This year marks 20 years since the untimely passing of the great Robin Cook. Today, his absence from our politics is felt more acutely than ever. To mark this occasion, Clive Lewis, the Labour Member of Parliament for Norwich South, will deliver the inaugural Robin Cook Memorial Lecture on Thursday 18th September, organised by Compass in partnership with LCER and SERA – Labour’s Environment Campaign.

Robin Cook, the Labour MP for Edinburgh Central then Livingston, is remembered as a politician of remarkable principle, skill and curiosity. He advocated for ‘an ethical dimension’ to foreign policy as the UK’s Foreign Secretary before his resignation in opposition to the Iraq War in 2003. A champion for democracy, climate and human rights, Robin was integral to the introduction of Scottish and Welsh devolution, the passing of the Human Rights Act, and re-casting climate change as an issue of geopolitical importance.

Robin was a great friend to Compass and a torchbearer for the humane, radical and expansive social democracy that we desperately need today. On this twentieth anniversary of his death, join us for the Robin Cook Memorial Lecture as we revisit his legacy and restate the importance of his politics for today.

Responding to the lecture and sharing their reflections on Robin and his legacy, we will also be joined by:

• John Denham – Director of the Centre for English Identity & Politics, Former MP for Southampton Itchen and Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government and Innovation, Universities & Skills.
• Sue Goss – Writer, Political Scientist and Commentator.
• Sandy Martin – Chair of the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform a member of the Executive of SERA – Labour’s Environment Campaign.
• Final speaker TBC.

Get your ticket today and join us to remember Robin Cook on 18th September.