"Bright Blue and its contributors have been tireless in bringing forward new ideas and fresh thinking to the conservative cause."
The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP
Centre Write
Friday, 05 December 2014 13:32
Can self-employment show us the meaning of life?
Austen Saunders is a Researcher at Bright Blue As Mary Poppins teaches, if you tell a child something’s a game they’ll work all day long with utter joy. Like Adam and Eve, being bitter about work is something we learn. Maybe that means we can unlearn whatever bad lessons have landed us with an economy of “bullshit jobs” and sour, unproductive desk drones (apologies to happy, productive drones). But salaries are going out of fashion. One of the most important…
Friday, 28 November 2014 11:48
Cameron's immigration speech was pragmatic not populist
Ryan Shorthouse is the Director of Bright Blue The Prime Minister's immigration speech was pragmatic not populist, rightly showing clear blue water with UKIP's anti-immigration agenda. Two important arguments were made. First, he argued strongly and passionately that immigration has been largely beneficial for Britain both economically and culturally. Second, he has recognised - after the failure to achieve the net migration target - that it is important to make promises on immigration that he can keep. Changing the EU…
Friday, 28 November 2014 09:29
How conservatives think about welfare
David Kirkby is a Researcher at Bright Blue Today, Bright Blue released its report, Give and take, exploring how conservatives think about welfare and offering policy recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the system and support for it. Public support for state welfare is at a historic low and amidst an unsupportive public, Conservative voters stand out as particularly unsympathetic to state welfare. In this report, we go back to first principles about how conservatives view the vulnerable and impoverished…
Wednesday, 19 November 2014 12:37
The road to the food bank is paved by failures in the benefit system
Alison Garnham is Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group Food banks have become a political football. Some say demand is driven by supply: if you build it, they will come. Others point to the rising cost of living, especially food price inflation, or benefit cuts as the key drivers of demand (or need). Yet, with the notable exception of a long-suppressed report for Defra, and regular figures on food bank use from the Trussell Trust, in-depth evidence on reasons…
Thursday, 30 October 2014 15:14
Matthew D'Ancona becomes the new Chair of Bright Blue
Bright Blue is delighted to announce that award-winning journalist and author Matthew d’Ancona has been appointed its Chair. Commenting on the appointment, Director of Bright Blue Ryan Shorthouse said: “Conservatism is at a crossroads. It is vital that an optimistic, modern and compassionate conservatism has a strong identity and voice – for the long-term success of the Conservative Party and the country. We’re thrilled Matt is becoming the Chair of Bright Blue to help us articulate and champion liberal conservatism.…
Monday, 27 October 2014 11:17
The first meeting of Bright Blue's Diplomacy and Wine Forum
Last week, Bright Blue had its first local forum on international affairs. It felt such a privilege to have the chance to discuss really important issues of our time while in a very relaxed atmosphere, surely making new friends at the same time. We exchanged ideas as to what we think the role of the UK should be on the international stage, from the experience of Afghanistan to Libya and Syria. In particular, we pondered on whether Parliament should vote…
Monday, 27 October 2014 10:47
A liberal past: Ted Heath and the Ugandan refugees
Conservatives are rightly known for taking the difficult decisions to secure our country’s economic and social future. However, the other side of the Conservative coin is sometimes overlooked: the many times over the centuries when Conservatives in Government have used hard-won economic and social security as a base to provide real help to those in need. A new series of posts on this blog will be looking at moments when the empowering, giving side of Conservatism has made a real…
Tuesday, 14 October 2014 10:21
Review of Bright Blue at Conservative Party Conference 2014
As Conservative activists gathered in Birmingham, it was assumed by some that gloom would be the order of the day. Four days later, with a packed and exuberant Conference drawing to a close and David Cameron speaking again of his optimism about the strength of family and community links, and their role in building a sunny national future, activists left with a spring in their step. Conservatives are at their very best when positively laying out their plans to help…
Wednesday, 08 October 2014 17:04
Pressing the reset button on the energy debate: the initial ideas of Bright Blue’s Energy and Climate Change Forum
Bright Blue runs a number of Think Forums. These are spaces for those on the centre-right to come together to chat about politics and policy. Peter Kirby-Harris, who coordinates the Energy and Climate Change Forum, reports on the forum's discussions. Most of what has been presented, mooted and acted on in recent years to address the energy challenges we face have fallen short of what is required. The time has come to reconsider these challenges and to ask what system…
Sunday, 28 September 2014 11:59
Welcome to the world of generation rent
Dan Wilson Craw is a spokesman for Generation Rent Many Conservatives will be heading to Birmingham this week with a spring in their step. The economy, so long in the doldrums, has finally surpassed the level it was at when disaster struck in 2008. But the party should not expect the numbers to hand them re-election next May. While the recovery looks good on paper, it is still failing to reach ordinary people – and particularly the young. A recent…