The Christian Socialist Movement, or CSM, is a socialist society affiliated to the British Labour Party.
The CSM was an amalgamation of the Society of Socialist Clergy and Ministers and the Socialist Christian League. R. H. Tawney made one of his last public appearances at the Movement's inaugural meeting on 22 January 1960. Donald Soper chaired the Movement until becoming its President in 1975.
The movement fulfilled a need among political activists on Christian left in Britain for an organisation that would be politically engaged and theologically reflective at the same time. It affiliated to the Labour Party in 1988.
The CSM was a volunteer organisation until 1994 when it appointed a co-ordinator, followed by an administrator. This followed interest in the movement following the disclosure that the then Labour Leader John Smith was a member.
Today the CSM has over 40 members in the House of Commons and House of Lords and the former prime minister Gordon Brown. As of April 2009, its Director is Andy Flannagan; its Executive Committee Chair is Alun Michael; its Vice Chair is Helen Dennis.
CSM is a member organisation of the International League of Religious Socialists.
Famous quotes containing the words christian, socialist and/or movement:
“One memorable addition to the old mythology is due to this era,—the Christian fable. With what pains, and tears, and blood these centuries have woven this and added it to the mythology of mankind! The new Prometheus. With what miraculous consent, and patience, and persistency has this mythus been stamped on the memory of the race! It would seem as if it were in the progress of our mythology to dethrone Jehovah, and crown Christ in his stead.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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