Apr
21
5:00pm
Festival of Ideas: Gavin Esler, Are We Seeing the Break-Up of Britain?
By Bristol Ideas
Broadcaster and commentator Gavin Esler looks at the constitutional, federal arrangements which might prevent the disintegration of the British state.
For years the British state has been what Esler calls a ‘secret federation’, but without the explicit federal arrangements that allow Germany or the US to survive. This state, which does not have a written constitution, is now coming under great strain. The pressures to declare Scottish independence and to push for a border poll that would unite Ireland may become irresistible.
Can England and Wales ‒ where support for independence is growing ‒ find a way of dealing with the state’s new place in the world?
Gavin Esler’s How Britain Ends: English Nationalism and the Rebirth of Four Nations is published by Head of Zeus. Buy a copy from Waterstones, our bookselling partners.
It’s important to us that ideas and debate are affordable to everyone. It’s also important that our commentators, artists, writers, poets and thinkers are paid. This is a Pay What You Can event. You are invited to choose your own contribution to the event, from £0 to £8. All proceeds go towards supporting our speakers and sustaining Bristol Ideas. The option to attend for free is available for all online events.
Our Privacy Policy can be found on our website.
Gavin Esler credit Jeff Overs
hosted by
Bristol Ideas
share