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York hosts a debate about the value of the welfare state York hosts a debate about the value of the welfare state
(6 days later)
It's famed for its links with the Vikings, the Shambles and York Minster, but next week the city of York will play host to a political debate about the welfare state.It's famed for its links with the Vikings, the Shambles and York Minster, but next week the city of York will play host to a political debate about the welfare state.
The Yorkshire city will be the focus of a nation campaign to encourage people from all sections of the community to participate in a 90-minute political debate on whether the welfare state is fit for purpose.The Yorkshire city will be the focus of a nation campaign to encourage people from all sections of the community to participate in a 90-minute political debate on whether the welfare state is fit for purpose.
The National Conversation aims to tackle the lack of connection between Westminster and the regions.The National Conversation aims to tackle the lack of connection between Westminster and the regions.
York has been chosen as the optimal location: it's geographically far enough away from Westminster; the city has a history of self-governance, and the region is broadly representative of the country as a whole.York has been chosen as the optimal location: it's geographically far enough away from Westminster; the city has a history of self-governance, and the region is broadly representative of the country as a whole.
As the 70th anniversary of the Beveridge Report looms, a cross-section of the city's population will be asked to consider whether the welfare state is working.As the 70th anniversary of the Beveridge Report looms, a cross-section of the city's population will be asked to consider whether the welfare state is working.
The debate is hosted by Claire Fox, contributor to Radio 4's The Moral Maze and founder of the Institute of Ideas. It takes place next Thursday evening in York.The debate is hosted by Claire Fox, contributor to Radio 4's The Moral Maze and founder of the Institute of Ideas. It takes place next Thursday evening in York.
Among the prompts for those involved in the conversation are - do you think the welfare system is fair? Do you, your friends and family get a good deal? And how could the system be improved?Among the prompts for those involved in the conversation are - do you think the welfare system is fair? Do you, your friends and family get a good deal? And how could the system be improved?
It is a conversation, the organisers emphasise, not a public meeting. Only 45 to 50 people are involved by invitation only. They will be from a range of different backgrounds and experiences.It is a conversation, the organisers emphasise, not a public meeting. Only 45 to 50 people are involved by invitation only. They will be from a range of different backgrounds and experiences.
They hope it will inspire similar conversations across the whole country. The debate will be moderated so that everyone has an opportunity to air their opinion.They hope it will inspire similar conversations across the whole country. The debate will be moderated so that everyone has an opportunity to air their opinion.
The organisers say there is 'a real hunger' to learn what people outside the Westminster Bubble really think about big social and political questions.The organisers say there is 'a real hunger' to learn what people outside the Westminster Bubble really think about big social and political questions.
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