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Pragmatic Radicalism

A New Forum for Labour Ideas

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  • Top Of The Policies events
    • Forthcoming TOTP eventsFor forthcoming Top Of The Policies events please roll-over this menu.
    • Previous TOTP events
      • Top of the Policies on the Digital Revolution – Tues 13 May 2014
        • Gallery – TOTP for the Digital Revolution, 13 May 2014
      • Top of the Policies at Labour Conference – 23 Sept. 2013, Brighton
      • Top of the Policies Newham – Thurs 19 September
      • Supporting Entrepreneurs, 11 June, Chaired by Chuka Umunna MP
        • Photos
      • Unions21 Conference, Sharpening the Sword of Social Justice, 8 March, Chaired by John Slinger
      • Growth, 12 Feb, Chaired byToby Perkins MP
      • Top Of The Policies on Transport and Communities, Chaired by Maria Eagle MP, 24 January, Hen and Chicken Pub (Bristol)
      • Top Of The Policies on Good Quality Housing for Local People and The Rural Economy, 2 November, Riverside Hotel (Kendal)
        • Photos
      • INDUSTRIAL POLICY, 17 October 2012, chaired by Iain Wright MP
        • Photos
      • Labour Conference 2012 Fringe
        • Results of The Top Of The Policies fringe event at #Lab12, 1 Oct, 6.00pm
        • Photos of The Top Of The Policies fringe event at #Lab12, 1 Oct, 6.00pm
      • LOCAL GOVERNMENT (SOUTHWARK), 1 September 2012
        • Photos
        • Article by Json Keto-Edwards, winner of event
      • JUSTICE/CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM, 10 July 2012
        • Result
        • Photos/videos
      • TRANSPORT, 13 June 2012, chaired by Maria Eagle MP
        • Photos
      • HOUSING, 23 May 2012, chaired by Jack Dromey MP
        • Photos
      • DEFENCE/SECURITY, 26 March 2012, chaired by Jim Murphy MP
        • Review by Amanda RamsayThis article appears online here Sunday review on Tuesday: Pragmatic Radicalism’s defence “top of the policies” by Amanda Ramsay Affecting party policy should be more about ideas and innovation than shabby promises to open-up the Downing street policy unit for £250,000. This is whatPragmatic Radicalism offers Labour members and last night it hosted the first event of Labour’s defence policy review with Labour Friends of the Forces. Chairing was shadow secretary of state for defence, Jim Murphy MP, with speakers having just two minutes to present ideas as complex as the reform of NATO and UN Security Council to the complete overhaul of the territorial army. Two minutes of questions from the floor for each person was then followed by a vote at the end. Security and resilience issues in a globalised and highly networked world were tackled by the winner, Dan Fox, UCL honorary research associate at the Institute for Security & Resilience Studies, with “cyber reserves: strength through expertise.” Fox, a serving JNCO in the Territorial Army, outlined the need to have a dedicated cyber Reserve supported by cyber apprenticeships, co-ordinated by the ministry of defence and with greater collaboration between FE colleges and ICT practitioners. Fox presented the common…
        • Jim Murphy MP’s articleThe beginning of Labour’s Defence Review MARCH 14, 2012 8:32 AM Jim Murphy MP Labour’s Shadow Defence Team is committed to open policy-making. We want the work we conduct to be part of our party’s discussion on how to we can design a 21stCentury defence policy and how we can win again in 2015. Too often policy-making and party activism have been considered distinct from one another. Work in Whitehall or SW1 think tanks can seem like another world to life behind the doors our campaigners knock up and down the country.  Both should, however, be symbiotic. Labour policy should be reflective of the experiences of those we want to represent.  Our local campaigning should illustrate our Party’s positions and what they mean for families and local communities. Defence alone is not the issue on which Labour will win a General Election, but it is one which can contribute to a second defeat. Defence policy is an area facing enormous challenges, whether the Arab Spring, serious spending restraint, nuclear proliferation, climate change or religiously-inspired terrorism, each of which demands new ideas and policy solutions. Labour’s recently-launched Shadow Defence Review aims to meet the dual challenges of developing new ideas with open policy-making. …
