It is shaping up to be one of the most unusual in recent history. Candidates from the fringes of the Republican and Democratic parties, back by grass-roots supporters, have been mounting strong challenges to politicians favoured by party establishments.  The trend is especially marked among Republicans, who are at war with themselves. He examines the political, social and economic causes of the revolt, the policy implications for whoever gets to the White House, and whether there are lessons in America’s experience for the UK and continental Europe.

The event will be preceded by a wine reception at 18.15.

Martin Dickson has over 30 years’ experience of the media industry working in the UK, the US and elsewhere around the world as a reporter, commentator, editor and manager. He was formerly Deputy Editor (2005-12) and US Managing Editor (2012-14) of the Financial Times. He has been a close observer of US business and politics since the 1990s, when he spent five years heading the FT’s New York bureau during the George Bush Senior and Clinton presidencies. The winner of various awards for business journalism, he has been a member of the board of the British Library since April 2015.

This event is free, but pre-booking is required: http://www.bl.uk/events/bryant-lecture-2016-populism-and-the-presidency