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[[Kirk Leech]] is a freelance journalist, broadcaster and researcher and is associated with the libertarian and anti-environmental [[LM network]].  He is a long time and leading member of the [[RCP]], standing as an RCP candidate in the 1987 general election, being National Organiser of the [[Irish Freedom Movement]] (circa 1990)<ref>Nick Holdsworth, 'GOW A LEGITIMATE TARGET - SINN FEIN', ''Press Association'', August 11, 1990, Saturday, SECTION: HOME NEWS</ref> and a 'regular contributor to Spiked-online'.<ref>Institute of Ideas [http://www.instituteofideas.com/events/currentaffairs.html Special Event - Sunday 15 March: Return of the IRA?]</ref>and being involved with [[Workers Against Racism]].  He has been the assistant director of [[WORLDwrite]] and has spoken at the [[Battle of Ideas]] and written for [[Living Marxism]], the [[Institute of Ideas]], [[Culture Wars]], [[Spiked]] <ref>"[http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/author/Kirk%20Leech/ Articles by Kirk Leech]", Spiked website, accessed 2 May 2010</ref> and [[Novo]]. [[File:Kirk_Leech.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Kirk Leech at the Battle of Ideas 2007]]
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{{Powerbase:LM network: Resources}}
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[[File:Kirk_Leech.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Kirk Leech at the [[Battle of Ideas]] 2007]]
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[[Kirk Leech]] works in 'government affairs' or lobbying for the [[Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry]].<ref name="LinkedIn">LinkedIn [http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Kirk/Leech Kirk Leech], accessed 22 August 2013</ref>  He was previously a teacher, freelance journalist, broadaster and researcher. He was associated with the libertarian and anti-environmental [[LM network]].  He is a long time and leading member of the [[RCP]], standing as an RCP candidate in the 1987 general election, was National Organiser of the [[Irish Freedom Movement]] (circa 1990),<ref>Nick Holdsworth, 'GOW A LEGITIMATE TARGET - SINN FEIN', ''Press Association'', August 11, 1990, Saturday.</ref> was involved with [[Workers Against Racism]] and wrote for ''[[Living Marxism]]''/''[[LM]]'' sometimes under the name [[Kirk Williams]]. He has been a 'regular contributor to Spiked-online',<ref>Institute of Ideas [http://www.instituteofideas.com/events/currentaffairs.html Special Event - Sunday 15 March: Return of the IRA?]</ref> the assistant director of [[WORLDwrite]] and has spoken at the [[Battle of Ideas]] and written for the [[Institute of Ideas]], [[Culture Wars]],<ref>"[http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/author/Kirk%20Leech/ Articles by Kirk Leech]", Spiked website, accessed 2 May 2010</ref> and [[Novo]].[[File:Kirk_Leech_at_Modern_Movement_demo.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Kirk Leech at the one and only [[Modern Movement]] demo in 2010]]  He is a co-founder of [[Fans For Freedom]] <ref>'[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/kirk-leech/ Kirk Leech]' Huffington Post website, accessed 6 October 2013</ref>
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==Education==
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Leech attended the [[Laurence Jackson School]] in Guisborough, North Yorkshire<ref>
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Friends Reunited [http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/laurence-jackson-school/b/048cdf52-768e-44d7-ad4f-d82a97f80a2d Laurence Jackson School], accessed 22 August 2013</ref> and later the [[City of London Polytechnic]] circa 1981.<ref name="part">David Osler [http://davespartblog.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/old-trots-where-are-they-now-2_28.html Old Trots: where are they now? 2], ''davespartblog'', accessed 22 August 2013</ref> [[David Osler]] a contemporary of Leech at the City of London Polytechnic notes that 'contemporaries remember a charismatic and charming young man'.<ref name="part"/>
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==Activities==
 
