Britain & Latin America in the 20th Century: An Overview of the Political Relationship with Laurence Whitehead

Canning House in conjunction with the Institute of Latin American Studies is pleased to announce a new series of talks taking a look at Britain's relationship with Latin America throughout the 20th Century. The series will cover various themes including political, economic and business ties; British communities living in Latin America, as well as the Latin American diaspora in the UK; and sporting and cultural ties.

Indeed, it could prove timely given the recent Brexit vote to look at our recent past relationship with the region as it enters a phase where the UK might need to ramp up or renew its engagement with countries outside of the EU.

We are delighted to announce the first talk on the 'political relationship' entitled, 'Britain's long and discontinuous link with Latin America: An overview of the last century, with some thoughts about the present one',  will be delivered by Laurence Whitehead, Senior Research Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford University, and author of Latin America: A New Interpretation (2010).

Laurence will highlight the persistence of a strong British influence until the big break of the Second World War, and trace the fitful and uneven process of reclaiming lost ground until the 1982 debt crisis. His talk will also reflect on the legacy of the Falklands War, as well as the consequences of EU membership, before bringing us up-to-date by touching on the new scenario in the relationship which has been created by 'Brexit'.

This event will take place in the Court Room at Senate House.