Blair's Children: how did New Labour change Britain

On May 1st the Institute of Ideas, in partnership with leading arts theatre the Cockpit, host a round-table rumble discussion following a preview reading of the Cockpit's new play "Blair's Children"



Blair’s Children: how did New Labour change Britain?

Tony Blair came to power in 1997 promising radical change for ‘new’ Britain. His much-discussed legacy – a vaunted foreign policy of liberal intervention; equalisation of age of consent and civil partnerships; major reform of public service and controversial clamp-downs on civil liberties to name only the most prominent – undoubtedly delivered that change, albeit controversially. The tenth anniversary of the Iraq invasion has seen his government charged with betraying a whole generation who marched against the war proclaiming ‘Not in my name’. Yet some argue that his admirers and critics alike overestimate his influence on broader political and cultural shifts in modern Britain.
Has ‘BLiar-bashing’ become a lazy target for disgruntled liberals and conservatives, or are there distinct charges to answer?

Did Blairism break the mould of contemporary politics or simply build on the legacy of Thatcher? What impact did Blair and New Labour really have on Britain, and are we still living with the consequences?
Are we now all Blair’s children?

Speakers include:
-Neil Davenport (head of sociology, JFS Sixth Form Centre; writer, spiked)
-Brian Denny (convenor, No2EU - Yes to Democracy)
-Dr Rupa Huq (senior lecturer, sociology, Kingston University; author, "On The Edge")
-And more TBC

Chair: David Bowden (satellite co-ordinator, Institute of Ideas; TV columnist, spiked)


About Blair's Children
A new and confronting play that recalls the Blair era and addresses its legacy. By April de Angelis, Georgia Fitch, Anders Lustgarten, Mark Norfolk and Paula Stanic.

Five characters in a London coffee shop reveal their thoughts and feelings directly to the audience, who learn first-hand how the Blair era impacted the lives of a generation.

Inspired by the legendary 1970s production ‘Kennedy’s Children’ by Robert Patrick. Commissioned by The Cockpit. Kennedy’s Children saw the American 60’s defined in large part by the death of heroes. The starting point for Blair’s Children was the idea that for many, Blair’s era marked the death of the traditional Left. It turned out there was much more to say. Each character in the play tells a deeply felt, personal and very different story.

Tickets: £8 (£6 concessions). One ticket covers both the show and the debate. Buy tickets for the May Day reading & debate below or call 020 7258 2925 (12-6, Mon-Sat)

Address: Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH London, United Kingdom

http://thecockpit.org.uk/show/blairs_children_did_new_labour_change_britain

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