John Smith Memorial Mace - England Grand Final Tickets Now Available

This article was published on Wednesday 7 November 2012

The England Grand Final of the John Smith Memorial Mace will take place on Sunday 25 November at The Assembly Hall, Church House. The event will start at 2.30 pm - doors will open at 2 pm.

This year the John Smith Memorial Mace is part of Parliament Week a national initiative co-ordinated by the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The aim of Parliament Week is to raise awareness of democracy and democratic institutions in the UK, and to inform people about how they can take an active part in them. 

The event will feature the best four university teams in England debating the motion "This house believes that the press cannot be trusted to regulate themselves". 

The Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, Lord Hunt of the Wirral, will chair the panel of judges.

The Public Forum will be chaired by Chris Blackhurst (Editor of The Independent) and is your chance to hear the thoughts of a number of leading politicians, journalists academics and media lawyers. There will also be a Q&A session where you will have the chance to have your say!

Confirmed speakers

Chris Bryant MP (Rhonda) (Shadow Minister for Immigration)

Professor Natalie Fenton (Department of Media and Communications, Goldsmiths College)

Jason Cowley (Editor of The New Statesman)

Charlotte Harris (Media Lawyer at Mishcon de Reya)

Joan Smith (Author and Phone Hacking Victim)

The John Smith Memorial Mace is generously sponsored by Baillie Gifford.

For more details and to book tickets, please click here.

The ESU is proud to be hosting this event in association with Parliament Week 2012.