        • Photoson Defence/Security, chaired by Jim Murphy MP, Shadow Defence Secretary. Held at The Barley Mow (pub), Westminster, London, on Monday 26 March 2012. All photos kindly taken by Shaun Seymour (@shaunseymour) [caption id="attachment_1468" align="alignnone" width="610" caption="John Slinger (PragRad Chair) with Russell Brown MP (Shadow Minister for International Security Strategy), Jim Murphy MP (Shadow Defence Secretary), Dan Fox (Top Policy), Lee Gibbs (No.3 policy), Jeremy Corbyn MP (No.2 policy)"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1470" align="alignnone" width="610" caption="Jim Murphy MP speaking"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1471" align="alignnone" width="610" caption="Dan Fox speaking"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1472" align="alignnone" width="405" caption="Amanda Ramsay speaking"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1473" align="alignnone" width="405" caption="Jeremy Corbyn MP speaking"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1476" align="alignnone" width="610" caption="John Slinger - Chair, Pragmatic Radicalism"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1477" align="alignnone" width="405" caption="Cllr Simon Hogg (Wandsworth)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1478" align="alignnone" width="405" caption="Joe Carberry"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1479" align="alignnone" width="405" caption="Tom Page speaking"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1480" align="alignnone" width="610" caption="Russell Brown MP - Shadow Minister for International Security Strategy"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1481" align="alignnone" width="610" caption="Jim Murphy MP and Jeremy Corbyn"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1482" align="alignnone" width="610" caption="Audience"][/caption]
      • YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT (Birmingham), 24 February 2012, chaired by Siôn SimonListen to the audio here TopOfThePoliciesYouthUnemploymentAudio  *** RESULTS OF VOTE *** *** TOP POLICY IS THAT OF LEE MARSHAM *** — Enterprise and Post School Options Greater inclusion of enterprise in school curriculum and transformation of post schooling options with a new Ucas style system for apprentices and a funding stream for Start Up Enterprise ideas. — *** WELL DONE LEE *** *** THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED AND SPOKE, STAFF AT SOUTH BIRMINGHAM COLLEGE AND SIÔN SIMON FOR CHAIRING *** *** FOLLOW @PragRad FOR NEWS OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS ON DEFNCE/SECURITY AND HOUSING. *** *** GET IN TOUCH – GET INVOLVED – HELP STIMULATE DEBATE *** IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND *** ***PLEASE FOLLOW THE EVENT LIVE AND SUGGEST IDEAS*** *** TWITTER #TopOfThePolicies @PragRad *** event on Youth Unemployment 24 February, South Birmingham College (Digbeth Campus), 7pm – 9pm Please come along to the second PRAGMATIC RADICALISM ‘TOP OF THE POLICIES’event of 2012, focusing on youth unemployment. This is a joint event with with BIRMINGHAM FABIANS and THE YOUNG FABAINS, hosted and chaired by SIÔN SIMON. Pragmatic Radicalism is a group of Labour activists and writers committed to exploring new policy ideas and stimulating debate. We published our first pamphlet in…
      • SKILLS, 17 January 2012, chaired by Michael WhitePolicy in the pub: 15 ideas for the future of UK skills in 30 minutes. A joint unionlearn, Unions21 and Pragmatic Radicalism event. 2 MINS EACH TO PRESENT A POLICY IDEA 2 MINUTES Q&A PER POLICY ONE VOTE – ONE TOP POLICY FOR SKILLS WHEN? 6.30pm-8.30pm, TUESDAY 17 JANUARY WHERE? THE BARLEY MOW (pub), 104 Horseferry Road, Westminster, London, SW1P 2EE 5-10 Mins walking distance from Parliament REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED – FREE ENTRY – ALL WELCOME SPEAKERS: Introduction from Sue Ferns and John Slinger, Winner Announced by Tom Wilson. If you have a policy idea you’d like to present email john.slinger@pragmaticradicalism.co.uk Help promote the event: Twitter: @PragRad #TopOfTheSkills
