MembersNEWNew in the Members’ Room: John Ozimek takes up the new Vetting Database; Viv Regan presents a film on youth volunteering; JJ Charlesworth has a piece in Art Monthly on the trouble with art education; James Panton discusses ethical consumerism and child protection on BBC Radio. New on the Vetting Blog: Photography in pre-school; Serving police officer CRBed; Checking once, checking twice; Manifesto Club wins government u-turn; Model flying events cancelled. Read on… |
Manifesto Club Thinkpieces: Science Thinkpiece launched
NEW: For the Public Good, Set Science Free, by Tom Addiscott About Thinkpieces, by Josie Appleton, convenor of the Manifesto Club
Scientists now have to answer to target-obsessed politicians and bureaucrats who think in the short term. But it is only when they are free to follow their noses that they make the breakthroughs that advance both human understanding and industrial practice. Download Thinkpiece (pdf) (This Thinkpiece inspired the campaign, Fund Science as a Public Good)
The goal of sport should be competition, not improving health or self-esteem. Only if we play sport to win will it regain its drama and meaning. Download thinkpiece (pdf)
Current policy isolates refugees and encourages them to prove their vulnerability. We should offer more flats and jobs, and fewer counselling sessions. Download thinkpiece (pdf)
Child professionals should stand up to panics about touching children in their care. If professionals can assert their autonomy and good sense, both children and adults will benefit. Download thinkpiece (pdf)
We should scrap state-imposed smoking bans. The question of 'smoking or non-smoking' should be negotiated informally, among people themselves. Download Thinkpiece (pdf)
It is the randomised controlled trial that helps doctors to help patients. The two dangers for medicine are political interference, and the return of superstition. Download Thinkpiece (pdf)
Accusing your opponent of causing you offence is a cowardly tactic. We should avoid this trap, and celebrate the virtues of open and fair argument. Download Thinkpiece (pdf)
In a global world, we all have work and personal relationships across borders. Policy should build on these relationships, not break them. Download Thinkpiece (pdf) |
The Manifesto Club supports:All those who oppose the new Mayor's ban on drinking on the London Tube... 'Enlightenment is humanity's emergence from self-imposed immaturity. Dare to know! Have courage to use your own understanding!' Immanuel Kant 'What characterises man is his extreme abundance of imagination; therefore, that man is a fantastic animal and that universal history is the gigantic, continuous and insistent effort to go, little by little, putting some order into the crazy fantasy.' José Ortega y Gasset |
Our ambition at the Manifesto Club is to start to develop the theory and substance of a new progressive politics. As part of this, we have launched our Thinkpieces series: these are deep-thinking, spirited proposals for how to do things better in a particular area of life, written by Manifesto Club members from all over the world.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD, SET SCIENCE FREE, by Tom Addiscott
IN SUPPORT OF COMPETITIVE SPORT, by Dan Travis
A HUMANE ASYLUM POLICY, by Stefanie Borkum
THE CASE AGAINST 'NO TOUCH' RULES, by Heather Piper
SMOKING POLICIES: A CIVILISED APPROACH, by Dolan Cummings
IN DEFENCE OF SCIENTIFIC MEDICINE, by Michael Baum
A NEW DEAL FOR PUBLIC DEBATE, by Josie Appleton
A PEOPLE'S IMMIGRATION POLICY, by Christian Michel