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Republic (political organisation)
Encyclopedia
Republic is a British
non-partisan republican
pressure group advocating the replacement of the United Kingdom's monarchy
with a democratically-elected
head of state
.
It is a member organisation of Common Cause
and the Alliance of European Republican Movements and is currently the only organisation solely campaigning for a republican
constitution
for Britain.
Republic states that its mission is:
Graham Smith is the current Campaign Manager of Republic.
During the lead up to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton Republic claimed to have around 14,000 registered supporters, up from around 7000 in November 2010.
Republic's response to the annual royal finance reports is reported in the media. In 2009, while Buckingham Palace
claimed the total cost of the monarchy to be £41.5m, Republic estimated the figure at £183.3 million, once additional costs such as royal security had been taken into account. Republic's calculations do not factor in the income of the Crown Estate
, which is transferred to the national coffers; they assert that the Crown Estate is the property of the monarch only in their capacity as Head of State, and thereby state property.
for expressing forthright views and lobbying on political issues, which the group says is unconstitutional. It has also called on the British Government to stop subsidising Charles's £16.3m annual income through grants and tax breaks.
and was taken up by human rights lawyer Louise Christian
.
prohibits the advocacy of a republic in print. The penalty for such advocacy, even if the republic is to be set up by peaceful means, is lifetime imprisonment. This Act remains in force in the United Kingdom. However, under the Human Rights Act 1998
, the Law Lords have held that although the Treason Felony Act remains on the statute books it must be interpreted so as to be incompatible with the Human Rights Act, and therefore no longer prohibits peaceful republican activity.
members — in Parliament, including Tony Benn
, who in 1991 introduced a Commonwealth of Britain Bill
in Parliament
.
It currently lists the following MPs as supporters:
Lords:
Outside Parliament, Republic lists as supporters:
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
non-partisan republican
Republicanism in the United Kingdom
Republicanism in the United Kingdom is the movement which seeks to remove the British monarchy and replace it with a republic that has a non-hereditary head of state...
pressure group advocating the replacement of the United Kingdom's monarchy
Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
with a democratically-elected
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
.
It is a member organisation of Common Cause
Common Cause (alliance)
Common Cause is an alliance of four republican political organisations in the Commonwealth of Nations seeking to remove the Monarchy in each realm and replace it with a Republic, with an elected Head of State.As of May 2008, the four members are:...
and the Alliance of European Republican Movements and is currently the only organisation solely campaigning for a republican
Republicanism
Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a republic, where the head of state is appointed by means other than heredity, often elections. The exact meaning of republicanism varies depending on the cultural and historical context...
constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
for Britain.
Republic states that its mission is:
- To mount a successful campaign to persuade a majority of voters to support the replacement of hereditary monarchy with a democratic republican constitution.
Graham Smith is the current Campaign Manager of Republic.
History
Originally created by a small group of republicans in London in 1983 Republic was reinvented as a campaigning pressure group in 2006, when it became formally set up as a limited company (Republic Campaign Ltd) with a board of directors and Executive Office.During the lead up to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton Republic claimed to have around 14,000 registered supporters, up from around 7000 in November 2010.
Royal finances
Republic asserts that there is a lack of transparency and accountability with respect to the funding of the monarchy. The group believes the royal finances should be independently audited by the National Audit Office, like all other central government departments, and that the monarchy's exemption from the Freedom of Information Act should be removed.Republic's response to the annual royal finance reports is reported in the media. In 2009, while Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
claimed the total cost of the monarchy to be £41.5m, Republic estimated the figure at £183.3 million, once additional costs such as royal security had been taken into account. Republic's calculations do not factor in the income of the Crown Estate
Crown Estate
In the United Kingdom, the Crown Estate is a property portfolio owned by the Crown. Although still belonging to the monarch and inherent with the accession of the throne, it is no longer the private property of the reigning monarch and cannot be sold by him/her, nor do the revenues from it belong...
, which is transferred to the national coffers; they assert that the Crown Estate is the property of the monarch only in their capacity as Head of State, and thereby state property.
Prince Charles
Republic regularly criticises Prince CharlesCharles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
for expressing forthright views and lobbying on political issues, which the group says is unconstitutional. It has also called on the British Government to stop subsidising Charles's £16.3m annual income through grants and tax breaks.
