This lively and well informed group has a central purpose of preparing for, and discussing in depth, key issues of our time. We follow a semi-academic process whereby each member in turn selects a topic of interest, researches it, writes a short paper summarising the key issues and presents this briefly at the meeting. The rest of the group commits to reading any papers circulated beforehand and then participating in a discussion based on evidence and reason. There is often diversity of opinion but our golden rule is to listen patiently to other people’s arguments and, where necessary, to disagree agreeably.

Since we began just before the Covid epidemic, we have covered most of the pressing issues facing Britain and the World, such as economic growth, environmental sustainability, meritocracy, artificial intelligence, democracy, and populism. This year’s topics have included the role of the UN in 2026, Religion and Politics and ‘What’s happened to the central ground in politics?’.

The ideal group size is about 10 but as we often have absences for one reason or another, we can manage up to 14. We currently have a couple of vacancies. If you might be interested in joining us please contact Chris Marsden, HIS convenor, via the link above.