De Beauvoir Balloon Debate Autumn 2019

Join us on Thursday September 26th, for an evening of thoughtful debate, discussion and questions. Three speakers will present three different ideas. At the end of the evening, vote for the idea you would like to save!

Held at the beautiful De Beauvoir Block, with a short intermission for drinks and chat.

SPEAKER DETAILS FOR SEPT 26th:

Anne Baxendale: “For equality, fix work - not women”

Anne Baxendale is a Deputy Director at Shelter, where she has run many successful (and unsuccessful) campaigns to get housing to the top of the agenda and win change for people who are homeless or in bad housing. She is also a trustee at the Child Poverty Action Group and a governor at her son’s primary school in Tottenham. Her passion is learning how to build healthy, effective civil society organisations that enrich and transform communities and help people live good lives. 

Ali Miraj: “Public life needs more contrarians”

Ali Miraj is a social entrepreneur, political activist, DJ and financier.In 2012, he founded the Contrarian Prize to recognise British public figures who demonstrate independence, courage and sacrifice. 

He was the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the marginal seat of Watford at the 2005 General Election and contested the 2001 General Election in Aberavon, South Wales. He served as a Councillor (London Borough of Hillingdon) from 1998-2002, elected at the age of 23.  He was a Board Member of both the Conservative Party’s Policy Commissions on Quality of Life and International and National Security (2005-2007). Ali currently works as a Director in Infrastructure Finance at a leading bank.

He is also a DJ, playing at leading venues around the world, and founded “Decks and the City” a monthly night in Shoreditch for City professionals.

Freddie Sayers: "Why conservatives could be the new hippies"

Freddie Sayers is the Executive Editor of UnHerd. He was previously Editor-in-Chief of YouGov, and founder of PoliticsHome. He is also CEO of UnHerd Ventures, the investment arm of UnHerd that is developing new media and data businesses.