Oaths of allegiance
In 2008 Republic launched a campaign to give republicans an alternative oath of allegiance. The campaign began with an Early Day MotionEarly day motion
An Early Day Motion , in the Westminster system, is a motion, expressed as a single sentence, tabled by Members of Parliament for debate "on an early day" . Controversial EDMs are not signed by Government Ministers, PPS or the Speaker of the House of Commons and very few are debated on the floor...
and was taken up by human rights lawyer Louise Christian
Louise Christian
Louise Christian is an award-winning British human rights lawyer.She is a frequent contributor to The Guardian.She is the author or co-author of several books.She is the daughter of Jack and Maureen Christian....
.
Royal wedding
Republic held an alternative street party in London at the 2011 Wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton, "celebrating democracy and people power rather than inherited privilege", along with other events across the UK's major cities. The London event had initially been blocked by Camden Council.Legal context
Advocacy of the replacement of the monarchy with a republic has been an imprisonable offence in law. The Treason Felony Act 1848Treason Felony Act 1848
The Treason Felony Act 1848 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Act is still in force. It is a law which protects HM the Queen and the Crown....
prohibits the advocacy of a republic in print. The penalty for such advocacy, even if the republic is to be set up by peaceful means, is lifetime imprisonment. This Act remains in force in the United Kingdom. However, under the Human Rights Act 1998
Human Rights Act 1998
The Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom which received Royal Assent on 9 November 1998, and mostly came into force on 2 October 2000. Its aim is to "give further effect" in UK law to the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights...
, the Law Lords have held that although the Treason Felony Act remains on the statute books it must be interpreted so as to be incompatible with the Human Rights Act, and therefore no longer prohibits peaceful republican activity.
Supporters of the Republic campaign
The campaign has had a number of supporters — notably LabourLabour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
members — in Parliament, including Tony Benn
Tony Benn
Anthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC is a British Labour Party politician and a former MP and Cabinet Minister.His successful campaign to renounce his hereditary peerage was instrumental in the creation of the Peerage Act 1963...
, who in 1991 introduced a Commonwealth of Britain Bill
Commonwealth of Britain Bill
The Commonwealth of Britain Bill was a bill first introduced in 1991 by Tony Benn, then a Labour Member of Parliament in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. It proposed abolishing the British monarchy, with the United Kingdom becoming a "democratic, federal and secular commonwealth", in...
in Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
.
It currently lists the following MPs as supporters:
- Norman BakerNorman BakerNorman John Baker is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Lewes in East Sussex since 1997. Since May 2010 he has been Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Department for Transport....
(Liberal Democrat) - Russell BrownRussell BrownRussell Leslie Brown is a Scottish Labour Party politician. He is Member of Parliament for Dumfries and Galloway.-Early years :Russell Brown was born in Annan, Scotland, and attended the local Annan Academy...
(Labour) - Jeremy CorbynJeremy CorbynJeremy Bernard Corbyn is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Islington North since 1983.-Early and personal life:...
(Labour) - David CrausbyDavid CrausbyDavid Anthony Crausby is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Bolton North East since 1997.-Professional career:...
(Labour) - Ian DavidsonIan Davidson (Scottish politician)Ian Graham Davidson is a Scottish Labour Co-operative politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Glasgow South West since 2005...
(Labour) - Paul FlynnPaul Flynn (politician)Paul Philip Flynn is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Newport West since the 1987 general election. He was born in Cardiff of Welsh/Irish parentage....
(Labour) - Roger GodsiffRoger GodsiffRoger Duncan Godsiff is a British Labour politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath from 1992 to 2010, when he became Member of Parliament for Birmingham Hall Green.-Early life:...
(Labour)
- Kelvin HopkinsKelvin HopkinsKelvin Peter Hopkins is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Luton North since 1997.-Background:...
(Labour) - Glenda JacksonGlenda JacksonGlenda May Jackson, CBE is a British Labour Party politician and former actress. She has been a Member of Parliament since 1992, and currently represents Hampstead and Kilburn. She previously served as MP for Hampstead and Highgate...
(Labour) - Caroline LucasCaroline LucasCaroline Patricia Lucas is a British politician. Lucas is the leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, and the Green Party's first and only Member of Parliament in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom...
(Green) - Jim McGovern (Labour)
- Ann McKechin (Labour)
- Stephen Pound (Labour)
- Julian HuppertJulian HuppertJulian Leon Huppert is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom and Member of Parliament for Cambridge since 2010...
(Liberal Democrat)
Lords:
- The Lord Foulkes of CumnockGeorge Foulkes, Baron Foulkes of CumnockGeorge Foulkes, Baron Foulkes of Cumnock, PC is a British Labour Party life peer. He has been a member of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Scottish Parliament...
