Lewes Labour Open Meetings are very successful monthly events, which were set up over six years ago. Initially, these were just for LP members. Still, given the quality of the speakers who were willing to come to Lewes, the decision was taken some years ago to make these monthly meetings open to the public, attracting regular audiences of 60 – 100. Since the pandemic the meetings are convened via Zoom, but with the ease of recording our speakers, we are now able to widen our audiences to much further afield through posting the recordings of speakers on our website

Holding the meetings on Zoom also overcomes our former concern about those who were unable to attend face-to-face meetings because of caring responsibilities, disabilities and transport difficulties.  Furthermore, the recording can be watched (or re-watched) when convenient, which is a great advantage for those unable to attend the actual event. In addition, to the actual recordings of our speakers, the website has allowed us to post relevant material and articles before the meeting, which serve to inform our audiences before the event.

There are too many to list but as examples of the depth of expertise and diversity of subjects covered:  Well-known economist ANN PETTIFOR twice, the environmentalist ANDREW SIMMS, the Guardian Health journalist, DENIS CAMPBELL, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, KEVIN COUTRNEY, RONAN BURTANSHAW, editor of Tribune Magazine, and ALEX NUNNS, author of ‘The Candidate, Jeremy Corbyn’s improbable rise to power’.  We have also had speakers from new think tanks like COMMON  WEALTH, THE DEMOCRACEY COLLABORATIVE and pressure groups like KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC.

Our Open Meetings aim to contribute to the national political debate by offering a platform to informed and engaging speakers who deliver our audiences insight and solutions to the big contemporary issues.

Our intention is to give people the knowledge to think for themselves, to be able to challenge false arguments and the power to argue persuasively for a future socialist government

We, the current Open Meetings Committee, hope to see you at forthcoming meetings.

Solidarity

Maggie Symons (co-ordinator) on behalf of the committee.