of the super- dismantling of the bank-run, debt-based, hyper-ex- rich. In the end, the reason banks are bailed out, ploitative system of neoliberal capitalism that has us public services privatised and the poor screwed is in its coils; and thus to begin confiscating and redis- very simple: it makes the rich richer. tributing the wealth of the speculators and oligarchs. All the bad things – monopoly prices, zero-hours Here’s why it is that serious. contracts, Wonga-type loan sharks, the bedroom tax, the refugee children teargassed by riot police, the hospitals sold to profiteers, unaffordable rents,

20 THE RISE OF THE CORPORATIONS These corporate giants manage the market, create the demand and set the price. Their power in relation We haven’t tumbled into a world of growing corpo- to workers, consumers, and nation states is at an rate power and social inequality by accident. We’ve unprecedented level. The result has been a massive arrived here because the system was remodelled in shift of surplus – thanks to reduced wages, rip-off the great crisis of the 1970s and 1980s. The result prices and soaring profits – in favour of capital. is best described as ‘global financialised monop- The system has therefore faced a widening ‘scis- oly-capitalism’. This is a mouthful, but it captures sors’ crisis, with ‘over-accumulation’ by capital on what has happened. one side and ‘under-consumption’ by labour on the On the one hand, we have the rise of the corpora- other. In other words, the corporations are awash tions to the point where they burst the national shell with profit-seeking capital, while union-busting, and, operating globally, are able to dictate terms to rising unemployment, the squeeze on wages, and nation states. Take the example of Walmart. By 2014, falling public and welfare spending have drained it had annual revenues approaching half a trillion the economy of demand. dollars; had it been a country, it would have ranked This has strengthened the inherent tendency of as 25th largest in the world, ahead of 157 smaller big capital to be risk-averse. Faced with a choice countries. between building a new global-scale production Among the other giants in the 2014 top 25 were facility – a risky long-term investment – and fast oil majors such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron, banks profits in the money markets, the industrial corpo- such as Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase, rations have turned to financial speculation. motor manufacturers Ford and GM, electronics firms So financialisation is not just to do with banks. General Electric and IBM, and the private health The whole capitalist system has become a debt junkie, conglomerate UnitedHealth Group. All these had since debt offers a ready solution to the twin prob- annual revenues greater than those of, for example, lems of over-accumulation. Iraq (about $80 billion).

Photo from the event “The EU Referendum – What Happens Next?

21 ‘Marxism 2016’

Tom Rubens general attempt to comprehend the economic and social problems which grip Western society—and, From June 30th to 4th July this year, the Socialist indeed, the whole world. Undeniably, Marxists have Workers’ Party held its annual ‘Marxism’ event at extensive contributions to make, not only to the London University’s Institute of Education in central understanding of these problems but also to efforts London. As always, the viewpoints presented by to resolve them. most of the main speakers (only some of whom, With a view to reinforcing this point, I will focus incidentally, are in fact members of the SWP), were on four speakers from the several talks I attended. grounded in the Marxist intellectual tradition. On this occasion, emphasis was placed on the 1. John Bellamy Foster, on the global ecologi- contention that the Marxist tradition remains as illu- cal and environmental crisis – which, argued minating an interpretative tool as it ever was—given Bellamy, has been produced chiefly by corporate the turmoil currently besetting mainstream British capitalism. Supplying a great deal of detail of geo- politics: the after-effects of the Brexit referendum, logical, historical, economic and other kinds, he and the deep splits in both the Conservative and advocated the creation of a co-ordinated world Labour parties. economy and culture definable as eco-socialism. Even for non-Marxists such as myself*, the expe- This is unquestionably a pivotal concept, one rience of the event leaves no doubt that the Marxist with which all thinking people need to engage. perspective is a very important component of any

* I advocate the creation of an economic system which is mainly but not entirely socialistic.

