From this page you can access transcripts of lectures and talks hosted by the Centre for English Identity and Politics, including presentations by Tristram Hunt, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Simon Heffer and Tariq Modood.
The Centre was first hosted by the University of Winchester and much of this material was delivered at lectures or seminars held there.
Below are transcripts of lectures and seminar contributions given at the Centre.
England in the World (25/10/2024)
Three seminar panels explore English views of foreign policy, how others see English and UK foreign policy, and what this might all mean for the United Kingdom.
Panel 1 - How the English view UK foreign policy
Helene von Bismark, John Denham, Conor Gaughan, Nick Pearce, Nicholas Scott and Julie Smith
Video here
Panel 2 - How others see England and UK foreign policy
Helen Drake, Helene von Bismarck, Paul Gillespie, Tim Oliver, Srdjan Vucetic and Ben Wellings
Video here
Panel 3 - Implications for the United Kingdom
Tim Oliver, Michael Kenny, Jim Gallagher and Ailsa Henderson.
Video here
England's Future - politics and planning in England (04/01/2024)
Nigel Moor, Dr Nicholas Falk, and Catrionna Riddell discuss the politics of planning in England that are at the heart of both government and opposition politics
Windrush 100? (02/01/2024)
On the 7th anniversary of the SS Windrush's arrival in the UK, Lisa Anderson and Dr Juanita Cox explore how Windrush might be remembered in 25 year's time.
Taking Back Control? Making English Devolution Work (11/07/2023)
Alex Norris MP (Labour Shadow Minister for Leveling-Up), Sir David Lidington (former Conservative Cabinet Minister), Jessica Studdert (Deputy Director, NewLocal) and Bren Albiston (Chair SLL Constitution Committee) discuss English devolution, the Levelling Up Bill and Labour's proposed Take Back Control Bill.
Winning England (17/03/2023)
England's size makes it pivotal to the outcome of UK elections. In the 2019 'Get Brexit Done' election the Conservative UK majority of 80 rested on an England majority of 156, and English identifiers formed a large part of their support. What role will issues of sovereignty and identity play in the next election, and what of cost of living, public services and of social values.
With Prof Matt Goodwin (Kent), Ailsa Henderson (Edinburgh), Paula Surridge (Bristol) and Dr Lawrence McKay (Southampton) discuss in this webinar from the Centre for English Identity and Politics.
The Identities of Northern England (20/02/2023)
The complex relationship between England’s local regional identities and its English and British identities has assumed a new importance with the increasingly high-profile role of elected mayors. Combined mayoral authorities play a significant role in the current government’s search for economic growth, and Labour has advocated making English regions part of the governance of the UK. Ryan Swift, Leeds University and IPPR North, and Brian Groom, author of Northerners discuss whether northern identities provide the basis for exercising local or regional political power, and what that might mean for the governance of England and the UK.
The Political Economy of England (15/02/2023)
Britain’s union state has facilitated the privatisation and financialisation of the economy. Globalisation has too often facilitated wealth extraction rather than productive investment. These processes have gone furthest in an England that lacks a defined national government or devolved institutions. It is increasingly important to understand the political economy of England and what an alternative approach to its management might look like.
With James Meadway, Former advisor to Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Director, Progressive Economy Forum; Simon Lee, University of Hull, Senior Lecturer, Department of Politics Sarah Longlands, Director Centre for Local Economic Strategies.
Levelling Up – What does England need at the centre? (25/01/2023)
Despite decades of government aspirations to devolve power, England remains the most centralised nation in Europe. This webinar explores how the structure, culture and organisation of the UK government (which governs England) obstructs devolution within England.
With Prof Diana Coyle (Cambridge), Prof Janice Morphet (UCL), Dr Arianna Giovannini (de Montfort) and Prof Patrick Diamond (QMUL).
A Countryside for All (3/1/2023)
The English countryside holds an iconic position in the popular imagination of England as a nation. But our ideas of rural English life may not live up to today’s reality for those living there and those who visit. This webinar explores social class and politics, landownership, and the experiences of ethnic minorities to ask whether and how we could enjoy a countryside for all.
With Kavita Maya, UCL Kate Swade, Shared Assets Tabitha Baker, Bournemouth University.
Global England, Global Britain? (10/11/2022)
Contested English views of nation and sovereignty shaped Brexit and took the UK out of the EU. Could similarly contested views of geo-political relationships, defence, aid, trade and national economic politics shape Britain's future foreign policy?
With Prof Srdjan Vucetic (Ottowa), Dr Tim Oliver (Loughborough) and Prof John Denham (Centre for English Identity and Politics, Southampton)
The Politics of Place (26/01/2022)
‘Red Wall’ constituencies thrust the politics of place to the centre of England’s politics, with Labour seeking to recover lost ground and the Conservatives aiming to consolidate their gains. But does either party really understanding the places that have not shared in the wealth that has accumulated disproportionately among some groups in the centre of cities? What sort of political and economic response would meet the aspirations of their people?
With John Tomaney, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning in the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London, Baroness Judith Blake, former Leader, Leeds City Council. Will Jennings, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the University of Southampton.
Governing for Change (26/01/2022)
Prof John Denham (Southampton) and Prof Jon Wilson (Kings, London) introduce their paper ‘Governing for Change, rethinking Labour’s statecraft’ in which they discuss how Labour’s policy aims cannot be separated from the discussion about how power is distributed across the nations and localities of the UK.