        • Ideas presented / resultsTop Of The Policies – skills (17 January 2012) ***RESULTS OF VOTE*** THE TOP POLICY WAS JAKE HAYMAN’S ALUMNI NETWORK FOR EVERY STATE SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY – CONGRATULATIONS! No.2: Anthony Painter – Create a new high quality technical education offer for those aged 14+ No.3  (JOINT) : Amanda Ramsay – To start a national Skills Mentoring Scheme (SMS) and Allan Graveson – Fiscal incentives for training Policy in the pub – 2 minute policy ideas for the future of UK skills A joint event with        CHAIR: Michael White – Assistant Editor, The Guardian 2 MINS EACH TO PRESENT A POLICY IDEA 2 MINUTES Q&A PER POLICY ONE VOTE – ONE TOP POLICY FOR SKILLS WHEN? 6.30pm-8.30pm, TUESDAY 17 JANUARY WHERE? THE BARLEY MOW (pub), 104 Horseferry Road, Westminster, London, SW1P 2EE ***In upstairs function room*** 5-10 Mins walking distance from Parliament REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED – FREE ENTRY – ALL WELCOME SPEAKERS: Introduction from Sue Ferns (Chair, Unions21) and John Slinger (Editor, Pragmatic Radicalism). Winner Announced by Tom Wilson (Director, unionlearn). PRIZES FOR TOP POLICIES (kindly donated by GMB Southern Region). ——  IDEAS ALREADY SUBMITTED INCLUDE: Josie Cluer – Pragmatic Radicalism contributer and former Labour Special Adviser Match unemployed graduates to jobseekers who lack basic skills Britain has a basic skills crisis: 5m people…
        • Articles about event  Top of the policies In a week when Labour’s relationship with the unions is the crisis of the cycle, story of the second and trending twitter topic, the first of our ‘Top Of The Policies’ of 2012, sponsored by unionlearn and Unions21, steered my mind from one Unite (my union) towards the invigorating realisation that we can unite. PragRad started life as a pamphlet, coloured plain red, with a declared stance of not representing a bloc, wing or the twittersphere troopers of the above. Since then, we’ve developed the innovative TOTP format for events, trialled first at Labour Conference, which encourages people to unite not over ideology, or the leadership’s strategy, but in thinking up new policy ideas with the radicalism and, to coin an increasingly popular descriptor, credibility needed to address the dire problems the country faces. So the joke cracked by event chair, the Guardian’s Michael White, as he surveyed the list of speakers and quoted our pamphlet’s strap-line – “Ideas from Labour’s New Generation…John Edmonds…Parmjit Dhanda” – was funny, and rather apt. An ex-minister and ex-trade union general secretary are indeed part of the ‘new generation’ which Ed Miliband said is defined not by age but attitude.…
      • Labour Conference 2011 FringeThe speakers will be advocating the following policy ideas. They have two minutes to do so, followed by two minutes of Q&A from the audience. Holding the ring is Anthony Painter. At the end, there will be a first-past-the-post vote, followed by a countdown, resulting in a Top 10. Chris Cook – Enterprise architect, Nordic Enterprise Trust; and market commentator.

 Blogs here. Energy Loans: a Green Deal that will actually work: The Coalition’s Green Deal won’t work because banks are too greedy and people can’t be forced to change behaviour. Investors in energy invest directly – ‘Peer to Peer’ – in future energy saving Nega Watts through loans priced and repaid in energy. Saving energy literally saves money. Josie Cluer – Former special adviser and contributed an article to Pragmatic Radicalism on public service reform. Spend 1% of GDP on making renewable energy cheaper than coal and accessible to all: Labour needs a growth strategy which creates a sustainable, balanced economy and encourages inward investment. It must also tell a story about the kind of society we want to build and our place in the world. The country that solves this – the greatest challenge of our generation – will not only…
