Liberalism and British national identity

When people are asked what makes up Britishness, they often give the notions of ‘fair play’ ‘tolerance’ or ‘personal liberty’ as part of the answer. Liberals regard these concepts as elemental to liberal philosophy but just how far has liberalism informed the construction of British national identity in the last 100 years and how liberal will new British identities emerging in the Britain of devolution, European Union enlargement, multi-culturalism and the ‘War on Terror’ be? Speakers: Robert Colls, Professor of English History at Leicester University and Professor John Solomos, Head of Sociology at City University. Chair: Nick Clegg MP. (This meeting follows the History Group AGM at 6.30pm)

February 5, 2007 10:46 PM
Lady Violet Room, National Liberal Club