Latest news with #TheNewsReview
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer government ‘trying to fix wings of a plane while already in flight', veteran political adviser says
Veteran political adviser John Browne has described Sir Keir Starmer's premiership as 'trying to fix the wings of an airplane while you're already in flight,' after The Independent revealed plans of a plot within Labour to oust the PM. The cross-bench peer and former BP boss was speaking at the 2025 Hay Festival of Literature and Arts, which is partnered with The Independent for the second year running. He was appearing on a panel alongside climate expert Friederike Otto and leading women's rights lawyer Harriet Wistrich, as part of the festival's daily 'News Review' event, chaired by The Independent's chief book critic Martin Chilton. Responding to The Independent's report on disquiet within Labour over Sir Keir's premiership, Lord Browne, who advised five prime ministers including Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, said the government should counteract 'uncertainty' with a plan. 'And I mean a plan, not just a vision,' he said. 'I was surprised that, despite the number of experienced people in government, it wasn't evidently clear that this particular administration came in with a plan. 'It's very difficult when you're trying to fix the wings of an airplane while you're already in flight – and that is a really dangerous thing to do. 'Let's see, maybe it's early days and maybe the learning will take place during the process of government.' The comments come after The Independent revealed that a large number of MPs from the so-called 'soft left' of the party are organising to try to force a change of direction within the party. Sir Keir's turbulent first 10 months as prime minister have prompted growing questions about his leadership, magnified by the party's recent losses at local elections, in which they lost two-thirds of the council seats they had in 2021. He has also sparked controversy over his stance on migration, welfare cuts and the decision to cut winter fuel payments. During Sunday morning's event, the panel discussed a wide range of topics inspired by the day's headlines, including climate policy around the world, the Post Office scandal, and violence against women and girls (VAWG). Ms Wistrich, founder and director of the Centre for Women's Justice, told the audience that the government's progress on VAWG targets had been 'disappointing', while Ms Otto warned Donald Trump's cuts to US meteorologist jobs could cost lives in parts of the country. Spread over 11 days, the 38th spring edition of the annual cultural event is set in Hay-on-Wye, the idyllic and picturesque 'Town of Books'. Among the star-studded lineup are Mary Trump, Michael Sheen and Jameela Jamil. The Independent has partnered with the festival once again to host 'The News Review', a series of panels where our journalists explore current affairs with leading figures from politics, science, the arts and comedy every morning.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democracy ‘not a given' in Britain, top political biographer Anthony Seldon warns
Democracy is 'collapsing in the world' and 'is not a given' in Britain's future, leading political biographer Sir Anthony Seldon has warned. Sir Anthony, known for his political biographies of UK prime minister's, sat down at Wales' Hay Festival on Saturday (24 May) to discuss Liz Truss' short premiership and her predecessor, Boris Johnson's, turbulent time in office. He also discussed the state of democracy today, and how fragile it could be for Britain. Speaking about what he called the 'deep state', Sir Anthony said: 'I don't think they have their own agenda, other than preserving democracy. 'On that point about democracy, let us not forget that democracy is collapsing in the world. The number of democracies are in decline and the reality of what it means to be a democracy is also in decline. 'Democracy is not a given. There was a time when Britain was not a democracy, there well may be a time in the future when Britain will not be a democracy again. 'And the United States, which was born out of the ribs of Britain, breaking away in 1776, has a head of state who does not believe in pluralism.' He added: 'Democracy is frail.' When asked at the end of the talk if he thought Britain would still be a democracy in 50 years, he referenced Britain's instinct against revolution and said: 'There's so much that's admirable in this country, there's so much resilience and care that I think that will hold us through. And good sense.' Sir Anthony also gave verdicts about former prime ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson during the wide ranging talk. He claimed Johnson, the focus of Sir Anthony's 2023 book Johnson at 10: The Inside Story, 'does not believe in Brexit,' despite championing it in the public sphere. 