Interview

History has taught me that even ‘unreformable’ systems can be reformed or dismantled from within.

What historical topic have I changed my mind on? The ‘greatness’ of Britain. 

What will future generations judge us most harshly for? Abandoning the rule that truth matters in public life.

‘History seems to have little influence on many of our rulers.’ 

‘Our work on the Calais ‘Jungle’ forced me to change my mind about freedom of movement.’

‘If I was let loose in the archives of the Archaeological Museum in Naples I might never emerge.’

What’s the most important lesson history has taught me? To try to see things from multiple angles.

My favourite archive? The India Office archives at the British Library.

What’s the most important lesson history has taught me? That we learn nothing from it.

Which moment would I most like to go back to? Berlin at the end of the First World War.