COVENTRY will host its first live political event of its UK City of Culture year when the Big Tent Festival of Ideas takes place next Saturday, July 10.
The event – at the Assembly Festival Garden in the city centre – will attract political, campaigning and business leaders from the Midlands and Nationwide.
Local MPs Taiwo Owatemi and Liam Byrne join politicians from across the three main English parties, including Big Tent Founder George Freeman MP (Conservative), Fabian Hamilton MP (Labour) and Layla Moran MP (Liberal Democrat).
They will discuss a range of issues focussed around the theme of growth – both for the city and the country.
The day’s sessions will take place over three tents on the site, set up especially as festival space and broadly grouped under four key headings.
Green Growth will discuss how the city can build upon it and the region’s expertise in green industries, while Healthy Growth will explore the future of the health service and the promotion of healthy living.
Creative and Inclusive Growth will celebrate Coventry and the Midlands as a creative hub and Innovation – Global Connectivity, Growing Together will look at how the UK interacts with the wider world.
As well as the chaired debates – all populated by renowned experts in their field – Big Tent offers an opportunity for community groups and individuals to have their say. There are regular speakers’ corner slots to be filled throughout the day.
George Freeman MP, Founder of Big Tent is delighted that Coventry is playing host to such a vital event. Commenting on the festival’s location, he explained, “As Britain looks to Build Back
Better, the Coventry Cluster is leading the way in cleaner, healthier and fairer economic growth for all.
“At the Festival on the July 10, we will be showcasing the best of the area. We hope that many local residents will come and join us.”
Tickets are available from coventry2021.co.uk/what-s-on/big-tent-ideas-festival-2021/ with 50 per cent discounts available for Go-CV cardholders and for Observer readers using the discount code: BIGTENT21.
Visit bigtent.org.uk for more on the event.
