Democracy, Dissent, and Debate in the Armed Forces

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The Putney Debates 2017 - Saturday 28th October

This October Veterans For Peace UK (VFP UK) will be hosting the first of a series of debates on the concept of democracy, debate and dissent in the Armed Forces and the impact on our society and history.

Keynote speakers include historians John Rees, author the new biography on John Lilburne, and Julian Putowski, author of ‘Shot at Dawn’. The headline of the event will be a debate with modern day dissenters former SAS soldier Ben Griffin, and renowned author of ‘The Soldier Box’ Joe Glenton. In each session audience feedback, questions, and debate will be encouraged.

At the end of the first English Civil War soldiers, civilians, and men of power came together to debate the future of England and their place in it. The debates started on 28th October 1647 at St Mary’s Church in Putney. Some of their ideas on democracy, representation, and land rights have still not been achieved, such as the abolition of the House of Lords. This was the beginning of the discussion about democracy and the rights of people in a modern society.

This is the first time in 370 years that veterans have come together to commemorate this event and discuss the big issues of the day.

Saturday 28th October at St Mary's Church Putney SW15 1SN 12:00 - 16:00hrs, entry is free - please register here.

October 16, 2017