==Activities==
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Leech  stood in the 1987 General Election in the Newcastle Central Constituency for the [[RCP]]. In 1990 he was 'national organiser' for the [[Irish Freedom Movement]]. He was also for a number of years the RCP's man in Scotland, writing articles in ''[[LM]]'' on Scottish issues between March 1992 and March 1993.  The last article under the byline [[Kirk Williams]] appeared in ''[[Living Marxism]]'' in April 1993.  It was more than six years before Leech reappeared in what had by then become ''[[LM]]''. In October 1999 he presented  material gathered in India on the Normada Dam including an interview with the pro-GM lobbyist [[Chengal Reddy]].<ref>FKirk Leech '[http://web.archive.org/web/20000818125024/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM124/LM124_Waterfield.html Let Prince Charles travel by bullock cart when he comes to India]', Interview with [[Chengal Reddy]], ''[[LM]]'' issue 124, October 1999</ref>
  
 
In 2003 Leech, then employed as a teacher in London, was quoted criticising changes in geographical teaching:
 
In 2003 Leech, then employed as a teacher in London, was quoted criticising changes in geographical teaching:
  
:Kirk Leech, a geography teacher at Centre Academy, in London, agrees. "Geography as I learnt it at university is far from what we are encouraged to teach today. It used to mean atlases, floods and rocks. Today pupils are taught about species loss, global warming and citizenship. Geography has become an ethics lesson and a means to moralise about the world."<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/is-geography-brainwashing-596832.html Is geography brainwashing?], ''The Independent'', Education pages, Thursday, 6 February 2003 </ref>
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:Kirk Leech, a geography teacher at [[Centre Academy]], in London, agrees. "Geography as I learnt it at university is far from what we are encouraged to teach today. It used to mean atlases, floods and rocks. Today pupils are taught about species loss, global warming and citizenship. Geography has become an ethics lesson and a means to moralise about the world."<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/is-geography-brainwashing-596832.html Is geography brainwashing?], ''The Independent'', Education pages, Thursday, 6 February 2003 </ref>
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In 2004 Leech was reportedly 'head of humanities' at [[Centre Academy]].<ref>Kirk Leech [http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=389067 Can mainstream cope with all our children?] ''TES Newspaper'' 9 January, 2004 Last Updated: 11 May, 2008.</ref>
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In 2005 Leech started working as a 'project officer'<ref>[http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Myotubular_Myopathy/message/5496 Fw: RDS, 'Animal research - winning the debate' symposium, London on Thursday 21 February 2008], Myotubular_Myopathy · A HealthShare Group support community, Yahoogroups, Sun Jan 6, 2008 8:31 pm </ref> for [[Research Defence Society]] an organisation set up to defend vivisection. Later he referred to himself as a 'project manager'<ref>Kirk Leech [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5421#.UhcufLx4Oqk Obama: wind of change or feeble breeze?], ''Spiked'' 2 July 2008</ref> and he worked with RDS until 2011 during which time the organisation underwent a name change, rebranding itself as [[Understanding Animal Research]].
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In 2008 Leech was described as studying at [[Kings College London]].  He was said to be 'undertaking postgraduate research in development and environment... on the impact of global environmental concerns on state sovereignty'.<ref>Fora TV [http://fora.tv/speaker/6051/Kirk_Leech Kirk Leech], accessed 22 August 2013</ref>
  
 
In 2008 Leech spoke at the [[Battle of Ideas]] Festival  on 'Irish History: don't mention the war' on Saturday 1 November, 10.30am until 12.00pm, Lecture Theatre 2, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London.  Leech was listed as 'former leading member of the British based [[Irish Freedom Movement]].' Other speakers included [[Kevin Bean]] Lecturer in Irish Politics, Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool;<ref>Mick Fealty Irish History: Don't mention the war? Oct. 20, 2008 (Slugger O'Toole delivered by Newstex)</ref>
 