Tom Rubens is a semi-retired teacher of English and Philosophy and has worked as a university and college lecturer. He has produced eight books on philosophy and has also published poetry and recently, a novel. He has been a member of Conway Hall Ethical Society since the 1980s, and has been active at Conway Hall, delivering Sunday morning lectures and doing archive (from 1870) work on the Society.

22 2. Alex Callinicos, on new patterns in global impe- (b) the tendency of the rate of profit to fall, due rialism. Closely adhering to the definitions of to competition between increasingly large firms; capitalist imperialism advanced by Marx and (c) the gradual shift to prioritising finance capital Lenin, Callinicos offered accounts of the new over industrial capital. rivalries now taking shape: chiefly those in the Asia-Pacific region, involving China and Japan, A veritably panoramic picture of capitalism (and one but also the United States; in addition, rival- stretching back to the mid-19th century) was pre- ries in the Middle East, and in eastern Europe sented. Again, many more people need to encounter (where the contestants are the Western European this picture than has so far been the case. From it, countries and Russia). To combat these impe- the speakers themselves concluded that a new slump rialisms, Callinicos called for an international was probable. Leftist anti-war movement. The truly colossal I hope the details I have provided indicate the scale of the picture he presented is something importance of widening our perspectives from a indispensable to a grasp of the present global variety of sources, including those with which we situation: an awareness that needs to be shared may be, so far, little acquainted. Experience contin- as widely as possible. ually confirms that outlooks which have been, as yet, little known to us, have surprisingly valuable things 3. John Bellamy Foster (again), Joseph Choonaria, to offer; also, that outlooks which are reasonably well and Michael Roberts, on the question of whether known to us, and with which we have disagreements, the Western economies are headed for another also contain things with which we can concur. An slump. Between them, the three speakers speci- open-minded, exploratory and eclectic approach fied what they regard as the main problems with to the spectrum of viewpoints – and especially to the capitalist system. These, they said, include: those views which are side-lined by the mainstream (a) the norm of low growth-rate (which, for media – is clearly what is called for. instance, made the ‘boom’ period of 1945 to approximately the 1970s an exception to the general rule);

Photo from the LONDON THINKS event, “The EU Referendum – What Happens Next?”

Photo from the event “The EU Referendum – What Happens Next?

23 VIEWPOINT ATHEISTS AWAKE!

No longer can you leave a copy of your favourite name. However, society needs a healthy and vigor- religious tract on a train or bus in the hope that ous antidote to wishful thinking, and it is our job as someone will find inspiration and think afresh. Why? atheists to carry out this task. So it is only when you Because, it is not possible: most of our publications take the trouble to look in detail at what is happening have retreated to the internet, and others have gone to our own publications that the situation becomes soft on religion. Is honest atheism in retreat? obviously alarming. I would imagine that most atheists who are enthu- siastic enough to, like me, join the few anti-­religious THE MOVEMENTS’ OWN organisations that exist, are proud to call themselves PUBLICATIONS atheist and be free from the shackles of religion. However, the British population in general may Our most vigorous anti-religious publication has be becoming less religious but – and this is the always been the Freethinker, under the auspices of point of this letter – our anti-religious organisations G.W. Foote & Co for the last 150 years. It was the only are fading away whilst the forces of reaction seem journal dedicated to forthright criticism of religion stronger than ever. The church is at the forefront with its no-holds barred attacks on the evils and of every public event (in striking contrast to such follies of the church and its followers. It has surely events in the USA and France); the BBC promotes lost a lot of its influence by retreating to the internet. religion at every opportunity not only on Sundays, The Ethical Record, published by the Conway but with many programmes about religion during Hall Ethical Society, was the movement’s intellectual the secular week, with pronouncements by the Pope journal, recording meetings held in the hall and an given prominence in the news. This promoting of opinionated letters page. Publication (under various religion also takes place on prime time BBC shows titles) has stretched back nearly 200 years but has such as the popular ‘Bake off’ programme, where now succumbed to cost pressures and to being ban- a meal was started with Grace – how many fam- ished to cyberspace. ilies do that now? … 1 in a 1000? Church choirs Particularly sad is the Journal of the International are of course to the forefront in Gareth Malone’s Humanist and Ethical Union, which, since the 1950s popular music programmes. The Guardian seems has been sent around the world in hard copy to to be turning into a religious tract, with the Pope support Humanist organisations, many in situations featuring prominently on its pages. of extreme difficulty. Now on the internet only, one We fortunately have the books of Messrs. would have thought that a printed version to pass Dawkins and Hitchens that sell by the million but from hand to hand would have been particularly the promotion of religion by officialdom, from the valuable in poorer communities. Prime Minister down, is always eager to recommend When I first joined the National Secular Society a god, whether Christian, Hindu, Islamic or other. over 40 years ago, it was clearly an anti-religious Then on the political scene, the Liberal Democrats organization and a valuable part of our fight against who used to be led by that rather flabby atheist, Nick superstition. Now it has been transformed and down- Clegg, are now under the charge of a fundamentalist graded to such an extent that vicars are welcome to Christian! join. The church should obviously be dis-established, No one is going to pretend that religion will ever but this aim is only one part of the problem we face. disappear. Too many people make a good living from Finally I come to the New Humanist, which is it; it provides useful solace to the poor and lonely our only journal remaining in print. One would and indeed a lot of good social work is done in its have thought that it was the glossy house-journal

