A journey through places of power that gives insight into the UK’s new course
The Embassy of Italy hosted a presentation of Londra, I Luoghi del Potere by Marco Varvello, UK correspondent for RAI. Varvello was in conversation with Deborah Bonetti, director of the Foreign Press Association, Nicol Degli Innocenti, correspondent for Il Sole 24 Ore, and Bill Emmott, chairman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and former editor-in-chief of the Economist.
“Drawing on his extensive experience and deep knowledge of the British political and social landscape, the author offers a clear, detailed portrait of this city, a fulcrum of history, power and complex dynamics that influence not only the UK but also – in our globalised world – Europe and the rest of the world,” said deputy head of mission Riccardo Smimmo in his opening address. “The book takes us on a journey through the symbols, institutions and main players of the British capital, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities that it offers, now more than ever, in the international context.”
Through a combination of reporting, political analysis and direct testimony, Varvello’s book explores a decade that has been crucial for the UK, from Brexit to the prospect of a reset in relations with the EU, from the end of Queen Elizabeth II’s long reign to the beginning of her son Charles III’s.
The book takes the reader on a journey through the key places of power and social transformation in London: Westminster and Downing Street, to analyse the passage from the Conservative era to the possible return of Labour; Buckingham Palace, to examine the ups and downs of the royal family; the American embassy, to explore relations between the UK, the US and the EU. It also dips into plenty of areas that are emblematic of urban and social transformation, such as the East End or Kentish Town, the “new Islington” of the progressive left.
The work offers a vivid deep dive into a country in transition, narrated by one of the most respected voices of Italian journalism abroad. It gives a clear picture of the return of the UK to the fold of the main actors on the international stage, in a historic moment marked by geopolitical instability and reneewed interest for shared values with Europe.
