Mary Beard and Michael Heseltine set to headline Festival of Politics
Former Conservative defence secretary Michael Heseltine and Oxford Classics professor and author Mary Beard are among the big names taking part in this year’s Festival of Politics.
The 14th the festival will take place at the Scottish Parliament between 10-13 October, with tickets for the headliners on sale online now, and in person from the Parliament in September.
Lord Heseltine will kick off the first day with an “in conversation” style event with Holyrood’s Presiding Officer, Ken Macintosh.
Prof Beard will feature on the final day of the festival, talking about her book Women And Power, as well as the BBC Civilisations series she co-wrote and presented.
Social commentator and The Scotsman columnist Darren “Loki” Mcgarvey – who recently picked up the Orwell Prize for political writing for his book Poverty Safari – will also appear.
Mr Macintosh said: “This year’s Festival of Politics is set to challenge how we see and think about the world and offers you the opportunity to join the political debate.”
“Our headline guests are varied and thought-provoking. From UK political giants who will reveal all about life behind the scenes as a politician and government minister to global best-selling authors and prominent academics, this year’s festival has something for everyone.”
Dame Margaret Hodge MP, the former chairwoman of the Westminster public accounts committee and Booker Prize winner and poet Ben Okri are also set to appear at the event.
Renowned historian Sir Tom Devine OBE will take part in a special “in conversation” ses- sion discussing his new book on the Highland clearances.
Other events during the festival, which have previously included film screenings, live musical performances, and exhibitions, will be announced by organisers at a later date.
Headliners for the 2017 festival included former Tory chancellor Ken Clarke, Newsnight presenter Evan Davis and ex-labour leader Harriet Harman MP.