Category: Events

Conversation with Heather McKee, of Academics For Academic Freedom.

In today’s political climate it is harder than ever for academics to defend open debate.  Many academics are fearful of upsetting managers and politicians by expressing controversial opinions. Afraid to challenge mainstream thought, many pursue self-censorship.

Academics For Academic Freedom (AFAF) was founded in 2006 as a campaigning group for all lecturers, academic-related staff, students and researchers who wanted to defend unimpeded inquiry and expression. With Student Academics For Academic Freedom(SAFAF) formed in 2024. Membership is open to all students in the UK and Ireland who are committed to defending free speech and academic freedom.

Join us on Wednesday 15th January for our drinks and conversation with Heather McKee.  Heather set up Student Academics for Academic Freedom (part of the AFAF network) to bring together students who felt free speech and academic freedom was dying out in our Universities and to push back. SAFAF, believes in free speech for all, no ifs or buts.  SAFAF set out a challenge for 2025 to have at least one member in each UK and Irish University and a call to academics to help support those students. Strength in numbers!  Heather McKee is completing a Master’s in Psychology at the University of Glasgow.

For drinks, a conversation and Q&A with Heather about Student Academics for Academic Freedom and the state of Free Speech in our Universities, come along Wednesday 15th January at 7pm.

This is part of our #ThirdWednesday drinks and events, we hold these in association with Dick Delingpole’s #ThirdWednesday Libertarian drinks club, and POLITICS in PUBS a group of people from across the political spectrum who value the freedom to question and to speak openly.

politics in pubs

Join us Upstairs, Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 15th January, 7pm.

Facebook: https://fb.me/e/46r9mppU1

The Freedom Association campaign day – 23rd November, Redhill

The Freedom Association the non-partisan, centre-right, classically liberal campaign group, is holding a campaign day in Redhill on Saturday 23rd November.  The plan for the day is to hand out leaflets (images below) in support of their campaign to challenge the erosion of civil liberties and in support of individual liberty and freedom of expression.

Join us meeting outside The Junction Pub (1 High Street, Redhill, Surrey. RH1 1RD) at 10:30am and we will break up into groups around the town depending on numbers, stay as long as you can but we are finishing no later than 1pm, and anyone is welcome to join us for a drink.

Come along Saturday 23rd November in Redhill for 10:30am outside The Junction Pub.  We only ask that you wear no party colours or badges as The Freedom Association has cross-party support.

Facebook: https://fb.me/e/5TWmbqTo0

Campaign video from the day.

Source of Redhill photo: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/877505

ThirdWednesday Christmas drinks – Wednesday 18th December

Come and meet-up with likeminded freedom lovers, at our Christmas #ThirdWednesday drinks at Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF, from 7pm.

Held as part of our regular #ThirdWednesday drinks, we hold these in association with Dick Delingpole’s #ThirdWednesday Libertarian drinks club, and POLITICS in PUBS a group of people from across the political spectrum who value the freedom to question and to speak openly.

It the spirt of Christmas we have a goodie bag of merchandise from The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) to give away.

Join us at Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 18th December, from 7pm.

Facebook: https://fb.me/e/5jbzKqieJ

politics in pubs

Conversation with Scott Holman, Branch Chair of Croydon & Sutton Reform UK

Reform UK are in the process of setting up local branches across the country.  Locally Scott Holman the Reform UK general election candidate in Croydon East, has become the chair the new Croydon & Sutton Branch.

Join us on Wednesday 16th October for our drinks and conversation and with Scott.  We will discuss his new role, Reform’s plans locally and some of their ideas for Croydon and Sutton.

For drinks, a conversation and Q&A with Scott about the Reform UK local plans, come along Wednesday 16th October at 7pm

This is part of our #ThirdWednesday drinks and events, we hold these in association with Dick Delingpole’s #ThirdWednesday Libertarian drinks club, and POLITICS in PUBS a group of people from across the political spectrum who value the freedom to question and to speak openly.

Join us Upstairs, Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 16th October, from 7pm.

Facebook: https://fb.me/e/41vBy3eI2

Conversation with Stephen Balogh, of the New Culture Forum and SDP candidate in GE2024.

The New Culture Forum believe that cultural issues are the defining ones of our time.  They believe that too often our enemies and our opinion formers appear to agree that Western culture is indefensible or a source purely of shame.  The New Culture Forum has been challenging the cultural orthodoxies dominant in the media, academia, education, and wider British culture.

Join us on Wednesday 20th November for our drinks and conversation with Stephen Balogh the New Culture Forum National Organiser and candidate for the SDP in Ealing Central & Acton.  For drinks, a conversation and Q&A with Stephen about the New Culture Forum, cultural concerns and his experience running for parliament, come along Wednesday 20th November at 7pm.

This is part of our #ThirdWednesday drinks and events, we hold these in association with Dick Delingpole’s #ThirdWednesday Libertarian drinks club, and POLITICS in PUBS a group of people from across the political spectrum who value the freedom to question and to speak openly.

Join us Upstairs, Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 20th November, 7pm.

Facebook: https://fb.me/e/cG7Sxo2jN

The Freedom Association campaign day – 7th September, Epsom

The Freedom Association the non-partisan, centre-right, classically liberal campaign group, is holding a campaign day in Epsom on Saturday 7th September.  The plan for the day is to hand out leaflets (images below) in support of their campaign to challenge the erosion of civil liberties and in support of individual liberty and freedom of expression.

