David Gauke, former Lord Chancellor and Ipswich-born politician has been announced as the speaker at the Edmund Lecture, part of the Abbey 1000 celebrations across Suffolk. The Abbey of St Edmund played a significant role in medieval political life which included parliament meeting at the Abbey on more than one occasion. This lecture honours that heritage and David’s Edmund lecture will look on the importance of history, institutions, and the rule of law on the peace and prosperity of the nation.

David is no stranger to political conflicts. He entered Parliament in 2005 and was appointed Treasury Minister in 2010 and served there as Exchequer Secretary, Financial Secretary and Chief Secretary until he was appointed Secretary of State for Work & Pensions in 2017. In 2018 he was appointed Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor. Having opposed the Government’s policy on Brexit, he lost the Conservative whip and decided instead to stand as an Independent in the 2019 General Election. He lost his seat and resigned from Government in 2019.

David was born in Ipswich and educated at Northgate High School, Ipswich before attending St Edmund Hall, Oxford and the College of Law, Chester. He is the first Lord Chancellor born in Ipswich since Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was made Lord Chancellor in 1515. David is now Head of Public Policy at Macfarlanes LLP, Senior Adviser to Instinctif Partners and a regular columnist for the New Statesman and Conservative Home.

The Edmund Lecture takes place on Saturday 19 November at 4.00 pm and is part of the Abbey 1000 series of events to mark the millennium of the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund. This event has been made possible by a Heritage Grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Abbey 1000 celebrations are being coordinated by the Abbey 1000 C.I.C. (which includes St Edmundsbury Cathedral), alongside The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership.

Tickets are free but must be pre-booked here.