24 of the British Humanist Association (perhaps it up worldwide, such as Atheist International having should now become that!). In fact it’s published by an AtheismUK branch. This provides the possibility the Rationalist Association and is a general Arts/ of a boost to the cause of recognizing atheism as an Philosophy/Science journal with little connection accepted and rational approach to life. If members to atheism and of limited circulation and influence. of the RA embraced the need for change, they could In the past it was always anti-religious but under the use its considerable financial and human resources present editorship has moved to a non-judgmental to support this new atheist movement for a rational position. I quote from the Winter 2015 edition: “We future. But given its current editorial view that reli- will not focus on the supposed irrationality of indi- gion is harmless, ordinary RA members need to vidual believers” and “It is futile attacking people’s make their voices heard if change is to come. personal religious beliefs.” I cannot believe that this So this is my wake-up call for us all to rethink attitude to religion is doing justice to rationalism. So whether we are satisfied with the present position – that’s it then… our last magazine in print has given and if not what we can do about it. up the fight against superstition. However, on a positive note, there is hope in Donald A. Langdown – new internet-based atheist organisations springing Canterbury, Kent

VIEWPOINT LAND OF HOPE Alternative national anthem

Like many people, I find the national anthem, both Wider still and wider the religious/monarchist words and the dirge-like Grows fraternity (at any speed) music, totally uninspiring. Workers fight together Some years ago, annoyed by the chauvinistic Shape our destiny words of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, I wrote suit- ably aspirational lyrics to fit Elgar’s Pomp and Truth will not be stifled Circumstance music. These were printed as a leaflet By bureaucracy and handed out to Promenaders on Last Night. Many Knowledge grows unhindered were happy to sing them. See below. And discovery’

LAND OF HOPE Nations share resources Hands across the sea Land of hope undaunted Races share their culture We shall set you free Live in harmony.’ Free from superstition Free from tyranny Jay Ginn, London

25 BOOK REVIEW Wilma’s Story Growing Up in Nazi Germany and Colonial Rhodesia

by Wilma Neumann (Hollander) Introduction by Doris Hollander . Edited by Martin Page Published by Print Forum Ltd. (2016). 95 pages. ISBN 9781 945175 695 Review by Norman Bacrac