Join us meeting outside The Assembly Rooms (147–153 High Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8EH) at 10:30am and we will break up into groups around the town depending on numbers, stay as long as you can but we are finishing no later than 1pm, and anyone is welcome to join us for a drink.

Come along Saturday 7th September in Epsom for 10:30am outside The Assembly Rooms.  We only ask that you wear no party colours or badges as The Freedom Association has cross-party support.

Facebook: https://fb.me/e/5tNLRg0g0

Photo and Video from the day:

Find out more at https://www.tfa.net/ and become a member at https://www.tfa.net/become_a_member_renew_your_membership.

Main image includes work from Cristian Bortes from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Spring in Epsom.

Conversation with Joanna Marchong, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance

The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) was setup to speak for ordinary taxpayers fed up with government waste, increasing taxation, and a lack of transparency in all levels of government. They fight to reform taxes and public services, cut wasteful spending and speak up for British taxpayers.  Locally the TPA has campaigned to highlight some of the disastrous policies of Croydon Council.

Join us on Wednesday 18th September for our drinks and conversation and with Joanna Marchong the Investigations Campaign Manager at the TPA.  We will discuss her role, the work of the TPA, and upcoming concerns for taxpayers.  Joanna can also be found on X/Twitter at https://x.com/marchong_joanna.

For drinks, a conversation and Q&A with Joanna about the TPA and taxpayer concerns, come along Wednesday 18th September at 7pm

This is part of our #ThirdWednesday drinks and events, we hold these in association with Dick Delingpole’s #ThirdWednesday Libertarian drinks club, and POLITICS in PUBS a group of people from across the political spectrum who value the freedom to question and to speak openly.

Join us Upstairs, Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 18th September, from 7pm.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/mGpQTwtPbgbVMGz1/

GE2024 – How was it for you?

Labour came to power with their largest majority since 1997, we have the lowest number of Conservative MPs ever, and the SNP has been pushed back in Scotland.  The SDP ran their highest number of candidates since the 80s, and we have increased independent, Green, and Reform MPs.  Now we ask the candidates, General Election 2024 – How was it for you?

Join us on Wednesday 21st August for our drinks and conversation with a panel of local candidates.  We will be asking about the campaign, their experiences and thoughts on what happens next.

Confirmed Panel:

Marian Newton, Reform UK candidate for Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Vinayak Malhotra, Reform UK candidate for Croydon West
Damon Young, SDP Candidate for Epsom and Ewell

For drinks, conversation, panel discussion and Q&A asking General Election 2024 – How was it for you?  Come along Wednesday 21st August, Whispers Purley at 7pm.

This is part of our #ThirdWednesday drinks and events, we hold these in association with Dick Delingpole’s #ThirdWednesday Libertarian drinks club, and POLITICS in PUBS a group of people from across the political spectrum who value the freedom to question and to speak openly.

Join us Upstairs, Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 21st August, from 7pm.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/k4nkhmKYfA717pgH/

My tuppenceworth – A Free Speech event, Wednesday 17th July

My tuppenceworth is back, on Wednesday 17th July upstairs at Whispers 5 High St, Purley.

You are the star!

This is your opportunity to speak to those assembled on an issue that really matters to you and give your tuppenceworth. Each speaker will have up to 5 minutes to speak about an issue dear to their heart, followed by a short Q&A.

We ask all speeches are non-partisan and remind you the laws of slander still apply!

Come prepared or do off the cuff, this is your opportunity to exercise some free speech.

If you do have notes, we can publish to increase the reach of your ideas as we have in previous years.

If you would like to speak, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

Join us Upstairs, Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 17th July, from 7pm.

Held as part of our regular #ThirdWednesday drinks, we hold these in association with Dick Delingpole’s #ThirdWednesday Libertarian drinks club, and POLITICS in PUBS a group of people from across the political spectrum who value the freedom to question and to speak openly.

You can also find this as a Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/807716394294269/

Selling Economic Freedom: Conversation with Matthew Lesh, of the Institute of Economic Affairs

We choose from thousands of products in a supermarket or online, and often own multiple electronic consumer goods.  It’s not uncommon for people to catch multiple flights a year, chosen from many competing airlines.  Free markets are everywhere and have transformed our lives.  Yet many have never been more cynical about what they deliver, or keener to have the government interfere in their function.

Join us on Wednesday 19th June for our drinks and conversation with Matthew Lesh the Director of Public Policy and Communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

Founded in 1955 the IEA is an educational charity and free market think tank.  Their mission is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society.  Matthew is a columnist for CityAM, and a regular writer for publications such as The Times, The Telegraph and The Spectator. He is also a Fellow of the Adam Smith Institute and Institute of Public Affairs.  You can find Matthew on X/Twitter and see more at his website.

For drinks, a conversation and Q&A about Matthew, the IEA, and how we sell economic freedom, come along Wednesday 19th June at 7pm

This is part of our #ThirdWednesday drinks and events, we hold these in association with Dick Delingpole’s #ThirdWednesday Libertarian drinks club, and POLITICS in PUBS a group of people from across the political spectrum who value the freedom to question and to speak openly.

Join us Upstairs, Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 19th June, from 7pm.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/435050669254393/