Bright Blue
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
The independent think tank for defending and improving liberal society.
brightblue.org.uk
brightblue.org.uk
Reposted by Bright Blue
I recently sat down (virtually) w/ Dan Hitchens for a long-form debate on the ethics of assisted dying f/ @brightblueuk.bsky.social. While we have diff perspectives, I found the exchange to be a great example of how we can disagree agreeably. You can probably guess which side of the debate I was on!
Andrew Copson and Dan Hitchens: Would legalised assisted dying devalue the lives of the sick, the old and the suffering?
I don’t deny that there will always be at least some people who want an assisted death to relieve their suffering. Andrew presumably doesn’t dispute — and hasn’t in this exchange — that a law like…
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
February 5, 2026 at 12:18 PM
I recently sat down (virtually) w/ Dan Hitchens for a long-form debate on the ethics of assisted dying f/ @brightblueuk.bsky.social. While we have diff perspectives, I found the exchange to be a great example of how we can disagree agreeably. You can probably guess which side of the debate I was on!
Reposted by Bright Blue
Two @brightblueuk.bsky.social policy wins announced by DEFRA:
🔹 Introducing mandatory labelling on new wood-burning stoves
🔹Tightening emissions standards on new wood-burning stoves
Read more here: www.brightblue.org.uk/stoves-win-2...
🔹 Introducing mandatory labelling on new wood-burning stoves
🔹Tightening emissions standards on new wood-burning stoves
Read more here: www.brightblue.org.uk/stoves-win-2...
Government adopts Bright Blue recommendations on wood-burning stoves - Bright Blue
Bright Blue responds to the Government's Leeds Reforms, including a review of lending rules to potentially allow a prospective buyer to get a...
www.brightblue.org.uk
January 26, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Two @brightblueuk.bsky.social policy wins announced by DEFRA:
🔹 Introducing mandatory labelling on new wood-burning stoves
🔹Tightening emissions standards on new wood-burning stoves
Read more here: www.brightblue.org.uk/stoves-win-2...
🔹 Introducing mandatory labelling on new wood-burning stoves
🔹Tightening emissions standards on new wood-burning stoves
Read more here: www.brightblue.org.uk/stoves-win-2...
Reposted by Bright Blue
One of our @qmulsse.bsky.social students writing for @brightblueuk.bsky.social 👏
Lowering the voting age won’t fix political apathy
Just 18% of this newly enfranchised group would actually vote if there was an election tomorrow
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
One of our @qmulsse.bsky.social students writing for @brightblueuk.bsky.social 👏
Reposted by Bright Blue
📢 TODAY @brightblueuk.bsky.social publishes a major new report on reducing victims and abuses of modern slavery in the UK asylum system, proposing 8 new policies.
📘 Read it here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...
🗞️ Read about it in The Guardian: theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
📘 Read it here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...
🗞️ Read about it in The Guardian: theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
December 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM
📢 TODAY @brightblueuk.bsky.social publishes a major new report on reducing victims and abuses of modern slavery in the UK asylum system, proposing 8 new policies.
📘 Read it here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...
🗞️ Read about it in The Guardian: theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
📘 Read it here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...
🗞️ Read about it in The Guardian: theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‼️TODAY at 4pm ‼️
💷💶Listen to the EU Ambassador to the UK discuss how to strengthen the relationship between the UK and the EU.
👇 Link to the livestream is in the reply 👇
💷💶Listen to the EU Ambassador to the UK discuss how to strengthen the relationship between the UK and the EU.
👇 Link to the livestream is in the reply 👇
December 4, 2025 at 9:40 AM
‼️TODAY at 4pm ‼️
💷💶Listen to the EU Ambassador to the UK discuss how to strengthen the relationship between the UK and the EU.
👇 Link to the livestream is in the reply 👇
💷💶Listen to the EU Ambassador to the UK discuss how to strengthen the relationship between the UK and the EU.
👇 Link to the livestream is in the reply 👇
Reposted by Bright Blue
Writing for us today, Benedikt Koehler suggests that the response to populism lies in Hegel.
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
Read Benedikt's article on Centre Write 👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/hegels-thoug...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
Read Benedikt's article on Centre Write 👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/hegels-thoug...
Hegel’s thoughts on rabble explain populism
Liberals and conservatives have been fighting each other for a long time over the right to bear the mantle of Adam Smith and Friedrich von Hayek. That, alas, has kept them from looking over their…
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Writing for us today, Benedikt Koehler suggests that the response to populism lies in Hegel.
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
Read Benedikt's article on Centre Write 👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/hegels-thoug...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
Read Benedikt's article on Centre Write 👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/hegels-thoug...
Reposted by Bright Blue
In today's CW, the Chair of the Conservative Policy Forum, John Penrose, explains why our current definition of 'poverty' is outdated.
