Norman Baker Royal Mint, National Debt: The shocking truth about the Royals finances

About

Former Minister of State and Privy Counsellor Norman Baker returns to the Lewes Speakers Festival with an explosive new expos that goes further than ever before into the hidden world of royal finances, privilege and influence. Building on the revelations of his bestselling And What Do You Do?, Bakers sensational sequel digs even deeper into how the monarchy operatesfinancially, politically and culturallybehind the scenes.

In this eye-opening talk, Baker reveals how a family that was effectively bankrupt in 1760 has become one of the richest dynasties in Britain, thanks to a combination of public subsidy, favourable tax treatment and relentless lobbying of government and the media. He uncovers how official gifts quietly become private possessions; how the Duchies extract punitive rents from public services such as the NHS, churches and charities; and how opaque financial arrangements allow wealth to grow with minimal scrutiny or accountability.
He also delves into the monarchys acceptance of dubious donations, legislative carve-outs written specifically to protect royal interests, and even the extraordinary private money-making world of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, whose friendships with fraudsters, paedophiles and spies continue to raise troubling questions.

This is not a polemic but a demand for honesty in public life. Baker argues that no institutionhowever historicshould operate above the law, beyond scrutiny or insulated from accountability. His talk promises to be rigorous, controversial, and one of the most talked-about events of the festival.

Norman Baker is a former Member of Parliament for Lewes, serving from 1997 to 2015. He held ministerial office as Minister of State at the Home Office. Known for his independence of mind and forensic approach to public affairs, Baker has spent decades investigating government transparency, constitutional reform and political accountability. He has written several acclaimed books, including the bestselling And What Do You Do?, and has built a national reputation for challenging the powerfulespecially when they would prefer not to be challenged.

A Q&A Session will follow.

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