Equality issue highlights

What should a clause four for equality contain?

Fabian Review sets out how Labour should put its mission of a 'fair and more equal society' at the heart of the party's constitution. Read the full text here.

Britain's Undeserving Rich

'Twenty years ago, Britain was one of the most equal countries in the developed world. Today it is one of the most unequal. It is a trend that has been driven by a remarkable revolution - a great surge in the numbers of the super-rich and the level of their wealth … Today's business elite would contain some who would certainly end up in most people's list of the deserving. But far from all'.

Why we're stressed, rushed and exhausted

Michelle Harrison of the Henley Centre reveals new data on the inequalities of everyday life. 'The explosive growth in energy drinks and wellbeing products on the supermarket shelves is no accident. In fact, it provides a clue to understanding some of the most important challenges in current public policy'.

Is David Cameron serious about equality?

Louise Bamfield unpicks the new Tory thinking on social justice.

Gordon's big idea

Richard Brooks and Sunder Katwala on what Labour's next leader must do to set the equality agenda.

'The life chances approach provides both a philosophical framework and a practical guide to political action. Labour has sometimes seem desperately unclear about what it stands for. This was particularly highlighted by the recent Education Bill debate. Will the left now divide into two camps - one chanting the mantra 'reform, reform, reform' whilst the other marches under the banner 'for equality - against reform'?'

The Equality tipping point

In the Fabian Essay, Tom Hampson follows the movement of the fairness pendulum. 'If Labour fails to find a new narrative on equality, the danger is that a 2009 election campaign will be fought with all three parties campaigning in vague pledges to improve social justice. But one lesson of 2005 is that the left should be more optimistic about the public's appetite for fairness and equality'.

Why feminism is good for fathers

Jenny Watson on the new alliance of men and women. 'In too many ways what we have achieved for women over the last three decades is the ability to live their lives more like men do. And we have achieved this at just the point when many men are deciding that the way their own fathers lived their lives was rather over-rated'.

Plus

Meg Munn on the equality challenge, Bob Niven on what the new Equality Commission must do to succeed, an interview with Camila Batmanghelidjh, Stella Creasy on local participation, Ed Miliband and Kitty Ussher recommend the best equality books, reaction to our new Narrowing the Gap report from the Fabian Life Chances and Child Poverty Commission, and Melyvn Bragg remembers Phillip Whitehead.