'He wasn't interested. Brexit for Boris was his party ticket to get into Downing Street,' he said. 'He didn't believe in it. He does not believe in Brexit.' Hay Festival, which is spread over 11 days, is set in Hay-on-Wye, the idyllic and picturesque 'Town of Books'. The lineup includes Mary Trump, Michael Sheen, Jameela Jamil, and more. The Independent has partnered with the Festival once again to host a series of morning panels titled The News Review, where our journalists will explore current affairs with leading figures from politics, science, the arts and comedy every morning.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hay Festival announces return of expert panel series The News Review for 2025
Hay Festival will partner with The Independent once again to reprise The News Review, a series of morning panels with renowned guests. Spread over 11 days, festival-goers will be treated to an overflowing itinerary of over 600 events in Hay-on-Wye between 22 May and 1 June 2025. The star-studded lineup includes Yulia Navalnaya, Michael Sheen, Jameela Jamil, and many more. The Independent will host nine sessions of The News Review each morning, with the publication's journalists exploring current affairs with leading figures from politics, science, the arts and comedy. Joining TheIndependent to dissect the breaking news of the day will be historians David Olusoga and Kehinde Andrews, comedian Sara Pascoe, broadcasters Jon Sopel and Anushka Asthan and world-renowned philosopher AC Grayling. Journalists Lyse Doucet and Misha Glenny will address the shifting nuances of geopolitics while the subject of climate science will be discussed by academic Friederike Otto. Hay Festival president Stephen Fry highlighted the festival's important role in this year's tumultuous social and political climate, stating: 'Besides the fun and joy of gathering to share stories, it is also the antidote to disinformation and division.' Geordie Greig, Editor-In-Chief of The Independent, said: 'Hay Festival remains the world's greatest exchange for the best works of literature and a forum for ideas, philosophy, politics and provocative debate. I am so pleased that The Independent can once again be at the heart of this meeting of minds, bringing together our journalists with luminaries from all walks of life to discuss the pressing matters affecting us all. 'The Independent has more than 20 million readers in the UK alone, many of whom are passionate about culture in all its forms. I'm looking forward to a fascinating, thought-provoking series, discussing and shaping the news of the day.' Meanwhile, Julie Finch, Hay Festival Global CEO, added: 'We're delighted to be working with The Independent on the News Review series, gathering festival guests each morning to discuss and debate the day's headlines. With the news agenda changing so quickly, this opens up a space in our programme to be reactive and keep pace with the world around us.' The full breakdown of this year's News Review line-up can be found below: Saturday 24 May 2025, 10am –Wye Stage Mike Berners-Lee, sustainability researcher and professor in the Institute for Social Futures at Lancaster University, author of There is No Planet B; Misha Glenny, geopolitics journalist, author of McMafia. Sunday 25 May 2025, 10am – Global Stage Friederike Otto, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, Imperial College London. Monday 26 May 2025, 10am – Meadow Stage David Olusoga, historian and author of Black and British, presenter of Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners; Helen Rebanks, farmer and author of The Farmer's Wife. Tuesday 27 May 2025, 10am – Discovery Stage TBA Wednesday 28 May 2025, 10am – Global Stage Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympic athlete and presenter; Sara Pascoe, award-winning comedian, host of BBC2's Great British Sewing Bee, author of Sex Power Money. Thursday 29 May 2025, 10am – Meadow Stage Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, author of The New Age of Empire; Havana Marking, award-winning director of Undercover: Exposing the Far Right. Friday 30 May 2025, 10am – Discovery Stage AC Grayling, philosopher, founder and principal of the New College of the Humanities at Northeastern University, London; Jon Sopel, former BBC North America