In 2008 Leech spoke at the [[Battle of Ideas]] Festival  on 'Irish History: don't mention the war' on Saturday 1 November, 10.30am until 12.00pm, Lecture Theatre 2, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London.  Leech was listed as 'former leading member of the British based [[Irish Freedom Movement]].' Other speakers included [[Kevin Bean]] Lecturer in Irish Politics, Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool;<ref>Mick Fealty Irish History: Don't mention the war? Oct. 20, 2008 (Slugger O'Toole delivered by Newstex)</ref>
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In 2010 Leech attended the [[Modern Movement]] demonstration in London which was a counter demonstration to the [[Plane Stupid]] protest agains the third runway at Heathrow.
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In 2011 Leech took up a post as a lobbyist at the [[Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry]].
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In October 2013 he chaired a [[Battle of Ideas]] Festival session on lobbying <ref> [http://www.battleofideas.org.uk/2013/session_detail/7896 Lobbying: a dirty business?], Sunday 20 October, 9.30am until 10.15am, Conservatory Economic solutions?], acc 27 March 2014 </ref>
  
 
==Affiliations==
 
==Affiliations==
*[[Research Defence Society]] 'Project manager', circa 2008<ref>'STICKING BY THE TIGER', ''Indian Express'', July 21, 2008 Monday</ref> | [[Understanding Animal Research]] circa 2008-present<ref name="BoI">Profile [http://www.battleofideas.org.uk/index.php/site/speaker_detail/74/ Kirk Leech] Battle of Ideas</ref><ref>LinkedIn [http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Kirk/Leech Kirk Leech], accessed 7 March 2011</ref> | [[Rising East]] circa 2007<ref name="BoI"/>
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*1987 [[RCP]] election candidate
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*Circa 1990 [[Irish Freedom Movement]] national organiser
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*2005-2008 [[Research Defence Society]] 'Project manager'<ref name="LinkedIn"/><ref>'STICKING BY THE TIGER', ''Indian Express'', July 21, 2008 Monday</ref>  
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*Circa 2007 [[Rising East]] <ref name="BoI"/>
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*2008-2011 [[Understanding Animal Research]] <ref name="BoI">Profile [http://www.battleofideas.org.uk/index.php/site/speaker_detail/74/ Kirk Leech] Battle of Ideas</ref><ref name="LinkedIn"/
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*2011- present [[Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry]]
  
 
==Publications==
 
==Publications==
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===2010-2014===
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/review_of_books/article/12154#.Vq-FufmLSUk 'Why moralism spoils the appetite'], ''Spiked'', 24 February 2012.
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/kirk-leech/post_2444_b_988871.html Can a gold mine save a village?] ''Huffington Post'',  30 September 2011.
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===2005-2009===
 
