Our next meeting will be on Saturday 8 November, from 10:30 to 12:30, at Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton.

Nick Hopkinson, a long-standing member of our branch, has edited and largely written an account of Wilton Park’s discussions since 1946. "The Policies and Powers of Public Diplomacy” has recently been issued by leading publisher Routledge.

The book covers the foundation of Wilton Park in 1946 to help implement Churchill’s vision for building democracy in post-war Germany, and its evolution over the years to progress a wide range of UK and international policy processes.

We look forward to welcoming Nick to discuss the book, and in particular how Wilton Park since the 1960s addressed the UK’s entry into the European Community, the leading role it played in progressing the Single Market and enlargement, how it preferred inter-governmental approaches in security, justice and home affairs, and negotiated opt-outs from monetary union and social policy.