@brightblueuk.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social
👇Read John's full article here 👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/why-havent-w...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social
👇Read John's full article here 👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/why-havent-w...
Why haven’t we ended poverty forever?
In the last 40 years, the spread of capitalism to Asian ‘tiger’ economies and then India and China has meant that the number of people living in poverty has dropped dramatically worldwide.
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
November 15, 2025 at 11:13 AM
In today's CW, the Chair of the Conservative Policy Forum, John Penrose, explains why our current definition of 'poverty' is outdated.
@brightblueuk.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social
👇Read John's full article here 👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/why-havent-w...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social
👇Read John's full article here 👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/why-havent-w...
Reposted by Bright Blue
November 13, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Bright Blue
Bright Blue is hiring for a Communications Manager.
Deadline: 1st December 2025
Position can be full-time or part-time.
Full details: www.brightblue.org.uk/who-are-brig...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
Deadline: 1st December 2025
Position can be full-time or part-time.
Full details: www.brightblue.org.uk/who-are-brig...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Bright Blue is hiring for a Communications Manager.
Deadline: 1st December 2025
Position can be full-time or part-time.
Full details: www.brightblue.org.uk/who-are-brig...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
Deadline: 1st December 2025
Position can be full-time or part-time.
Full details: www.brightblue.org.uk/who-are-brig...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Bright Blue
November 11, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Bright Blue
Very interesting publication from think tanks & experts across the political spectrum, on tax reforms that can drive growth. centax.org.uk/tax-reforms-... Includes @jrf-uk.bsky.social @ippr.org @brightblueuk.bsky.social @cps.org.uk @neweconomics.bsky.social @danneidle.bsky.social CenTax & others
centax.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Very interesting publication from think tanks & experts across the political spectrum, on tax reforms that can drive growth. centax.org.uk/tax-reforms-... Includes @jrf-uk.bsky.social @ippr.org @brightblueuk.bsky.social @cps.org.uk @neweconomics.bsky.social @danneidle.bsky.social CenTax & others
Reposted by Bright Blue
Delighted I & @brightblueuk.bsky.social have co-authored this new paper on tax reform
Impressive to have such cross-party consensus from think tanks.
Well done to @centaxuk.bsky.social for co-ordinating.
Impressive to have such cross-party consensus from think tanks.
Well done to @centaxuk.bsky.social for co-ordinating.
November 5, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Delighted I & @brightblueuk.bsky.social have co-authored this new paper on tax reform
Impressive to have such cross-party consensus from think tanks.
Well done to @centaxuk.bsky.social for co-ordinating.
Impressive to have such cross-party consensus from think tanks.
Well done to @centaxuk.bsky.social for co-ordinating.
Reposted by Bright Blue
My article for The Critic
⚪️ Some spurious arguments for abolishing Stamp Duty, especially that it is preventing downsizing
⚪️ There are better tax property regimes - such as an annual proportional property tax - but politically and technically challenging to deliver
thecritic.co.uk/abolishing-s...
⚪️ Some spurious arguments for abolishing Stamp Duty, especially that it is preventing downsizing
⚪️ There are better tax property regimes - such as an annual proportional property tax - but politically and technically challenging to deliver
thecritic.co.uk/abolishing-s...
Abolishing Stamp Duty is no silver bullet | Ryan Shorthouse | The Critic Magazine
Though there may be some positive spillover effects from the tax cuts the Conservative Opposition are now promising, all of them, especially abolishing Stamp Duty…
thecritic.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 10:50 AM
My article for The Critic
⚪️ Some spurious arguments for abolishing Stamp Duty, especially that it is preventing downsizing
⚪️ There are better tax property regimes - such as an annual proportional property tax - but politically and technically challenging to deliver
thecritic.co.uk/abolishing-s...
⚪️ Some spurious arguments for abolishing Stamp Duty, especially that it is preventing downsizing
⚪️ There are better tax property regimes - such as an annual proportional property tax - but politically and technically challenging to deliver
thecritic.co.uk/abolishing-s...
Reposted by Bright Blue
My latest article on the situation in Israel and Gaza for The Circus, the bulletin of @brightblueuk.bsky.social
✔️ Also, 6 recent policy wins with the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Government
📚 Read The Circus here: mailchi.mp/44eff4615b57...
✔️ Also, 6 recent policy wins with the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Government
📚 Read The Circus here: mailchi.mp/44eff4615b57...
November 5, 2025 at 10:46 AM
My latest article on the situation in Israel and Gaza for The Circus, the bulletin of @brightblueuk.bsky.social
✔️ Also, 6 recent policy wins with the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Government
📚 Read The Circus here: mailchi.mp/44eff4615b57...
✔️ Also, 6 recent policy wins with the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Government
📚 Read The Circus here: mailchi.mp/44eff4615b57...
Reposted by Bright Blue
Reflecting on the future of the centre-right.
