John Slinger Keynote Speaker

Currently serving as an MP
Experienced strategic communications consultant with UK and global experience
Innovative communicator with an unusual background

John Slinger's Biography

John Slinger is a British politician, with decades of political experience locally, nationally and internationally, a distinguished private sector background in strategic communications consultancy, and experience in the creative arts that combine to give him an innovative perspective and compelling approach to speaking about vital issues of our age.

Since July 2024, John has served as a Member of Parliament, and is one of the most active backbenchers in debates. He has led debates on democracy education in schools and spoken on defending democracy, music education and much more. His priorities as an MP are to prioritise the needs and voices of young people and the future generations and to champion creative arts for all within schools, communities, and the economy. As a member of the Speaker’s Conference select committee, he contributed to its groundbreaking report on the security of MPs, candidates and elections.

John was a partner in an international consultancy and led teams providing strategic communications advice and delivery for high-profile global events. Most of his professional career was in public affairs and PR consultancy advising a range of corporate and non-corporate clients in the UK and overseas.

John’s career hasn’t taken the traditional route. After university, he spent several years writing songs, singing and playing guitar in rock bands. He’s also a classically trained violinist. Always interested in innovative ideas and ways to engage, in 2011 he co-founded and chaired ‘Pragmatic Radicalism’ in his spare time, which held ‘pitch your policy’ events and published pamphlets.

John is an internationalist whose professional and personal experience has involved working internationally and includes advising the moderate Syrian opposition, visiting Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Chairing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, and working globally.

John appears regularly on UK broadcast media and has written numerous opinion articles about domestic and foreign policy.

UK politics, including protecting, strengthening and reforming our democracy to make it fit for the future.

Youth empowerment and engagement in a political system where the voices and interests of older generations have for too long taken preference.

Championing creative arts and their importance for individuals, communities, the economy, country and world.

Foreign policy, including strengthening the UK’s place in the world, upholding our values and the rules-based system.

Modern and progressive approaches, from across sectors, to leadership and management.

Communications strategies and their delivery.

He serves as a Member of Parliament and active parliamentary contributor, leading debates on democracy, education and security while shaping discussions on the future of civic life in the UK.
He combines frontline political experience with a background in strategic communications consultancy, offering audiences practical insight into how policy, messaging and public trust intersect.
He brings international perspective from work across the Middle East and global advisory roles, translating geopolitical complexity into clear implications for domestic politics and democratic resilience.
He draws on experience in the creative arts and public engagement to communicate serious policy challenges with originality, clarity and impact.
His briefings equip organisations to navigate political scrutiny, generational change and the evolving expectations placed on institutions in an era of democratic pressure.