The Putney Debates (Revolutions)

The Putney Debates (Revolutions)

In a series of debates with Oliver Cromwell in Civil War England of 1647, the Levellers argued for democracy for the first time in British history.<br><br>Evolving from Oliver Cromwell&rsquo;s New Model army in Parliament&rsquo;s struggle against King Charles I, the Levellers pushed for the removal of corruption in parliament, universal voting rights and religious toleration. This came to a head with the famous debates between the Levellers and Cromwell at St Mary&rsquo;s church in Putney, London. Renowned human-rights lawyer and author Geoffrey Robertson argues for the relevance of the Levellers&rsquo; stand today, showing how they were the first Western radical democrats.