Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival 2025
#WorkingClassPolitics
#ReformUK
#BlueLabour
From Reform to Blue Labour: will the working class find a voice at last? Battle of Ideas Festival Speeches
This video features the introductory speeches from this festival panel debate. The Q&A section of the debate will follow in Part 2.
Whichever way you look, the lanyard political classes are under siege. The spectacular rise of Reform UK in the polls – with soaring membership and increasing influence over policy discourse and media commentary – illustrates that nothing less than a political revolution is occurring. One shock to the system is that many believe that this insurgent party has replaced Labour as the party of the working class.
But is Reform the only game in town? Blue Labour, founded by Maurice Glasman in 2009, has emerged as a force.
Is it helpful to use traditional categories such as left and right any more? Is Reform just a wrecking ball fuelled by the grievances of post-industrial areas, more a protest vote than a genuine working-class movement? Do we know what we mean by the working class anyway?
The speakers on this very insightful and engaging panel are:
Jonny Ball - contributing editor, UnHerd
Frank Furedi - sociologist and social commentator; executive director, MCC Brussels
Jonathan Hinder MP - Labour MP for Pendle and Clitheroe
Scarlett Maguire - founder, Merlin Strategy
Gawain Towler - former head of press, Reform UK
The chair is: Claire Fox - director, Academy of Ideas; independent peer, House of Lords; author, I STILL Find That Offensive!
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 25. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel. WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 50 sessions at the festival. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity urgently needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you possibly can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite Or hit the Donate button below the video.
Thank you so much for watching and for your support.
Filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival 2025
#WorkingClassPolitics
#ReformUK
#BlueLabour
From Reform to Blue Labour: will the working class find a voice at last? Battle of Ideas Festival Speeches
This video features the introductory speeches from this festival panel debate. The Q&A section of the debate will follow in Part 2.
Whichever way you look, the lanyard political classes are under siege. The spectacular rise of Reform UK in the polls – with soaring membership and increasing influence over policy discourse and media commentary – illustrates that nothing less than a political revolution is occurring. One shock to the system is that many believe that this insurgent party has replaced Labour as the party of the working class.
But is Reform the only game in town? Blue Labour, founded by Maurice Glasman in 2009, has emerged as a force.
Is it helpful to use traditional categories such as left and right any more? Is Reform just a wrecking ball fuelled by the grievances of post-industrial areas, more a protest vote than a genuine working-class movement? Do we know what we mean by the working class anyway?
The speakers on this very insightful and engaging panel are:
Jonny Ball - contributing editor, UnHerd
Frank Furedi - sociologist and social commentator; executive director, MCC Brussels
Jonathan Hinder MP - Labour MP for Pendle and Clitheroe
Scarlett Maguire - founder, Merlin Strategy
Gawain Towler - former head of press, Reform UK
The chair is: Claire Fox - director, Academy of Ideas; independent peer, House of Lords; author, I STILL Find That Offensive!
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 25. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel. WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 50 sessions at the festival. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity urgently needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you possibly can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite Or hit the Donate button below the video.
Thank you so much for watching and for your support.