(Labour) - The Lord HattersleyRoy HattersleyRoy Sydney George Hattersley, Baron Hattersley is a British Labour politician, author and journalist from Sheffield. He served as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992.-Early life:...
(Labour)
- The Lord Prys-Davies (Labour)
- The Lord TaverneDick Taverne, Baron TaverneDick Taverne, Baron Taverne, QC, is an English politician, who is one of the small number of members of the British House of Commons elected since the Second World War who was not the candidate of a major political party...
(Liberal Democrat)
Outside Parliament, Republic lists as supporters:
- Yasmin Alibhai-BrownYasmin Alibhai-BrownYasmin Alibhai-Brown MBE is a Ugandan-born British journalist and author, who describes herself as a "leftie liberal, anti-racist, feminist, Muslim, part-Pakistani...a very responsible person"...
; journalist - Julian BagginiJulian BagginiJulian Baggini is the author of several books about philosophy written for a general audience. He is the author of The Pig that Wants to be Eaten and 99 other thought experiments and is co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Philosophers' Magazine...
; philosopher - Steve BellSteve Bell (cartoonist)Steve Bell is an English political cartoonist, whose work appears in The Guardian and other publications. He is known for his left-wing views and distinctive caricatures.-Early life:...
; political cartoonist - Tony BennTony BennAnthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC is a British Labour Party politician and a former MP and Cabinet Minister.His successful campaign to renounce his hereditary peerage was instrumental in the creation of the Peerage Act 1963...
; former Labour MP and cabinet member - John Biggs; London AssemblyLondon AssemblyThe London Assembly is an elected body, part of the Greater London Authority, that scrutinises the activities of the Mayor of London and has the power, with a two-thirds majority, to amend the mayor's annual budget. The assembly was established in 2000 and is headquartered at City Hall on the south...
member (Labour); - Honor BlackmanHonor BlackmanHonor Blackman is an English actress, known for the roles of Cathy Gale in The Avengers and Bond girl Pussy Galore in Goldfinger .-Early life:...
; actress - Jo BrandJo BrandJosephine Grace "Jo" Brand is a BAFTA winning British comedian, writer, and actor.- Early life :Jo Brand was born 23 July 1957 in Wandsworth, London. Her mother was a social worker. Brand is the middle of three children, with two brothers...
; comedienne - Piers BrendonPiers BrendonPiers Brendon is a British writer, known for historical and biographical works. He was educated at Shrewsbury School, Shropshire, and Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he read History. He earned his Ph.D for his thesis, Hurrell Froude and the Oxford Movement, which was published, with much...
; historian - Julie BurchillJulie BurchillJulie Burchill is an English writer and journalist. Beginning as a writer for the New Musical Express at the age of 17, she has written for newspapers such as The Sunday Times and The Guardian. She is a self-declared "militant feminist". She has several times been involved in legal action...
; writer - Beatrix CampbellBeatrix CampbellMary Lorimer Beatrix Campbell, OBE is a British campaigning journalist and author.Since the mid 1970s, she has published numerous articles and book reviews in such publications as Marxism Today, Red Rag, Time Out, Feminist Review, New Statesman, New Socialist, The Guardian, The Independent,...
; writer - Jon CanterJon CanterJon Canter is an English television comedy writer for Lenny Henry and other leading comedians. Canter was born and brought up in the Jewish community of Golders Green, North London and studied law at the University of Cambridge where he became President of Footlights.After a spell in advertising...
; television scriptwriter - Louise ChristianLouise ChristianLouise Christian is an award-winning British human rights lawyer.She is a frequent contributor to The Guardian.She is the author or co-author of several books.She is the daughter of Jack and Maureen Christian....
; human rights lawyer - Michael ClaphamMichael ClaphamMichael Clapham is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Barnsley West and Penistone from 1992 to 2010.-Early life:...
; former Labour MP - Nick CohenNick CohenNick Cohen is a British journalist, author and political commentator. He is currently a columnist for The Observer, a blogger for The Spectator and TV critic for Standpoint magazine. He formerly wrote for the London Evening Standard and the New Statesman...
; political author and commentator - John Cole; former BBC Political Editor
- Stan CollymoreStan CollymoreStanley Victor "Stan" Collymore is an English football pundit and former footballer, who played from 1990 until 2001. He held the British transfer record when he moved from Nottingham Forest to Liverpool for £8.5 million in 1995 and was capped three times at senior level by the England...
