“When all the main political parties are in agreement, beware! beware! beware!”: Freedom Festival 2016

The Freedom Association is celebrating a third marvellous weekend in Bournemouth, where this year’s Freedom Festival has just taken place.

A potential sugar tax, e-cigarettes, a British Bill of Rights (with thanks to The Federalist Society for its sponsorship), the US presidential election, and how to engage the next generation were all topics discussed by panels of speakers, with many thoughtful and considered contributions from the floor.

One of the most memorable sessions featured Alex Deane CC in conversation with The Lord Stoddart of Swindon. The peer warned of the ever-increasing power exercised over ministers by the civil service – “the real government” – and, regarding the EU referendum, warned: “When all the main political parties are in agreement, beware! beware! beware!”

An octogenarian Eurosceptic, the Independent Labour peer continues to work tirelessly in Parliament, and was presented with a commemorative plaque identifying him as a ‘Champion of Freedom’ by our Chief Executive, Simon Richards.

The weekend had got underway with a tour of the Victorian treasure trove that is the Russell-Cotes art gallery, which featured a memorable speech by Paul Goodman, editor of ConservativeHome. In what was to become one of the themes of the weekend, the former MP identified the public’s changing attitude to the notion of risk as a potential future campaigning area for The Freedom Association. Whereas risk-takers used to be celebrated, risk is now seen to be something to be avoided – and, as Mr. Goodman pointed out, without risk, there is no reward: only continuation on a path of slow decline.

It was a theme picked up by, among others, our panel of students, who discussed the future of freedom. Chief among their concerns was the increasing propensity for universities to champion ‘safe spaces‘ – though the success of Exeter University’s Freedom Society gives cause for hope.

Another to mention risk was Mark Littlewood, Director General of the IEA. In one of many truly engaging and insightful contributions over the weekend, Mr. Littlewood compared the EU ‘In’ campaign’s Project Fear with an everyday household decision: when one looks in the fridge and sees nothing one likes, does one stick with what one has, or does one risk the unknown by going to the shops to search for superior fare?

Other highlights of the weekend included our discussion of a potential sugar tax, which was heartily rejected by Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance – who, having lost eight-and-a-half stone over the past year, is a living embodiment of an individual’s ability to improve his health without government intervention – and a discourse between Dr. Ted Bromund and Kate Andrews on the US presidential election. There was also an inspiring contribution by Conor Burns MP over lunch on Saturday, followed by a tub-thumping call to arms by Christopher Chope MP in the evening. We wrapped up on Sunday with a star-studded ‘Question Time’ event.

For helping to make the weekend as stimulating and enjoyable as it was, The Freedom Association would like to thank all its partner organisations, speakers, and guests. With input from speakers from across the political spectrum and thought-provoking questions and motions from guests, this conference has gone from strength to strength and raises the bar once again for future festivals.