Sheffield Politics festival aims for ‘sense of hope’

Two mayors of major northern English cities and the ex-leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn are among the big names expected to speak at a six-week politics event in Sheffield later this month.

The Festival of Debate, described by its organisers as the UK’s biggest non-partisan politics festival, is due to run between 22 April to 30 May and is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Among the issues being discussed would be climate change, health inequalities, poverty, sexism, racism and transgender issues, organisers said.

Nat Burton, from the festival, said it was hoped that those taking part would come away with “a renewed sense of hope” and “the tools to make change”.

Ms Burton said: “We’ve got a really diverse programme this year, ranging from big names in economics, politics and culture, to brilliant grassroots activists working tirelessly to make Sheffield a fairer and more equal city.”

As part of the festival, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram are expected to talk about their new book, Head North, on 19 May at the University of Sheffield Octagon Centre.

According to the Local Democracy Service, the book discusses how the pair believe political and economic power can be spread throughout the UK in a push towards a fairer future.

Meanwhile, on 17 May at The Leadmill, Jeremy Corbyn, now an independent MP, is expected to discuss the Monstrous Anger of the Guns, a book he has co-authored examining the global arms trade.

An all-day session on 30 April involving senior Sheffield City Council officers and representatives from Sheffield Society of Architects, Friends of Sheffield Castle, Sheffield Civic Trust and Sheaf & Porter Rivers Trust will look at the Heart of the City project and what lessons could be applied to the transformation of the city’s Castlegate area.

Other speakers included in this year’s line-up would be authors Kate Raworth, Jason Hickel, John Harris, Lanre Bakare and Shon Faye, as well as Sheffield writer Désirée Reynolds, organisers said.

The festival would also feature panels, workshops and interactive sessions exploring alternative and emerging solutions to several big issues, with many of those events being free to attend.

Ms Burton said: “We really hope people who attend this year’s festival come away with a renewed sense of hope, as well as the tools to make change in their streets and in their neighbourhoods.”