Emily Benn accepts invite to speak at Glasgow celebration

Emily Benn, the granddaughter of former parliamentarian and campaigner Tony Benn, has agreed to speak at November’s Glasgow celebration of the politician’s life, organisers have announced.

She will speak as part of the major concert organised for 30 November. the culminating event in a day also involving a spoken word event, and series of workshops, all in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.

Neil Findlay MSP from the organising committee welcomed her commitment, and said "It was always important to the organisers that the Benn family supported this event. We are delighted to have that support, and especially delighted that Emily is able to be present."

Emily Benn

Emily Benn said "I am really pleased to be able to attend and say a few words about my grandfather. A proud half-Scotsman, he loved attending public meetings across the country, I know the public support meant a great deal to him. I'm looking forward to coming to Glasgow to pay tribute to him."

Emily Benn daughter of Tony's eldest son Stephen, works in the City of London and is a Labour councillor in the London Borough of Croydon. She was recently selected as the Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Croydon South in the forthcoming Westminster Elections.

The event to celebrate the life and work of Tony Benn is being sponsored by four main Scottish Trade Unions - Aslef, GMB, UNISON and Unite the union and also supported by PCS. It involves a number of workshops, a spoken word event, and a major concert organised by FairPley. 

Rab Noakes

The concert is being curated by singer-songwriter, Rab Noakes, and will also star Chris Difford of Squeeze, folk legend Roy Bailey, Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw of Capercailie, James Grant, Political song doyen Arthur Johnstone, Alastair McDonald and Sheena Wellington. In addition a new voice is NRNXPO's Qyeen - adding hip hop to the mix. It'll be compered by Susan Morrrison and Dave Anderson

The Spoken Word event (separate ticket or as part of a 'day ticket') is compered by Bruce Morton, and currently features Tom Leonard, Juliet Cadzow, and the impressively named performance poet, Elvis McGonagall. 

Workshops will also be available to discuss topics close to Tony's heart. Not finally fixed, but likely to include, folk music and peace campaigning amongst others.

Tickets for these events are available from the GRCH box office on 0141 353 8000 or http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/events/tony-benn-a-celebration-concert/

Justice at Work Campaign gets entertaining boost

Is it a concert? Is it a campaign? Unite Scotland is staging an event today as part of its

Justice at Work campaign that blurs such distinctions. Headlined by anti-blacklist

Ricky Tomlinson

campaigner, Shrewsbury picket and actor, Ricky Tomlinson, the event also stars victimised INEOS stewards Stevie Deans and Mark Lyons.

Providing the music, singer-songwriter, Rab Noakes leads a stellar cast including Arthur Johnstone, moothie maestro Fraser Speirs, Stephen Wright and rap artist NRNXPO Qyeens. Unite's General Secretary, Len McCluskey will also

Rab Noakes

speak as will Stevie Deans' daughter Ailis  and the whole event is compered by comedian, Susan Morrison.

Unite's Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty said

“Tonight’s gig will be an unabashed celebration of working-class achievement and struggle and also a display of solidarity to argue that decent jobs and decent lives go hand-in-hand with decent employment rights and safe, secure workplaces.”

Doors for the free show open at 7PM for a 7:30PM start and a limited number of tickets are available on a first come first served basis from info@fairpley.com.

The trade union movement will be watching this innovative approach to campaigning closely. It is a welcome development in engaging a broader section of people in campaigns, like the Anti-Blacklist Campaign. Associate producers, Fair Pley, continue to work with the Labour Movement and are busy planning an event in tribute to Tony Benn taking place in Glasgow on Sunday 30 November. Their versatility knows no bounds!