Brighton and Hove Speakers Festival

Brighton & Hove Speakers Festival 2026

Sunday 11 October 2026
The Old Market, Upper Market Street, Hove, BN3 1AS

The Brighton & Hove Speakers Festival comes to The Old Market for a full day of talks, conversations and Q&As featuring leading figures from politics, journalism, technology, public life, history and culture.

Taking place on Sunday 11 October, the festival brings together an unusually broad line-up of speakers to explore some of the biggest questions facing Britain and the wider world — from artificial intelligence and the state of British politics to economic renewal, public service, modern China and the personal realities of life in politics.

Each session includes an opportunity for audience questions.

Programme

10.20am–11.30am
Peter Kyle MP in conversation with Dr Fola Yahaya
AI: Threat, Tool or Transformation?

Artificial intelligence is transforming work, politics, business and everyday life at extraordinary speed. Former Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle MP joins AI expert Dr Fola Yahaya for a practical and accessible discussion about what AI can really do, where it fails, how it may affect jobs and creativity, and how individuals, businesses and governments can prepare for what comes next.

11.50am–1.00pm
Sam Freedman
Failed State: The Sunday Times Bestselling Investigation Into Why Britain is Struggling

Why does so much in Britain appear not to work? From housing and healthcare to policing, public services and stagnant living standards, political commentator and former government adviser Sam Freedman examines the deeper institutional problems behind Britain’s difficulties.

Drawing on his bestselling book Failed State and his experience inside Whitehall, Freedman looks beyond individual politicians to ask how government itself could work better.

1.20pm–2.30pm
John Kampfner
Braver New World

Award-winning author, broadcaster and foreign affairs commentator John Kampfner offers a more optimistic perspective on Britain’s problems.

After travelling to countries around the world, Kampfner explores practical ideas that are already working elsewhere — from Taiwan’s healthcare system and Vienna’s approach to housing to Finland’s schools and Costa Rica’s environmental record.

His central question is simple: if solutions already exist, does Britain have the confidence to learn from them?

2.50pm–4.00pm
Jeremy Hunt
Can We Be Rich Again?: The Surprising Potential of Britain’s Economy

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt examines whether Britain can escape low growth, stagnant living standards and increasingly strained public finances.

Drawing on his experience at the Treasury and in government, Hunt argues that Britain retains major strengths in technology, financial services, universities and institutions, and sets out his case for how the country could restore growth and prosperity.

4.20pm–5.30pm
Jeremy Corbyn
A Life in Politics: Reflections from the Backbenches to Downing Street’s Door

Jeremy Corbyn reflects on more than four decades at the centre and margins of British politics.

From his years as a backbench rebel to becoming Labour leader, the extraordinary 2017 general election, losing the Labour whip and returning to Parliament as an independent MP, Corbyn discusses the experiences, values and political battles that have shaped his career.

This is a personal reflection rather than a conventional political speech, offering supporters, critics and the simply curious an opportunity to hear one of Britain’s most recognisable political figures discuss his life in public service.

5.50pm–7.00pm
Rachel Millward
From Film Festivals to Frontline Politics

Rachel Millward’s route into politics began in the creative industries.

An award-winning film festival founder and advocate for women filmmakers, she later entered local government and became co-leader of Wealden District Council. She is now Deputy Leader of the Green Party.

Millward discusses the transition from arts and culture into frontline politics, the realities of local government, political compromise and leadership, and what creative-sector experience can bring to public life.

7.20pm–8.30pm
Jung Chang
Fly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself and China

International bestselling author Jung Chang closes the festival with a deeply personal exploration of family, memory and modern China.

Her landmark memoir Wild Swans introduced millions of readers around the world to three generations of women living through some of the most turbulent decades in Chinese history.

In Fly, Wild Swans, Jung brings that extraordinary family story up to the present day, examining China’s transformation into a global superpower, the era of Xi Jinping and the continuing impact of history on her own family.

It is a rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s most celebrated chroniclers of modern China discuss the country, her mother, her remarkable life and the story that began with Wild Swans.

Venue

The Old Market
Upper Market Street
Hove
BN3 1AS

Date

Sunday 11 October 2026

Further information and full programme:

https://www.speakersfestivals.com/brighton-hovespeakers-festival