Democracy on Trial: The promise of democracy

Speakers: Dex Hunter-Torricke (keynote speaker), Gavin Esler (keynote chair), Claire Ainsley, Paul Cartledge, Danny Dorling, Daniel Trilling and Sam Fowles (chair)

Democracy is in the dock. Looking back at its origins, was the system always flawed? Is the current crisis simply the result of an economic model that was always at odds with political equality – the ‘one person, one vote’ ideal?

Our keynote speaker, Big Tech insider-turned-critic Dex Hunter-Torricke takes to the stand, with a cross-examination by journalist and author Gavin Esler. Dex is followed by other expert witnesses, including Claire Ainsley, Director of the Center-Left Renewal Project at the Progressive Policy Institute; Danny Dorling, a leading UK geographer; Paul Cartledge, an expert on Ancient Greece; and journalist Daniel Trilling. Our chair for this section of the proceedings is Sam Fowles, a barrister specialising in public and constitutional law.

Join our citizens’ jury as we put our system on trial. Hear the evidence, witness the cross examination and cast your vote. The defendant is democracy. The verdict is yours.

Keynote: 10.45am to 11.30am

Panel: 11.45am to 1pm

This event is part of the Festival Focus series ‘Democracy on Trial’ presented in partnership with the Morrell Centre for Legal and Political Philosophy. You may also be interested in ‘’ and ‘’ also on Sunday 7 June. Come along to one session or join us for the whole day.

Presented in collaboration with the Morrell Centre for Legal and Political Philosophy, which is generously supported by the C and JB Morrell Trust.

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Host or Publisher York Festival of Ideas