; former England footballer - Roseanna CunninghamRoseanna CunninghamRoseanna Cunningham is the Scottish Government's Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs and Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, having previously represented Perth.-Early life:Raised in Australia, she returned to Scotland and...
MSPMember of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
(Scottish National Party) - Richard DawkinsRichard DawkinsClinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL , known as Richard Dawkins, is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author...
; evolutionary biologist - Bill EtheringtonBill EtheringtonWilliam "Bill" Etherington is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Sunderland North from 1992 to 2010.-Early life:...
; former Labour MP - Linda FabianiLinda FabianiLinda Fabiani is a Scots-Italian politician. A member of the Scottish National Party . She is the Member of the Scottish Parliament for East Kilbride....
; Scottish minister MSP (Scottish National Party) - Simon FanshaweSimon FanshaweSimon Hew Dalrymple Fanshawe is a writer and broadcaster. He contributes frequently to British newspapers, TV and radio...
; writer and broadcaster - Jonathan FreedlandJonathan FreedlandJonathan Saul Freedland is a British journalist, who writes a weekly column for The Guardian and a monthly piece for the Jewish Chronicle. He is also a regular contributor to The New York Times and The New York Review of Books, and presents BBC Radio 4’s contemporary history series,...
; journalist and author - George GallowayGeorge GallowayGeorge Galloway is a British politician, author, journalist and broadcaster who was a Member of Parliament from 1987 to 2010. He was formerly an MP for the Labour Party, first for Glasgow Hillhead and later for Glasgow Kelvin, before his expulsion from the party in October 2003, the same year...
former Respect MP - Rob GibsonRob GibsonRob Gibson MSP is a Scottish politician. A member of the Scottish National Party , he was elected to the Scottish Parliament to represent Caithness, Sutherland and Ross in the 2011 election....
MSP (Scottish National Party) - Christine GrahameChristine GrahameChristine Grahame is a Scottish politician. She has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, having previously been a member for the South of Scotland region, first elected in the 1999 election and subsequently re-elected in 2003 and...
MSP (Scottish National Party) - Paul GreengrassPaul GreengrassPaul Greengrass is an English film director, screenwriter and former journalist. He specialises in dramatisations of real-life events and is known for his signature use of hand-held cameras.-Life and career:...
; film director and writer - Roy GreensladeRoy GreensladeRoy Greenslade is Professor of Journalism at City University London and has been a media commentator since 1992, most notably for The Guardian....
; media commentator and academic - Philippa GregoryPhilippa GregoryPhilippa Gregory is an English novelist.-Early life and academic career:Philippa Gregory was born in Kenya. When she was two years old, her family moved to England. She was a "rebel" at school, but managed to attend the University of Sussex...
; historical novelist - John GriffithsJohn GriffithsJohn Griffiths AM is a Welsh Labour Co-operative politician and the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development...
Welsh AssemblyNational Assembly for WalesThe National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...
member (Labour) - Mark HaddonMark HaddonMark Haddon is an English novelist and poet, best known for his 2003 novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.- Life and work :...
; novelist - Johann HariJohann HariJohann Hari is an award winning British journalist who has been a columnist at The Independent, the The Huffington Post, and contributed to several other publications. In 2011, Hari was accused of plagiarism; he subsequently was suspended from The Independent and surrendered his 2008 Orwell Prize...
; writer - Stephen HaselerStephen HaselerStephen Haseler is Professor of Government, author of numerous books on contemporary politics, and Director of The Global Policy Institute in London...
; constitutionalist - Anthony HoldenAnthony HoldenAnthony Holden is an English writer, broadcaster and critic, particularly known as a biographer of artists including Shakespeare, Tchaikovsky, Leigh Hunt, Lorenzo da Ponte and Laurence Olivier, and of members of the British Royal family, notably Charles, Prince of Wales...
; journalist, broadcaster and writer - Ted HonderichTed HonderichTed Honderich is a Canadian-born British philosopher, Grote Professor Emeritus of the Philosophy of Mind and Logic, University College London and Visiting Professor, University of Bath...
; philosopher - Mick HumeMick HumeMick Hume is a British journalist and former organiser of the defunct Revolutionary Communist Party. He was raised in Woking and educated at Manchester University where he read American Studies...
; journalist - Brian IddonBrian IddonBrian Iddon is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Bolton South East from 1997 to 2010.-Early life:...
former Labour MP - Bethan JenkinsBethan JenkinsBethan Jenkins AM , is a Welsh politician, born in Aberdare, Wales, who has represented the South Wales West Region for Plaid Cymru as a Member of the National Assembly for Wales since 2007.-Background:...