editor, host of The News Agents, author of Strangeland. Saturday 31 May 2025, 10am – Discovery Stage Anushka Asthana, ITV's deputy political editor, author of Taken As Red: How Labour Won Big and the Tories Crashed the Party; Lyse Doucet, the BBC's Chief International Correspondent and Senior Presenter. Sunday 1 June 2025, 10am – Wye Stage Sigrid Rausing, publisher of Granta magazine and Granta Books; Philippe Sands KC, Professor of Law at University College London and author of East West Street. Special guests at Hay this year include Good Omens star Michael Sheen, The Good Place actor Jameela Jamil, artist Grayson Perry, comedian Miranda Hart, musician and author Paloma Faith, ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly and activist Katie Piper. They will be joined by British screenwriter and producer Jesse Armstrong, one of the minds behind Succession, Peep Show and Four Lions. As well as its usual literary offerings, the Festival will launch its first cinema section with the MUBI cinema hosting screenings of Bergman Island; How to Have Sex; Fallen Leaves; Queer; First Cow; Alcarràs; Dahomey; Decision to Leave; Aftersun; Priscilla; Perfect Days; Petite Maman; and The Worst Person in the World. They will be followed by discussion and analysis by screenwriters including Hot Milk's Rebecca Lenkiewicz, The Power's Sarah Quintrell, and His Dark Materials producer Jane Tranter. Conclave novelist Robert Harris will also discuss the Oscar-nominated adaptation of his work.
The Independent
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Hay Festival announces return of expert panel series The News Review for 2025
Hay Festival will partner with The Independent once again to reprise The News Review, a series of morning panels with renowned guests. Spread over 11 days, the festival will feature an overflowing itinerary of over 600 events in Hay-on-Wye between 22 May and 1 June 2025. The star-studded lineup includes Yulia Navalnaya, Michael Sheen, Jameela Jamil and many more. The Independent will host nine sessions of The News Review each morning, with the publication's journalists exploring current affairs with leading figures from politics, science, the arts and comedy. Joining The Independent to dissect the breaking news of the day will be historians David Olusoga and Kehinde Andrews, comedian Sara Pascoe, broadcasters Jon Sopel and Anushka Asthan and world-renowned philosopher AC Grayling. Journalists Lyse Doucet and Misha Glenny will address the shifting nuances of geopolitics while the subject of climate science will be discussed by academic Friederike Otto. Hay Festival president Stephen Fry highlighted the festival's important role in this year's tumultuous social and political climate, stating: 'Besides the fun and joy of gathering to share stories, it is also the antidote to disinformation and division.' Geordie Greig, Editor-In-Chief of The Independent, said: 'Hay Festival remains the world's greatest exchange for the best works of literature and a forum for ideas, philosophy, politics and provocative debate. I am so pleased that The Independent can once again be at the heart of this meeting of minds, bringing together our journalists with luminaries from all walks of life to discuss the pressing matters affecting us all. ' The Independent has more than 20 million readers in the UK alone, many of whom are passionate about culture in all its forms. I'm looking forward to a fascinating, thought-provoking series, discussing and shaping the news of the day.' Meanwhile, Julie Finch, Hay Festival Global CEO, added: 'We're delighted to be working with The Independent on the News Review series, gathering festival guests each morning to discuss and debate the day's headlines. With the news agenda changing so quickly, this opens up a space in our programme to be reactive and keep pace with the world around us.' The full breakdown of this year's News Review line-up can be found below: Saturday 24 May 2025, 10am –Wye Stage Mike Berners-Lee, sustainability researcher and professor in the Institute for Social Futures at Lancaster University, author of There is No Planet B; Misha Glenny, geopolitics journalist, author of McMafia. Sunday 25 May 2025, 10am – Global Stage Friederike Otto, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, Imperial College London. Monday 26 May 2025, 10am – Meadow Stage David Olusoga, historian and author of Black and British, presenter of Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners; Helen Rebanks, farmer and author of The Farmer's Wife. Tuesday 27 May 2025, 10am – Discovery Stage TBA Wednesday 28 May 