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Ethical Record, Is Issued Monthly 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 Trustees’ Chair: Liz Lutgendorff; Treasurer: Carl Harrison; Editor: Norman Bacrac Please email texts and viewpoints for the Editor to: [email protected] Chief Executive Officer: Jim Walsh [email protected] Administrator: Martha Lee [email protected] Finance Officer: Linda Lamnica [email protected] Library/Learning: S. Hawkey-Edwards [email protected] Hon. Archivist: Carl Harrison [email protected] Programme/Marketing: Sid Rodrigues [email protected] Digital Marketing & Evaluation: Deborah Bowden [email protected] Venue Hire: Carina Dvorak, Brian Biagioni [email protected] Caretakers: Eva Aubrechtova (i/c) [email protected] together with: Brian Biagioni, Sean Foley, Tony Fraser, Rogerio Retuerma Maintenance: Zia Hameed [email protected] The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the Society 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 Our collections include printed materials such as books, pamphlets and journals as well as archival material of unpublished institutional and personal records and papers, such as manuscripts, letters and photographs.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).
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