Former Home Secretary and ex-SAS officer join Enlighten at Lichfield line-up

Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson and ex-SAS officer Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton are among a fresh wave of speakers announced for Enlighten at Lichfield, with just weeks to go before the festival returns to Lichfield Cathedral from 2 to 4 October.

Johnson, a bestselling author and one of Britain's most prominent political memoirists, will discuss his acclaimed biography ‘Harold Wilson: Twentieth Century Man’, drawing on his own two decades in Parliament and five Cabinet roles to reflect on the life and legacy of the four-time election-winning prime minister.

Lowther-Pinkerton, a former SAS officer, humanitarian adviser and long-serving public servant, will discuss his debut novel Beyond the Edge of Light in a conversation exploring how his career in conflict zones and international humanitarian work has shaped his move into fiction.

The session will be chaired by broadcaster and journalist Nick Higham, who returns to Enlighten following his appearance at the inaugural festival in 2025.

Higham will also interview historian and biographer Anne Sebba about her new book, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz.

Writer and broadcaster Lindsay Johns joins the festival as an interviewer and host, leading conversations with headline speaker Jonathan Dimbleby, Alan Johnson and author Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason.

The new additions join an already strong programme featuring Dimbleby, journalist and historian Sir Simon Jenkins, Kanneh-Mason, Sebba, Fr Jamie Franklin, Bijan Omrani, Nick Spencer, The Revd Dr Gillian Straine and Nicky Burr, covering subjects spanning international affairs, politics, faith, identity, race, history and the future of society.

Canon Gregory Platten, festival director and Canon Chancellor of Lichfield Cathedral, said: “As we move closer to this year's festival, we're thrilled by the calibre and breadth of voices joining us at Enlighten.

“The programme brings together politicians, historians, journalists, authors, theologians and cultural commentators, all contributing to conversations that are challenging, inspiring and deeply relevant to the world we live in today.

“What makes Enlighten distinctive is not simply the quality of the speakers, but the opportunity for audiences to engage with big ideas in an atmosphere of curiosity, generosity and thoughtful discussion.

“We would love people to join us and become part of the conversation.”

Organisers say tickets are selling strongly across the programme and are encouraging audiences to book early.

Enlighten at Lichfield takes place from 2-4 October 2026 at Lichfield Cathedral - see the full programme and ticket information.