About

The Banner Bright is a weblog about politics and social issues, with a focus on the need to build a more equal, democratic society. The site’s title comes from the great socialist anthem, The Red Flag, with its themes of solidarity, cosmopolitanism, and perseverance:

It well recalls the triumphs past,
It gives the hope of peace at last;
the Banner Bright the symbol plain,
Of human right and human gain.

Then raise the scarlet standard high,
Beneath its shade we’ll live and die;
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
We’ll keep the red flag flying here.


The basic principles motivating The Banner Bright are these:

  • Parliamentary democracy is important, but its role is to implement the will of the people, and that must be determined and expressed by the community on an ongoing basis, not just occasionally at the ballot box.
  • True democracy is about the equitable distribution of power, which requires disparity of wealth or social status to be minimised. Class, race, gender, sexuality, disability, and other factors should not hamper full participation in society.
  • While our political and economic world is built around owners and workers, labour unions are the most important institution for building real democracy — join yours and support others!
  • The transformation of society can not be achieved by adopting a doctrinaire or sectarian stance. Real change comes from the work of many different people organising in many different ways, and pursuing a range of goals that are broadly consistent with a better future.

The goal of this website is to share and discuss news and ideas that advance these ideas.

Get in touch

The Banner Bright is published by Robert.

You can reach me here: