The Byline Festival 2025

The Byline Festival was founded in the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit vote, as a constructive space for free debate and discussion to counter the rise of disinformation and threats to democracy. As such, they are natural partners for the European Movement.

Byline Festival is a carnival of journalism, talks on the big issues of the day, comedy, art, film and music. This year’s theme is Defending Democracy and Truth. 2025 Byline Festival is taking place at Keele University 11-13 July and will be bigger and better. With more music, comedy, art, workshops and of course Byline Times journalists.

Key speakers will include Carole Cadwalladr, Naz Shah MP, Dawn Butler MP Alexander Hall Hall, Nazir Afzal, Lord Victor Adebowale, Annette Dittert, Heidi Cuda, Peter Oborne, James Bloodworth, Hardeep Matharu, Nafeez Ahmed and Peter Geoghegan.

Rosie Holt and Otto English are presenting the Bad Press Awards and Kate Raworth is bringing her Doughnut Economic Circus to the festival. The workshop programme includes How to Adopt A Billionaire and the opportunity to write a protest poem. Asif Kapadia is showing his thought-provoking film, 2073 and taking part in a Q&A afterwards.

Poetry and music will be performed all day, with bands playing veery night, and there will be a jazz comedy cabaret on Friday evening, followed by more comedy on Saturday. Plus, Rosie Holt is reading her new play ‘Churchill’s Urinal’ and DJ Smutty on the decks will make sure you dance the night away.

Talk topics will include:

• Why do we turn a blind eye on Gaza?
• Mayhem or order – do we turn to America or Europe?
• Women journalists and politicians on the frontline of the information war
• Being human in an age of AI and The Westminster Spy Ring.

Easily accessible from London, the Midlands and the North, the Keele University campus has accommodation available for everyone.

If you have never been to a Byline Festival before you are in for a treat and, to make it more affordable, we are offering an exclusive 20% discount to European Movement UK supporters. Just use the special discount code: LUNAR when you book a ticket at www.bylinefestival.com