Caroline Lucas: Who Do We Think We Are?

England is at a crossroads – its story is still being written. So who do we want to be? In this hopeful and galvanising event, former MP and Green Party leader Caroline Lucas invites us to reimagine the country we call home – not as a place defined by exclusion or decline, but as one shaped by care, creativity and shared belonging.

Drawing on her powerful new book Another England, Lucas blends memoir, literature, politics and place to uncover the overlooked traditions of hope and resistance that run through our history – and to ask how we might reclaim them to build something better.
From lost landscapes to radical roots, this is a call to action and imagination: Can we move beyond division? Can we tell a new story – one that includes all of us?

A bold, timely conversation for anyone who believes the future of England is still up for grabs – and worth fighting for.

The event will be chaired by Lennox Morrison. Lennox is an award-winning journalist who has been a Paris-based columnist for the Wall Street Journal and a reporter for Scottish Television in France, Germany and Portugal. Having lectured in journalism at Canterbury Christ Church University, she now brings empathy and curiosity to every event she chairs.

Please note: this event lasts for one hour, followed by an opportunity to purchase the book upstairs in The Clearing and have it signed by the author

FIND OUT MORE

Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.

We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.

And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.

There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.

We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.

We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year's festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.