Key facts
- The Liberal Democrats are launching a new think tank named The Britain Project.
- The think tank's goal is to aid the party in policy development and government preparation.
- It will officially launch at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton on September 21.
- The group is privately funded by individual donors and will operate without a physical office.
- The Britain Project aims to focus on economic growth and public services.
Britain's Liberal Democrats are establishing a new think tank, The Britain Project, to bolster their policy development and readiness for government. The initiative is set to launch at the party's conference in Brighton on September 21.
The formation of The Britain Project comes as political realignments, particularly divisions on the right, may increase the likelihood of a progressive coalition involving the Liberal Democrats in the next election. While not formally affiliated with the party, the think tank has garnered significant interest from Liberal Democrat MPs, with at least 50 attending a promotional presentation.
Tim Leunig, the policy director of The Britain Project and a Liberal Democrat peer, stated the group's purpose is to assist the party while also posing challenging questions to prepare them for potential ministerial roles. He highlighted the need for parliamentarians to understand the tough decisions involved in governing, referencing the collapse of the Starmer administration.
Political analysts suggest that the current political climate, marked by increasing acrimony between the Conservatives and Reform UK, makes a pact between the Liberal Democrats and Labour a more probable scenario. Luke Tryl, executive director of More in Common, noted that if the Liberal Democrats maintain their support and Labour's lead narrows, the centrist party could hold significant influence.
The Liberal Democrats have historically been cautious about coalition governments, recalling the significant reduction in their parliamentary representation after their previous coalition with the Conservatives. Many of their current MPs lack extensive parliamentary experience, a gap The Britain Project aims to fill by providing well-researched policy ideas, particularly focusing on economic growth and public services, with the cost of living identified as a key priority.
The think tank will publish policy papers and emphasizes a focus on practical, implementable ideas. It is funded by individual donors and will operate leanly without a physical office. While aiming to work with a broad range of individuals, there will be a notable connection to the Liberal Democrat party.
Despite the general welcome from parliamentarians, some MPs have expressed reservations about appearing too eager for a coalition, fearing it could alienate potential Conservative voters who might otherwise switch. Leunig, however, hopes the project will introduce novel ideas that could be adopted across the political spectrum, moving beyond a "soggy consensus."