May 1998
Speaking at the launch of Catalyst, Roy Hattersley said:

"Today we launch Catalyst, an independent organisation established to promote policies which are radical and modern, based on practical experience of the real world, but are inspired by the belief that greater equality would promote all the legitimate aims of a civilised society - economic efficiency, social cohesion and personal liberty. Catalyst is, therefore, committed to policies of redistribution of wealth, power and opportunity. And we realise that it is not possible to achieve any one of those aims in isolation from the others.

"Catalyst's contribution to the political debate will be the encouragement of new ideas consistent with our basic policies. Our beginnings are modest. But we are happy to be judged by the quality of our editorial board. Our objective is as much intellectual as ideological. Certainly we have a philosophical point of view. But our real task is to ensure that our ideals - which are shared by millions of people throughout the country - are translated into positive and practical policies.

"Very clearly we stand on the left of the political spectrum. But we are not a party organisation and we welcome the support - moral, intellectual and financial - of anyone who shares our beliefs. Indeed there may be times when we want to engage in public arguments with those who take a different view about how society should develop and can be improved.

"Our intention is to publish papers and pamphlets which reflect the fundamental principles I have described. Three are available today. But we are neither a pressure group nor a party faction. For the time being - with the exception of Roland Wales, our director - Catalyst will have no staff. We will rely on freelance contributors to stimulate the debate which we hope to promote. We believe in the importance of argument and the victory of ideas. We intend to guarantee that, on the left of politics, argument and ideas prosper.

Pamphlets cost £5 each and are available from Central Books. They can be ordered by credit card on 020 8986 4854 or by cheque from: Central Books, 99 Wallis Road, London, E9 5LN (plus 75p p&p). They are also available by subscription.

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