Mark Perryman previews a post-election afternoon of political discussion in Lewes.

A lack of ambition has never been something anyone would ever accuse Lewes Labour events of!

The 7th May local elections will be the biggest test for both the government and the opposition parties since July 2024.

48 hours later, on Saturday 9th May “Votes, Turns and Roundabouts” provides a framework for understanding what the results mean.

Keynote talk with extended Q&A

Tim Bale, one of the country’s leading experts on voting behaviour and patterns. Tim is the co-author of The British General Election of 2024, widely considered the definitive account of the ‘Labour Landslide.’

Discussants

Christabel Cooper, Research Director at Labour Together, a campaigning think tank closely allied with the Starmer government. Christabel recently wrote a paper making the case for Labour to forge a new values-based voter coalition.

Jess Garland, Director of Research and Policy at the Electoral Reform Society. Jess has written widely on political participation and political party organisation, contributing chapters on this theme to the books The Corbyn Effect and The Starmer Symptom.

Neal Lawson, Director of Compass, the cross-party organisation campaigning for an equal, democratic and sustainable future. Neal is a long-standing advocate of the progressive case for tactical voting.

Peter Lamb, Labour MP for Crawley, part of the new intake first elected in July 2024 and a signatory to the new grouping of Labour MPs and members, Mainstream. Peter was formerly the Labour Leader of Crawley Council.

A calibre of discussion usually restricted to the Newsnight TV sofa, an invitation-only think tank seminar, or behind-closed-doors strategy planning meeting of Parliamentary Special Advisers.

Ours matches any of these for quality and insight with one vital difference, the only entry criteria is an open mind.

Saturday 9th May, 2pm to 5pm. Lewes Town Hall, Fisher Street, Lewes BN7 2QS. Book here now to avoid disappointment.

Mark Perryman is a member of Lewes CLP. His latest book, The Starmer Symptom, is published by Pluto.