        • Article on eventCommentators said Labour Party Conference was flat, that the leader and Shadow Ministers’ speeches were policy-light and that many fringes amounted to over-intellectualised navel-gazing. They clearly weren’t at the Pragmatic Radicalism fringe event, co-sponsored by Unions21 and GMB Southern Region, which showed that Labour is fizzing with the energy and ideas to help map a route to more progressive and successful Britain.  ‘Top Of The Policies’ had four aims: to air as many new policy ideas as possible; to provide a platform for new faces; to be interactive and maximise debate; and to do so whilst having fun. Held at the historic Baltic Fleet pub, a shrine for trade unionists, 70 Labour activists packed into the noisy parlour to hear 20 speakers present new policy ideas. In normal circumstances, this number of speakers at a fringe would be a sleep-inducing, but this was a fringe with a difference. Speakers had only two minutes to present their idea, after which our able Chair, the redoubtable Anthony Painter, rang a bell.  Each speech was followed by a similarly time-limited Q&A. The speeches were followed by a ballot using the first-past-the-post system.  This format required speakers to hone their argument to its core…
        • Format of eventWHAT?  20 SPEAKERS (Featuring: Chris Cook, Josie Cluer, Rowena Davis, Gemma Doyle MP, Dan Fox, Lord Glasman, Mike Harris, Sunny Hundal, John McTernan, Amanda Ramsay, David Rowntree, Joe Sarling, John Slinger, Anne Snelgrove, Gisela Stuart MP, Tom Tàbori, Jonathan Todd, Dan Whittle, Jon Worth and more TBC). CHAIRED BY ANTHONY PAINTER 2 MINS EACH TO PRESENT A POLICY IDEA 2 MINUTES Q&A PER POLICY ONE VOTE – ONE TOP 10 WHEN? 5.30pm-7.00pm, MONDAY 26 SEPT WHERE? THE BALTIC FLEET (pub), 33a WAPPING, LIVERPOOL L18 DQ 5-10 Mins walking distance from Conference Centre (map) DRINKS SERVED – FREE ENTRY – ALL WELCOME Kindly sponsored by GMB Southern Region and Unions21 Email john.slinger@pragmaticradicalism.co.uk ——- Help promote the event: Twitter: @PragRad #TopOfThePols Facebook: Event  / Group 
        • Photos / videosBelow are some photos from the event, which was held on Monday 26 September in the Baltic Fleet pub in Liverpool, 5.30pm-7.00pm.   Anthony Painter, who chaired the event Josie Cluer speaking Tom Tàbori speaking Lord Glasman speaking Sunny Hundal speaking John McTernan speaking David Rowntree speaking Amanda Ramsay and Larry Smith (Larry ran the count)                        
        • Vote for TOP policyPlease vote for the policy ideas presented at the fringe event, below: Ben Bradshaw MP Immediate change to continental time to save money, spread light, health and happiness. Chris Cook – Enterprise architect, Nordic Enterprise Trust; and market commentator.

 Blogs here. Energy Loans: a Green Deal that will actually work: The Coalition’s Green Deal won’t work because banks are too greedy and people can’t be forced to change behaviour. Investors in energy invest directly – ‘Peer to Peer’ – in future energy saving Nega Watts through loans priced and repaid in energy. Saving energy literally saves money. Josie Cluer – Former special adviser and contributed an article to Pragmatic Radicalism on public service reform. Spend 1% of GDP on making renewable energy cheaper than coal and accessible to all: Labour needs a growth strategy which creates a sustainable, balanced economy and encourages inward investment. It must also tell a story about the kind of society we want to build and our place in the world. The country that solves this – the greatest challenge of our generation – will not only be the world’s economic powerhouse, but will also be the most secure, and the most environmentally sustainable. Labour should commit to…
    • AboutWHAT? Themed events in 2012 to stimulate policy ideas using the following format: 2 mins each to present policy / 2 mins Q&A One vote – One top 10 Labour Shadow teams to be invited Online voting/webcasting/Twitter fee/Skype IDEAS TO INFORM PRAGRAD’s 2nd PAMPHLET – LAUNCHING AT LABOUR CONFERENCE 2012 More about TOTP format – first event was at Lab11 – tinyurl.com/6eexteq FIRST 2012 EVENT Theme: SKILLS 6.30-8.30pm, 17 Jan/ The Barley Mow (pub), SW1 Sponsors            Submit a policy to present – contacts below THE FUTURE… Future themed events on the economy, health, welfare, education, foreign policy, etc SPONSOR AN EVENT – NGOs/unions/think Tanks/companies/individuals welcome TO PARTICIPATE    #TopOfThePols  / @PragRad    SUBMIT POLICY IDEAS FOR CHANCE john.slinger@pragmaticradicalism.co.uk  / www.pragmaticradicalism.co.uk    
