Leveller magazine
Encyclopedia
The Leveller was a British political magazine, c.1976 to 1982, collectively produced by a shifting coalition of radicals, socialists, marxists, feminists, and others of the British left
and progressive movements. It was published during the years of the Labour government of James Callaghan
and the beginning of the era of the Conservative administration of Margaret Thatcher
. This period was also noted for punk rock
, Rock Against Racism
and the Anti-Nazi League
.
The Leveller was involved in a well-recorded contempt of court case in 1979, which concerned identifying Colonel B, an unnamed witness who had previously testified in a case involving British intelligence and whose name the magazine published in its January and March 1978 issues.
A statement frequently appearing in the magazine, which for most of its life appeared monthly, described it as "An independent monthly socialist magazine produced by the Leveller Collective. Owned by its Supporting Subscribers through the Leveller Magazine Ltd, a society whose AGM controls the magazine."
Members, who met for collective meetings initially in the Euston and Kings Cross
areas of north London, and later in Brixton
, included: Roger Andersen, Nick Anning, Julia Bard, Imogen Bloor, Dave Clark, Andy Curry, Brian Deer
, Tim Gopsill, Cheryl Hicks, Terry Ilott, Phil Kelly, HO Nazareth, Mike Prest, Jane Root
, Rose Shapiro, Russell Southwood, Dave Taylor, Adam Thompson, John Verner, Ian Walker. Steve Bell
, the cartoonist, was a contributor.
A report on an annual general meeting of 21 July 1979, published in the September issue of that year, stated: "Differences within the collective - for which we had hoped to look to the meeting for answers - remained unresolved. The basic difference is over the impact that writing personally about politics should have on the news, political analysis, and so on, that we print. The collective is still discussing it."
British left
The biggest organisation on the British left is the Labour Party with over 100,000 members.The Communist Party of Great Britain had a peak membership of 56,000 in 1945...
and progressive movements. It was published during the years of the Labour government of James Callaghan
James Callaghan
Leonard James Callaghan, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, KG, PC , was a British Labour politician, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980...
and the beginning of the era of the Conservative administration of Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
. This period was also noted for punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, Rock Against Racism
Rock Against Racism
Rock Against Racism was a campaign set up in the United Kingdom in 1976 as a response to an increase in racial conflict and the growth of white nationalist groups such as the National Front. The campaign involved pop, rock and reggae musicians staging concerts with an anti-racist theme, in order...
and the Anti-Nazi League
Anti-Nazi League
The Anti-Nazi League was an organisation set up in 1977 on the initiative of the Socialist Workers Party with sponsorship from some trade unions and the endorsement of a list of prominent people to oppose the rise of far-right groups in the United Kingdom. It was wound down in 1981...
.
The Leveller was involved in a well-recorded contempt of court case in 1979, which concerned identifying Colonel B, an unnamed witness who had previously testified in a case involving British intelligence and whose name the magazine published in its January and March 1978 issues.
A statement frequently appearing in the magazine, which for most of its life appeared monthly, described it as "An independent monthly socialist magazine produced by the Leveller Collective. Owned by its Supporting Subscribers through the Leveller Magazine Ltd, a society whose AGM controls the magazine."
Members, who met for collective meetings initially in the Euston and Kings Cross
Kings Cross, London
King's Cross is an area of London partly in the London Borough of Camden and partly in the London Borough of Islington. It is an inner-city district located 2.5 miles north of Charing Cross. The area formerly had a reputation for being a red light district and run-down. However, rapid regeneration...
areas of north London, and later in Brixton
Brixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, included: Roger Andersen, Nick Anning, Julia Bard, Imogen Bloor, Dave Clark, Andy Curry, Brian Deer
Brian Deer
Brian Deer is a British investigative reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine and social issues for the Sunday Times of London.- Career :...
, Tim Gopsill, Cheryl Hicks, Terry Ilott, Phil Kelly, HO Nazareth, Mike Prest, Jane Root
Jane Root
Jane Root is a creative executive in the media industry, who has run major television networks on both sides of the Atlantic...
, Rose Shapiro, Russell Southwood, Dave Taylor, Adam Thompson, John Verner, Ian Walker. Steve Bell
Steve Bell (cartoonist)
Steve Bell is an English political cartoonist, whose work appears in The Guardian and other publications. He is known for his left-wing views and distinctive caricatures.-Early life:...
, the cartoonist, was a contributor.
A report on an annual general meeting of 21 July 1979, published in the September issue of that year, stated: "Differences within the collective - for which we had hoped to look to the meeting for answers - remained unresolved. The basic difference is over the impact that writing personally about politics should have on the news, political analysis, and so on, that we print. The collective is still discussing it."
Editions
The Leveller was noted on the British left for an eclectic design and visual style, particularly in its cover stories, representing the values and decisions of an open collective, rather than those of traditionally-designated editors, copy editors and writers and reporters. Cover stories during the magazine's life included:- No 5 (April/May 1977) NUSS The classroom revolt
- No 6 (June 1978) Ex-SAS torturer speaks out
- No 8 (October 1977) The politics of contraception
- No 12 (Feb 1978) Killer watts (nuclear power)
- No 19 (October 1978) The Music Biz - Rock and Sexuality
- No 20 (November 1978) Had a Lovely Time in China
- No 22 (January 1979) Gays Coming Out
- No 21 (Dec 1978) First World War latest
- No 23 (February 1979) The Family - A Pack of Lives
- No 24 (March 1979) Crifif, Crifif, Whar fuckin' Crifif (economy)
- No 25 (April 1979) Rape
- No 26 (May 1979) The People's Choice (general election)
- No 27 (June 1979) Under New Management (workers' control)
- No 29 (August 1979) Spoil Sports... Women in Rock
- No 30 (September 1979) Men in Women's Clothes?
- No 35 (Feb 1980) Bringing it all back home (Northern Ireland)