===2005-2009===
*'Uncovered: the elite’s view of white America' Many writers fear that the masses are too dumb to ‘get’ the New Yorker’s satirical front page picture. Trouble is, Obama agrees with them. ''Spiked'', Wednesday 16 July 2008
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5470#.Vq-FX_mLSUk 'Uncovered: the elite’s view of white America'], ''Spiked'', Wednesday 16 July 2008.
*'Jesse Helms and the crisis of the GOP' The death of the racist former Republican Senator on the Fourth of July shed some light on the deeper crisis afflicting the Grand Old Party.''Spiked'', Thursday 10 July 2008
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5448#.Vq-FOfmLSUk 'Jesse Helms and the crisis of the GOP'], ''Spiked'', Thursday 10 July 2008.
*'Obama: wind of change or feeble breeze?' Kirk Leech reports from Miami and Washington DC on how the Democrats are parasitical on Republican disarray.''Spiked'', Wednesday 2 July 2008
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5421#.Vq-FD_mLSUk 'Obama: wind of change or feeble breeze?'], ''Spiked'', Wednesday 2 July 2008.
*'The way to save tigers is to farm tigers' Conservationists seem happier to restrict the lives of poor people in India than find a solution that benefits both animals and humans. ''Spiked'', Thursday 19 June 2008
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5364#.Vq-E6PmLSUk 'The way to save tigers is to farm tigers'], ''Spiked'', Thursday 19 June 2008.
*'Burma: a deluge of moral posturing' Western governments seem more concerned with lecturing the Rangoon regime than offering assistance to those hit by Cyclone Nargis.''Spiked'', Monday 12 May 2008
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5133#.Vq-ErvmLSUk 'Burma: a deluge of moral posturing'], ''Spiked'', Monday 12 May 2008.
*Kirk Leech 'Reply Letters and emails: Pressure on Burma to allow in aid' ''The Guardian'' (London) - Final Edition May 8, 2008 Thursday, GUARDIAN LEADER PAGES; Pg. 31
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/08/burma.cyclonenargis 'Reply Letters and emails: Pressure on Burma to allow in aid'], ''The Guardian'' (London) - Final Edition May 8, 2008 Thursday, GUARDIAN LEADER PAGES; Pg. 31.
*'Mine your own business' A new film on the 'dark side of environmentalism' exposes some of the myths used to block the building of mines and hold back development.''Spiked'', Monday 6 November 2006
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*Kirk Leech, 'Letter: Digging for accuracy in PBS film on mine' ''Wall Street Journal'',  September 13, 2007 Thursday, Section A; Column 5; Pg. 15.
*‘If the gold mine doesn’t happen, our village will die’ Kirk Leech reports from Rosia Montana in Romania, where green NGOs are trying to halt the building of a mine that locals desperately want.''Spiked'', Monday 2 October 2006
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/2055#.UhjDqWR5PSd 'Mine your own business'], ''Spiked'', Monday 6 November 2006.
*'Toxic China?' Western critics cite China's environmental record as an excuse for attacking economic growth.''Spiked'', Tuesday 7 March 2006
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/1751#.Uh4McWR5PSc 'If the gold mine doesn’t happen, our village will die'], ''Spiked'', Monday 2 October 2006.
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/233#.Vq-DTPmLSUk 'Toxic China?'], ''Spiked'', March, 2006.
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===2000-2004===
 
