On the symbolic date of 1 May 2012, Terra Nova London, the London branch of the French social-democratic think tank, organised its first event. In front of an attentive audience, in a beautiful lecture hall at King’s College London, the panel debated on the theme: What impact will the French elections have on Europe?

The panel comprised of Roger Liddle, Chair of Policy Network, Labour Whip and frontbench spokesperson on Europe and Foreign Affairs in the House of Lords; Emma Reynolds, Labour MP and Shadow Europe Minister ; David Gow, Journalist and former European business editor of the Guardian and Axelle Lemaire, candidate in the French 2012 parliamentary elections for the new constituency of Northern Europe and member of François Hollande’s campaign team. The debate was chaired by Clément Coirault Quinquet, president of Terra Nova London.

The evening began with a five-minute presentation by each speaker and was followed by a Q&A with the audience. The panel and the audience discussed current European events and many observed that a new direction, one focused on growth and social-justice, was emerging in Europe.

Photos of the event are available on Terra Nova London’s Facebook page