Red Pepper debates

English? British? Does it matter?

David Beetham asks What is Britishness? while Vron Ware wonders Who cares about England? in the first two pieces in a series about Englishness, national identity and the left

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Should Cuba’s revolution be a beacon for the left?

Yes, says Diana Raby Cuba offers living proof that another world really is possible.

No, says Dave Osler It is unforgiveable to use the slogans of Seattle in describing a one-party dictatorship.

Continuing our debate Diana Raby responds to Dave Osler.

And NEW Cuba’s not my idea of socialism, says Dave Osler in his retort to Diana Raby

Plus: Cuba after Castro
Pablo Navarrete says Cuba’s transition is already in place

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What’s wrong with paying for it?

‘I’m a woman and I have paid for sex. My decision, my choice’
Kirsty Travers explains why she sees nothing wrong in hiring a prostitute

With senior government ministers joining the call for a change in the law to prosecute men who pay for sex, Red Pepper publishes a series of articles on prostitution by sex workers, their clients and campaigners both for and against criminalisation.

Plus Not for little sister
Laurie Penny finds only middle-class male fantasy in Billie Piper’s call girl

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Does the Green Party need a leader?

The Green Party has balloted its members on whether to appoint a leader. Rupert Read and Shahrar Ali debated the pros and cons.

Read the debate on the Red Pepper forum

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Green and red

Is Green the new Red?

Peter Tatchell argues that Green is the new red, while Mary Mellor has some Red questions seeking green answers and Dave Osler says the Green Party can never become a popular front for socialism

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Labour left

Should the left give up on Labour?

In What became of the Labour left? Alex Nunns inquires into whether there is still life in the Labour left, and in Why stay? former Labour national executive member Liz Davies asks why anyone on the left stays in the party. Further contributions from Clare Short, Jon Cruddas, Lord Chris Smith, Mark Perryman, Neal Lawson, John Nicholson, Steve Platt and others

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Is globalisation good for you?

The nation state can no longer deliver the left’s global agenda, says Nigel Harris. Globalisation is our best hope of reducing world poverty, he says. Robin Blackburn replies with some ideas for a new system of global welfare

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What’s wrong with porn?

The British government’s proposed Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill seeks to criminalise the possession of what it calls ‘extreme pornography.’ But is there a right or wrong type of porn?

Red Pepper website commissioned various opinions: pro and anti-porn, personal and political, addressing the question, what’s wrong with porn?

You can read the responses here and add your own views in our forum discussion

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Rethinking political parties

Mainstream political parties are in decline but parties of the radical left haven’t filled the gap. In Rethinking political parties Hilary Wainwright argues we need to go back to the basic assumptions behind our ideas of leadership, knowledge and power. Mark Perryman responds in Agency for change with a set of principles for a new kind of party, while Salma Yaqoob writes about Practising what we preach. In Parties, movements and radical change Davy Jones says the left needs to seize opportunities instead of sneering from the sidelines. Others to follow.

With these essays Red Pepper launches not so much a debate as a collaborative inquiry, to be continued online and in the next issue of our print magazine.

Add your own views in our forum