Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Who’s afraid of the populist revolt? Speeches Battle of Ideas Festival 2025
#populism
#battleofideas
#frankfuredi
This is the first part of a Keynote 'in conversation' session at the festival. Part 2 The Q&A will follow shortly.
Too often, it is assumed that the spectacular rise of populist parties across the West has fuelled discontent about a host of issues, from mass migration to reactions against EDI policies. We are told that if it weren’t for those charismatic populist leaders – political snake-oil salesmen – stirring the pot, there would far be less hostility to establishment institutions and mainstream parties.
But in his forthcoming book, Professor Frank Furedi argues this gets things the wrong way round. In fact, the enthusiasm for populist movements, he argues, arises from a prior popular demand for a new politics, driven by those who feel that their concerns have been systematically ignored.
Can the sometimes-chaotic parties that are the vehicles for allowing more and more people to find their voice have any sustainable moral authority? If it’s concluded that we should vote now and sort out the details later, is there a danger of disappointment if the insurgent populist parties fail to deliver? Is national populism any more than a democratic vibe? Does the political establishment’s dubbing of populism as ‘far right’ stand up to scrutiny, especially when more leftist and green movements are describing themselves as populist?
The speakers on the panel are:
Frank Furedi - Sociologist and social commentator; Executive director, MCC Brussels
Dr James Orr - Associate professor of philosophy of religion, University of Cambridge
Graham Stringer MP - Member of parliament, Blackley and Middleton South
The Chair is: Claire Fox - Director, Academy of Ideas, Independent peer, House of Lords
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 25. 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 needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you 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 your help and for watching.
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.
Who’s afraid of the populist revolt? Speeches Battle of Ideas Festival 2025
#populism
#battleofideas
#frankfuredi
This is the first part of a Keynote 'in conversation' session at the festival. Part 2 The Q&A will follow shortly.
Too often, it is assumed that the spectacular rise of populist parties across the West has fuelled discontent about a host of issues, from mass migration to reactions against EDI policies. We are told that if it weren’t for those charismatic populist leaders – political snake-oil salesmen – stirring the pot, there would far be less hostility to establishment institutions and mainstream parties.
But in his forthcoming book, Professor Frank Furedi argues this gets things the wrong way round. In fact, the enthusiasm for populist movements, he argues, arises from a prior popular demand for a new politics, driven by those who feel that their concerns have been systematically ignored.
Can the sometimes-chaotic parties that are the vehicles for allowing more and more people to find their voice have any sustainable moral authority? If it’s concluded that we should vote now and sort out the details later, is there a danger of disappointment if the insurgent populist parties fail to deliver? Is national populism any more than a democratic vibe? Does the political establishment’s dubbing of populism as ‘far right’ stand up to scrutiny, especially when more leftist and green movements are describing themselves as populist?
The speakers on the panel are:
Frank Furedi - Sociologist and social commentator; Executive director, MCC Brussels
Dr James Orr - Associate professor of philosophy of religion, University of Cambridge
Graham Stringer MP - Member of parliament, Blackley and Middleton South
The Chair is: Claire Fox - Director, Academy of Ideas, Independent peer, House of Lords
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 25. 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 needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you 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 your help and for watching.
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.
