With so many people losing their jobs and businesses as a result of the government’s approach to this pandemic, I want to show people that there is hope for the future and discuss what lessons can be learned from the past.

I have invited prominent Plymothians past and present to discuss their experiences of mass unemployment and economic challenges in the 1980s and find out what plans Plymouth City Council have in place to tackle the months and years ahead.

I believe if you don’t learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it and that’s why I want to listen to the experiences of those who were on the forefront of our city’s politics in the early 1980s.

The panel will be taking place on Tuesday 10 November 2020, 7.30pm – 8.30pm. All you have to do is register in advance here and you will receive a link to join. Join me and an experienced panel of guests:

Lord David Owen: Lord Owen was a Member of Parliament for Plymouth for 26 years from 1966 to 1992. He was created a Life Baron – Lord Owen of the City of Plymouth – in 1992 and sits as an independent social democrat in the House of Lords.

Linda Gilroy: Linda was the Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton from 1997 to 2010, during which time she spoke extensively in Parliament on economic regeneration in Plymouth (you can read one of her speeches here) and worked with the Plymouth 2020 partnership.

Councillor Sue Dann: Cllr Dann is currently a Labour Councillor in Plymouth and Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene. Among other things, she has spent many years with Working Links, helping people get off benefits and into work through training and personal support.

Remember to register here!

I hope to see you there!