With Jessica Studdart, NewLocal and Philip Rycroft,former Cabinet Office lead on the Union.
A Manifesto for Nature and Re-enchantment (9/12/2021)
Tobias Phibbs of the Common Good Foundation introduces a 'Manifesto for Nature and Re-enchantment, examining the links between people, nature and environment. His argument that the politics of sustainability are restricted by our lack of engagement with nature are discussed.
With Alison Barnes, Chief Executive of the New Forest National Park Authority and Ian Christie of Surrey University.
Progressive Patriotism – lessons from Wales? (03/12/2021)
Wales is now the only nation on the island of Britain with a Labour government. Why has this happened, and what role has Welsh Labour's progressive patriotism played?
With Mick Antoniv, Counsel General in the Welsh Government; Prof Leighton Andrews (Cardiff), former AM and Minister; and Prof Laura McAllister (Cardiff).
Brexit and the Anglican Tradition (22/03/2021)
Like much of England, the Anglican church was divided by Brexit. This webinar is linked to the publication of The Future of Brexit Britain – Anglican reflections of national identity and European solidarity (SPCK, eds: Andrew Bradstock and Jonathan Chaplin). The essays in this book explore the reasons why, and the different perspectives found within the church on Brexit and on English, British and European identity.
With Bishop John McDowell, Primate of All Ireland, Bishop Philip North, Bishop of Burnley, Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, Bishop Robert Innes Bishop in Europe, Prof Adrian Pabst, University of Kent and National Institute of Economic and Social Research, Prof Linda Woodhead, University of Lancaster, Dr David Muir, University of Roehampton.
The Politics of Brexitland (03/03/2021)
'Brexitland' by Profs Rob Ford and Maria Sobolewska argues that British politics has been re-shaped by the divide between 'ethnicity conservatives' and 'ethnicity liberals. In this webinar they discuss their analysis with MPs Danny Kruger and Stephen Kinnock and we ask whether this political divide is now permanent or can be bridged.
Constitutional Futures (28/01/2021)
Is there a future for the union that does not rely on the sovereignty of the Westminster Parliament? Carwyn Jones SM, former first minister of Wales, discusses his radical proposals.
With Nick Pearce (Institute of Policy Research, Bath University, and former head of the No 10 Policy Unit) and Prof Nicola McEwen, Centre for Constitutional Change, Edinburgh University)
Politics and Values in England (14/12/2020)
Over the past 20 years, one group of England's voters have reshaped English and UK politics. Tending to identify as more English than British, often working class and from previously Labour backgrounds, their support for UKIP, Brexit and more recently the Conservatives has been decisive. This webinar discussed their values, class, political economy, ideas of community and the politics of identity.
With David Lammy MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Justice), Simon Winlow (Northumbria), Paula Surridge (Bristol) and Jon Lawrence (Exeter).
Beyond Asymmetric Devolution (14/12/2020)
20 years after devolution the culture of the media, the language of politics and the organisation of the state have all failed to keep up with the constitutional reality. Could future reform bring them all in line?
With Ian Murray MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland), Prof Ailsa Henderson (Edinburgh), Prof Stephen Cushion (Cardiff), Akash Paun (Institute of Government) and Jack Sheldon (Cambridge).
Guy Shrubsole Who owns England?
28 November 2018
Researcher and author
Jim Baker YOLO. (You Only Live Once): Black English, Who's Shaping Whose Identity?
20 September 2018
Independent researcher and consultant
John Denham Stories of England
28 March 2018
University of Southampton
Don John Stories of England
28 March 2018
Race equality consultant
Robin Mann Stories of England
28 March 2018
Bangor University
David McCrone Stories of England
28 March 2018
Edinburgh University
Lisa Mckenzie Stories of England
28 March 2018
LSE
Sivamohan Valluvan Stories of England
28 March 2018
Warwick University
Craig Prescott The Constitutional and Political Consequences of a Divided Referendum Result
May 2017
Winchester University
Liam Byrne An Englishness open to all
31 March 2017
Labour MP
David Goodhart An Englishness open to all
31 March 2017
Author and journalist
Sunder Katwala An Englishness open to all
31 March 2017
Director, British Future
Tariq Madood An Englishness open to all
31 March 2017
Bristol University
Nasar Meer An Englishness open to all
31 March 2017
Edinburgh University
Richard Webber An Englishness open to all
31 March 2017
Director, WebberPhillips
Simon Heffer Five Hundred Years of Englishness
28 February 2017
Author and journalist
Trevor Phillips An English Future: E Pluribus Unum or Ex Una Multa?
18 October 2016
Former Chair, EHRC
Judith Clementson England and the EU
12 March 2016
Hampshire independent councillor
Montserrat Guibernau England and the EU
12 March 2016
Cambridge University
Richard Wyn-Jones England and the EU
12 March 2016
Cardiff University
Paul Goodman English issues in the 2015 general election
18 January 2016
Editor, Conservative Home
Miranda Green English issues in the 2015 general election
18 January 2016
Journalist, former advisor to Paddy Ashdown
Eric Kaufman English issues in the 2015 general election
18 January 2016
Birkbeck University
Gerry Stoker English issues in the 2015 general election
18 January 2016
University of Southampton
Gerald Vernon-Jackson English issues in the 2015 general election
18 January 2016
Leader, Portsmouth City Council
Robert Tombs England’s Past and England’s Future
23 November 2015
Cambridge University
Richard Leese Labour and England
21 October 2015
Leader, Manchester City Council