Conway Hall Ethical Society member Martin Page World War and when the Nazis began making life is known to those interested in secularist history literally impossible for numerous categories of inno- as the author of Britain’s Unknown Genius (1984), cent people in their power. an account of the life of SPES Appointed Lecturer Wilma and her family were granted visas to J.M. Robertson. As well as providing useful editorial Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia, possibly because notes to the text, Martin has written the Preface to they had a relative already there. Ironically, Southern Wilma’s Story, which is based on the autobiography of Rhodesia was a very racist society, with the whites, Wilma Hollander. It details her experiences growing the master race, enjoying a highly privileged exist- up in pre-war Germany and the effects on her of its ence compared to the blacks, the servant class. growing Nazification. Particularly informative are the accounts of vis- Wilma escaped Germany aged fourteen in 1939 iting Germany after the war, coming across people together with her older brother Walter, younger known before the war and describing their various sister Doris (who now lives in East Finchley) and reactions. The memoir is well illustrated with maps her parents. They all arrived in South Africa just and photos taken in Germany and South Africa. as Germany invaded Poland, starting the Second

Photo from the event “The EU Referendum – What Happens Next?

26 WILDCAT ANARCHIST COMICS A new collection from DONALD ROOUM

Wildcat Anarchist Comics collects the drawings of long-time Conway Hall Ethical Society member Donald Rooum, mostly from the long-running “Wildcat” cartoon series, that were published in the magazine Freedom. Donald does not just purvey jokes but makes the drawings comical in them- selves, “getting the humour in the line”, provoking laughter even in those who do not read the cap- tions or speech balloons. The chief characters in the strip are the Revolting Pussycat, a short-fused anarchist who is furious and shouty; and the Free-Range Egghead, an intellectual who would like anarchism to be respectable but sometimes appears foolish. Governments, bosses and authoritarians are pre- sented as buffoons, and quite often so are anar- chists. This thoughtful and delightful collection includes strips from The Skeptic and many more, all beautifully coloured for the first time by Jayne Clementson. Donald Rooum, born 1928, became an anar- chist in 1944 and has contributed articles to the anarchist paper Freedom since 1947. He studied graphic design in Bradford, England, and his cartoons have been published in the British press since 1950. His editorial cartoons have appeared in Peace News since 1962. His strip series “Wildcat” has appeared in Freedom since 1980, and “Sprite” in The Skeptic since 1987. In 1963, he was charged with carrying an offensive weapon, but the prosecuting officer made a mistake in planting the evidence, and in working to save his own skin Donald accidentally initiated the celebrated ‘Challenor case’, a conspir- acy among police officers to discredit nonviolent demonstrators.

Foreword: Jay Kinney Colourist: Jayne Clementson Publisher: PM Press. ISBN: 978-1-62963-127-1 (2016) 25 Red Lion Square, Holborn, WC1R 4RL. Tel: 020 7405 1818 www.conwayhall.org.uk

CONWAY HALL SUNDAY CONCERTS Start at 18.30 unless specified otherwise. September Gémeaux Quartet Haydn: Quartet in F minor Op.20/5; Mendelssohn: Four Pieces for String Quartet Op.81; 11 Brahms: String Quartet in A minor Op.51/2 September Trio Isimsiz Mozart: Trio in E K542; Fauré: Trio in D minor Op.120; Schumann: Trio No.3 in G minor 18 Op.110 September Alauda Quartet Haydn: Quartet in G Op.76/1; Borodin: Quartet No.2 in D; Debussy: Quartet in G minor 25 Op.10

OTHER EVENTS

Monday Don’t Let the Dust Settle on Brexit September Speaker panel will include Chris Arning, A.C. Grayling, Tim Lenkiewicz, and many others. Presented by Conway Hall. 5 19.30 – 21.00

Wednesday Islam and the West: A Personal Perspective September Sir Michael Atiyah, OM, FRS. Presented by The Martin Ryle Trust and Conway Hall Ethical Society. 14 19.00 – 21.30

Monday Ladybird Books and Constructing the Future Past of Modern Britain October Chaired by Samira Ahmed. A LONDON THINKS event, by Conway Hall Ethical Society. 10 19.30 – 21.00

For ticket prices and other information, please visit www.conwayhall.org.uk.

Published by the Conway Hall Ethical Society, 25 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL Printed by Cascade Group | Holborn, Staple Inn Buildings South, London, WC1V 7PZ ISSN 0014 – 1690