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David Blunkett

Former Education Secretary, and Home Secretary during the Blair years, David Blunkett oversaw the UK’s response to 9/11. He is also a broadcaster and columnist for the Daily Mail.

Former Education Secretary, and Home Secretary during the Blair years, David Blunkett oversaw the UK’s response to 9/11. He is also a broadcaster and columnist for the Daily Mail.

David Blunkett Videos

An open book engulfed in flames, surrounded by scattered, burnt pages and debris on a textured surface.
David Aaronovitch,Nigel Lawson,Ritula Shah,David Blunkett,Jill Kirby

The End of Ideals?

Do we need grand political visions?
A solitary figure walks along a chain-link fence in a vast desert landscape under a clear blue sky.
David Blunkett,Elif Sarican,Ella Whelan,Eric Kaufmann

Nations, Borders and History

What is a nation?
A diverse group of people kneel in a public space, some with candles, participating in a vigil or memorial, surrounded by buildings and trees at night.
Phillip Blond,David Blunkett,Joanna Gosling,Dawn Butler

Tribal Identity and Tribal Conflict

Does our need for belonging create conflict?
A middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair, wearing a light blue shirt, is speaking thoughtfully against a backdrop of lush greenery and water.
David Blunkett

David Blunkett | In-depth interview

On Tony Blair, Brexit, and Windrush
A man in a suit with a beard is surrounded by photographers, appearing to speak to the media in an outdoor setting.
David Blunkett,Phillip Dodd

The Arc of Life: David Blunkett

The politician on his life, the left, and Labour

More Videos

A person with short hair, sitting with their head bowed and hands covering their face, expressing deep emotional distress or sorrow in a black and white setting.
Mark Salter,Helen Croydon,John Milbank,Robin Ince

The Shame Game

Why do we fear shame?
Three prominent intellectuals in a split image: Noam Chomsky, a female scholar (identity unclear), and an older man with glasses, emphasizing their contributions to philosophy and critical thought.
Rana Mitter,Deirdre McCloskey,Mark Lilla,Noam Chomsky

Darkness, Authority and Dreams

Chomsky debates libertarians and future liberals
A middle-aged man with curly gray hair in a striped tie and gray suit is speaking passionately at an event, gesturing with his hands.
Steven Pinker,Tariq Ali,Elif Sarican,Rana Mitter

The Fires of Progress

Steven Pinker debates violence, ideas and progress
Portrait of Karl Marx, a 19th-century philosopher and economist known for his critiques of capitalism and contributions to socialist theory.
Terry Eagleton

Why Marx was Right

Terry Eagleton on why we dismiss Marxism at our peril
A group of four individuals portraited against a light background, each displaying various expressions, likely from different professions or public roles.
Chris Bryant,Sophie Walker,Peter Hitchens,Isabel Hilton

The Left, the Right and the Righteous

Does the left still hold the higher moral ground?
A group of graduates in silhouette joyfully tossing their caps into the air against a vibrant sunset backdrop.
Angie Hobbs,Kwasi Kwarteng,Phillip Collins,Steve Fuller

The Myths of Meritocracy

Should we reward intelligence?
A man in a black shirt with a patterned tie stands outdoors, surrounded by greenery, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.
Paul Mason

Clear Bright Future

How to be more than just a consumer
A man with tousled dark hair and a thoughtful expression, dressed in a navy blazer and white shirt, against a black background.
Rory Stewart,Emma Barnet

Rory Stewart in Conversation with Emma Barnett

Former Conservative speaks out on abuses of power
A man with curly hair examines a sculpture of a head depicting different intellectual traits, highlighting the connection between philosophy and psychology.
Rana Mitter,Andrew Copson,Steven Pinker,Roger Bolton,Judith Marquand

Reason and The Decline of Violence

Steven Pinker's Theory Explored
A speaker in a red plaid shirt gestures during a talk, set against a blue-lit background.
Peter Tatchell

What's Wrong With the Left?

