What’s Onward this week.
Next week, voters across 230 local authorities will elect more than 8,000 councillors. Campaigners will be focussing on local issues: potholes, planning, and parking. But the results will have national ripples, and be used to assess the electoral progress the PM has made in his first six months in office – and how far he still needs to go.
What can we really learn from the results? Are we seeing a continuation of political realignment or a reversion to the norm? Should we be talking about the Red Wall, Stevenage Woman, National Swing Man or Deano? To hear thoughts on all this and more you’ll have to come along to our second Future of Conservatism debate – more details below.
✍️ Research
The Government’s Illegal Migration Bill is headed to the Lords this week, after MPs voted to approve the final stages of the Bill in the Commons.
If the Conservatives are to revive their electoral fortunes and close the gap with Labour, they need to win back the ‘culturally conservative’ voters they’ve lost. These voters tend to sit more left on economic issues, and right on culture.
In our report After the Fall we found most Conservative target voters are extremely concerned about high levels of immigration – an issue pollsters tip to be a key battleground at the next election. To find out more click here.
📰 Media Mentions
Our incoming Head of Science and Technology, Allan Nixon, wrote for The Times on the need for 21st century statecraft to stay ahead in the global science race.
Our new Science and Technology hires were mentioned in Politico’s London Playbook.
🌐 Onward Online
Head of Energy and Climate Jack Richardson shares a snap of the Spectator’s Energy Summit.
.@FraserNelson saying he’s optimistic that we will reach net zero and he’s changed his mind over the years after seeing the tremendous cost falls in renewables and the UK’s record on decarbonisation. We’re learning to “tread more lightly on the planet”. pic.twitter.com/XlUckO5Co7
— Jack Richardson (@jackrdsn) April 26, 2023
Senior Researcher, Anna Dickinson tweets a snap of her trip to Oxford.
A pleasure to be @HarwellCampus for their Campus 2040 Symposium!
— Anna Dickinson (@anna_dickins0n) April 27, 2023
Excited for a day of discussing how we realise the potential of global #Science & #innovation campuses
Super to kick-off by hearing from the leaders of @OsloScienceCity, @HereEast, @GIANTcampus & @SVOffice_LU 👏🏻 https://t.co/maThXQ1s4j pic.twitter.com/eZnpB0MNVA
🗓️ Upcoming Events
Reclaiming the Realignment: Can Conservatives build a voting coalition for the future?
Despite some recent gains, the Conservatives remain 15 points behind in the polls. Some forecasts project a dire electoral outcome for the Government if recent voting intention were to be replicated at the next general election.
The Conservatives also face long-term demographic challenges. While the age of the average Tory voter continues to rise, younger voters no longer seem to be becoming Conservatives as they get older In 2019 the party won a convincing majority in the wake of Brexit, securing seats in traditional Labour heartlands outside the South East – those seats are now under threat. With a shaky Red Wall and “Blue Fade” in the South, how can Conservatives build a sustainable voting coalition for the future?
Sign up for the second in our Future of Conservatism event series here.

🐥 Tweet of the week
Overheard in the Onward office: "Great, I've just got tickets for the Coronation concert – oh hang on, can't go, I've got a pub crawl that day". So British. Love to see it.
— Adam Hawksbee (@ahawksbee) April 25, 2023
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