editorial director at @acadofideas. I also write stuff https://xitter.cf/t.co/MGvQKRUXxc and occasionally tell jokes.
London
Joined March 2009
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Rob Lyons retweeted
Looking forward to recording a live version of Take Me Home on Sunday at the Battle of Ideas #BattleFest with Jennie Bristow and Ellie Lee from @CPCS_UniKent discussing their book Growing Up In the Culture Wars. Sebastian @moore4sdp suggested we try out the seats
Rob Lyons retweeted
I’m looking forward to The Battle of Ideas festival organised by @acadofideas this weekend, where I will be speaking on two panels.
On Saturday at 12:15, I will defend statistics -- not only from those who distrust or dismiss them, but also from those who place far too much faith in them. battleofideas.org.uk/session…
On Sunday at 13:45, I will argue that identifying a harm is not the same as justifying a law.
battleofideas.org.uk/session…
Rob Lyons retweeted
Inside The Lords: the Brexit wars 2.0? @Fox_Claire
Claire Fox on a stifled first week in parliament and why you should join us for real public debate across the road in Church House this weekend at the Battle of Ideas festival.
👇
open.substack.com/pub/claire…
Rob Lyons retweeted
# Electricity? Everyone should read this... while the lights are still ON.
Recommended thetimes.com/article/7254757…
Rob Lyons retweeted
We are delighted once again to be at the Battle of Ideas festival (@acadofideas). It's happening this weekend (17th/18th October) at Church House in Westminster.
Battle of Ideas brings people together to discuss the most important political, economic, scientific and cultural issues of our time.
We'll be answering the question "After the wildfires: should we reassess climate change?"
GWPF supporters can get 20% with the code GWPF26. There's still time to get tickets!
Rob Lyons retweeted
The Micra has never failed me - see you Saturday?
Get your tickets for the Battle of Ideas festival now: battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
The biggest festival with the smallest van!
Preparations for #BattleFest 2026 are in full swing!
Have you got your ticket yet? 🤔
eventbrite.co.uk/e/battle-of…
Rob Lyons retweeted
I chair a LOT of events, but this festival is still unequalled for serious audience engagement with such a wide range of ideas.
Come join me next weekend for debates on AI, drones and statistics - and dozens of other subjects!
FIVE DAYS TO GO TILL #BattleFest 2026
Ask questions, offer anecdotes, make points - above all, DISAGREE with the speakers. We give you, the audience, over HALF of each session - the Battle of Ideas is DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.
110+ SESSIONS, 400+ SPEAKERS, 3500+ ATTENDEES
📅17&18 OCTOBER
📍London, Westminster
DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/program… TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
Rob Lyons retweeted
Here's #BattleFest co-convenor @MaximumCities on FREE SPEECH FOR ME AND NOT FOR THEE? THE RED LINES IN FREE EXPRESSION while defending the new Ali G film...
DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/session…
TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
Rob Lyons retweeted
#BattleFest co-convenor @MaximumCities on the attempted cancellation of Ali G - is it "cos he is black" or is it cos he is Jewish?
We'll be discussing the mainstreaming of antisemitism in:
- FROM PRIDE TO PALESTINE: WHO ARE TODAY’S GREENS?
- IS ANTI-ZIONISM REALLY ANTISEMITISM? W/ @OurFightUk
DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/program…
TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
If you're that worried about #folicacid, maybe eat wholemeal bread. They don't put folic acid in wholemeal bread. Then the rest of us can get on with our lives in piece.
(That's a Scottish pun before you get on at me about ma spelling.)
RT @acadofideas: That's right, the @thetimes' STATE OF IT will be @ #BattleFest 2026
See @Steven_Swinford, @patrickkmaguire & @lara_spiri…
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Rob Lyons retweeted
Exactly one week from now! Looking forward to being part of this panel.
TECHLASH: BLAMING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR EVERYTHING 🚨
Is the government right to be suspicious of social media? To seek to regulate it?