      • About TOTPWHAT? A series of themed events around the UK in 2012 to stimulate policy ideas using the following format: 2 mins each to present policy 2 mins Q&A One vote – One Top Policy Labour Shadow teams to be invited Follow on Twitter here  WINNING IDEAS TO INFORM PRAGRAD’s 2nd PAMPHLET – LAUNCHING AT LABOUR CONFERENCE 2012 More about the TOTP format. FORTHCOMING EVENTS Theme: YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT, 24 February Venue: South Birmingham College (Digbeth Campus) Chaired by Siôn Simon Partners for event:   and    Birmingham Fabian Society More details and to participate HERE. PREVIOUS EVENTS Theme: OPEN, 26 September 2011, at Labour Party Conference Venue: The Baltic Fleet (pub) Sponsors ———————– Theme: SKILLS, 17 January2012 Venue: The Barley Mow (pub),  104 Horseferry Road, Westminster, London, SW1P 2EE Sponsors              THE FUTURE… Future themed events on the defence/security, housing planned Possible other themes – economy, health, welfare, education, foreign policy… SPONSOR AN EVENT – NGOs/unions/think tanks/companies/individuals welcome Submit policy ideas for chance to participate at future events and help inform Labour’s Shadow Ministers. TO PARTICIPATE –   #TopOfThePols  / @PragRad john.slinger@pragmaticradicalism.co.uk    @JohnSlinger
      • Top Of The Policies – Press Releases / media coverageMORE SOON INCLUDING OUR IDEAS BOX FOR THE SKILLS EVENT ON 17 JANUARY, WHICH WILL LIST THE IDEAS ALREADY SUBMITTED.
      • View animated TOTP tweetsView an animated screen of recent tweets about our PragRad ‘Top Of The Policies’ events here.  [Courtesy of the excellent Visible Tweets]
      • Please FUND Us
  • Past publications & events
    • Pamphlet 2 – Top Policies, launched at #Lab12
    • Pamphlet 1
      • First pamphlet launchPamphlet author Amanda Ramsay reflects on the launch event Pragmatic Radicalism: Ideas from Labour’s New Generation launched on 12 July in the House of Commons with a Q&A session hosted by shadow minister Luciana Berger MP who shared a panel with Ed Miliband’s strategic advisor Lord Stewart Wood, chaired by John Slinger, editor of the publication. Photo: Panel – Lord Wood, John Slinger (Chair) and Luciana Berger Designed to provide a voice for Labour thinkers and activists, Pragmatic Radicalism exists to stimulate debate inside and outside the Labour Party and will be submitted to the Labour Party’s policy review. Contributing authors were on hand to participate in a thoughtful and interesting discussion, producing reassuring comments from panellists Berger and Wood who with the Chair emphasised the need to renew and unite under Ed Miliband’s leadership. Described in the Press as Ed Miliband’s Peter Mandelson, Lord Wood spoke of opposition being about “taking the government on with controlled belligerence.” He welcomed the fresh ideas Pragmatic Radicalism presented and insisted that the current policy review must be across the whole party: “Labour’s next manifesto must not be written purely by ‘policy wonks’ in Westminster.”                    …
      • Foreword – Luciana Berger MP
      • Introduction – John Slinger
      • James Allen – Building Labour’s big answer to Cameron’s ‘Big Society’
      • Josie Cluer – Talking about public service reform: values first, the policies will follow
      • Samantha Dowling – Jungle Book politics
      • Dan Fox – Appetite for optimism: progress, growth and a culture of resilience
      • Michael Harris – The re-birth of liberal Labour
      • Gary Kent – Iraq and liberal interventionism
      • Michael McCarthy – The feasibility of government regulation of big business: notes from across the pond
      • Phil Miles – All must have value: how Labour can revitalise and reform educational status and equality of worth
      • Amanda Ramsay – Snubbing TINA: there is an Alternative
      • Larry Smith – Un-squeezing the middle
      • Will Straw & Nick Anstead – Four big ideas to refound Labour
      • Tom Tabori – Now starts the rebuilding: Labour and the new housing policy
      • Jonathan Todd – Addressing the challenges of rebalancing the economy
      • Dan Whittle – Renewing the vows: Divorce won’t work for Labour and the unions – a modern partnership can
      • Jon Worth – Changing the frame: Britain and Europe
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