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Articles by Paul Thomas

Paul Thomas

I've lived and worked in Leeds for over 20 years. I'm co-founder and of The Leeds Salon debating forum. I also chair and judge in the Institute of Idea's sixth-form 'Debating Matters' competition in the UK and India. I write regularly for Leeds Salon's sister-journal journal Freedom in a Puritan Age and for Culture Vulture. I've also written for Culture Wars, Spiked-Online, the Independent Blog, Guardian Leeds Blog and Leeds Guide. I've recently joined The Leeds Channel team working on programme development for community debates.

Green Drinks Leeds
April 18, 2012 – 1:45 pm | No Comment
Green Drinks Leeds

Anzir Boodoo and Adam Woodhall discuss how Green Drinks came about, and how it gives people a space to ‘learn, connect and be inspired’.

Leeds Liberty League
April 10, 2012 – 6:23 pm | 21 Comments
Leeds Liberty League

Founder of Leeds University’s Liberty League, Christina Annesley, discusses its philosophy, aims and campaigns.

Free University of Slawit
January 13, 2012 – 10:26 am | No Comment
Free University of Slawit

Paul Salveson talks about West Yorkshire’s newest public discussion group, dedicated to “politics, philosophy, enjoyment”.

Sheffield Salon
November 1, 2011 – 1:21 pm | 2 Comments
Sheffield Salon

The organisers of the new Sheffield Salon discuss their aim of providing a forum for thrashing out some of the new dividing lines in society today – where people can disagree strongly with each other but still go for a drink afterwards.

Leafleting: A Liberty Lost?
October 5, 2011 – 4:41 pm | 7 Comments
Leafleting: A Liberty Lost?

Paul Thomas reviews a new report that argues we’re losing our right to leaflet.

Leeds Salon Autumn Schedule of Events
September 19, 2011 – 10:59 am | No Comment
Leeds Salon Autumn Schedule of Events

Leeds Salon has a packed start to this autumn with three events in 12 days covering the arts, sport and a documentary about suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst.

Does Leeds Lead Debate?
August 24, 2011 – 9:37 pm | 10 Comments
Does Leeds Lead Debate?

Paul Thomas looks at the last year in debate across Leeds

Valuing the Arts in an Age of Austerity
June 17, 2011 – 11:00 am | 2 Comments
Valuing the Arts in an Age of Austerity

As part of the Emerge Leeds Festival 2011, Leeds Salon is looking at how the arts justify themselves and ensure quality in the face of budget cuts.

Leeds Café Scientifique No.3
June 14, 2011 – 10:54 am | No Comment
Leeds Café Scientifique No.3

Sunday 15th May saw the launch of Leeds’ third Café Scientifique based at Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square. Paul Thomas interviewed its organiser and museum curator Clare Brown.
1. Why have you set up a third …

Leeds Salon asks ‘What is the Future of Leeds’
February 22, 2011 – 9:15 pm | 5 Comments
Leeds Salon asks ‘What is the Future of Leeds’

Ahead of Leeds Salon’s debate ‘What is the Future of Leeds?’ 7pm 23rd February at West Yorkshire Playhouse Paul Thomas looks at the Council plans to promote culture in the city.

New Café Philosophique starts in Weetwood.
January 5, 2011 – 7:12 am | No Comment
New Café Philosophique starts in Weetwood.

2011 promises to be another good year for debate in Leeds. To add to the already growing list of Leeds-based debating groups a new Café Philosophique is starting up in Weetwood.