; Welsh Assembly member (Plaid Cymru) - Lynne JonesLynne JonesLynne Mary Jones is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Selly Oak from 1992 until the dissolution of parliament in April 2010.-Early life:...
former Labour MP - Patrick JonesPatrick JonesPatrick Jones is a Welsh poet, playwright and filmmaker. His work is often in collaboration with the rock band Manic Street Preachers; his brother, Nicky Wire, is their bassist.-Biography:...
; poet, playwright and filmmaker
- Kitty KelleyKitty KelleyKitty Kelley is an American journalist and author of several best-selling unauthorized biographies of celebrities and politicians. Her subjects have included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, the British Royal Family, the Bush family, and Oprah Winfrey...
; American author - Mike LeighMike LeighMichael "Mike" Leigh, OBE is a British writer and director of film and theatre. He studied theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and studied further at the Camberwell School of Art and the Central School of Art and Design. He began as a theatre director and playwright in the mid 1960s...
; director and writer - Ken LoachKen LoachKenneth "Ken" Loach is a Palme D'Or winning English film and television director.He is known for his naturalistic, social realist directing style and for his socialist beliefs, which are evident in his film treatment of social issues such as homelessness , labour rights and child abuse at the...
; director - Tim LottTim LottTim Lott is a British author. After running his own magazine publishing business, he graduated from the London School of Economics in 1986....
; author - Andrew MacKinlayAndrew MacKinlayAndrew Stuart MacKinlay is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Thurrock from 1992 until he stepped down at the 2010 general election.-Early life:...
former Labour MP - Kenan MalikKenan MalikKenan Malik is an Indian-born English writer, lecturer and broadcaster, trained in neurobiology and the history of science. As a scientific author, his focus is on the philosophy of biology, and contemporary theories of multiculturalism, pluralism and race...
; writer, lecturer and broadcaster - Michael MansfieldMichael MansfieldMichael Mansfield QC is an English barrister. A republican, vegetarian, socialist, and self-described "radical lawyer", he has participated in prominent and controversial court cases and inquests involving accused IRA bombers, the Bloody Sunday incident, and the deaths of Jean Charles de Menezes...
, QCQueen's CounselQueen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
; human rights lawyer - Bob Marshall-AndrewsBob Marshall-AndrewsRobert Graham Marshall-Andrews QC is a British Labour Party politician and barrister, who was the Member of Parliament for Medway from 1997 to 2010.-Early life:...
former Labour MP - Chris McLaughlinChris McLaughlinChris McLaughlin is a British journalist, who since 2004 has been editor of the Labour Party-supporting weekly UK magazine Tribune.Previously McLaughlin was political editor of the Sunday Mirror, deputy Political Editor of the Mail on Sunday, European Editor and deputy Political Editor of The...
; journalist - Doug NaysmithDoug NaysmithJohn Douglas Naysmith is a British Labour Co-operative politician who was the Member of Parliament for Bristol North West from 1997 until standing down at the 2010 general election....
former Labour MP - Brendan O'Neill; journalist
- Julia PascalJulia PascalJulia Pascal is a British atheist Jewish playwright and theatre director.Her stage plays include Theresa, based on the true story of a Jewish woman on Guernsey during the German occupation in the Second World War. This is the first in The Holocaust Trilogy...
; playwright and theatre director - Caryl PhillipsCaryl PhillipsCaryl Phillips is a British writer with a Caribbean background, best known as a novelist. He is now professor at Yale University and a visiting professor at Barnard College of Columbia University.-Life:...
; novelist - Stephen PollardStephen PollardStephen Pollard is a British author and journalist, currently editor of The Jewish Chronicle. He is a former Chairman of the European Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and a former president of the Centre for the New Europe, a free-market think tank based in Brussels...
; journalist and author - Gordon PrenticeGordon PrenticeGordon Prentice is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Pendle in Lancashire from 1992 to 2010.-Early life:...
former Labour MP - Claire RaynerClaire RaynerClaire Berenice Rayner OBE was an English nurse, journalist, broadcaster and novelist, best known for her role for many years as an agony aunt.-Early life:...
; (deceased) journalist and author - Brian ReadeBrian ReadeBrian Reade is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author who has two weekly opinion columns, one on sports, for the Daily Mirror. He was born in Wavertree and grew up in Huyton attending De La Salle School in Croxteth. He has interviewed many well-known people including Mohammed Ali and...
