Are We Seeing the Break-Up of Britain? Gavin Esler
Broadcaster and commentator Gavin Esler looks at the constitutional, federal arrangements which might prevent the disintegration of the British state.
For years the British state has been what Esler calls a ‘secret federation’, but without the explicit federal arrangements that allow Germany or the United States to survive. This state, which does not have a written constitution, is now coming under great strain. The pressures to declare Scottish independence and to push for a border poll that would unite Ireland may become irresistible.
Can England and Wales ‒ where support for independence is growing ‒ find a way of dealing with the state’s new place in the world?
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Gavin Esler’s How Britain Ends: English Nationalism and the Rebirth of Four Nations is published by Head of Zeus. Buy a copy from Waterstones, our bookselling partners.
Gavin Esler is a journalist, television presenter and author. He was a main presenter of the BBC current affairs show Newsnight for 12 years until 2014. Since 2014 he has been a public speaker, a political commentator and journalist, and the Chancellor of the University of Kent. His latest book is How Britain Ends: English Nationalism and the Rebirth of Four Nations.
Image credit: Jeff Overs
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Democracy and Freedom of Expression
This event is part of our 2021 series on democracy and freedom of expression. We’re committed to looking at solutions to the great challenges that face us – what individuals, leaders, mayors, councils, governments, cities, communities, nations and others can do to support, strengthen and extend democracy and freedom of expression.
The series includes: programmes on the future of democracy, May elections, the monarchy, constitutions, English devolution, House of Lords reform, votes at 16; work exploring freedom of expression through the year; and a focus on democracy and cities in Festival of the Future City (20-21 October).
Our project partners include English PEN, Prospect Magazine, the Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath and the Observer. More events will be launched soon. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #FOIDemocracy and #CommonCurrency
Booking Information
It’s important to us that ideas and debate are affordable to everyone. It’s also important that our commentators, artists, writers, poets and thinkers are paid. This is a Pay What You Can event. You are invited to choose your own contribution to the event. All proceeds go towards supporting our speakers and sustaining Bristol Ideas.
This is an online event on Crowdcast. Please note that Crowdcast works best in Chrome.
Booking a ticket for our Crowdcast event
Click the Book Ticket link to go to Crowdcast to register. Click the ‘Save my spot’ button to register. You will be prompted to enter your email address or social media login (Facebook, Twitter or Google). An email will be sent to confirm your registration, along with the option to add the event to your calendar.
Joining our Crowdcast event
Once you register you will have instant access to the event’s Crowdcast page, including the polls, chat, and Q&A. To return to the event page at any time, simply click the link in your confirmation or reminder email. The event will start automatically on its event page at the time advertised, and all you have to do is sit back and relax.