The Inaugural Margaret Thatcher Centre Annual Academic Symposium

About this event

Freedom Recovered: Ideas on Liberty from the 1970s to Today

This major academic symposium brings together leading scholars, authors, and former government advisers to explore the intellectual and political forces that shaped modern conservatism and free-market reform. The day features six structured panels examining critical moments in the battle of ideas – from the post-war consensus to Brexit and beyond.

The Programme

Panel 1: Keynote Session (9:30–10:30)

Opening keynote exploring Margaret Thatcher’s intellectual journey and the ideas that shaped her political philosophy.

Panel 2: The Post-War Consensus and Its Critics (10:45–12:00)

An examination of the intellectual foundations of post-war social democracy and the critics who challenged the prevailing orthodoxy.

Panel 3: From Think Tank to Downing Street (13:00–14:15)

How ideas generated in think tanks like the IEA, CPS, and Adam Smith Institute became government policy during the Thatcher years.

Panel 4: Thatcherism in Practice (14:30–15:45)

Assessing the implementation of free-market reforms: privatisation, trade union reform, and monetary policy.

Panel 5: The Global Impact (16:00–17:00)

Exploring how British ideas on liberty influenced reform movements across the globe – from Eastern Europe to Asia and the Americas.

Panel 6: Liberty Today and Tomorrow (17:00–18:00)

A closing panel examining the relevance of classical liberal ideas in addressing contemporary challenges.

Confirmed Speakers

• Professor Jeremy Black – Historian and author, University of Exeter
• Dr Eamonn Butler – Director, Adam Smith Institute
• Dr Richard Cockett – Author, Thinking the Unthinkable
• Lord Daniel Hannan – Author and former MEP
• Dr Kristian Niemietz – Head of Political Economy, IEA
• Professor Nick Sherbourne – Former Political Secretary to Margaret Thatcher
• Mr Graham Stewart – Author, Bang!
• Professor Nigel Vinson – Co-founder, Centre for Policy Studies
• Professor John Blundell (in tribute) – Former Director General, IEA
• Professor Noel Thompson – Economic historian
• Dr Stephen Davies – Head of Education, IEA
• Dr Madsen Pirie – President, Adam Smith Institute
• Professor Philip Booth – St Mary’s University
• Mr Christopher Sherwell – Author and commentator
• Lord Michael Howard – Former Home Secretary and Conservative Party Leader (invited)
• Baroness Nicky Morgan – Former Education Secretary (invited)
• Sir John Redwood – Former Secretary of State for Wales (invited)
• Professor Robert Sherwell – Academic Chair and organiser

Event Details

Date: Monday 7 July 2025

Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Registration from 8:30 AM)

Venue: Møller Institute, Churchill College, Storey’s Way, Cambridge CB3 0DE

Price: £35 (includes coffee break refreshments and buffet lunch)

This is a past event. Registration is now closed.