Our co-founder Yanis Varoufakis will be in London this Friday, April 11, for two major events that hold significant political importance: a press conference on the escalating threat to democracy in Europe and a special discussion honouring the legacy of Tony Benn, one of Britain’s most influential left-wing figures.

The first event, a press conference titled ‘Democracy Under Fire’, will take place at 14:00 at the Foreign Press Association, Royal Overseas League (6 Park Place, London SW1A). At this critical moment, with democratic rights increasingly under siege across Europe, Varoufakis will be joined by Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, 87, to speak out against the growing repression of freedom of speech and public assembly in the UK and beyond.

The event will also feature Chris Nineham, Vice-Chair of the Stop the War Coalition, who is facing criminal charges from the UK government for organising a peaceful protest in solidarity with Palestine. Kapos himself has been questioned by the Metropolitan Police, facing the threat of formal charges.

The press conference will also highlight the ongoing investigations into high-profile political figures, including former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, and actor Khalid Abdalla (known for The Crown).

Recently, police raided a Quaker meeting house to arrest six women for discussing the issue of Palestine. The government is planning even more restrictive laws to curtail the right to protest. Currently, there are 40 left-wing political prisoners in British jails – a situation echoed in countries like the United States and Germany.

Later that day, from 18:30 to 20:30, Varoufakis and Corbyn will join Melissa Benn, daughter of the late Tony Benn, for a public conversation at the University of Westminster (35 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LS). This event will celebrate Benn’s lasting impact on the European Left, with reflections on his commitment to participatory democracy, public ownership of strategic sectors, and his anti-imperialist foreign policy.

BOOK TICKETS FOR THE TONY BENN EVENT HERE

Together, the speakers will discuss how Benn’s ideas continue to resonate within progressive movements across Europe and around the world, cementing his legacy as one of the most vital advocates for social justice and democracy in modern British political history.

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