Englishness has long been monopolised by those fixated on nostalgia and exclusion. But another England exists – one rooted in inclusivity and a profound relationship with the natural world.

Caroline Lucas, pioneering environmentalist and former Green Party MP, draws from England’s literary and cultural heritage to unearth a vision of Englishness grounded in sustainability, fairness, and shared responsibility. From John Clare’s celebration of nature’s delicate ecosystems to Charles Dickens’ piercing critiques of social inequality, these threads reveal a tradition of empathy and justice woven deep into our cultural fabric.

Through rediscovering these stories, Lucas demonstrates how embracing a broader, more compassionate understanding of Englishness can empower us to confront the climate emergency and drive transformative change.

Join her at The Conduit as she explores how reimagining national identity can serve as a powerful tool for environmental and social renewal.

Event Schedule:

10:45am: Pre-event socialising and networking

11:00am: Event begins

12:15pm: Event ends

Speakers:

Caroline Lucas is the MP for Brighton Pavilion, and is the UK’s first and only Green Party MP. First elected to parliament in 2010, Caroline also served as leader of the Green Party of England and Wales from 2008 to 2012, and co-leader from 2016 to 2018. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Exeter, where her dissertation was on the role of women readers in Elizabethan literature. Find her on X @CarolineLucas