The Big Tent Ideas Festival is a new way of doing serious political debate: bringing together the popular literary festival format with the big challenges of contemporary politics.

We believe that in a rapidly polarising political climate, bringing politically interested people from various walks of life together matters more than ever before.

Held in the stunning surroundings of Babraham Hall Research Campus - Cambridge, over 1500 people with an interest in political reform from across Britain will attend this year’s Festival to listen to leading speakers from across the world.

The Big Tent is a movement for reform, opportunity, empowerment, responsibility and a renewed sense of active citizenship. We do not claim to have all the answers, but we hope to at least ask the right questions. Of the right people. In the right forum. In the right spirit.

Come and join us. Be part of a movement for change. Insist on a better politics under a Big Tent where everyone is welcome.

It’s Politics - but like you’ve never seen it done before!

“At a time when disillusionment with traditional party politics has never been so low, the Big Tent Ideas Festival is a breath of fresh air. Three cheers for the Big Tent”. Stephen Fry

SPEAKERS

A stunning line up of top Speakers from across the Radical Centre of British politics: Cabinet, Labour, LibDem, Green and Independents. Entrepreneurs. Armed Forces leaders. Commentators. Writers. Artists.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS (More to be announced!)

• Andrew Boff - London Assembly Member and Prospective Conservative Mayoral Candidate
• Baroness Sally Morgan - Former Chief of Staff at Numbr 10 under Tony Blair
• William Cash - Editor-in-Chief, Spear's Magazine
• Theodora Clarke - CEO, Coalition for Global Prosperity
• Dr David Cleevely CBE FREng FIET - Co-Founder, Centre for Science and Policy and Chairman of Cambridge Angels
• Damian Collins MP - MP for Folkestone and Hythe, and Historian
• Matt D'Ancona - Journalist and former Deputy Editor of The Sunday Telegraph
• Charlie Duncan Saffrey - Founder, Stand Up Philosophy
• Isabella Gornall - CPF Policy Champion and CEO, Seahorse Communications
• Rachel Johnson - Journalist
• Fiona Laird - Director, Royal Shakespeare Company
• Kit Malthouse MP - Minister of State for Housing and Planning, MP for North West Hampshire
• Neil Mendoza - Chairman of Landmark Trust
• Cllr Joy Morrissey - Prospective Conservative Mayoral Candidate
• Harry Mount - Author and Journalist
• Cornelia Parker OBE, RA - Artist
• Iain Anderson - Executive Chairman, Cicero and Co-Founder New Blue Book
• Ben Roback - Cicero and Co-Founder New Blue Book
• Marquess of Salisbury - Gascoyne Cecil Estates, Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire
• Baroness Philippa Stroud - CEO, Legatum Institute
• Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE - Professor of Historical Double Bass Studies, Royal Academy of Music
• Oliver Bullough - Journalist and Author
• Dr Hakim Yadi OBE - CEO, Northern Health Science Alliance Ltd

PROGRAMME

Across a packed Festival Programme of 50 minute interactive sessions across our Politics, Society, Economy, Global, Innovation or Arts Tents

Provocative Tent Talks. 3 minute Soap Box Pitches (book yours online!)

BigTent Debates. In Conversation on the bales.

We’ll be asking the BIG QUESTIONS:

- is Western Capitalism in crisis?

- Is Liberalism dead or can it defeat Populism?

- Is party politics over? Or just adapting?

- How should society regulate social media?

- why should the young pay for the care costs and debts of the baby boomers who never had it so good?

- What’s the real cause of the depression sweeping society?

- What should Britain’s role in the world be post-Brexit?

- Is Brexit fundamentally divisive? Or can it be a moment of inspiring national renewal?

FORMAT

Enjoy a deep dive in one Tent or drift between Tents and enjoy the Festival vibe and our activities for aspiring New Generation Leaders of Tomorrow

- book a slot at Speakers Corner and have YOUR say!

- brush up your oratory in our 1:1 public speaking Surgery

- Have a go on our Street Art wall!

- Listen to the great speeches of all time & vote for your best

- Chill out in the beautiful Festival Park grounds and enjoy a stunning array of Festival Street Food and drinks.

THE FESTIVAL SITE

The site opens at 10am with coffee and breakfast stalls open at 10.15

Festival Welcome at 10.45

First Sessions In each Tent at 11am

Live Performances at 7pm

Formal close of the Festival Programme 8pm

Stay and enjoy a chill out evening of Festival food and drink til gates close at 10pm.

FOR ANY QUESTIONS: please email georgie@bigtent.org.uk. If you experience any issues with payment processing, please do let us know straight away. Please specifiy which kind of device you are using: desktop, mobile android, iPhone, etc, which would be helpful to know. We will advise or if necesary process your request in some other way. Thank you.

FAQs

Where can I see the full Programme with Speakers and Timings?

www.bigtent.org.uk

What time does it finish?

Festival closes at 10.00pm. The final event is a musical performance by Outline Duo 6.30-7.15pm.

Is there a minimum age requirement for this event?

Please note that there will be no admittance to anyone under the age of 13 at the venue. Children aged 13-16 must be accompanied by an adult.

What food and drink will be available?

There will be a wide selection of delicious street food available for purchase on the day, as well as a bar serving alcoholic beverages. No picnicking is permitted at the venue.

Do I need cash?

There's no cash machine on site - so yes, it's a good idea! Some of the stalls may be cash only.

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

TRAIN & BUS: The free shuttle bus will depart Cambridge station for Babraham Research Campus at 09.45am Saturday 8th September. The bus will be parked outside The Flying Pig, 5 minutes' walk from the station. The bus will return to Cambridge station at 19.30pm. Please note spaces will be limited and on a first come first served basis.

In addition, there will be a free minibus shuttle service running all day from/to Whittlesford Parkway Station. The first bus will depart Whittlesford Parkway at 09.45am.

BICYCLE: There is a covered bike rack area in one of the car parks nearby to the entrance of the festival. It is securely bolted to the gound.

CAR: The Babraham Research Campus is a secure site accessed only from the A1307 roundabout to the North of the site. For map, follow this link https://www.babraham.com/visit/ . Please avoid driving through Babraham village, if possible. On arrival at the entrance gates you will be directed to the appropriate car park. All ticket holders will receive a car pass to print off and display; please ensure you do so to prevent unnecessary queuing. Car passes will be dispatched by email on September 7th.

TAXI: A taxi from the town centre or train station will typically cost £20-£25. Recommended taxi companies are Panther and Cambridge Connections.

Panther

• Website: https://www.panthertaxis.co.uk
• Phone: 01223 715715

Cambridge Connections

• Website: www.cambridgeconnections.co.uk
• Phone: 01223 566654