Over 200 people joined us for a compelling discussion on “rewiring democracy” on 21 October.

Former Selwyn scholar Dr Hannah White OBE (SE 1997), Director of the Institute for Government, was in conversation with our master, Suzanne Raine, to explore the challenges facing democracies at a time of rapid change and conflict.  

Fresh from attending five party conferences, Hannah tackled some uncomfortable truths about modern British politics and challenged the tendency to seek simple answers to complex governance problems.

Hannah said: "There is a real difficulty for democratic systems in reforming themselves. All the incentives are set up for people within the system not to do it when they have opportunity to do it.”

The evening sparked probing questions from our audience on the relationship between public information, media cycles, and effective governance in addressing major challenges. Closing the event, Suzanne thanked everyone who made this such a thought-provoking evening.

Missed it? Click on this link to watch it.

Pictures: Mel Cousins and Thisath Ranawaka