The autumn of 2022 was one of the most momentous periods in British political history: Within just fifty days the Queen died, we had three prime-ministers, four chancellors, panic in the markets and a plummeting pound.
Our spring tour takes place in London with meetings in Westminster – with politicians and advisors from across the political divide, looks at the British constitution, and takes in the celebration of the coronation of King Charles on Saturday 6 May .
| DATES | Tuesday May 2 – Sunday May 7, 2023 | ||||
| DESTINATION | Brexit Britain & The Coronation London Speakers include Matthew Dennison, David Torrance & Peter Kellner | ||||
| DURATION | 5 nights | ||||
| INCLUDED |
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| COST | Cost £3300.00 This excludes accommodation |
At first glance, Queen Elizabeth’s death and the political turmoil of last year were unrelated. But as Britain prepares to crown a new King, the future of these Isles including even the monarchy seems unclear.
Over five days in May we take a broader look at Britain, the Royal Family, and the turmoil of the last few months and years. The tour coincides with the spectacle of the coronation of King Charles in Westminster Abbey. It is a once in a lifetime display of pomp and pageantry.
We ask if the government can recover? What will be the future of Scotland and Northern Ireland? At the same time, can the Royal family, nominally at the head of it all yet besieged by internal squabbles, retain its position without Elizabeth at the helm. It’s a balance of pomp, splendour and serious thought.
The tour will be based in London with access to some brilliant speakers including constitutional expert David Torrance, Royal biographer Matthew Dennison and the leading political commentator Peter Kellner. Those who join us will have access to the people, places and institutions at the heart of government.
The tour includes access to the processions immediately preceding and following the coronation and national celebrations that will follow the day after.
As with all of our expert-led tours, we ensure that our groups remain small and intimate, and will not exceed 14 people.
As with all of our tours the itinerary focuses on current affairs, and owing to the dynamic nature of politics means that local conditions may lead us adjust the final schedule.
Brexit Britain & The Monarchy
Like all our tours the itinerary is focused on current affairs. Events on the ground may change and the final schedule may be adjusted accordingly.
Tuesday, 2 May: London
Wednesday, 3 May: The Monarchy after Elizabeth II
Thursday, 4 May: Local Elections & King Charles III
Friday, 5 May: What next for Britain?
Saturday, 6 May: Coronation Day
Sunday, 7 May: The Day After & Lunch
What’s Included
Lunch each day, as well as transport throughout the tour and a dinner at the start and end of the tour. All speakers and access to institutions, museums and monuments listed in the final itinerary.
Accommodation & Flights are not included in the price and need to be arranged by customers themselves or with an agent.
Following the news
Like all our tours the itinerary is focused on current affairs. Events on the ground may change and the final schedule may be adjusted accordingly.
This tour starts and ends in London.
Group size
As on all our expert-led tours the groups are deliberately small and will not exceed 14 people. Frequently we travel with 10-12 people. Limited spaces are available.
Visa
UK, US and EU passport holders do not need a visa. Non EU passport holders may require a visa. It is always good to check with the embassy in your country for latest advice regarding visa requirements.
Weather
The tour is in Spring. Weather is unpredictable. It should be warm in the day, but it can be cooler in the evenings. Please be prepared for some rain.
Dress
We suggest taking layers as the weather is variable. The days can be warm to cool. Rain showers are not uncommon too so please ensure you pack a rain jacket. Most important is to have comfortable shoes.
Men: Will need a jacket and tie for some of the meetings.
Women: You will need smarter dress for one or two meetings.
Currency
Great British Pounds in the UK.
Electricity
Plugs are 3 pin UK.
Internet access
Wifi is available in most restuarants.
FCO Website
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes regularly updated travel information on its website www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo which you are recommended to consult before booking and in good time before departure. Where it considers it appropriate to do so, the FCO may advise against all travel or all but essential travel to particular countries or parts of particular countries. Similarly, the FCO may withdraw any such previously given advice. Where the FCO issues such advice, we may as a result cancel your tour or make changes so as to avoid the area concerned (see clause 10). Alternatively, we may ask you to sign a form confirming you wish to proceed with the tour notwithstanding the FCO advice. It is in the nature of the itineraries we offer that the FCO may have issued such advice in relation to the country or parts of the country we are intending to visit prior to confirmation of your booking. In this case, you will be asked to sign the above form before we confirm your booking.
Medical Requirements
Advice on health requirements may be obtained from your GP, or alternatively from the Department of Health leaflet Advice on Health for Travelers, or the Department of Health in the UK. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations.aspx
We suggest you visit your own doctor or local travel clinic who will have the most up-to-date travel advice, and be able to recommend any vaccinations prior to travel based on your medical history.
Matthew Dennison
Matthew is the author of the new best-seller The Queen, a comprehensive account of the reign of Elizabeth II, tracing the events of a reign that now spans seven decades, in an era of profound social change and upheaval.
For millions of people, both in Britain and across the world, Elizabeth II is the embodiment of monarchy. Her long life spans nearly a century of national and global history, from a time before the Great Depression to the era of Covid-‐19. Her reign embraces all but seven years of Britain’s post-‐war history; she has been served by fifteen UK prime ministers from Churchill to Johnson, and witnessed the administrations of thirteen US presidents from Truman to Trump. The vast majority of Britons cannot remember a world without Elizabeth II as head of state and the Commonwealth.
In this brand-new biography of the longest-reigning sovereign in British history, Matthew Dennison traces her life and reign across an era of unprecedented and often seismic social change. Stylish in its writing and nuanced in its judgements, The Queen charts the joys and triumphs as well as the disappointments and vicissitudes of a remarkable royal life; it also assesses the achievement of a woman regarded as the champion of a handful of ‘British’ values endorsed ‐ if no longer practised – by the bulk of the nation: service, duty, steadfastness, charity and stoicism.
Matthew Dennison is the author of several critically acclaimed works of non-fiction, including Over the Hills and Far Away: The Life of Beatrix Potter, Behind the Mask: The Life of Vita Sackville-West, The Last Princess: The Devoted Life of Queen Victoria’s Youngest Daughter and Livia, Empress of Rome. A journalist, he contributes to The Times, The Daily Telegraph, Country Life, and The Spectator. He is married and lives in London and North Wales.
Peter Kellner
Peter Kellner CBE is an English journalist, former BBC Newsnight reporter, political commentator, and former president of the YouGov opinion polling organisation in the United Kingdom. He is known for his appearances on TV, especially at election times. Peter is Chairman of NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Service).
Kellner has been Visiting Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Policy Studies Institute, London, and served as a member of committees set up by the Economic and Social Research Council to commission research into elections and social exclusion. He received a Special Recognition Award from the Political Studies Association in 2011. Before joining YouGov, he acted as a consultant on public opinion research to a number of organisations, including the Bank of England, Corporation of London, Foreign Office, National Westminster Bank and Trades Union Congress.
Kellner has written for a variety of newspapers and magazines, including the Times, Sunday Times, Independent, Observer, Evening Standard, New Statesman and Prospect. He has also written, or contributed to, a variety of books and leaflets about politics, elections and public affairs. He was awarded Journalist of the Year in the British Press Awards in 1978.
Specialist subjects: Elections and Polls, Public Opinion, Politics and Government, Democracy and Society
Please contact us for a full list of experts you will meet on the tour.