; journalist - Vicky RichardsonVicky RichardsonVicky Richardson is an architecture and design journalist. She is currently the editor of leading architecture and design magazine Blueprint.Having studied fine art at Central St Martins and Chelsea School of Art and Design, she went on to gain a BA in architecture at the University of Westminster...
; journalist - Justice Geoffrey RobertsonGeoffrey RobertsonGeoffrey Ronald Robertson QC is an Australian-born human rights lawyer, academic, author and broadcaster. He holds dual Australian and British citizenship....
, QC - Steven RoseSteven RoseSteven P. Rose is a Professor of Biology and Neurobiology at the Open University and University of London.-Life:...
; biologist - Michael RosenMichael RosenMichael Wayne Rosen is a broadcaster, children's novelist and poet and the author of 140 books. He was appointed as the fifth Children's Laureate in June 2007, succeeding Jacqueline Wilson, and held this honour until 2009....
; broadcaster, children's novelist and poet - Mark SeddonMark Seddon-Education:Seddon was educated at Dauntsey's School, an independent school , in the village of West Lavingdon in Wiltshire.-Life and career:...
; journalist - Will SelfWill SelfWilliam Woodard "Will" Self is an English novelist and short story writer. His fictional style is known for being satirical, grotesque, and fantastical. He is a prolific commentator on contemporary British life, with regular appearances on Newsnight and Question Time...
; writer - Paul SimononPaul SimononPaul Gustave Simonon is an English musician and artist best known as the bass guitarist for punk rock band The Clash. Recent work includes his involvement in the album The Good, the Bad & the Queen with Damon Albarn, Simon Tong and Tony Allen, released in January 2007...
; The ClashThe ClashThe Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
bass guitarist - Joan SmithJoan Smith (novelist and journalist)Joan Alison Smith is an English novelist, journalist and human rights activist, who is a former chair of the Writers in Prison committee in the English section of International PEN.-Life and work:...
; novelist and journalist - Mark SteelMark SteelMark Steel is a British socialist columnist, author and comedian. He was a member of the Socialist Workers Party from his late teens until 2007.-Early life:...
; writer and comedian - Peter TatchellPeter TatchellPeter Gary Tatchell is an Australian-born British political campaigner best known for his work with LGBT social movements...
; human rights activist - Adam TomkinsAdam TomkinsProfessor Adam Tomkins is a British legal scholar and John Millar Professor of Public Law at the School of Law of the University of Glasgow.Tomkins was educated at the University of East Anglia and the London School of Economics...
; public law scholar - Sue TownsendSue Townsend-Adrian Mole series:* The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ , her best selling book, and the best-selling new British fiction book of the 1980s.* The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole * The True Confessions of Adrian Albert Mole...
; novelist - Polly ToynbeePolly ToynbeePolly Toynbee is a British journalist and writer, and has been a columnist for The Guardian newspaper since 1998. She is a social democrat and broadly supports the Labour Party, while urging it in many areas to be more left-wing...
; journalist and author - Jonathan Trigell; author
- Graham WatsonGraham WatsonSir Graham Robert Watson is a European politician from the United Kingdom. He has served as a Member of the European Parliament for South West England since 1994 and was leader of the liberal group in Parliament for seven years between 2002 and 2009.-Early life:Graham Watson was born in Rothesay...
MEP (Liberal Democrat); - Francis WheenFrancis WheenFrancis James Baird Wheen is a British journalist, writer and broadcaster.-Early life and education:Wheen was born into an army family and educated at two independent schools: Copthorne Preparatory School near Crawley, West Sussex and Harrow School in north west London.-Life and career:Running...
; journalist, writer and broadcaster - Peter WhelanPeter WhelanPeter Whelan is a British playwright.Whelan was born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent, England. His works includes seven plays for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the first of which was Captain Swing, in 1979...
; playwright - Sandra WhiteSandra WhiteSandra White is a Scottish politician, the Scottish National Party MSP for the Glasgow Kelvin constituency. She was previously a list MSP for the Glasgow electoral region from 1999....
MSP (Scottish National Party) - Leanne WoodLeanne WoodLeanne Wood AM , is a Welsh politician, born in the Rhondda, Wales, who has represented the South Wales Central region for Plaid Cymru as a Member of the National Assembly for Wales since 2003. Wood is known as a republican and socialist....
; Welsh Assembly member (Plaid Cymru) - Benjamin ZephaniahBenjamin ZephaniahBenjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah is an English writer and dub poet. He is a well-known figure in contemporary English literature, and was included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008....
; author.