Democracy is facing mounting challenges, as political upheaval, rising authoritarianism, and the erosion of legal norms test its resilience worldwide. Jonathan Sumption – one of Britain’s most distinguished legal minds – delivers a penetrating analysis of these threats, offering fresh insights into the forces shaping our political landscape.

From the aftermath of Brexit to the suppression of activism in Hong Kong, and from debates over freedom of speech to the fragility of international law, Sumption comes to The Conduit to examine the legal and political battlegrounds of our time. His incisive and often unorthodox perspective reveals how democratic systems are being undermined—and what this means for the future.

Moderated by Clive Coleman, former BBC Legal Correspondent and award-winning journalist, join Sumption for a timely and thought-provoking discussion as he cuts through the noise of today’s polarized politics. With his sharp intellect and independent approach, we’ll dissect familiar narratives, inspire deeper thinking, and shed light on the mechanisms of law and power in an era of deep uncertainty.

Speakers:

Jonathan Sumption, Lord Sumption, is a British judge and historian. He served as a Justice of the Supreme Court from 2012 to 2018. He has written several books of Medieval history including The Age of Pilgrimage, the Albigensian Crusade, and four books on the Hundred Years War, the third of which, Divided Houses, won the 2009 Wolfson History Prize. His previous books were published by Faber & Faber.

Clive Coleman was the BBC’s Legal Correspondent, providing legal coverage and analysis across radio, television, and online. A former barrister, he reported on major cases, including Brexit, the Supreme Court prorogation ruling, and the Hillsborough inquests. He secured exclusive interviews with figures such as Lady Hale and Lord Reed and won multiple journalism awards, including the 2019 Bar Council Reporting Award. Previously, Clive hosted Radio 4’s Law in Action and wrote for The Times, The Guardian, and The Independent. An acclaimed screenwriter, his credits include Young Marx, Chambers, and The Duke starring Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent.