As the new year approaches, the climate at Westminster is becoming increasingly unpredictable. The newspapers are awash with countless stories about second jobs, misused donations, fast-tracked contracts, policy u-turns, advisors briefing against their ministers and prime ministers briefing against their former advisors. Question marks loom over critical issues such as social care, infrastructure and winter shortages. Meanwhile, whispers of a leadership challenge grow louder – and Labour’s poll numbers grow stronger.
In short, the political outlook in the UK suddenly feels a little precarious, and in times like these it’s important for businesses to stay informed. We work with many keynote speakers who can cut through the rhetoric, decode the pollsters’ data and offer a forensic assessment of the geopolitical landscape. From former ministers to professors and broadcasters to authors, here are just a few political experts who can help you stay ahead of the spin:
William Hague
Former British Foreign Secretary
William led the Foreign Office during a tempestuous era encompassing wars in Libya and Syria, withdrawal from Afghanistan and the crisis in Ukraine. Drawing on numerous debates with Tony Blair and first hand knowledge of the world’s Presidents from George W Bush to Vladimir Putin, William considers the nature of leadership, the role of crises as accelerators of change, and the diplomatic challenges facing the West in years to come.
Stephen Chan
Professor of World Politics, SOAS
Stephen has advised the Foreign Office, worked with the State Council of the Chinese Prime Minister and served as a member of the Africa-China-US Trilateral Dialogue. As a keynote speaker, he offers a rigorous assessment of the international political climate, while also examining how divisions in the world need to be seen from a philosophical and cultural perspective as well as a political one.
Lyse Doucet
BBC Chief International Correspondent
Lyse reported from the ground in Afghanistan when the Soviets withdrew their troops; over 30 years later, she broadcasted from Kabul as Biden pulled out the last of the American forces. One of the BBC’s most experienced journalists, Lyse utilizes her expertise in foreign policy matters to explore how uncertainty and risk define the modern political landscape.
Dr Remi Adekoya
Associate Lecturer in Politics, University of York
Prior to joining academia, Remi was a political journalist for a range of publications including The Guardian and The Washington Post. In his speeches, Remi draws on his book Biracial Britain to examine the politics around identity in the 21st century, with a focus on why government policies and corporate slogans often fail to deliver diversity and inclusion in multicultural societies.
To book any of the above for your event contact JLA here.