Alan Carling whom I've known for many years, mainly but not only through overlapping interests within analytical Marxism, is standing as a candidate in the local elections in Bradford. His campaign site is here. From Alan's campaign statement:
Creating this type of community - a civilized community - requires a mixture of three ingredients. First are individual rights and laws applicable even-handedly to all - the universal ingredient. Second is the space for different ways of life and even fundamental beliefs - the multicultural ingredient. Some difficult issues arise as to where rights end and cultural preferences begin, in relation to religious observance, family practices and the like, as we have seen with forced and arranged marriages, and gender equality. The third ingredient for the civilized community is the commitment from within each tradition to an engagement with all the others.It is clear that Alan's candidacy will be informed by careful deliberation about some complex issues. Chris at Crooked Timber, who put me on to Alan's campaign, also has a post up about it.