===2000-2004===
  
* Kirk Leech "[http://www.guardian.co.uk/editor/story/0,12900,1204696,00.html Building in the light]", ''Guardian'' (UK), April 28, 2004.* Kirk Leech [http://www.design4design.com/articles/articles_story.asp?STORYID=5113 The Ravage of India,] April 2004  
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*Martin Hodgson, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/editor/story/0,12900,1204696,00.html 'Building in the light'], ''Guardian'' (UK), April 28, 2004. (Kirk Leech quoted).
*Kirk Leech 'Can Mainstream Cope With All Our Children?' ''The Times Educational Supplement'' January 9, 2004, No.4565; Pg.49
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.design4design.com/articles/articles_story.asp?STORYID=5113 'The Ravage of India'], April 2004.
*Kirk leech [http://www.spiked-online.co.uk/Articles/00000002D285.htm 'Palestinian pawns'],[[Spiked Online]], October 18, 2001.
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=389067 'Can Mainstream Cope With All Our Children?'], ''The Times Educational Supplement'' January 9, 2004, No.4565; Pg.49.
*Kirk Leech [http://www.spiked-online.co.uk/Articles/00000002D260.htm 'Palestine after 11 September'],[[Spiked Online]], October 5, 2001.
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*Kirk leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/10886#.Vq-Af_mLSUk 'Palestinian pawns'],''Spiked Online'', October 18, 2001.
*Kirk Leech 'Natural conflicts of interest', ''Architects Journal'', September 20, 2001 Thursday
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/11207#.Vq9_2_mLSUk 'Palestine after 11 September'],''Spiked'', October 5, 2001.
*'[http://www.spiked-online.co.uk/Articles/00000002D215.htm Extinct arguments]' Will another species be extinct by the time you finish reading this article - or are extinction rates blown up out of proportion? ''Spiked'', Thursday 30 August 2001
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/home/natural-conflicts-of-interest/184210.article Natural conflicts of interest]', ''Architects Journal'', September 20, 2001.
*[http://www.spiked-online.co.uk/Articles/00000002D1DA.htm TB: what to do?] Without a local healthcare system, tuberculosis will continue to ravage rural India. Kirk Leech reports on his time in Gujarat. ''Spiked'', Tuesday 7 August 2001
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5165#.Vq9_hPmLSUk 'Extinct arguments'], ''Spiked'', Thursday 30 August 2001.
*Jacqui Craig [http://www.spiked-online.co.uk/Articles/00000002D1D3.htm 'Conservation versus development'],[[Spiked Online]], August 2, 2001*'[http://www.spiked-online.co.uk/Articles/000000005540.htm On training in India]' Cows, eggs and 'no spitting zones'.''Spiked'', Thursday 29 March 2001
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5164#.Vq9_IPmLSUk 'TB: what to do?'], ''Spiked'', Tuesday 7 August 2001.
*Kirk Leech, [http://www.novo-magazin.de/55/index.htm "Wenn der Westen "hilft" und nichts als Leiden bringt"] [[Novo]] vol. 55, 2001*'[http://www.spiked-online.co.uk/Articles/0000000054DB.htm Dam campaigns]' The Narmada dam in India has met with opposition from campaign groups. But as Kirk Leech reports from Gujarat, many of the locals welcome it. ''Spiked'', Thursday 8 March 2001
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*Jacqui Craig reports on Kirk Leech's film of the Shoolpaneshwar sanctuary in Gujarat, India. [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/11301#.Vq9-pfmLSUk 'Conservation versus development'], ''Spiked'', August 2, 2001.
*Kirk Leech, "[http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/000000005483.htm "This sanctuary is a prison]", Tribals living in the Shoolpaneshwar sanctuary in Gujarat, India, find they are treated worse than animals. [[Spiked Online]], February 7, 2001.
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*Kirk Leech, '[http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5163#.Vq99i_mLSUk On training in India]', ''Spiked'', Thursday 29 March 2001.
* Kirk Leech, "[http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/0000000CAFB7.htm Toxic China]",[[Spiked Online]], March, 2006.
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.novo-magazin.de/55/index.htm "Wenn der Westen "hilft" und nichts als Leiden bringt"] [[Novo]] vol. 55, 2001.
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*Kirk Leech, '[http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5162#.Vq98lvmLSUk 'Dam campaigns'], ''Spiked'', Thursday 8 March 2001.
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*Kirk Leech, [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/5161#.Vq9-EPmLSUk 'This sanctuary is a prison'], ''Spiked'', February 7, 2001.
  
===1995-1999===
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===1989-1999===
  
 
*Interviews by Kirk Leech '[http://web.archive.org/web/20000818125024/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM124/LM124_Waterfield.html Our lives changed and it has changed for the better]' Reproduced from ''[[LM]]'' issue 124, October 1999 Original URL: http://www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM124/LM124_Waterfield.html
 
*Interviews by Kirk Leech '[http://web.archive.org/web/20000818125024/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM124/LM124_Waterfield.html Our lives changed and it has changed for the better]' Reproduced from ''[[LM]]'' issue 124, October 1999 Original URL: http://www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM124/LM124_Waterfield.html
 
*Kirk Leech '[http://web.archive.org/web/20000818125024/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM124/LM124_Waterfield.html Let Prince Charles travel by bullock cart when he comes to India]', Interview with [[Chengal Reddy]] listed as 'president of the [[Andhra Pradesh Farmers' Association]]'.  Reproduced from ''[[LM]]'' issue 124, October 1999 Original URL: http://www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM124/LM124_Waterfield.html
 
