With the UK more divided than ever, the idea of Englishness has re-emerged as a potent force in our culture and politics. In this timely book Caroline Lucas, former leader of the Green Party, delves into our literary heritage to explore what it can teach us about the most pressing issues of our time. With host Claire Armitstead, former associate editor of the Guardian, Culture.

Nick Harkaway's Karla's Choice is a thrilling return to the world of spy fiction's greatest writer, John le Carré. Nick Harkaway, whose real name is Nick Cornwell, talks to author and journalist Alex Preston about the shadowy world of George Smiley created by his father David Cornwell, who wrote as John le Carré – and why he decided to re-introduce the redoubtable agent and his steely nemesis in this page-turning plot of deceit and danger.

Trailblazing Irish author Eimear McBride, winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction for her instant classic, A Girl is a Half-formed Thing, talks to former Guardian Culture associate editor Claire Armitstead about her new novel set in London, in which a passionate love affair is tested to its limits.

Dancer and entertainer Wayne Sleep talks to Marg Mayne about his extraordinary life both on and off stage. In his memoir Just Different he looks back on the extraordinary times he has lived through, from dancing with ballet legends Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn to the prejudices he faced as a working-class, gay man and living through the Aids epidemic. Expect laughter, tears, and plenty of gossip.

Buzzcocks bass player and lead guitarist Steve Diggle has been the driving force keeping the band alive since he first met Pete Shelley in 1976. He talks to music journalist Siân Pattenden about his new book Autonomy, Diggle’s definitive inside account of their shared musical legacy and complex friendship through the band’s rise, fall, and rise again – from their punk origins to Top of the Pops, the band's break-up and reformation.

Former Poet Laureate for Scotland Jackie Kay reads from her new collection and shares stories from decades of involvement in political activism, from Reclaim the Streets to Gay Pride to Greenham Common to Black Lives Matter. Woven through the collection are poems reflecting on the loss of her parents and profound change, love and celebration. Jackie will be in conversation with poet Joelle Taylor.

BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner talks to Julia Wheeler about Invasion, the latest of his bestselling Luke Carlton thrillers, which traces an ominous gathering of Chinese armed forces and the threat of unpredictable global conflict.

Trailblazing writer, lecturer, environmental activist, and winner of the Costa Book of the Year for The Mermaid of Black Conch, Monique Roffey talks to author Jacqueline Crooks about her new novel Passiontide, set on a fictional Caribbean island. A young female steel-pan player is found dead after the island's carnival, leading four women to ignite revolution and fearlessly challenge the impossibilities and dangers of being a woman in a rigged system.

Leeroy Thornhill, ex-member of The Prodigy, talks to author and music journalist Miranda Sawyer about the story of the first decade of the band, from the earliest raves to Japan and the United States in the late 1990s, by which point the band were one of the biggest on the planet.

Known for her creativity and individuality Dame Zandra Rhodes is one of the most significant figures in British fashion. She talks to Julia Wheeler about her archive of iconic garments, her life spent among rockstars and royalty, life-changing friendships and the highs and lows that come with being an era-defining designer. In this insightful memoir, Iconic, Zandra shares her life story for the first time.

Join Paralympic champion, Strictly Come Dancing star and You Can Do Anything! author, Jonnie Peacock, for an empowering and inspirational discussion about finding your happiness, chasing your dreams and being unstoppable. Jonnie will be talking about his experiences as a Paralympian and taking young people in the audience on a journey to get inspired, build confidence, overcome setbacks and learn that they can achieve anything, no matter what their abilities or ambitions might be.

Suitable for age 8–12

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Accompanying adults need to purchase a ticket for this event.

A vital reminder of the importance of direct action in turbulent times, Led By Donkeys will discuss their new book, Adventures in Art, Activism and Accountability, a stunning visual showcase of the group's artistic acts of resistance against years of inept, corrupt Conservative rule in Britain and which demonstrates how they continue to hold the powerful to account. They will be in conversation with journalist, author and artist Siân Pattenden.

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Join Eliza Clark, author of Boy Parts and Penance, who will discuss her first collection of short stories, She's Always Hungry, with author Anna Bogutskaya. Expect the unsettling and revelatory, laced with a touch of horror and Eliza's signature dark humour.

Join author and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer as she runs through her fantastic assemblage of key music artists of the 1990s – Oasis, Blur, The Prodigy, Suede, Chemical Brothers, Radiohead, PJ Harvey and more. She talks to music journalist Siân Pattenden about a time when British music meant everything, and the mad exhilaration of being right in the thick of it.

We are delighted to welcome Jamaican reggae poet, performer, activist and critic Linton Kwesi Johnson to perform a selection of his poetry and to talk about his latest book, Time Come, in conversation with author Jacqueline Crooks. One of the greatest writers and poets of our time, as well as a hugely respected activist, Linton's writerly output is prolific and profound, his career having begun in the 1970s when he first emerged as a revolutionary reggae poet.