University Of Edinburgh to host Gavin Esler for Mackintosh Memorial Lecture
Esler is the latest in a long line of notable speakers to lead the annual lecture series.
The lecture – Is Britain Better than this? – will focus on the topic of British identity and the history of the four nations.
The event is open to the public, free of charge, and will be held in St Mary’s Parish Church in Haddington, East Lothian, on Thursday 27 April.
Rich heritage
Steeped in heritage, the lecture series is held to encapsulate and celebrate the devotion of the former Member of Parliament, early champion of devolution, leading academic and professor of politics at the University, John P Mackintosh.
The first lecture was delivered in 1980 by a joint University and East Lothian committee, providing a platform for many prominent public figures from Scottish and UK politics and the wider international stage.
Previous speakers include former, serving and future Prime Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries, party leaders, academics and distinguished journalists.
2023 marks the 44th year of the series.
Royal success
Gavin Esler is well known for his work with the BBC as a journalist and broadcaster, having presented flagship news and current affairs programme Newsnight, as well as Dateline London and Hardtalk on the BBC News Channel.
He is the holder of a Royal Television Society award, a Sony Gold (radio) award, and two Lovie awards for his podcast series about Vladimir Putin titled The Big Steal, which was also nominated for the 2021 Webby Award for Best Documentary Podcast.
He is also the author of five novels and four non-fiction books. His most recent title on English Nationalism was published in 2021.
Doors open at 7pm on Thursday 27 April, with the lecture starting at 7.30pm.