A MAJOR conference on the future of Britain’s constitution has expanded after selling out its initial ticket run.
The Break-Up of Britain conference on November 18, which was conceived as a tribute to the late theorist Tom Nairn (below), is set to feature panels from a diverse range of speakers from across the UK.
As all 550 of the first tickets sold out, organisers have now purchased additional gallery space in the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, which will make an extra 200 seats available.
Throughout the day there will be debate between representatives from an array of publications and political parties, including Labour, the Greens and SNP. Several figures from The National, including columnist Lesley Riddoch and editor Laura Webster, will also be in attendance.
One panel will see Irish Times columnist Una Mullally and Jacobin editor Daniel Finn join Italian academic Pisauro and SNP MP Alyn Smith to discuss the future of the EU.
Elsewhere, North of Tyne major Jamie Driscoll – recently barred from standing for re-election on a Labour ticket by Keir Starmer’s team – will speak with Green MSP Maggie Chapman and columnist Joyce McMillan on the future of British politics.
“We are delighted with the roster of speakers that we’ve managed to bring together,” said organiser Peter McColl.
“We have writers and academics from Poland, Ireland, Italy, and France, as well as Scottish, English and Welsh activists, all gathering in Edinburgh to examine why British democracy is so dysfunctional and how to change it.”
He went on: “When we first came up with the idea for this conference, we thought we might get 150 people in a hall somewhere in Edinburgh.
“Instead, there has been a huge, unexpected demand for tickets.
“This is a bleak moment in domestic and global politics, and I think people are looking for a little bit of hope.”
The final batch of tickets can be purchased here.