Or does the government dislike the freedoms it gives us?
Have your say with @alanvibe, @lara_e_brown, @matildagosling, @lensiseethrough, @ObhishekSaha
DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/session…
I've seen this stat quoted twice this morning but can't find any reasonable basis for it. About 80% of Belgians were born there. About half the rest are from other EU countries. Two thirds of Belgians were born there to Belgian parents.
Rob Lyons retweeted
The #Wokeonomist. Once, I wrote for it. Now it uses the fake Body Mass Index economist.com/international/…
"Retailers, naturally, do not want to be responsible for getting people to eat more healthily".
Really? Er, read @spikedonline - first with the news! spiked-online.com/2021/06/07…
Rob Lyons retweeted
Britain needs its own First Amendment.
At The Battle of Ideas 2026 (by @acadofideas) I’ll be making the case for the Freedom of Speech Bill (2026), and debating with the public on the need for such a bill!
Sat 17 Oct, 12:15–13:30, Church House, Westminster.
You can book tickets in advance, at the link provided here: battleofideas.org.uk
The session, to be chaired by @ProfDHayes, can be found here: battleofideas.org.uk/session…
Rob Lyons retweeted
Ahead of our public @SDPhq meeting this Saturday in Manchester, here are some thoughts on recreating a British nation: academyofideas.uk/p/can-we-b…
Follow the link in the article for tickets
Rob Lyons retweeted
Why come to the Battle of Ideas? To meet like-minded people.
@Fox_Claire - "Gaslighting's a big feature over the way society is run - they make you feel like you're going mad! And then people come here (the Battle of Ideas) and realise there's loads of people who think like this"
TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/program…
Just 10 days left to get your #BattleFest 2026 ticket!
Buy now to avoid disappointment...
eventbrite.co.uk/e/battle-of…?
Rob Lyons retweeted
KEYNOTE SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
On the twenty-fifth anniversary of 9/11, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, ‘terror still knocks on the door of democracy’, but that those who seek to destroy shared values ‘will never win’. But are we clear what constitutes terrorism anymore, or who threatens our values?
"DO WE KNOW OUR ENEMY? UNTANGLING TERRORISM AND EXTREMISM"
W/ @QCassam, @el_nagashi, @LukeSGittos1986 & @el_nagashi
DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/session…
TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
🤖 Made with AI
Rob Lyons retweeted
THE AUDIENCE IS THE FESTIVAL.
The Battle of Ideas provides a unique - totally uncensored space - for you, the audience, to have your say.
Pick any of the 110 sessions, meet like-minded people and stay for drinks long into the evening...
TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
WHY WE NEED BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL 2026
Whatever the problem, too often politics favours technical fixes or harping back to old models – nationalisation, constitutional tinkering, electoral reform, institutional re-engineering and endless new laws, many aimed at restricting freedoms. What is missing in these debates is us – the demos. Genuine democracy means more than putting an X in a box. It should mean the fullest discussion of all issues that matter. That’s why this festival’s programme ranges widely, from cultural boycotts to womb transplants, the rise of the femosphere to the trashing of valued rural traditions.
The Battle of Ideas is democracy in action: a place where political conflicts, cultural clashes and moral dilemmas are debated rather than simply managed. Too often, contemporary societies shy away from difficult questions, while the answers are assumed in advance – or imposed from above. Not here.
At this, the original free-speech festival, the mottos FREE SPEECH ALLOWED and FREE THINKERS WELCOME apply. Here, speaking your mind and arguing freely are treated not as dangerous indulgences, but as essential. Look through the programme and you will find topics deemed off-limits elsewhere, but presented here as opportunities for people to have their say.
So use the festival to escape any intellectual silos or political tribes. Engage with the issues – and with those who disagree with you. Relearn the fine art of disagreement… and perhaps some worthwhile consensus on tricky issues will follow
DETAILS - battleofideas.org.uk/program…
TICKETS - battleofideas.org.uk/battle-…
