Pomp and Circumstance How our traditions shape our future

In this extraordinary new book, former Secretary of State Penny Mordaunt and co-author Chris Lewis build on the success of their Sunday Times bestseller Greater: Britain After the Storm to serve up a paean to the traditions and values that underpin British life, strengthen communities and help navigate the future.

Far from being a brake on progress, our traditions offer a predictable rhythm to life, promote values, encourage reflection and create a sense of continuity while allowing room for innovation and growth. Nations, organisations and communities that have traditions thrive. Where they are absent, it is harder to adapt to the fast-changing world.

Pomp and Circumstance explores Britain’s traditions – the ancient and the new. From coronations and national events to local customs, they provide stability, reinforcing identity and fostering resilience to help us steer a course through the uncertainties of tomorrow.

At a time of great worry about our ability to adapt to an uncertain world, this unique and moving perspective – from someone who has had a ringside seat at our national events and crises over many years – aims to give every Briton confidence and courage.

Mordaunt, who in her ceremonial role as Lord President of the Privy Council famously carried the Sword of State and presented the Sword of Offering to King Charles III at his coronation, examines areas of traditional British culture – including the monarchy, Parliament, the law, sport and local traditions, as well as values including sacrifice, courage and remembrance – to show how a country often thought of as old-fashioned actually uses its unique historical conventions to navigate the future.

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