Christian Socialist Movement debates name change

The Christian Socialist Movement will this week decide whether to ballot its members on a change of name. Members at Annual General Meeting at Westminster Central Hall on Thursday will hear calls to update its name to encourage more Christians to get involved in politics.

CSM brings together Christians on the Left of politics, most of whom are involved with or sympathetic to the Labour Party, to which it is affiliated. It counts MPs and peers amongst its members. CSM was founded in 1960 but can trace its origins beyond that to 1848.

The proposal to change the name comes after CSM members found the name was preventing people becoming involved. Following a survey of members, the executive committee is proposing the organisation be called 'Christians on the Left'.

CSM Director Andy Flannagan said: "When I talk to folks in churches and Christian events, I often encounter people who are confused about who we are and what we stand for. Too many people get hung up on the word 'socialist'. I'm proud of my Christian Socialism but I want people to focus on our values and what we're doing. I want them to join us and not get stuck at the name. That's why we're formally asking members to consider another option."

Alongside the name change, members are being asked to insert a formal commitment to Christian Socialism into CSM's constitution for the first time.

CSM officer Stephen Beer said: "CSM is campaigning on ethical banking, calling for a financial transactions tax, and supporting those who work with the poor and disadvantaged in society. It is and will always be Christian Socialist in nature and I support inserting a clear reference to that in our constitution at the same time as making ourselves more accessible to Christians who think about politics as we do."

The AGM will be asked to vote for a ballot of CSM members to change the name and make other constitutional changes.

After the AGM, CSM is hosting its annual Tawney Dialogue, entitled Beyond Individualism: can the common good liberalism coexist? The speakers will be David Lammy MP and John Milbank, Professor of Religion, Politics, and Ethics at Nottingham University.

For more information see: www.thecsm.org.uk