Ken Coates edited The Spokesman journal for four decades from its inception in 1970. He discussed at length with Bertrand Russell the purposes of The Spokesman and the contents of its inaugural issue in the months before Russell’s death in early 1970. Russell died while that first issue was with the printers in Nottingham. There was only time to add this ‘sad but proud statement: The Spokesman, founded by Bertrand Russell, is dedicated to carrying on his work.’
We dedicate this special issue of The Spokesman to the memory of Ken Coates and his lifelong activism, commitment and creativity. In large part, Ken continued Russell’s work for peace, human right and social justice, but he was always his own man, as this diverse selection reveals.