Fabian Society Information

The Fabian Society is Britain’s oldest political think tank. Founded in 1884, the Society is at the forefront of developing political ideas and public policy on the left. It aims to promote: greater equality of power, wealth and opportunity; the value of collective action and public service; an accountable, tolerant and active democracy; citizenship, liberty and human rights; sustainable development; multilateral international cooperation The society is alone among think tanks in being a democratically-constituted membership organisation, with almost 7,000 members. The Fabian Society is governed by the democratically-elected Executive Committee while the day-to-day operation of the society is overseen by the General Secretary. Through a wide range of publications and events the society influences political and public thinking, but also provides a space for broad and open-minded debate, drawing on an unrivaled external network and its own expert research and analysis. Its programme offers a unique breadth, encompassing national conferences and policy seminars; periodicals, books, reports and digital publication; and commissioned and in-house research and comment. Member-led activity includes 70 local Fabian societies, the Scottish and Welsh Fabians, the Fabian Women’s Network and the Young Fabians, which is itself the leading organisation on the left for young people to debate and influence political ideas. The society was one of the original founders of the Labour Party and is constitutionally affiliated to the party as a Socialist Society. These are membership organisations in sympathy with the party, which sit alongside trade unions as organisational members. The society is however editorially, organisationally and financially independent of the Labour Party and works with a wide range of partners of all political persuasions and none.