The
New Statesman is an
English journal of
political commentary,
discussion and
opinion. It was
founded in
1913 by two
Socialist Fabian Society types
and remains
left-wing in
political persuasion.
The
magazine's '
typical opinion' has, however, followed the
English Labour Party
further towards the centre of the
political spectrum in recent
years.
It should be made
clear that the
NS does not fall into a
category with other
Socialist
publications such as the
Red Pepper or
Socialist Worker. Unlike these is isn't 100%
Socialist
by any
means. The
New Statesman has always been widely
regarded as a
place to
find
high quality commentary on
politics,
current affairs,
culture and
the arts rather
than being aimed solely at
Socialists. Perhaps the
mag's
dedication to being
intelligent and best-of-the-best has
played a large
part in
forcing it away from
the
left.
Currently (
2001)
NS opinion mainly consists of those
supporting the
new Labour
Government's
efforts and those
arguing that, as it
privatises and '
specialises'
education, it has gone far too far to the
right.
Geoffrey Robinson is the
owner of the
publication at the time of
writing. He is a
Labour MP, but he has
recently been
criticised for '
dodgy'
business practice; was
involved in
Peter Mandelson's [First
Downfall and is definately on the Labour Party's left.
Editors are
Peter Wilby and
Cristina Odone.
Some
contributors at
present are: