Culture

What is the point of Pride? A protest, a parade, or just a month of pinkwashing? The origins of Pride are relatively well-known, at least within the LGBT community. All social justice movements evolve over time, hopefully as they help to achieve what they’re fighting for. But what, and who, is Pride fighting for (and against) now? On whose behalf does it speak? These are key ideological questions, but there are structural and institutional ones too, such as who runs Pride — globally, nationally and regionally? Where does the money go? Is anybody measuring whether Pride has an impact? Does any of that even matter? Join us for a ThinkIn to share what Pride means to you, and help us make sense of what Pride is for.  editor and invited experts Liz MoseleyEditor Christopher Joell-DeshieldsExecutive Director, Pride in London Debbie BrixeyChair of Oxford Pride and VP Members Services at InterPride

How can we improve British democracy? It’s a question that doesn’t just concern our parliamentary elections, or even elections at all – but asks we consider the full slate of opportunities available to citizens. Who has the power to change Britain for the better, and where? Why is political power so unequally distributed, and how can it really change? It concerns our representatives, yes, but also our public services: from our education and healthcare systems to our police and regulators. And, in this series on British democracy, it asks us to go to the very root of our social contract – a social contract severely broken, perhaps irreparably. This ThinkIn series will ask how to fix it.  editor and invited experts Matthew d’AnconaEditor Councillor Tim WyeBristol Green Party Councillor, Ashley Dr Ceri DaviesDirector of the Centre for Deliberative Research, NatCen Louise TickleJournalist and Reporter

How can we improve British democracy? It’s a question that doesn’t just concern our parliamentary elections, or even elections at all – but asks we consider the full slate of opportunities available to citizens. Who has the power to change Britain for the better, and where? Why is political power so unequally distributed, and how can it really change? It concerns our representatives, yes, but also our public services: from our education and healthcare systems to our police and regulators. And, in this series on British democracy, it asks us to go to the very root of our social contract – a social contract severely broken, perhaps irreparably. This ThinkIn series will ask how to fix it.  editor Matthew d’AnconaEditor

How can we improve British democracy? It’s a question that doesn’t just concern our parliamentary elections, or even elections at all – but asks we consider the full slate of opportunities available to citizens. Who has the power to change Britain for the better, and where? Why is political power so unequally distributed, and how can it really change? It concerns our representatives, yes, but also our public services: from our education and healthcare systems to our police and regulators. And, in this series on British democracy, it asks us to go to the very root of our social contract – a social contract severely broken, perhaps irreparably. This ThinkIn series will ask how to fix it.  editor Matthew d’AnconaEditor

Local elections are done but Boris Johnson’s fate is far from clear. Join reporter Lara Spirit to chew over what the results really mean for the Prime Minister — and who in his party might be compelled to move against him off the back of them.  editor and invited experts Lara SpiritReporter John McTernanPolitical Strategist; Former Political Secretary to Tony Blair Peter KellnerJournalist and Political Commentator

The Commonwealth of Nations is home to 2.6 billion people and comprises 54 member states, most (but not all) with links to the former British Empire. The Queen has been head of the Commonwealth for more than seven decades, and Prince Charles has been agreed, in principle at least, as her successor. But as the UK considers the next chapter of the monarchy, would the Commonwealth be better off without the UK in it? Only 9% of UK trade is with the Commonwealth – despite all the talk of it being a major trading opportunity post-Brexit. With our greater understanding of the long-term impact of colonialism, is our continued involvement in the Commonwealth just an attempt to paper over the cracks caused by Britain’s imperial past, or do we still have a responsibility to be involved? editor and invited experts Jeevan VasagarClimate Editor Dr Sue OnslowDirector & Reader in Commonwealth History, Institute of Commonwealth Studies Kojo KoramLecturer at the School of Law at Birkbeck College, University of London Lord HowellFormer President of the Royal Commonwealth Society; Chairman of the Council of Commonwealth Societies

To their critics, private schools are the engines of inequality which privilege 7% of UK children at the expense of everyone else. To their supporters, private schools prepare children for the top jobs in politics, law, media and business. Private education is also a booming sector: fee paying schools contribute around £13bn to the UK GDP. Solutions for reform begin with the removal of charitable status and stripping tax benefits, and end with full integration into the state system. Could the state system cope with an extra 600,000 students? How much would it cost the taxpayer?Is elitism really that bad when it comes to education, or should parents be allowed to invest in their children’s future – even if the results aren’t guaranteed? In the era of diversity and inclusion awareness, does the old public school tie still count for much? editor and invited experts Liz MoseleyEditor Fiona MillarJournalist and Education Campaigner Lisa KerrPrincipal, Gordonstoun School