#BattleFest2016: Are political parties over?

In the aftermath of the Brexit vote, it seemed that all four of Britain’s major political parties were falling apart. Similar tendencies towards crisis and disintegration are evident in the old parties in the USA and in Europe. Are we seeing a refreshing departure from the old-style politics of left and right, or simply a process of fragmentation? Are we exaggerating the scale of the crisis facing mainstream parties, and forgetting the often deep and bitter conflicts of the past? Are we really moving towards a new sort of politics? What sort of divisions and alignments are likely to emerge and will we need parties to represent them? SPEAKERS Emily Barley chairman, Conservatives for Liberty James Delingpole journalist; columnist, Breitbart UK Dr Michael Fitzpatrick writer on medicine and politics; author, The Tyranny of Health Miranda Green journalist and former Liberal Democrat advisor, specialising in politics and education Jhanelle White student & political activist; former member of Dudley Youth Council; founder and chair of Political Sweep