Thank you for your feedback on topics for the months ahead. Our organizing group believe that we need to focus on building a progressive election agenda – and many of you have responded with what you see as the key issues. And some have also commented on how we draw a wider audience into some serious discussion and debate.
- Climate crisis, go hard on methane emissions
- Increasing inequality. 1% own 50% I think.
- Foreign policy. Stand up vs foreign hegemony. (Kit)
Key issue - climate change. How to engage on the denial and desperation which keeps us in arrogance and paralysis. It's not that we can't do what needs to be done. We choose not to do it. National's leader, Luxon, accuses Labour of not being able to do things. Really rich after its performance. How can they overcome their nature as empty-headed desperadoes? (Richard)
One issue that I would like to hear more about is the 3 waters changes. What does it really mean for the average person? Perhaps you could have a supporter of it and a person opposed to it. (Margaret)
I think agenda-setting is key here. To me that looks like having progressive scholars and organisers along to outline what they think should be on the agenda, with discussion and questions to follow. Every Fabians talk I’ve been to has been excellent, so I don’t have any feedback on that. (Ti)
David Parker or Chloe Swarbrick. She would remind us of what “socialism” (could) look/s like and would bring in the punters. (Tom)
Endless growth vs environmental and social sustainability (the colonial approach to economic growth via population growth and foreign investment) from the perspective of international solidarity Thank you for your work. (Daniela)
It is imperative that the Right does not win the election. And the public is being encouraged to by both the media and social media, from what I see. I will vote Labour for my electoral vote, but I am a Green Party member and will give them my party vote. I would like to see Labour win the election, but with a much larger Green presence in Parliament. This is because Labour needs the Greens to keep them from becoming a tame Centrist party and from missing all the opportunities and work required to a) fight climate change and prepare for what we can't reverse and b) put a halt to the runaway profiteering of corporations, while the poor get poorer and their lives more desperate. These topics need intensive discussion and planning for the election.
We also need to find ways to activate young voters to take an interest in the election, perhaps to educate them about the Fabian Society and its past and to inspire them to fight for social justice and the environment.
We also need to find a way to educate people about the forces at work on social media to promote lies and conspiracy theories. People need to be able to discern the difference, to understand that the democratic system is not perfect but is valid and our only hope and that their part in it is crucial to the future. They need to understand the corrupt nature of big business and the Right.
This may mean doing more than holding online talks and discussions amongst members. It may mean getting out to schools, polytechs and universities and anywhere where people gather. It may mean having a presence on social media. It may mean recruiting younger people to help. (Deborah)
Read more: Feedback from Fabian Friends