Peter Tatchell | Give up the myths, seek alliances
A person holding a fan of US dollar bills, including one, five, twenty, and other denominations, with a focused expression.
Peter Tatchell,Jamie Whyte,Sean Curran,Frances Stewart,Paul Krugman

The Wealth Delusion

Would more equality lead to greater happiness?
A vibrant, colorful artwork depicting a crowd with expressive faces, their arms reaching out energetically, showcasing a mix of joy and excitement.
Hilary Lawson,Simon Glendinning,Yasmin Alibhai-Brown,Julie Bindel,Brendan O'Neill

A Tribal World

Are communities dangerous or necessary?
A dramatic storm cloud formation with swirling dark clouds, illuminated by a golden sunset, with telephone poles lining a rural road.
Rana Mitter,Stephen D. King,George Galloway

The Gathering Storm

Russia, China and the New World Order
Two men seated on stage engaged in conversation, one wearing glasses and a suit jacket, the other with curly hair and a colorful tie, both smiling.
Steven Pinker,Matt Frei

Why Things Get Better

Steven Pinker on the world's bright future.
A man in a suit waves, set against a backdrop of Turkish flags in red, symbolizing a political setting, possibly a speech or announcement.
Phillip Blond,Ritula Shah,Michael Howard,Owen Jones

The People's Champion

Is democracy incoherent?

A worker in overalls is repainting a mural of the European Union flag, with blue background and yellow stars.
Isabel Hilton,Anatole Kaletsky,Leanne Wood,Barry Gardiner,Mark Francois

Has Brexit Broken British Politics?

Britain in Uncharted Territory
Members of the British royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne, gathered on a balcony to watch an event, smiling and dressed in formal attire.
Adam Swift,Belinda Brown,Yasmin Alibhai-Brown,Yasmin Alibhai-Brown,Victor Adebowale

Monarchy, Caste and Inheritance

Must an equal world abolish all family privilege?
A woman in a blue shirt listens intently to a man in a black jacket speaking at a discussion event, with a colorful digital background.
Leo Panitch,Yaron Brook,Kemi Badenoch,Mary-Ann Sieghart

Socialist Dreams

Is there a form of socialism that could work?
A woman wearing sunglasses and a Minnesota sweatshirt holds a megaphone, leading a protest with a group of demonstrators in the background.
Peter Tatchell

Free Thought

Are universities threatening free speech?
A gold-plated custom bicycle with ornate details and a luxurious design, parked next to a person sitting nearby.
Alex Callinicos,Roger Bolton,Paul Krugman,Stephen Dorrell

Rethinking Capital

Are there alternative economic systems?
A surreal beach scene featuring a partially submerged Statue of Liberty on the shore, with two horses grazing nearby and a colorful sunset sky.
Hilary Lawson,Philip Collins,Kwasi Kwarteng,Gita Sahgal

The Crisis of the West

Is the Age of the West at an end?
A protester holds a large sign reading
Philip Collins,Sean Curran,Lindsey German,Hew Strachan

The Morality of War

Should wealthy countries intervene in wars around the world?

A soldier in camouflage gear aims a firearm, positioned on the ground in a desert-like environment, showcasing a focused expression and military equipment.
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown,Daniel Hannan,Sameer Rahim

A World Without Borders

Should we get rid of nation states?
A group of protesters holding flares and flags, surrounded by smoke, demonstrating in a spirited atmosphere.
Vince Cable,Ella Whelan,Aaron Bastani

Reason, Rage and Revolution

Have tolerance and pluralism run their course?
Close-up portrait of a middle-aged man with short gray hair, smiling softly, dressed in a black jacket, against a wooden background.
Brian Eno,Anne McElvoy,James Thornton

How to Change the World

Brian Eno and James Thornton on living a good life
Industrial complex featuring two large spherical structures with a historic brick tower in the foreground, surrounded by trees and an overcast sky.
Terry Eagleton

The Swindle of the New

Are we enslaved by the promise of novelty?
A large crowd at a protest holding signs advocating for gun control and social justice, with messages like
Stanley Fish

There's No Such Thing As Free Speech

Stanley Fish | There is always a limit to speech
A pair of shiny blue dress shoes stands on a surface split between the UK flag and the EU flag, symbolizing Brexit.
Mary Ann Sieghart,Angela Eagle,Anna Soubry,David Goodhart

Everywhere, Somewhere and Nowhere

David Goodhart: anywheres vs somewheres
Portraits of Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and an unidentified woman against a blue background.
Linda Yueh

The Great Economists

How Their Ideas Can Help Us Today | Linda Yueh
A crowd of passionate fans at a sports event, with one person holding a flare, creating a dramatic atmosphere filled with smoke and excitement.
Simon Glendinning,Robert Eaglestone,Kimberlé Crenshaw,Juliet Jacques

