Battle of Ideas North 2026

A day of debate on politics, economics, culture wars and more in Manchester as the Battle of Ideas festival returns north!

Join us in Manchester for a day of debate with the motto FREE SPEECH ALLOWED – an opportunity to get to grips with some major public debates and the challenges we face going forwards. We'll have speakers from across the UK and beyond, but with a focus on audience involvement.

Produced by the Academy of Ideas.

SESSIONS INCLUDE

• From Venezuela to Brexit Britain: does sovereignty still matter?
• Innovation to infrastructure: how do we transform Britain?
• The Supreme Court ruling one year on
• Disaffected youth: are young people becoming more extreme?
• Can the arts ever truly embrace freedom of expression?
• How can we solve the housing crisis?
• Media misinformation: who killed the truth?

ANY QUESTIONS?

For all enquiries about Battle of Ideas North, including programme information, partnership opportunities, or to volunteer, please email Geoff Kidder: [email protected]

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Host or Publisher Academy of Ideas