The Conservative Party is facing a seismic electoral defeat. So the centre-right in this country is at a critical crossroads: its future unity and direction is now highly unpredictable. But what is clear is that a new chapter for the centre-right – which offers a compelling and constructive contribution to public life – urgently needs to be written.
Nearly three years ago, with Boris still in charge, I argued in The Times there was “a real risk that Tories in recent times will have taken one step forward to then two steps back.” Two years ago, when announcing that I would be stepping into my new role as Chair of Bright Blue, I argued that the financial pain experienced in recent years “will be painful, be blamed on [the Tories] and it will stick, just as the 2008 financial crisis is still blamed on the Labour Party.”
It is time for some sober, honest and deep reflection on the mistakes and missed opportunities of recent years, by all of us on the centre-right. This should not be a shallow exercise: conducted on social media, overly reliant on polling and fixated on political tactics. Instead, there needs to be detailed consideration of how certain major public policy decisions, or lack of, have contributed to stagnanting private incomes and stretched public services. The very best things in life – starting a family and owning your home – are increasingly becoming the preserve of those from affluent backgrounds, the very opposite of what is morally and economically necessary. There are social and economic trends too – both positive (such as the adoption of AI and the rise in self-employment) and negative (such as worsening mental health, the excessive use of social media, lower productivity, slower development) – that the centre-right have been too slow to see the potential of or counter. The palpable anger among the public with our political class, especially among younger people, is genuine and understandable.
Change is coming. Bright Blue’s role will be even more important and influential. We want to ensure that our principles and policies have an even greater impact on public life. In recent years, political leaders in this country have drifted away from our liberal, meritocratic, pro-market, internationalist and institutionalist ideals.
So we have launched a strategic review, mapping out in detail the resources, skills and activities that will better achieve our aims of changing government policy and public attitudes in the years ahead. We are building this strategic plan with staff, fellows, members, supporters and wider stakeholders; we’d love your feedback and advice on how this important institution can best contribute to public life in the years ahead, so please do get in touch.
As the country soon starts a new chapter, Bright Blue is ready and raring to lead a new centre-right.
This article first appeared in Bright Blue’s bulletin. To receive it, you can sign up our to mailing list here.
Ryan Shorthouse is the Executive Chair of Bright Blue. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Bright Blue. [Image credits: Pixabay]