2025, 10am – Global Stage Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympic athlete and presenter; Sara Pascoe, award-winning comedian, host of BBC2's Great British Sewing Bee, author of Sex Power Money. Thursday 29 May 2025, 10am – Meadow Stage Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, author of The New Age of Empire; Havana Marking, award-winning director of Undercover: Exposing the Far Right. Friday 30 May 2025, 10am – Discovery Stage AC Grayling, philosopher, founder and principal of the New College of the Humanities at Northeastern University, London; Jon Sopel, former BBC North America editor, host of The News Agents, author of Strangeland. Saturday 31 May 2025, 10am – Discovery Stage Anushka Asthana, ITV's deputy political editor, author of Taken As Red: How Labour Won Big and the Tories Crashed the Party; Lyse Doucet, the BBC's Chief International Correspondent and Senior Presenter. Sunday 1 June 2025, 10am – Wye Stage Sigrid Rausing, publisher of Granta magazine and Granta Books; Philippe Sands KC, Professor of Law at University College London and author of East West Street. Special guests at Hay this year include Good Omens star Michael Sheen, The Good Place actor Jameela Jamil, artist Grayson Perry, comedian Miranda Hart, musician and author Paloma Faith, ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly and activist Katie Piper. They will be joined by British screenwriter and producer Jesse Armstrong, one of the minds behind Succession, Peep Show and Four Lions. As well as its usual literary offerings, the Festival will launch its first cinema section with the MUBI cinema hosting screenings of Bergman Island; How to Have Sex; Fallen Leaves; Queer; First Cow; Alcarràs; Dahomey; Decision to Leave; Aftersun; Priscilla; Perfect Days; Petite Maman; and The Worst Person in the World. They will be followed by discussion and analysis by screenwriters including Hot Milk' s Rebecca Lenkiewicz, The Power 's Sarah Quintrell, and His Dark Materials producer Jane Tranter. Conclave novelist Robert Harris will also discuss the Oscar-nominated adaptation of his work.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Star-studded Hay Festival 2025 line-up announced
The Hay Festival 2025 programme has been revealed, featuring over 600 events and a star-studded lineup. Now in its 38th year, the festival will take place in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, from May 22 to June 1, 2025. The festival will see more than 600 artists, policymakers, pioneers, and innovators from around the world take part in events that explore key global issues and launch the best new fiction and non-fiction books. Guests include Stacey Dooley, Brian Eno, Miranda Hart, Jacqueline Wilson, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and many more. Click here to see the full list. Hay Festival global chief executive, Julie Finch, said: "Over the past 12 months, we've seen the speed at which our world can change and the high stakes for our times. READ MORE: Top Gear star Richard Hammond spotted without wedding ring Proud pub landlords speak out after "unexpected" win "Rare vagrant" bird spotted at county site "Here's a Hay Festival programme to tackle our shared challenges head-on with purpose and hope, celebrating new ideas and the power of storytelling to improve our lives. "Woven throughout you'll find our core themes for 2025 – the impacts of AI, health and wellbeing, new political orders and intergenerational exchanges. This is a festival for everyone. Join us in a world of different ideas." The festival will also feature several special projects and new initiatives, including The Platform, which spotlights young creative talent, Hay Festival Green, which proposes innovative solutions to the climate crisis, and The News Review, which engages with the day's top headlines. Nights at the festival will be filled with music, comedy, and entertainment, while free pop-up activities and performances will take place between sessions. Events will be hosted across eight stages at the free-to-enter festival site, which includes a bookshop, wild garden, make and take tent, and a family garden. Collaborations with organisations including Arts Council England, the BBC, and Black British Book Festival make this one of the most accessible festival editions yet. The festival will also be streamed live online, with a selection of sessions continuing the commitment to digital accessibility. Tickets are on sale now to Hay Festival Members, Patrons, and Benefactors on the hay Festival website, with general sale beginning at noon on Friday, March 14.
