Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Should the West get ready for war?: Battle of Ideas Festival Speeches
#militaryspending
#nato
#defence
The Q&A which followed these speeches will feature shortly in Part 2
Western countries cannot defend their borders against illegal migration, let alone foreign adversaries. Young people profess less and less desire to identify with their country, let alone fight for it. And whatever the talk of strategic adversaries, Western countries are still dependent on Russia, China and other competitors for basic and crucial goods, from oil to batteries.
Should the new talk of military rearmament be welcomed, feared or perhaps even ridiculed? When the countries comprising the West seems to be in constant tension over Ukraine, free speech or attitudes to Chinese investment, is there even a West to speak of? Is it high time to get serious about the military and prepare for war? Or do we need to cool off?
The speakers are:
Dr Tim Black – books and essays editor, spiked
Mary Dejevsky – former foreign correspondent; writer and broadcaster
Virginie Joron – French MEP, Patriots for Europe Group
Charlie Winstanley – author of Bricking It; public affairs & social policy professional
Chair & Producer:
Jacob Reynolds – head of policy, MCC Brussels; associate fellow, Academy of Ideas
With no paid staff, the charity WORLDwrite which filmed and is editing the Battle of Ideas Festival sessions needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please support the charity’s Christmas appeal if you can by visiting its JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/worldwritesingathon
Or hit the Donate button below the video. Thank You.
WORLDwrite is a volunteer-run citizen TV channel that stands up for free speech – no ifs or buts. We film hard-hitting political debates, including panels from the Battle of Ideas festival, tackling taboo topics and defending ordinary people against contempt and censorship.
We train hundreds of young adults every year to shoot the arguments that matter, producing fearless films on politics, democracy, freedom, and global equality. This is Citizen TV that punches above its weight.
Subscribe for unapologetic documentaries, debate and dissent.
Should the West get ready for war?: Battle of Ideas Festival Speeches
#militaryspending
#nato
#defence
The Q&A which followed these speeches will feature shortly in Part 2
Western countries cannot defend their borders against illegal migration, let alone foreign adversaries. Young people profess less and less desire to identify with their country, let alone fight for it. And whatever the talk of strategic adversaries, Western countries are still dependent on Russia, China and other competitors for basic and crucial goods, from oil to batteries.
Should the new talk of military rearmament be welcomed, feared or perhaps even ridiculed? When the countries comprising the West seems to be in constant tension over Ukraine, free speech or attitudes to Chinese investment, is there even a West to speak of? Is it high time to get serious about the military and prepare for war? Or do we need to cool off?
The speakers are:
Dr Tim Black – books and essays editor, spiked
Mary Dejevsky – former foreign correspondent; writer and broadcaster
Virginie Joron – French MEP, Patriots for Europe Group
Charlie Winstanley – author of Bricking It; public affairs & social policy professional
Chair & Producer:
Jacob Reynolds – head of policy, MCC Brussels; associate fellow, Academy of Ideas
With no paid staff, the charity WORLDwrite which filmed and is editing the Battle of Ideas Festival sessions needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please support the charity’s Christmas appeal if you can by visiting its JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/worldwritesingathon
Or hit the Donate button below the video. Thank You.
WORLDwrite is a volunteer-run citizen TV channel that stands up for free speech – no ifs or buts. We film hard-hitting political debates, including panels from the Battle of Ideas festival, tackling taboo topics and defending ordinary people against contempt and censorship.
We train hundreds of young adults every year to shoot the arguments that matter, producing fearless films on politics, democracy, freedom, and global equality. This is Citizen TV that punches above its weight.
Subscribe for unapologetic documentaries, debate and dissent.
