First to the stage last Tuesday at JLA’s inaugural Festival of Speech were Former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and Former Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, for an in-depth and candid discussion ranging from the current state of politics in the UK, to their own individual experiences working in the field.
We’ve broken down four key themes that came to light during the conversation.
The Value of Strong Opposition
In the context of political debate, it might seem counterintuitive to hope your opponent puts up a tough fight. However, despite their ideological differences, both Nicola and James agreed that tussling with a formidable opponent is much more valuable than securing an easy win.
Opening last Tuesday’s event, the pair discussed how politics is at its best when ideas are challenged and sharpened through debate. James was quick to liken debate to sport: real progress comes when you’re tested by worthy opponents, not when the contest is easy.
For business leaders worldwide, the implication is clear – confrontation ultimately leads to higher quality progress, whether that’s in parliament, the boardroom, or beyond.
The Pressures of Political Life
Working in the public sphere brings with it a range of inevitable challenges: from bearing the brunt of public scrutiny, to your name slotting into witty headlines across the media. Yet, it’s important to recognise how these experiences contrast for male and female politicians respectively.
During the discussion, Nicola reflected on the sheer number of differences between treatment of men versus women in the political sphere. Whether it’s highlighting her appearance or her tone of voice, many traits that would be celebrated in men are often cast as flaws in women.
Both went on to highlight the heightened toxicity of these judgements in the age of social media, where abuse can be delivered directly to the phone in your pocket. With this, the pair recognised how the tone of political discourse has noticeably hardened, and resilience is more essential to politicians – and leaders across the board – than ever. Critically, both James and Nicola recognised the need in a cultural shift towards challenging ideas without resorting to slander and belittlement, and the return of open, respectful communication.
Political State of the UK
Another key theme from Nicola and James’ conversation was the state of transition UK politics currently inhabits. Today, voters are increasingly sceptical of traditional parties and structures, and more inclined to support movements that promise disruption.
Responding to this trend, James argued that lasting impact comes when politics is bigger than any one individual — when broad “coalitions under one roof” force compromise and dialogue rather than falling into a cycle of endless fragmentation. With this in mind, he didn’t feel that the current two-party system as we know it was under significant enough pressure to change.
Alternatively, Nicola identified a real possibility of the UK’s dominant parties shifting quite significantly – noting the threat of further fragmentation. In her eyes, the balance and constitution of the UK’s two-party system may well undergo a significant degree of transformation.
Regardless of which way the pendulum swings, Nicola went on to later emphasise the importance of authenticity in uncertain times. People are quick to sense when leaders are simply chasing the mood of the moment, whilst the leaders who last are those who remain grounded in their values and consistent in their purpose, particularly amidst instability.
Lessons Beyond Politics
What emerged most strongly from Nicola and James’ conversation was not just a diagnosis of where politics stands, but a message about how best to lead during uncertain times.
Both warned against the temptation to disengage when the climate feels noisy or hostile: stepping back leaves space for shallow answers to take hold. Instead, leaders – whether in politics or business – need to remain visible, principled and consistent. Authenticity and patience matter more than chasing every headline or trend.
In a world where disruption is the norm, success depends on keeping focus, staying true to your values, and continuing to speak up for the issues that matter most.
If you missed the event, you can watch additional highlights on our dedicated Festival of Speech page. To enquire about booking James or Nicola to speak at your own event, please contact us today.
We will be delving deeper into the other 3 sessions of the night in the coming weeks and bringing you key takeaways from each speaker.