Thomas Muir

Lenzie Academy, in East Dunbartonshire, is to host a symposium on the eighteenth-century Scottish champion of political democracy.

The Friends of Thomas Muir community group promotes his life and works in a variety of different ways. In particular, it organises an annual symposium to examine different aspects of Muir’s ideas and how people have been inspired by them since his death in 1799.

This year, they will examine the different ways democracy is viewed in the world today, followed by a focus on how democracy is interpreted in the United Kingdom, and its consequent impact on national and local government.

This year’s speakers include:

• Professor John Curtice – senior research fellow at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde, and chief commentator on the ‘What UK Thinks: EU’ and ‘What Scotland Thinks’ websites.
• Professor Colin Kidd – Wardlaw professor of modern history at the University of St Andrews and a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.
• Jane O’Donnell – chief executive of CoSLA – Scotland’s principal local government body.

‘Thomas Muir in the Twenty-First Century’ takes place on Wednesday 5 November, 12.45pm-4pm, at Lenzie Academy, Myrtle Avenue, Lenzie, G66 4HR. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Guests will be welcomed by East Dunbartonshire provost Gillian Renwick.

Organiser Jimmy Watson said: “We’re proud to once again be honouring Scotland’s Father of Democracy – this year in Lenzie Academy. There will be a variety of talks and music – exploring how Muir’s ideas and actions resonate in the twenty-first century and continue to inspire change.”

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/1930510301134579 and www.facebook.com/thomasmuirfestival.