Strange Affects and Collective Emotions

How do collective and individual emotions compare?
A person with a shaved head stands in a desert landscape, wearing a white oversized shirt with a graphic print, facing the sun rising over sand dunes.
Tom Hodgkinson

How To Be Idle

Tom Hodgkinson | The case against efficiency
Image of two prominent authors, George Orwell on the left and Aldous Huxley on the right, both known for their influential dystopian literature.
Janne Teller,Robert Colls,Jon Barnes,Shahida Bari

The Darkest Dictator: Orwell vs Huxley

Should we fear complacency as much as oppression?
A central matchstick, ablaze, connects crumpled paper figures holding hands, symbolizing unity and the potential for igniting change or ideas.
David Goodhart,Rory Stewart,Chantal Mouffe

The End of Left and Right

Blurring the line between Liberal and Conservative
A large group of activists marches in a climate change demonstration, holding banners and flags with slogans advocating for collective action.
Alastair McIntosh

Radical Spirituality

Can spiritual activism save the planet?
A person sitting on a couch holds a newspaper titled
Isabel Hilton,Steve Fuller,Angie Hobbs,Leanne Wood

Politics and Post-Truth

Is a politics of emotion bad?
A surreal beach scene featuring a partially submerged Statue of Liberty on the shore, with two horses grazing nearby and a colorful sunset sky.
Rana Mitter,Stephen King,Will Kymlicka,Clare Short

The End of the West

Should we worry about the fall of Western power?
A red background featuring the word
Stephen King,Deirdre McCloskey,Aaron Bastani

Capitalism and Anarchy

Is it time to move on from capitalism?
A man and a woman sit together, discussing in front of various banknotes and currency designs.
Rana Mitter,Vince Cable,Liz Truss,Richard Burgon

The New Politics

Is the market the most important thing?
A hand making a
David Aaronovitch,Yasmin Alibhai-Brown,Roger Bolton,Joanna Williams

The Right to be Offended

Should we seek to eradicate offence?

An elderly man with silver hair speaking into a microphone, gesturing with his hand, against a backdrop of red curtains.
Tariq Ali,Sameer Rahim

The Arc of Life: Tariq Ali

The activist and writer on his life and ideas
Explosive ordnance descending from a darkened sky, set against a dramatic orange and red sunset, evoking themes of war and destruction.
Frank Furedi,Natalie Bennett,Patricia Lewis,Matt McAllester

Avoiding Apocalypse

Is a nuclear crisis inevitable?
A sleek F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet flying over a patchwork of farmland, showcasing its advanced design and capabilities against a clear blue sky.
Rana Mitter,Philip Collins,Clare Short

Guns and Butter

Hard and Soft power
A man in a suit raises his right hand, appearing to take an oath, while his left hand is crossed behind his back.
Anne McElvoy,John Ralston Saul,Michael Goldfarb,Michael Howard

Lies, Lies, Lies

Is political truth attainable?
A lighted sign reading
Phillip Collins,Carne Ross,Yassmin Abdel-Magied,Hugo Drochon

Elites in the Dock

Are elites necessarily a bad thing?

Twelve gold stars arranged in a circle on a blue background, representing the flag of the European Union.
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown,Roger Bolton,Jonathan Cruddas,Chandran Kukathas

Beyond Borders

Removing vs Strengthening Borders
A vibrant collage of raised hands in various colors, symbolizing diversity, support, and community engagement.
Laurie Penny,Ritula Shah,Jamie Whyte,Michael Howard,Owen Jones

The Rise and Fall of Democracy

Is democracy just a blip in world history?
A man in a beige blazer speaks into a microphone, gesturing with his hand, against a colorful geometric patterned backdrop.
Evgeny Morozov

The Net Delusion
Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump shake hands in front of North Korean flags during their historic summit.
Mary Ann Sieghart,George Galloway,Mark Leonard

War and Peace

Has Trump made the world more dangerous?
A mural featuring a woman with dreadlocks and the text
Mark Lilla

After Identity Politics

Mark Lilla | What is the future of the liberal?
Close-up of Venezuelan currency notes with a prominent face visible, highlighting details of the banknotes' intricate designs and textures.
Gabrielle Walker,Kwasi Kwarteng,John Bird,Peter Tatchell

Rich and Equal

Can a society be equal and prosperous?