The Ninth Annual Ronald Reagan Lecture & Reception – 16th December 2026

About this event

Join us for an a very special evening honouring the alliance and friendship between Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher and President Ronald Reagan.

Over the years our Ronald Reagan Lectures series has allowed attendees to hear from speakers at the forefront of public life and reflect on how the UK-US alliance can be strengthened in the years ahead.

This year marks 45 years since President Reagan's landmark tax cuts and Sir Geoffrey Howe's momentous 1981 Budget, which set both Britain and America on the path to economic renewal.

To mark the anniversary, the Margaret Thatcher Centre is delighted to welcome the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Andrew Griffith MP, to deliver the Ninth Annual Ronald Reagan Lecture & Reception. Andrew brings real-world business experience to the role, having spent two decades at Sky, where he rose to Chief Operating Officer of one of Europe's leading companies. Andrew was elected to Parliament in 2019 and served in government as Financial Secretary and then Economic Secretary to the Treasury, and later as Minister for Science, Research and Innovation. Appointed Shadow Chancellor in 2026, he leads the Conservative Party's economic policy, championing lower taxes, lighter regulation and enterprise.

He joins our list of illustrious past speakers:

·      the former US Attorney General, Edwin Meese III

·      the US Senator for Utah, Mike Lee

·      the then Secretary of State for International Trade, the Rt Hon Sir Liam Fox

·      the then Secretary of State for International Development, the Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt

·      the then Chairman of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, the Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MBE VR MP

·      the former Leader of the Conservative Party, the Rt Hon Sir Iain Duncan Smith

·      the 48th Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott

·      the then Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Rt Hon Sir James Cleverly MP

Event

Our easily accessible venue, The East India Club, is situated in the heart of London’s clubland close to public transport options.

6.00pm: Drinks Reception
6.30pm: Ronald Reagan Lecture
6.55pm: Q&A

Dress: Business attire.

Tickets are available here.

For all enquiries contact gemma.baldock@thatchercentre.com.