Post by QPR Report on Mar 16, 2009 18:35:31 GMT
Press release: Tribune Saved – Weekly Political Journal Under New Ownership March 16, 2009
Tribune, the independent left-wing journal founded by Aneurin Bevan 71 years ago, has a new owner following the decision by a consortium of trade unions to find a new proprietor. Kevin McGrath, a businessman and Labour candidate in the forthcoming European elections, has pledged to invest in the magazine to improve circulation and develop the editorial content while retaining its political orientation as a labour movement journal.
He said: “It is my intention to keep Tribune as a left-of-centre publication, retaining its roots in the labour movement but broadening the readership to include non-union and Labour Party members who sympathise or vote with the Labour cause. Tribune will also have a greater focus on European politics.
“Tribune is poised to benefit from a cohesive, properly resourced, and focused marketing strategy. I see Tribune going forward as a publication for new ideas and debate.
“The unions deserve huge credit and recognition for its critical role in keeping Tribune alive during their tenure and enabling the magazine to be launched into a new and exciting phase in its prestigious history.”
All staff, including Editor Chris McLaughlin, have been retained and the magazine – which was rescued from collapse in 2004 by the trade union consortium and which was owned by UNISON, CWU, Community, ASLEF, T&G and Amicus – will continue to be produced from offices at the ASLEF headquarters in north London.
Mr McLaughlin said: “After more than 70 years as a voice for independent social democratic thinking, Tribune’s future has once again been secured. Its voice will now be stronger at a critical changes in British and global politics. This is a tremendously exciting step forward which could not have happened without the continued support and vision of the unions.”
Mr McGrath, 45, was previously a candidate for the North East Hampshire constituency at the 2005 General Election and is a member of Unite/Amicus. Born and brought up on a west London council estate, Mr McGrath became a chartered surveyor and worked in the property industry for 24 years. He is a former Director and Chair of Queens Park Rangers Football Club Plc.
His charitable activities include acting as chair of the McGrath Charitable Trust; Board Trustee and Treasurer of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith; Board Trustee of the Guildford School of Acting; Board Trustee of the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust; Board Trustee of the National Education Trust; Board Trustee of the Prison Advice and Care Trust; Founder and Chair of the London in Business Forum; UCHL Development Board member, and Commissioner on the Howard League for Penal Reform’s commission on English Prisons Today
Further information from Chris McLaughlin: 020 7433 6410 or 07803 214 604.
www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2009/03/16/press-release-tribune-saved-%E2%80%93-weekly-political-journal-under-new-ownership/
Tribune, the independent left-wing journal founded by Aneurin Bevan 71 years ago, has a new owner following the decision by a consortium of trade unions to find a new proprietor. Kevin McGrath, a businessman and Labour candidate in the forthcoming European elections, has pledged to invest in the magazine to improve circulation and develop the editorial content while retaining its political orientation as a labour movement journal.
He said: “It is my intention to keep Tribune as a left-of-centre publication, retaining its roots in the labour movement but broadening the readership to include non-union and Labour Party members who sympathise or vote with the Labour cause. Tribune will also have a greater focus on European politics.
“Tribune is poised to benefit from a cohesive, properly resourced, and focused marketing strategy. I see Tribune going forward as a publication for new ideas and debate.
“The unions deserve huge credit and recognition for its critical role in keeping Tribune alive during their tenure and enabling the magazine to be launched into a new and exciting phase in its prestigious history.”
All staff, including Editor Chris McLaughlin, have been retained and the magazine – which was rescued from collapse in 2004 by the trade union consortium and which was owned by UNISON, CWU, Community, ASLEF, T&G and Amicus – will continue to be produced from offices at the ASLEF headquarters in north London.
Mr McLaughlin said: “After more than 70 years as a voice for independent social democratic thinking, Tribune’s future has once again been secured. Its voice will now be stronger at a critical changes in British and global politics. This is a tremendously exciting step forward which could not have happened without the continued support and vision of the unions.”
Mr McGrath, 45, was previously a candidate for the North East Hampshire constituency at the 2005 General Election and is a member of Unite/Amicus. Born and brought up on a west London council estate, Mr McGrath became a chartered surveyor and worked in the property industry for 24 years. He is a former Director and Chair of Queens Park Rangers Football Club Plc.
His charitable activities include acting as chair of the McGrath Charitable Trust; Board Trustee and Treasurer of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith; Board Trustee of the Guildford School of Acting; Board Trustee of the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust; Board Trustee of the National Education Trust; Board Trustee of the Prison Advice and Care Trust; Founder and Chair of the London in Business Forum; UCHL Development Board member, and Commissioner on the Howard League for Penal Reform’s commission on English Prisons Today
Further information from Chris McLaughlin: 020 7433 6410 or 07803 214 604.
www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2009/03/16/press-release-tribune-saved-%E2%80%93-weekly-political-journal-under-new-ownership/