The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation has strengthened its connections with what is left of  the socially-conservative labour movement, appointing Michael Easson to the board. Dr Easson is a funds manager and entrepreneur and a previous vice president of the ACTU, secretary of the NSW Labor Council and vice president of that state’s branch of the ALP. Former federal Labor leader Kim Beazley was a Ramsay board member before resigning in May to become governor of Western Australia.