*Kirk Leech '[http://web.archive.org/web/20000818125024/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM124/LM124_Waterfield.html Let Prince Charles travel by bullock cart when he comes to India]', Interview with [[Chengal Reddy]] listed as 'president of the [[Andhra Pradesh Farmers' Association]]'.  Reproduced from ''[[LM]]'' issue 124, October 1999 Original URL: http://www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM124/LM124_Waterfield.html
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*[[Ian Scott]] and [[Kirk Williams]], [http://web.archive.org/web/20010519195624/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM54/LM54_Kirk.html 'From Hoover to Leyland-DAF: responses to redundancy'], ''Living Marxism'', No. 54 - April 1993, p. 18.
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*[[Kirk Williams]], [http://web.archive.org/web/20000306163513/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM53/LM53_Fettesgate.html 'The Fettesgate affair'], ''Living Marxism'', No. 53 - March 1993, p. 36.
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*[[Kirk Williams]], [http://web.archive.org/web/20010515033900/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM47/LM47_Living.html#2 'The Mafia'] ''Living Marxism'', No. 47 - September 1992.
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*[[Kirk Williams]], [http://web.archive.org/web/20000309233630/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM44/LM44_Scotland.html 'Scotland's opposition'], ''Living Marxism'', No. 44 - June 1992, p. 30.
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*[[Kirk Williams]], [http://web.archive.org/web/20000306110546/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM42/LM42_Scotland.html 'The importance of being Scottish'], ''Living Marxism'', No. 42 - April 1992.
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*[[Kirk Williams]], [http://web.archive.org/web/20000516145842/www.informinc.co.uk/LM/LM41/LM41_Scotland.html 'Scotland: what is not happening'], ''Living Marxism'', No. 41 - March 1992, p. 16.
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*[[Kirk Williams]], 'This is heavy metal', ''Living Marxism'', No. 16 - February 1990, p. 44.
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*[[Kirk Williams]], 'Death row in Brixton jail', ''Living Marxism'', No. 16 - February 1990, p. 38.
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*[[Kirk Williams]], 'NF - No future', ''Living Marxism'', No. 7 - May 1989, p. 37.
  
 
==Resources==
 
==Resources==
  
*Profile [http://www.battleofideas.org.uk/index.php/site/speaker_detail/74/ Kirk Leech] Battle of Ideas
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*Battle of Ideas [http://www.battleofideas.org.uk/index.php/site/speaker_detail/74/ Kirk Leech]  
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*Spiked [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/author/Kirk%20Leech/ Kirk Leech]
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 16:23, 1 February 2016

LM network resources
Kirk Leech at the Battle of Ideas 2007

Kirk Leech works in 'government affairs' or lobbying for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.[1] He was previously a teacher, freelance journalist, broadaster and researcher. He was associated with the libertarian and anti-environmental LM network. He is a long time and leading member of the RCP, standing as an RCP candidate in the 1987 general election, was National Organiser of the Irish Freedom Movement (circa 1990),[2] was involved with Workers Against Racism and wrote for Living Marxism/LM sometimes under the name Kirk Williams. He has been a 'regular contributor to Spiked-online',[3] the assistant director of WORLDwrite and has spoken at the Battle of Ideas and written for the Institute of Ideas, Culture Wars,[4] and Novo.

Kirk Leech at the one and only Modern Movement demo in 2010

He is a co-founder of Fans For Freedom [5]

Education

Leech attended the Laurence Jackson School in Guisborough, North Yorkshire[6] and later the City of London Polytechnic circa 1981.[7] David Osler a contemporary of Leech at the City of London Polytechnic notes that 'contemporaries remember a charismatic and charming young man'.[7]

