The New Statesman

The New Statesman is a British Labour Party (UK)-affiliated political magazine that has been in publication since 1913. Founded by Sidney Webb and Beatrice Webb, it has a long history of featuring prominent writers and intellectuals, including George Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells, and Virginia Woolf. The magazine has been edited by notable figures such as Kingsley Martin and Paul Johnson (journalist) and has been associated with Fabian Society and London School of Economics. Over the years, it has covered significant events like the Russian Revolution, World War I, and the Suez Crisis, with contributions from Leon Trotsky, Winston Churchill, and Anthony Eden.

● History

The New Statesman was first published in 1913 by Sidney Webb and Beatrice Webb, with the goal of promoting social democracy and progressive politics. The magazine quickly gained a reputation for featuring prominent writers and intellectuals, including George Orwell, E.M. Forster, and Rebecca West. During World War II, the magazine played an important role in promoting British propaganda and supporting the Allies, with contributions from Noël Coward and J.B. Priestley. In the 1960s and 1970s, the magazine became associated with the New Left movement, featuring writers such as Perry Anderson, Tom Nairn, and Stuart Hall (cultural theorist).

● Editorial_stance

The New Statesman has historically been associated with the Labour Party (UK) and has promoted social democratic and progressive politics. The magazine has been critical of neoliberalism and Thatcherism, with contributors such as Tony Benn, Michael Foot, and Neil Kinnock. In recent years, the magazine has taken a more centrist stance, featuring writers such as Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Ed Miliband. The magazine has also covered significant events like the Iraq War, the European Union referendum, and the COVID-19 pandemic, with contributions from David Cameron, Nick Clegg, and Keir Starmer.

● Circulation_and_readership

The New Statesman has a circulation of around 30,000 copies per week, with a readership that includes politicians, journalists, and academics. The magazine is widely read in Westminster and is considered an important platform for political debate and commentary. The magazine has a strong online presence, with a website that features articles and blogs from prominent writers and thinkers, including Owen Jones, Suzanne Moore, and John Pilger. The magazine has also been associated with significant events like the Labour Party Conference and the Conservative Party Conference.

● Notable_contributors

The New Statesman has featured a wide range of notable contributors over the years, including George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Christopher Hitchens. The magazine has also published articles by prominent politicians, such as Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, and Harold Wilson. In recent years, the magazine has featured writers such as Owen Jones, Suzanne Moore, and John Pilger, as well as academics like Noam Chomsky, Slavoj Žižek, and Naomi Klein. The magazine has also covered significant events like the Arab Spring, the Occupy movement, and the Brexit referendum, with contributions from Tariq Ali, Seumas Milne, and Paul Mason (journalist).

● Controversies_and_criticism

The New Statesman has been involved in several controversies over the years, including a libel case against Private Eye in the 1960s. The magazine has also been criticized for its editorial stance, with some accusing it of being too centrist or neoliberal. In 2013, the magazine was criticized for publishing an article by Helen Lewis (journalist) that was seen as transphobic by some readers. The magazine has also faced criticism for its coverage of significant events like the Gaza War, the Syrian Civil War, and the Ukrainian crisis, with contributions from Gilad Atzmon, John Mearsheimer, and Stephen Walt.

● Awards_and_recognition

The New Statesman has won several awards over the years, including the Premio Napoli and the European Press Prize. The magazine has also been nominated for several British Society of Magazine Editors awards, including Editor of the Year and Magazine of the Year. In 2014, the magazine was named Magazine of the Year at the British Society of Magazine Editors awards, with editor Jason Cowley winning Editor of the Year. The magazine has also been recognized for its coverage of significant events like the European migrant crisis, the Greek debt crisis, and the Scottish independence referendum, with contributions from Yanis Varoufakis, Alexis Tsipras, and Nicola Sturgeon.

Category:British magazines