Dame Penny Mordaunt Pomp & Circumstance: Why Britains Traditions Matter

About

In this stirring and original talk, Penny Mordaunt draws on her acclaimed new book Pomp & Circumstance to argue that Britains traditions are not relics of the past, but living forces that give us confidence, identity and resilience in uncertain times.

From coronations and parliamentary rituals to the ceremonies of the armed forces and local customs that bind communities together, Mordaunt explores how these enduring practices embody values of service, courage and continuity. Far from being an obstacle to progress, she shows how tradition offers stability amid change a shared rhythm that strengthens democracy and unites a diverse nation.

Speaking from her unique vantage point as former Leader of the House of Commons and a serving Royal Naval Reservist and as the first woman to present the Jewelled Sword of Offering to King Charles III at his coronation Mordaunt reveals what she has learned from a lifetime spent at the heart of Britains national life.

Unifying, thoughtful and inspiring, this talk is a call to cherish the institutions, customs and rituals that hold the country together and to see them not as old-fashioned, but as essential to navigating the future.

Penny Mordaunt was Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North and Leader of the House of Commons. She has held senior Cabinet posts including Secretary of State for Defence and International Development, and was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2025. Alongside her political career, she serves as a Royal Naval Reservist and chairs the Coalition for Global Prosperity.

A Q&A session will follow.