Hain delivers annual lecture
Europe Minister Peter Hain delivered the inaugural annual Progress lecture on 17 July. Speaking to a packed hall of party members at the Church House conference centre in Westminster, the Minister set out a new approach to European policy. In what was his first major speech since being appointed after the election, Peter Hain made what was widely seen as a serious attempt to change the terms of the debate on Europe. The speech attracted extensive coverage in the national media. Progress has turned Peter Hain’s speech into a pamphlet, with a foreword by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. The pamphlet is available from the Progress office now. The Annual Lecture was followed by our fifth anniversary reception, at which Deputy to the Leader of the House of Commons, Stephen Twigg, helped us celebrate by cutting our birthday cake.
Membership Update
Progress has seen an increase in its membership of over one-third in the last six months and growth is continuing at this rate. All Progress members received their membership cards for 2001/02 in August. You can use the membership form opposite to join up, or to sign up a Labour colleague.
Website to be launched
The long-awaited Progress website will finally go live on 1 December 2001. Developed by Ethical Media, the web site will contain all our publications and details of our events. The site can be found at: www.progressives.org.uk