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Crassus and the limits of wealth in politics

Money Is Not Power: The Lesson of Crassus

By Grandmaster Raymond Keene OBE Patron of the Labour Asians’ Society What is the purpose of government? Surely it is not to fight endlessly over party leadership, nor to pursue unrealistic policies that risk impoverishing the nation. It is certainly not to overlook innocent people when institutions fail them, or to allow politics to become...

Mozart and the comedy of chess

By Raymond Keene Having completed last year my annual pilgrimage to Glyndebourne for their new version of Le Nozze di Figaro , I finally realised what this particular opera by Mozart is really about. Figaro himself begins by describing his rivalry with Count Almaviva in the language of a dance: “ Se vuol ballare, signor contino, il chitarrino le suonerò… ”...

Gas don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing

By Patrick Heren In a recent letter to The Times, Chris O’Shea, the CEO of the energy giant Centrica, rightly pointed out this and previous British governments’ apparent indifference to the country’s shortage of gas storage. The Labour Government has so far shown great reluctance to support the reopening of the Rough field in the...

Empowering the Next Generation to Lead

By Farhaan Rehman Young people are not simply the future of Britain; they are an essential part of its present. Their ambitions, experiences and ideas are already shaping our communities, workplaces and society. If the Labour Party is to remain strong, united and connected to the people it represents, it must continue to inspire a...

Woman building a dream from a small beginning

You Don’t Need a Big Beginning to Create Something You Are Proud Of

By Sylvia Emelda Perera We live in a world that often celebrates big launches, overnight success and impressive beginnings. But some of the things we are most proud of in life begin very simply. My own journey with Colombo Kitchen certainly did. I did not begin with a restaurant empire, a large team or years...

The Power of Empathy

By Dr. Shahzad Qureshi A smile is often seen as a sign of happiness, confidence or contentment. Yet behind some of the brightest smiles can exist struggles that remain completely invisible to the outside world. This is why empathy is not simply a virtue; it is an essential part of humanity. We live in a...

Creating Space for Women in Leadership Strengthens Entire Communities

By Prof. Fatima Zaman “Give a woman the space to lead, and she will create opportunities for others to rise.” This simple statement carries a powerful message about leadership, equality and the importance of giving women genuine opportunities to shape our society. Women have always played a fundamental role in families, communities, workplaces and public...

The Importance of Remaining Curious

By Sana Kardar There is a particular confidence that comes with believing we have found the answer. History, however, teaches us to be cautious. Some of humanity’s greatest advances began when someone looked at what others accepted as settled and asked a simple question: what if there is more to discover? Science depends on precisely...

Flowing water symbolising personal growth

Never Allow Yourself to Become Stagnant

By Atta Haq Water is one of the purest and most essential elements of life. It cleans, refreshes and gives life to everything it touches. Yet even water, when it stops flowing and remains stagnant for too long, can lose its freshness. There is a powerful lesson in this simple truth: life, too, requires movement....

Passion Cannot Be Taught, It Comes From Within

By Sylvia Emelda Perera In every profession, there are skills that can be taught. We can learn techniques, follow recipes, study successful people and improve through experience. But there is one quality that no textbook, training course or mentor can truly give us: passion. I have always believed that you can teach someone a recipe,...

Chess, Prisons and the Power of the Mind

By Raymond Keene OBE Chess Grandmaster Patron of the Labour Asians Society There has been much discussion recently about overcrowding in the UK prison system and who should, or should not, be offered early release. Even Andy Burnham has entered the debate. I write with some experience of the subject, having worked in the Home...

Self-Discipline: The Choice That Shapes Our Future

By Dr. Shahzad Qureshi In a world filled with instant gratification, constant distractions and endless opportunities to seek comfort, self-discipline has become one of the most valuable qualities a person can develop. The simple idea that “self-discipline is choosing what builds your future over what satisfies you today” carries a powerful message: meaningful success rarely...

Strong Women: Breaking Barriers and Building Pathways for Others

By Prof Fatima Zaman “Strong women don’t just overcome barriers; they create paths for those coming after them.” Throughout history, women have faced barriers that have limited their opportunities in education, employment, leadership, business and public life. Yet, generation after generation, women have demonstrated that determination, courage and resilience can challenge even the most deeply...

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