Speaking
In addition to his journalism and writing, John Kampfner has considerable experience as a keynote speaker, event chairperson and political commentator.
Renowned for helping global audiences navigate the geopolitical forces shaping our world, John has chronicled every UK government from Tony Blair to Keir Starmer and covered defining moments including the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine, and the impact of Brexit. John writes regularly for The Guardian, The Financial Times, Foreign Policy, and Der Spiegel, and frequently appears on television and radio across Europe.
International Political Tensions: The threat and opportunities for global business
A grand sweep of areas of conflict, well known and less known, this talk dissects the intentions of China, Russia and other hostile forces. What are the next steps? What can and should the West do? What about the role of the growing force of non-aligned states, the likes of India, Brazil and South Africa in navigating the many hotspots that affect trade and investment decisions?
Is Britain still governable? Politics, power and the ongoing search for stability and meaningful strategy
With seven prime ministers in a decade, Britain has lurched from crisis to crisis, with little sense of long-term direction. Is this simply a story of weak leadership, or something deeper in how we are governed? Drawing on decades of reporting on, and working closely with, successive governments (alongside a deep knowledge of those countries where governing does work) John explores the structural, political and cultural reasons why governing has become so hard, and asks whether any leader, now or in the years to come, can move beyond crisis management to deliver lasting reform, change and growth for citizens, business and investors.
The Germans: All you need to know about the EU’s powerhouse in the midst of a generational change
The Germans are praised for their skilled engineering, exporting prowess and R&D. But they’ve fallen behind on digitisation and innovation. A country that prides itself on its prudence is now having to find tens of billions to upgrade its armed forces - and to change the national mindset at a time of high tension. In this keynote, John looks at the impact on Germany today and, and what the future holds for a country recognised as powerhouse of Europe for many years.
Populism: what next?
In what ways will Donald Trump Mark II differ from his first presidency? More broadly, what are the ideological and policy priorities of this second incarnation of populism? How does the landscape of 2024/25 differ from the thinking that marked the advent of Brexit and Trump’s first victory in 2016? For example, Giorgia Meloni in Italy may share much of the world view of Silvio Berlusconi, but in her approach to government, she could not be more different. The same goes for Marine Le Pen in France and her protégé, Jordan Bardella. The second-generation populists are more professional, and less charismatic, than their predecessors. How will this affect their prospects, and the consequences for the rest of us?