Thank you to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for hosting such energising and educational seminars in beautiful Lake Como.
Thank you to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for hosting such energising and educational seminars in beautiful Lake Como.
November 5, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Reflecting on the future of the centre-right.
Thank you to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for hosting such energising and educational seminars in beautiful Lake Como.
Thank you to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for hosting such energising and educational seminars in beautiful Lake Como.
Reposted by Bright Blue
Delighted to launch a new online daily magazine:
@centrewrite.bsky.social
Find thoughtful contributions from authors every day, starting with Mel Stride's interview, here: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/interview-wi...
Subscribe to weekly roundups on our homepage: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
@centrewrite.bsky.social
Find thoughtful contributions from authors every day, starting with Mel Stride's interview, here: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/interview-wi...
Subscribe to weekly roundups on our homepage: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
Interview with Mel Stride – Centre Write | Bright Blue
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Delighted to launch a new online daily magazine:
@centrewrite.bsky.social
Find thoughtful contributions from authors every day, starting with Mel Stride's interview, here: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/interview-wi...
Subscribe to weekly roundups on our homepage: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
@centrewrite.bsky.social
Find thoughtful contributions from authors every day, starting with Mel Stride's interview, here: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/interview-wi...
Subscribe to weekly roundups on our homepage: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
Reposted by Bright Blue
✍️Today's article from Centre Write:
@bijanomrani.bsky.social explains why ‘The anti-social menace will be our undoing’.
Read here👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/the-anti-soc...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
@bijanomrani.bsky.social explains why ‘The anti-social menace will be our undoing’.
Read here👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/the-anti-soc...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
The anti-social menace will be our undoing
The train stank of weed, and several people were playing music out loud on their phones. There were too many for me to stomp up and down the carriage asking the offenders in my usual diplomatic way to...
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 9:48 AM
✍️Today's article from Centre Write:
@bijanomrani.bsky.social explains why ‘The anti-social menace will be our undoing’.
Read here👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/the-anti-soc...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
@bijanomrani.bsky.social explains why ‘The anti-social menace will be our undoing’.
Read here👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/the-anti-soc...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Bright Blue
Today, Alex Gunter writes about what @conservatives.bsky.social can learn from Moldova's Party of Action and Solidarity.
Read the article on Centre Write👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/moldovas-pas...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social @yougov.co.uk
Read the article on Centre Write👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/moldovas-pas...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social @yougov.co.uk
Moldova’s PAS shows Russians can be beat
For a party that once prided itself on knowing every doorstep in Britain, the Conservatives have somehow lost the knack of knocking on them. Bizarrely, it was Moldova that reminded the centre-right…
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
November 4, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Today, Alex Gunter writes about what @conservatives.bsky.social can learn from Moldova's Party of Action and Solidarity.
Read the article on Centre Write👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/moldovas-pas...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social @yougov.co.uk
Read the article on Centre Write👇
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/moldovas-pas...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social @yougov.co.uk
Reposted by Bright Blue
🗣️ "We need open registers of beneficial ownership, transparency, and letting sunlight be the best disinfectant."
👏 Our Vice-Chair the Rt Hon Sir Andrew Mitchell MP spoke on a great @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org and @brightblueuk.bsky.social panel at @conservatives.bsky.social Conference today.
👏 Our Vice-Chair the Rt Hon Sir Andrew Mitchell MP spoke on a great @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org and @brightblueuk.bsky.social panel at @conservatives.bsky.social Conference today.
October 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
🗣️ "We need open registers of beneficial ownership, transparency, and letting sunlight be the best disinfectant."
👏 Our Vice-Chair the Rt Hon Sir Andrew Mitchell MP spoke on a great @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org and @brightblueuk.bsky.social panel at @conservatives.bsky.social Conference today.
👏 Our Vice-Chair the Rt Hon Sir Andrew Mitchell MP spoke on a great @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org and @brightblueuk.bsky.social panel at @conservatives.bsky.social Conference today.
Reposted by Bright Blue
⚖️ @mrjcrouch.bsky.social argues that the Conservative Party would lose votes by leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.
📖Read the full article on Centre Write: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/leaving-the-...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
@opiniumresearch.bsky.social
#Tories #politics #ECHR
📖Read the full article on Centre Write: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/leaving-the-...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
@opiniumresearch.bsky.social
#Tories #politics #ECHR
ECHR exit would lose Tories votes
If there’s one thing in politics worth remembering, it is not to get caught in an argument that unites your opponents and splits your friends. The announcement on the European Convention on Human…
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:35 AM
⚖️ @mrjcrouch.bsky.social argues that the Conservative Party would lose votes by leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.
📖Read the full article on Centre Write: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/leaving-the-...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
@opiniumresearch.bsky.social
#Tories #politics #ECHR
📖Read the full article on Centre Write: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/leaving-the-...
