12 September 2025

Peter York - Culture wars - 16 October

Join Peter York as he describes how our society is riven by "culture wars".

16th October at 7.30pm in the Library

Peter York has spent decades analysing the subtle and not-so-subtle trends of British society. He was Co-Author of the iconic "The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook" (1982).

As one of the country’s most astute cultural commentators, York has earned a reputation for being both insightful and sharply witty. His career has been defined by a keen eye for the ways in which style, class, and power intersect, a perspective that has informed some of the most iconic works in British cultural journalism

£12 Tickets are available in the Library (020 7431 1266) and on line from Wegottickets.com. LINK HERE

More background

Peter York has often been at the forefront of the conversation about what makes British society tick. From his early work co-authoring "The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook" (1982), which humorously profiled Britain's privileged young elites, to "Peter York's Eighties" (1995), a dissection of the defining decade’s social and aesthetic trends, In the more satirical vein, his book "Dictators' Homes" (2005) took readers on a fascinating (and somewhat absurd) tour of the extravagant residences of the world’s most notorious leaders, combining sharp commentary with an eye for the bizarre.

Over the years, York has become a familiar face on television, whether critiquing the homes of the rich and powerful or dissecting societal shifts his ability to blend humour with a keen social critique has accumulated a loyal audience.

The “dead cat” Strategy

Now, York is back and with something quite different. His latest book, "A Dead Cat on Your Table" (2024), dives into the turbulent waters of the so-called 'culture wars'. But rather than rehash the tired debates, York takes a fresh approach. In the book, York examines how political figures, media, and lobbyists manipulate public sentiment through what’s been dubbed the "dead cat" strategy—a phrase famously coined by political strategist Sir Lynton Crosby and made popular by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The idea is simple: when you're losing an argument, you throw a metaphorical "dead cat" on the table, diverting attention from the real issues to something more shocking or emotive. And that, York argues, is what lies at the heart of today's culture wars—diversion and division.

Culture Wars

But what exactly are these culture wars? Who's behind them? And why do they matter? 

York takes a deep dive into these questions, unpacking the loaded political vocabulary that’s become so prevalent. Terms like "woke" and "culture wars" have become part of everyday conversation, yet, as York points out, few people truly understand their origins or what they really mean. The goal of the culture wars, according to York, is not to address real issues but to distract from them. By making people focus on emotive but ultimately unimportant topics, the architects of these strategies succeed in diverting public attention from more critical concerns.

York’s "A Dead Cat on Your Table" a must-read for anyone looking to understand the deeper dynamics at play in today’s political landscape. It  illuminates the dark corners where culture warriors operate and exposes the cynicism and rancour of those who promote and promulgate them – all in graphic detail.

So, if you’re ready to look beyond the daily headlines and dig into the strategies that shape public opinion, "A Dead Cat on Your Table" is essential reading.