Usually, the Lent issue of the London Socialist Historians Newsletter contains an announcement for a conference that the LSHG has organised for the following summer. This year was going to be different, in that we had planned two conferences: an academic one, as usual, and an annual members’ conference.

Plans have changed. The London Socialist Historians Group has decided not to hold a academic conference this Easter as originally promised.

The reason for this is that the first half of 2005 is likely to be a period of high political activity, with a major anti-war demonstration on March 19 and the likelihood of a general election on May 5. Organising a conference in this situation would not be possible. The key individuals involved in planning the conference would not be able to commit their time to the extent necessary.

Instead the LSHG has decided to hold a conference on the events of 1956, either in the Autumn of 2005 or in the early part of 2006. A call for papers will be issued some time in the first half of 2005.

The annual conference, comprising a members meeting, which will be open to members only and the first Brian Manning Memorial Lecture, open to everyone, will be held on Saturday May 14 at the Institute for Historical Research.

Joining the London Socialist Historians Group has just become easier. You can now subscribe by bankers’ order, meaning that you no longer have to remember to write a cheque each year, or you can join online at http://www.londonsocialisthistorians.org/subscribe.

Details of the Brian Manning Memorial Lecture will be published in the next issue of the newsletter. Members will receive details about the annual conference separately.