@brightblueuk.bsky.social
@opiniumresearch.bsky.social
#Tories #politics #ECHR
Reposted by Bright Blue
Co-authors of the paper included our Chief Economist @chrisbelfield.bsky.social alongside @cps.org.uk @adamsmith.org @ippr.org @neweconomics.bsky.social @brightblueuk.bsky.social @labourtogether.bsky.social and @danneidle.bsky.social
🚨 NEW🚨
We’re really excited to launch ‘Tax Reforms for Growth’ today along with experts from across the political spectrum.
Consensus on tax policy is rare, but we have a joint plan for fair, pro-growth tax reform in the UK🧵
centax.org.uk/tax-reforms-...
We’re really excited to launch ‘Tax Reforms for Growth’ today along with experts from across the political spectrum.
Consensus on tax policy is rare, but we have a joint plan for fair, pro-growth tax reform in the UK🧵
centax.org.uk/tax-reforms-...
November 5, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Co-authors of the paper included our Chief Economist @chrisbelfield.bsky.social alongside @cps.org.uk @adamsmith.org @ippr.org @neweconomics.bsky.social @brightblueuk.bsky.social @labourtogether.bsky.social and @danneidle.bsky.social
Join us today for our online #LudgateLecture where University of Strathclyde's Professor of Practice, Sir John Curtice, discusses what polls tell us about whether Britain's two-party system can survive.
📅Thursday 30th October
⏰ 12:00-13:00
📍Watch live on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xhe...
📅Thursday 30th October
⏰ 12:00-13:00
📍Watch live on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xhe...
Ludgate Lecture with John Curtice: How polling has changed politics
YouTube video by Bright Blue
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Join us today for our online #LudgateLecture where University of Strathclyde's Professor of Practice, Sir John Curtice, discusses what polls tell us about whether Britain's two-party system can survive.
📅Thursday 30th October
⏰ 12:00-13:00
📍Watch live on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xhe...
📅Thursday 30th October
⏰ 12:00-13:00
📍Watch live on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xhe...
📢 Today Bright Blue launches a new essay collection in partnership with @jrf-uk.bsky.social:
'Mending the net? A new centre-right approach to social security'
📖Read the full report here: brightblue.org.uk/portfolio/me...
🧵Follow this thread for more details 👇
'Mending the net? A new centre-right approach to social security'
📖Read the full report here: brightblue.org.uk/portfolio/me...
🧵Follow this thread for more details 👇
October 3, 2025 at 12:23 PM
📢 Today Bright Blue launches a new essay collection in partnership with @jrf-uk.bsky.social:
'Mending the net? A new centre-right approach to social security'
📖Read the full report here: brightblue.org.uk/portfolio/me...
🧵Follow this thread for more details 👇
'Mending the net? A new centre-right approach to social security'
📖Read the full report here: brightblue.org.uk/portfolio/me...
🧵Follow this thread for more details 👇
Reposted by Bright Blue
📢 OUT TODAY @brightblueuk.bsky.social and @jrf-uk.bsky.social release a book on a new centre-right approach to social security
Includes contributions from @conservatives.bsky.social and @reformuk.bsky.social politicians and thought leaders
🗞️ Covered in @theipaper.com: inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Includes contributions from @conservatives.bsky.social and @reformuk.bsky.social politicians and thought leaders
🗞️ Covered in @theipaper.com: inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Tory Reform defector Danny Kruger calls for two-child benefit cap to be scrapped
Better parental leave and 'universal credit lottery' among other suggestions in centre-right book of essays
inews.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 11:20 AM
📢 OUT TODAY @brightblueuk.bsky.social and @jrf-uk.bsky.social release a book on a new centre-right approach to social security
Includes contributions from @conservatives.bsky.social and @reformuk.bsky.social politicians and thought leaders
🗞️ Covered in @theipaper.com: inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Includes contributions from @conservatives.bsky.social and @reformuk.bsky.social politicians and thought leaders
🗞️ Covered in @theipaper.com: inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Bright Blue
My article in @thespectator1828.bsky.social today
spectator.co.uk/article/to-s...
This is an extract from a new book by @brightblueuk.bsky.social out today.
📘 Read the book here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...
spectator.co.uk/article/to-s...
This is an extract from a new book by @brightblueuk.bsky.social out today.
📘 Read the book here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Cutting Britain's giant welfare bill would be an act of kindness
The rate of poverty across the population has been pretty static over the past few decades, but child poverty has risen in recent years.
spectator.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 11:25 AM
My article in @thespectator1828.bsky.social today
spectator.co.uk/article/to-s...
This is an extract from a new book by @brightblueuk.bsky.social out today.
📘 Read the book here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...
spectator.co.uk/article/to-s...
This is an extract from a new book by @brightblueuk.bsky.social out today.
📘 Read the book here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...