LEADING political commentator Simon Heffer will discuss Englishness at a meeting in Winchester this month.
Heffer who has worked for the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph will speak on '500 years of Englishness'.
The topic is increasingly relevant in an age of Celtic nationalism and the Brexit vote.
The talk which focuses on England’s break from the European cultural mainstream in the 16th century, after Martin Luther gave Henry VIII the arguments to set up his own English church in 1534.
John Denham, Professor of English Identity and Politics at the university and the former MP and cabinet minister, said: “At a time when England and Britain seem to be looking away from the European continent once again, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation seems to be an appropriate time to explore the economic, political, cultural and social consequences of England’s break from the European mainstream and whether and how they can help us to understand a coherent idea of Englishness today and in the future."
Mr Heffer’s talk is the latest in a series hosted by the University’s Centre for English Identity and Politics focusing on the themes of diversity and the governance of England.
The centre, which is headed by Professor Denham and is part of the Department of Politics and Society, explores the relationship between a growing sense of English identity and the development of local and national politics in England.
The talk is at West Downs, Romsey Road, part of Winchester University on Tuesday February 28 at 6.30pm.
The event is free to attend but registration is essential at: www.winchester.ac.uk/Heffer