Activities

Leech stood in the 1987 General Election in the Newcastle Central Constituency for the RCP. In 1990 he was 'national organiser' for the Irish Freedom Movement. He was also for a number of years the RCP's man in Scotland, writing articles in LM on Scottish issues between March 1992 and March 1993. The last article under the byline Kirk Williams appeared in Living Marxism in April 1993. It was more than six years before Leech reappeared in what had by then become LM. In October 1999 he presented material gathered in India on the Normada Dam including an interview with the pro-GM lobbyist Chengal Reddy.[8]

In 2003 Leech, then employed as a teacher in London, was quoted criticising changes in geographical teaching:

Kirk Leech, a geography teacher at Centre Academy, in London, agrees. "Geography as I learnt it at university is far from what we are encouraged to teach today. It used to mean atlases, floods and rocks. Today pupils are taught about species loss, global warming and citizenship. Geography has become an ethics lesson and a means to moralise about the world."[9]

In 2004 Leech was reportedly 'head of humanities' at Centre Academy.[10]

In 2005 Leech started working as a 'project officer'[11] for Research Defence Society an organisation set up to defend vivisection. Later he referred to himself as a 'project manager'[12] and he worked with RDS until 2011 during which time the organisation underwent a name change, rebranding itself as Understanding Animal Research.

In 2008 Leech was described as studying at Kings College London. He was said to be 'undertaking postgraduate research in development and environment... on the impact of global environmental concerns on state sovereignty'.[13]

In 2008 Leech spoke at the Battle of Ideas Festival on 'Irish History: don't mention the war' on Saturday 1 November, 10.30am until 12.00pm, Lecture Theatre 2, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London. Leech was listed as 'former leading member of the British based Irish Freedom Movement.' Other speakers included Kevin Bean Lecturer in Irish Politics, Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool;[14]

In 2010 Leech attended the Modern Movement demonstration in London which was a counter demonstration to the Plane Stupid protest agains the third runway at Heathrow.

In 2011 Leech took up a post as a lobbyist at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.

In October 2013 he chaired a Battle of Ideas Festival session on lobbying [15]

Affiliations

Publications

2010-2014

2005-2009

2000-2004

1989-1999

Resources

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 LinkedIn Kirk Leech, accessed 22 August 2013
  2. Nick Holdsworth, 'GOW A LEGITIMATE TARGET - SINN FEIN', Press Association, August 11, 1990, Saturday.
  3. Institute of Ideas Special Event - Sunday 15 March: Return of the IRA?
  4. "Articles by Kirk Leech", Spiked website, accessed 2 May 2010
  5. 'Kirk Leech' Huffington Post website, accessed 6 October 2013
  6. Friends Reunited Laurence Jackson School, accessed 22 August 2013
  7. 7.0 7.1 David Osler Old Trots: where are they now? 2, davespartblog, accessed 22 August 2013
  8. FKirk Leech 'Let Prince Charles travel by bullock cart when he comes to India', Interview with Chengal Reddy, LM issue 124, October 1999
  9. Is geography brainwashing?, The Independent, Education pages, Thursday, 6 February 2003
  10. Kirk Leech Can mainstream cope with all our children? TES Newspaper 9 January, 2004 Last Updated: 11 May, 2008.
  11. Fw: RDS, 'Animal research - winning the debate' symposium, London on Thursday 21 February 2008, Myotubular_Myopathy · A HealthShare Group support community, Yahoogroups, Sun Jan 6, 2008 8:31 pm
  12. Kirk Leech Obama: wind of change or feeble breeze?, Spiked 2 July 2008
  13. Fora TV Kirk Leech, accessed 22 August 2013
  14. Mick Fealty Irish History: Don't mention the war? Oct. 20, 2008 (Slugger O'Toole delivered by Newstex)
  15. Lobbying: a dirty business?, Sunday 20 October, 9.30am until 10.15am, Conservatory Economic solutions?], acc 27 March 2014
  16. 'STICKING BY THE TIGER', Indian Express, July 21, 2008 Monday
  17. 17.0 17.1 Profile Kirk Leech Battle of Ideas