We need to talk: discussing important developments in our changing world
We have a special online event on Thursday evening for our paid Substack subscribers and Academy of Ideas associates PLUS a round-up of our media appearances and forthcoming events.
There’s so much news to catch up with, I thought it would be useful to share a number of the team’s recent media appearances below.
But what we would really like is to discuss these recent events with YOU. This Thursday evening, 20 FEBRUARY at 7PM, via Zoom we have an OFF THE RECORD MEETING. This is for AOI associates and PAID Substack subscribers, so if you want to join us, and can afford to help us financially in any way, do sign up by either becoming a paid AoI associate or a paid Substack subscriber.
We will be discussing the big issues and scandals that are currently dominating the news, like THAT speech by JD Vance and the huge geopolitical implications of Trump’s recent policy announcements on Ukraine – but also the extraordinary range of executive orders Trump has signed on everything from girls and women’s sport to leaving the Paris climate-change deal.
And of course, closer to home: the apparent backdoor criminalisation of blasphemy, the fall-out from the horror of the Southport murders and the grooming-gangs scandal, and the continued impact of Rachel Reeves’s budget on farmers, small businesses and jobs.
Also, Jacob Reynolds of Ideas Matter will introduce a discussion on why politics needs a new language, which is the theme of The Academy summer school in July. Terms like left and right, far right, liberalism, extremism and terrorism seem to have lost their meaning. Have we lost our moorings? How do we even begin to describe the world we live in? I tackled one aspect of this discussion in the Lords last week in a debate on Holocaust memorial. See my speech on this via X.
The Academy of Ideas team will all be there, and we really would like your thoughts on these crucial issues. Hopefully see you on Thursday.
Media digest
Jacob Reynolds on Ukraine: The EU’s holiday from history is over - spiked
Claire Fox on Free Speech Nation discussing JD Vance’s speech, Sunday 16 February
Claire Fox on Dan Wootton’s Outspoken, 14 February 2025
Claire Fox joined Rod Liddle for the first hour of his new show on Times Radio on Saturday 15 February
Ella Whelan in the Telegraph on a new 'early year framework' from the Princess of Wales
Ella Whelan in the Telegraph on the class nature of the grooming gangs scandal: Contemporary feminism has a blind spot when it comes to poor white girls
Don’t Divide Us – watch highlights from a debate on grooming/rape gangs: broader issues
Podcast of Ideas: After this week's farmers' protest in London, Rob Lyons talks to two Cumbrian farmers about the inheritance-tax furore and why, despite the difficulties, they love what they do. 'Why do we do it? This is the best job in the world.' | Academy of Ideas
Forthcoming events
AOI ASSOCIATES MEETING
Thursday 20 February, 7pm, via Zoom
Including discussion of the second Trump administration and the grooming-gangs scandal. Plus Jacob Reynolds introducing themes of The Academy
To register: email geoffkidder@academyofideas.org.uk
DIDO POWELL LONDON ART TOURS 2025
The first tour in this year’s series is Constable at the V&A, South Kensington and takes place on Wednesday 19 February and Sunday 23 February (Please note that the second tour each month is a repeat of the first.) Each tour costs £15 per person.
Find out more…
NEWCASTLE POLITICS IN PUBS AND ACADEMICS FOR ACADEMIC FREEDOM: FREE SPEECH: NO IFS, NO BUTS!
Thursday 27 February, 7pm, Liberty House, Newcastle, 48 Westgate Road, NE1 1TT
Speaker: Dennis Hayes
This event is FREE but please register via Eventbrite.
DEBATING MATTERS: TRANSATLANTIC
organised by Ideas Matter
Saturday 1 March – 2pm to 8pm (UK time) – via Zoom
Debating Matters Transatlantic 2025 – Debating Matters
To join as an audience guest, email geoff@ideasmatter.org.uk
ARE DATING APPS GOOD FOR OUR ROMANTIC LIVES?
Leeds Salon
Thursday 6 March, 7pm
Venue: Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds, LS2 3AD
Speakers and tickets: Leeds Salon website
TRUMP 2 AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF ‘DRILL, BABY DRILL’
Birmingham Salon
Saturday 8 March, 11am-1pm
Venue: Bosta Room, Cherry Red’s café bar, 88-92 John Bright St, B1 1BN
Speaker: Ben Pile
More information via Birmingham Salon soon.
ASSISTED DYING: WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PARLIAMENT?
Newcastle Politics in Pubs
Tuesday 11 March, 7pm
Venue: The Telegraph, Orchard St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3NY
Speaker: Kevin Yuill
GROWING UP IN THE CULTURE WARS
East Midlands Salon
Thursday 20 March, 7pm
Venue: The Brunswick Inn, Station Road, Derby, DE1 2RU
Speakers: Jennie Bristow and Emma Gilland
Tickets: Growing up in the culture wars
PHAEDO AND MENO
Classical Philosophy Reading Group
Sunday 23 March, 6pm via Zoom
Third in series of discussions looking at Plato's Socratic dialogues.
Reserve a place via Eventbrite
TECHNOLOGICAL FIXES – THE NEED TO LOOK EAST
Buxton Freedom Hub
Tuesday 25 March, 7pm
Venue: The Old Club House, Buxton, SK17 6X - £5 at door
Speaker: James Woudhuysen
DOES BRITAIN INSPIRE ASPIRATION?
Birmingham Salon
Saturday 5 April, 1pm-3pm
Venue: Map Room, Cherry Red’s café bar, 88-92 John Bright St, B1 1BN
Speaker: Alistair Mellon
More information via Birmingham Salon soon.
THE ACADEMY 2025
UPHEAVAL: WHY POLITICS NEEDS A NEW LANGUAGE
organised by Ideas Matter
Friday 4 – Sunday 6 July 2025
Wyboston Lakes Conference Centre, Bedfordshire
Tickets and information here
BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL 2025
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October
Church House, Great Smith St, Westminster, London, SW1P 3BN
Buy tickets here