Politics in Pubs is back — checking in on the state of free speech over a pint.
Join Andy Shaw co-founder of ‘the comedy night that takes the PC out of the stand-up elite’ Comedy Unleashed in a proper pub setting for an honest conversation about where open debate stands today. What’s being said, what’s being silenced, and what room do we still have to disagree in public.
No scripts, no echo chambers, just straight talk, robust exchange, and the chance to put your own questions to the panel. Come for the discussion, stay for the atmosphere. Free speech works best when it happens face to face.
Grab a seat, grab a drink, and be part of the conversation.
Join us upstairs at:
Politics in Pubs – London The Warwick, 25 Warwick Way, Pimlico, London, SW1V 1QT Monday 25th January 2027, 7pm.
This is your opportunity to speak to those assembled about an issue that really matters to you and give your tuppenceworth. Each speaker will have up to five minutes to talk about an issue dear to their heart, followed by a short Q&A.
We ask that all speeches are non-partisan and remind you that the laws of slander still apply.
Come prepared or speak off the cuff. This is your chance to exercise some free speech.
If you have notes, we can publish them to increase the reach of your ideas, as we have done for previous events. If you’re comfortable with it, we’re happy to record your talk as well.
Speaking slots will be on a first come first serve basis.
Join us upstairs at:
Politics in Pubs – London The Warwick, 25 Warwick Way, Pimlico, London, SW1V 1QT Monday 9th November, 7pm.
It used to be that we knew the difference between our major political parties and what each one stood for. After 14 years of Conservative government we had record high taxes, spending and immigration. We also saw Net Zero policies that gave the state greater control over private activity, a steady stream of bans and nanny-state measures, and a significant clampdown on free speech. The Liberal Democrats supported many of these policies while in the coalition and have since pushed for even more restrictive ones in opposition. The Labour government that took office in 2024 doubled down on every one of these areas.
However, the Conservatives are now changing tack in many areas from the policies they pursued in office. Andy Burnham signals a change in style, rhetoric and, increasingly, some policy areas from the first two years of the Labour government. In local and devolved government we still see clear differences in the practices of the established parties. At the same time, Reform and Green administrations in local government often appear to align more with previous councils than they differ from them.
Join Hugo Timms, Staff Writer at Spiked Online, and a guest TBC, for a lively debate on the question: Are we run by a Uni-Party?
Politics in Pubs – London The Warwick, 25 Warwick Way Monday 21st September, 7pm.
With the new Prime Minister waxing lyrical about devolution, no party above 30% in the polls, and spiralling government debt demanding tough choices, we ask: which democracy best serves us — Direct, Parliamentary, or Devolved?
Join Neil Petrie of The Direct Democracy Movement and Joanna Marchong the new Senior Analyst and Head of Campaigns at Onward for a lively debate.
Politics in Pubs – London The Warwick, 25 Warwick Way Monday 3rd August, 7pm.
Digital ID is back on the agenda. It was announced as a bill in the King Speech, and many believe it is coming in via the back door with social media and internet age restrictions.
Join our panel of Viggo Terling of the Adam Smith Institute, and Darwin Friend of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, for a discussion on if Digital ID will prove a panacea or a dystopia, and what if anything we can do about it.
Expect strong views, straight talk, and practical ideas. The evening kicks off with a lively panel discussion, followed by your chance to fire questions at the experts.
Grab a pint, sharpen your arguments, and stay informed on this key issue of government oversight in the digital world.
Free entry – arrive early for a good spot! See you at the pub—because real change starts over a drink and a debate.
Darwin Friend TaxPayers’ AllianceViggo Terling Adam Smith Institute
At the inaugural Politics in Pubs Central London event we were joined by Benjamin Elks of the Taxpayers’ Alliance and Alastair Mellon of the SDP for a discussion on how we achieve genuine, sustainable economic growth.
Visit Politics in Pubs at https://politicsinpubs.org.uk/ for more on their events in London and beyond. We also have a brief write up of this event below.
Dragon Slayed – Politics in Pubs in London
On the 30th April Politics in Pubs made its central London debut at The Warwick in Pimlico. We were joined by Alistair Mellon of the SDP, a civil engineer, property developer, and former SDP candidate, and Benjamin Elks the Grassroots Development Manager for the Taxpayers’ Alliance.
The event featured a panel discussion with our two guests on the theme ” Slay the Stagnation Dragon: Ignite Real Economic Growth!”, followed by audience Q&A.
The panel discussion started with a diagnosis of the problems we face. Alistair discussed how productivity is everything and we have major drags on the economy like sky-high energy prices and chronically low public/private investment in R&D and infrastructure. Ben talked about high taxes and spending being the core problem. Average household lifetime tax burden is now greater than £1.2 million. Taxing work/investment reduces both. He also said Welfare spending projected at £407 billion by 2030-31 is unsustainable.
The thorny topic of housing led to some disagreement. Alistair argues the private sector alone won’t deliver enough homes (historical averages ~195k/year). He favours competent state-led new towns using compulsory purchase near transport nodes. Ben stressed the need for planning reform over more state intervention, pointing to failures like Homes England which with more budget and staff, had achieved fewer homes built.
The panel discussed AI and the Future of Work. Both were relatively optimistic and mentioned new jobs will emerge through creative destruction. Focus will be needed on retraining, soft/people skills, and sectors like construction and defence.
The discussion was pragmatic, and positively policy heavy. Both were also critical of the political establishment (both main parties). Alistair is more focused on targeted state action and industrial strategy, while Ben focuses on tax cuts and spending restraint. There was however common ground on productivity, energy, defence, and the need for competence/accountability.
The Q&A was a lively discussion across the room picking up on many of these themes.
Thanks to both our guest, if you are keen to know more and watch out for future dates in London.
Britain’s economy has been stuck in the slow lane for far too long, stifled by unnecessary regulation, high tax rates, wasteful spending, and outdated thinking. Time to grab your sword and join the fight!
Join Benjamin Elks of the TaxPayers’ Alliance (champions of lower taxes and smarter government) and Alastair Mellon of the Social Democratic Party (advocates for a strong, patriotic state) for a discussion on how we achieve genuine, sustainable economic growth.
Expect bold ideas, straight talk, and zero dragons spared. The evening kicks off with a lively panel discussion, followed by your chance to fire questions at the experts.
Grab a pint, sharpen your arguments, and help us slay the stagnation dragon once and for all.
Free entry – arrive early for a good spot! See you at the pub—because real change starts over a drink and a debate.
Following threats of protest at the venue in Purley for our meeting on the 19th March, we have sadly had to cancel the event.
Local elections in London are due in May 2026. Reform UK are making inroads across the capital with some polls showing them leading in Bromley & Biggin Hill, and Croydon East constituencies, among others.
Join us on Wednesday 19th March for our drinks and conversation with Alan and Scott. We will be discussing where they are with their planning for the local elections and where Reform UK is more generally.
For drinks, a conversation and Q&A with Alan and Scott about the Reform UK local plans, come along Wednesday 19th March 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.
My tuppenceworth is back, on Wednesday 19th February 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 for previous events.
Join us Upstairs, Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 19th February, 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.
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.
