Mumsnet Talk

Hello, should I let my 16 year old son join the Labour Party and the Fabian Society. Should I let him join? Labour, in my eyes is okay but I am wary of the Fabian Society. What do you think I should do?

Why are you wary of the Fabian Society?

it just seems premature for him to join

I can't for the life of me see what's wrong with it. I'd be delighted if my teenager wanted to get involved with a political group, unless it was something really unpalatable like the BNP. (However, I would consider disowning her if she showed any Tory inclinations.)

Rache

Your son is probably well-intentioned, if politically naive. I just don't think joining the Labour party will do anything to improve the conditions of the vast majority of people in the UK.

If he wants to help people, why not get him involved in political activism?

As with anything else young people do, let them participate but show an interest in what they think and do at the same time. That way, if you think his involvement is opening him up to bad influences, danger or exploitation of any kind you can step in.

He'd be joining the Young Fabians. Utterly harmless.

I am a Fabian member, let me assure you that we don't get up to anything nearly exciting enough for you to worry about! In our local branch we have talks from interesting speakers and discussion panels, the young Fabians organise the same sort of stuff at a national level. I know lots of young Fabians because my local branch is in a university town and let me assure you they are all lovely if a teensy bit earnest

Tbh I think it's fantastic that he's interested & if he were my son I'd rather he joined the Fabians as it is more about analysis & policy making & less about politics & winning elections.

In fact, what is it that you think us Fabians get up to? I'm suddenly feeling I'm missing out on some fun