Ken Livingstone will guest edit this week’s New Statesman

September 15, 2009 11:27 am

Ken LivingstoneBy Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

This week’s New Statesman, in the shops tomorrow, will be guest edited by former mayor of London Ken Livingstone.

The special edition of the magazine will include:

* Jarvis Cocker writing exclusively about why he wants the next generation of Trident nuclear weapons scrapped.

* Ken indulging his passion for science fiction in an interview with one of his favourite writers – Iain Banks. Ken and Iain discuss everything from whether living space means you have to have socialism, to Banks’s views on Scottish independence.

* Contributions from Vivienne Westwood, Jo Brand and Bob Stanley of the band Saint Etienne on the London music scene, and figues including Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) and Stephen Fry pick their favourite London songs.

* The New Statesman’s previous guest editor Alastair Campbell takes on pro-Tory drift in the media.

* Charles Kennedy and Jon Cruddas, along with other New Statesman readers, will put their questions to Ken.

* Tony Woodley of Unite calls for higher taxes on the rich.

* Articles with international contributors will address climate change, the prospects for US cities under Obama, and Latin America.

Ken said:

“A magazine like the Statesman is more essential than ever when we face the challenge of global economic crisis and the threat of climate change, and when only progressive politics can provide the answers – or even ask the right questions. My one-off edition will try to get as many of the world’s biggest issues together in one place. It will not flinch from saying why the Tories will be a disaster to why Labour must change. From Obama and US cities to whether or not you need socialism to survive in outer space, it’s all here.”

Related posts:

  1. I’m guest editing the New Statesman – and I’m asking for your Labour manifesto proposals
  2. New Statesman: “Why Ma’am must go”
  3. Livingstone laments Johnson’s “shambles”
  4. New Statesman goes head-to-head with The Spectator
  5. Introducing a week long special guest editor

Comments are closed

Latest

  • Local Government News Prezza for Police Commissioner?

    Prezza for Police Commissioner?

    According to the Hull and East Riding Mail: “Lord Prescott said: “I want the opportunity to continue my public service to the region with a mandate from the people to protect the community and target criminals. “I feel that after proudly serving as a local MP for 40 years and as a cabinet minister for 10 years, I have the experience to listen to the public and help be their strong voice in supporting the police and holding them to [...]

    Read more →
  • Featured A big moment for the NHS – and for blogging

    A big moment for the NHS – and for blogging

    Today marks a big moment – not just in British blogging history, but in British political history. The decision by cabinet ministers to go to ConHome calling for the health bill to be dropped is a breach of collective responsibility, that much is clear. That they have briefed ConHome anonymously makes very little difference – Tim Montgomerie is a scrupulous character who can be taken at his word. These cabinet ministers, whoever they are, are angry. And they want this [...]

    Read more →
  • Comment Is there a thin blue line for the new Police and Crime Commissioners?

    Is there a thin blue line for the new Police and Crime Commissioners?

    The process to select candidates for the new Police Crime Commissioners is underway. The Labour Party NEC will be long-listing at the end of February. The Liberal Democrats have, I understand, said that they do not intend to field candidates from a nationally organised position but will offer support to local parties taking the initiative. In the past, the Conservatives have declared that they will be hosting open primaries but no news is yet emerging on when and where these [...]

    Read more →
  • Video Another Lembit video

    Another Lembit video

    Earlier this week we brought you the internet sensation that is “Pop Lembit”. But as we all know Lembit has always been an extrovert, and it turns out he has something in his back catalogue that is almost as spectacular as his most recent output. It’s a little longer, but it’s just as …engaging. Ladies and gentlemen – introducing…retro Lembit… (Via Popbitch (via Mark Pack))

    Read more →
  • News Quote of the day: Miliband wants PMQs reform

    Quote of the day: Miliband wants PMQs reform

    According to the Guardian: “I find the Westminster village gets much more excited about it than the population, I believe. I don’t know how to change it so I’m not going to make false promises about changing it but I would love to change it if I could.”

    Read more →