Englishness has been hijacked by the right. The flag of St. George’s Cross is proudly waved at far-right rallies. Conservative politicians insult the Left as being anti-English. And our history has been weaponised by cheerleaders for Brexit, exceptionalism and imperial nostalgia.

That’s the argument of Caroline Lucas who comes to the Intelligence Squared stage on April 22 to offer us a radically new way of viewing England and Englishness.

Lucas has long been at the forefront of progressive politics in the UK, having twice led the Green Party. Drawing from her new book, Another England: How to Reclaim Our National Story, Lucas will discuss how to redefine nationalism by centering the English people’s history of radical inclusivity, deep-rooted commitment to the natural world and long struggle to win rights for all. These often overlooked stories will put the Chartists, the Diggers and the Suffragettes alongside Nelson and Churchill, and will draw on a rich literary history to explore our shared challenges of identity and equality today.

As we prepare for one of the most anticipated general elections in decades, join us to debate and discuss one of the major fault lines underpinning politics in Britain today.

“The best PM Britain never had.” Guardian
“The most inspiring British politician of my lifetime.” Robert Macfarlane
“The voice of progressive reason.” Jonathan Coe