LONDON TALKS – Monday November 3rd 2025
Chairman : Lord Swire KCMG PC
Director : The Hon Mrs Rous
Simon Heffer
Speaks on :
Can Britain ever have an Ethical Foreign Policy
Simon Heffer has had a long career as a newspaper executive. He was Deputy Editor of both the Spectator and The Daily Telegraph and remains a columnist at the Daily and Sunday Telegraphs.
He has written a number of histories and biographies, including a four-volume history of Britain from 1838 to 1939 and the authorised biography of Enoch Powell.
He edited three-volume unexpurgated edition of the diaries of Sir Henry ‘Chips’ Channon, and has written three best-selling books on English grammar.
Simon Heffer is Professor of Modern British History at the University of Buckingham. He was educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he read English and later took a PhD in History.
He is married with two adult sons and lives in Essex.
Reception. :First Floor- Smoking Room
Lecture , Dinner : First Floor -David Loyd George Room
( Black Tie , Ethnic dress, Suits with bowties )
Venue
National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place .London. SW1A 2HE
www.clovellylectures.com
clovellytalks16@gmail.com
Reception, Dinner, Lecture, Debate -6.45 pm to 10.30 pm. (Black Tie, Ethnic, suits with Bow Ties-Accepted) For more information: Tel: 01237431200
clovellytalks16@gmail.com
London Talks Events
Past Speakers
Clovelly Talks in London – Wednesday 15th November , 2023
The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP for Surrey Heath
Minister for Levelling up, Housing & Communities &Inter- Governmental Relationships .2005-2007- Shadow Housing Minister & Planning .2007-2010- Shadow Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families.2010-2014 Secretary of State for Education appointed by David Cameron in the 2010.2014-2015 Served as Chief whip .2015-2016 Lord Chancellor , Secretary of State for Justice 2016-In the EU referendum campaign, Michael was co- convener of “Vote Leave” and took on a leading role during the campaign.2017- Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs2019-2021- Chancellor pf the Duchy of Lancaster with responsibility for Brexit preparednessSeptember 2021 – July 2022, Michael Gove served as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing &Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations. October 2022 – Michael was reappointed by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as Secretary of State for the same portfolio
Spoke on : ” The Future Of Democracy”
Clovelly Talks in london – Wednesday 9th November,2022
Sir Geoffrey Cox KC MP
Attorney General under Boris Johnson and sat on the INNER CABINET COMMITTEE on BREXIT STRATEGY. He was closely involved in the PROROGATION of PARLIAMENT in Sept’19 & in the final Withdrawal Agreement. Sir Geoffrey was knighted in Jan’21.
Spoke on : “Does the British Constitution Work “
Clovelly Talks Monday 8th November’21
Sir Mark Lyall Grant
SIR MARK LYALL GRANT
Sir Mark was the National Security Adviser to ex Prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May in April 2017. Currently a visiting Professor at King’s College, Bencher at Middle Temple, Fellow at Eton College and on the Advisory Board at Chatham House. A Barrister & a Diplomat .British Ambassador to the UN ,US , France , South Africa & Pakistan He has held numerous positions in the FCO & Cabinet Office.
Sir Mark Lyall Grant –
“Threats & Challenges -UK & the Western alliance , post Brexit , post Pandemic “
Clovelly Talks in London – Monday 4th November, 2019
Lord Peter Ricketts
Permanent Under Secretary at the FCO ,2006. Britain’s first National Security Adviser 2010 .Ambassador to France 2012 .UK delegation to NATO , 1970 & Permanent Representative 2003 .Chairman of the joint intelligence committee 2001 & Political Director at the Foreign Office.
“National Security, Rethinking Britain’s role in the world”
Clovelly Talks in London – Thursday 9th November, 2018
Professor Camille Parmesan. Nobel Prize winner
Leading Scientist in the field of Climate Change.
“Responses of Wild Plants, Animals & Humans to Man-Made Climate Change-Challenges & Solutions”
Clovelly Talks in London – Thursday 9th November, 2017
The Rt Hon. The Lord Judge PC
Former Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales.
President of the Courts of England & Wales
“The Rule of Law –a Judicial Point of View”
Clovelly Talks in London – Inaugural lecture – 2nd November, 2016.
Sir Peter Bazalgette
Sir Peter Bazalgette was the Chair of the Arts Council and the Chairman of ITV at the time . He spoke on
“Why should the Public fund the Arts?”
