How Did We Get Here? The Rise of Britain’s Far Right (Belfast Event)

We are pleased to announce the first lecture in our series titled “Safety, Security and Wellbeing for All” hosted by Ulster University. Daniel Trilling will deliver his talk, “How Did We Get Here? The Rise of Britain’s Far Right”.

Daniel is an accomplished journalist and author who has written extensively on human rights and politics. He is the author of a widely acclaimed book, Bloody Nasty People: the Rise of Britain’s Far Right (Verso, 2012), on the rise of the far right in the UK and is a regular contributor to the London Review of Books and The Guardian. His work was shortlisted for the 2022 and 2023 Orwell Prizes. He also serves as an Associate Lecturer in Journalism at the London College of Communication. His webpage can be accessed at https://danieltrilling.co.uk/

Date: 26 November 2025

Time: 16:00-17:30

Venue: Ulster University, Belfast Campus, BC 03-206A

Daniel will also be speaking on the Derry Londonderry Campus on 25 November, register here.

The United Kingdom is experiencing growing political polarisation, with more divisive and exclusionary discourse becoming an increasingly visible feature of its public life. In recent years, radical narratives have gained greater prominence in debates about immigration, law and order, human rights, and welfare -issues that are central to the well-being of society as a whole. This development has, at times, also contributed to heightened social tensions and instances of violence.

We believe this is a critical moment that calls for thoughtful engagement from academic, policy, and community actors alike. The challenges posed by extremist politics have implications that extend across society. We must come together to reflect on how we arrived at this juncture, where we might be heading, and how communities and institutions can work collaboratively to safeguard democratic values and social cohesion.

In response, we are launching a public lecture series examining extremist political discourse- its nature, historical evolution in the UK and beyond, its increasing normalisation in public debate, and its broader implications for democracy and social wellbeing.

Daniel’s lecture will be followed, during the first half of next year, by talks from distinguished scholar of the extreme right, Professor Cas Mudde, and Hope not Hate’s Research Director, Dr. Joe Mulhall.

This series is convened by Dr Luqman Saeed (Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics/ International Conflict Research Institute, UU) , in collaboration with Professor Brandon Hamber (John Hume and Thomas P. O’Neill Chair in Peace, International Conflict Research Institute, Ulster University) and Professor Élise Féron (Director, International Conflict Research Institute, Ulster University).

Photo: Aerial view of Kingston upon Hull anti-immigration riot Aug 2024 at The Royal Hotel, Hull

Also check out other Arts events in Belfast, Literary Art events in Belfast, Theatre events in Belfast.