The Benn Legacy Conference
Conference Programme
On Friday, 11 April 2025, join us for a compelling discussion as Jeremy Corbyn and Yanis Varoufakis engage with Melissa Benn to examine Tony Benn’s enduring contributions to politics and socialist thought.
Twenty-five years after Benn left Parliament, his name remains a rallying cry for progressive values. His insights continue to shape debates on war, peace, and economic policy, while his unwavering commitment to democracy and social justice left an indelible mark on British politics.
But what does Tony Benn’s legacy mean in today’s challenging political climate? This special event serves as the opening keynote for a two-day conference exploring how his ideas can inform our current struggles for a more equitable society.
Reserve Your Place
Please book your seat today via our Eventbrite page and check our programme details.
Full Conference Participation
Delegates wishing to attend the complete conference programme are required to complete the official registration process via the designated platform.
Melissa Benn
Renowned British author, journalist, and progressive education advocate Melissa Benn has shaped national discourse on schooling and social justice through seminal works, including Life Lessons: The Case for a National Education Service (2018). A graduate of the London School of Economics, her critical analyses of education policy blend rigorous academic insight with grassroots activism.
As a founding member of the Local Schools Network and a regular contributor to The Guardian and New Statesman, Benn’s commentary bridges academic theory and public policy. Her feminist perspectives, articulated in What Should We Tell Our Daughters? (2013), have been referenced in parliamentary debates on gender equality.
The daughter of Labour stalwart Tony Benn and sister of former Cabinet Minister Hilary Benn, she offers a unique intergenerational perspective on democratic socialism. Benn currently serves as a visiting fellow at the UCL Institute of Education, where she advances research on comprehensive education reform.
