Future Politics

Understanding our changing political settlement

Our work on the UK’s changing electoral geography led us to identify the importance of the Red Wall and Workington Man ahead of the 2019 election. The Future Politics programme is focused on the changing values and voting patterns of the electorate and the future of the Union.

Understanding the Conservatives’ once-in-a-century loss
Building a fairer and more productive nation
What voters really think about immigration
The Case for Conservatism: Rebuilding our economy, restoring our community
Unlocking local growth in Scotland
Nov 16
9:00-
10:00
How economic fairness can win back disenchanted voters?
Jun 21
Harnessing the power of agriculture to tackle climate change
Jun 10
What policies could support UK manufacturing?
Nov 16
9:00-
10:00
How economic fairness can win back disenchanted voters?
Jun 21
Harnessing the power of agriculture to tackle climate change
Jun 10
What policies could support UK manufacturing?

Nick Timothy MP CBE, co-author of Onward's 'A Conservative Economy' report, writes a piece for 'The Telegraph' on the future of Conservative economic thinking.

Project Director, Gavin Rice, writes in 'Conservative Home' about how Britain needs an industrial strategy that supports manufacturing as well as innovation.

Onward Director Sebastian Payne wrote in the i about how to make the Conservatives popular.

Deputy Director Adam Hawksbee writes for City A.M on Gove's and Marshall's new direction for capitalism that the Conservatives would do well to follow.

Director Sebastian Payne writes on Starmer's two recent policies that are likely to be rejected by the Middle England voters he needs the most.

Director Sebastian Payne discusses the electoral prospects of the Conservative Party as the economy begins to recover.

Onward's Director Sebastian Payne writes in The Times about how the public's reliance on the state must be scaled back.

Deputy Director Adam Hawksbee writes for City AM about his political ambitions, and others can feel stigmatised when wanting to stand as an MP.

Deputy Director Adam Hawksbee writes an Op-Ed in City AM about instilling more optimism into young voters about the environment.

Nick Timothy MP CBE, co-author of Onward's 'A Conservative Economy' report, writes a piece for 'The Telegraph' on the future of Conservative economic thinking.

Project Director, Gavin Rice, writes in 'Conservative Home' about how Britain needs an industrial strategy that supports manufacturing as well as innovation.

Onward Director Sebastian Payne wrote in the i about how to make the Conservatives popular.

Deputy Director Adam Hawksbee writes for City A.M on Gove's and Marshall's new direction for capitalism that the Conservatives would do well to follow.

Director Sebastian Payne writes on Starmer's two recent policies that are likely to be rejected by the Middle England voters he needs the most.

Director Sebastian Payne discusses the electoral prospects of the Conservative Party as the economy begins to recover.

Onward's Director Sebastian Payne writes in The Times about how the public's reliance on the state must be scaled back.

Deputy Director Adam Hawksbee writes for City AM about his political ambitions, and others can feel stigmatised when wanting to stand as an MP.

Deputy Director Adam Hawksbee writes an Op-Ed in City AM about instilling more optimism into young voters about the environment.

Onward Director Sebastian Payne writes an Op-Ed for Conservative Home about our 'Missing Millennials' report.

Ted Christie-Miller writes for The Sunday Times about younger voters and their support for the Conservative Party.

Sebastian Payne, Onward's Director, writing in the Times about the Future of Conservatism project.

The Spectator publishes a transcript of Michael Gove MP's speech at the launch of Onward's 'Future of Conservatism'.

Sebastian Payne writes for the Times on what Nicola Sturgeon's exit could mean for unionism.

Sebastian Payne writes for The Times on what Nicola Sturgeon's exit means for unionism and nationalism.

Director Will Tanner outlines lessons for the Truss premiership from Thatcher's public finance policies.

Director Will Tanner wrote for the Prospect Magazine on what the Government's policies announced in the Queen's speech means for broader politics.

Director Will Tanner wrote for the ipaper on the implications of the local election results for the Conservatives, and what policies they should focus on to secure a general election majority in 2024.

Director Will Tanner wrote for CityAM on the outcome and aftermath of the local elections for the Conservative Party.

Media coverage summary of 'Taking the Temperature.'

Head of Future Politics James Blagden wrote for City AM on Red Wall Conservative voters’ support for net zero.

Director Will Tanner writes for the ipaper on how crime will be a decisive factor in the next general election.

Adam Hawksbee writes for the Yorkshire Post on the effect of demographic trends on the Tory vote share.

James Blagden writes for Conservative Home discussing the findings from our report 'Another Brick in the Wall.'

Will Tanner, Onward's Director, writes for Prospect about the erosion of transparency in Scotland under devolution and the case for greater UK-wide statistical accountability.

Jenevieve Treadwell writes for Smart Thinking, discussing how power should be shared going forward.

Will Tanner writes for City AM on why the SNP's record may derail Nicola Sturgeon's date with destiny.

Will Tanner on the natural conflicts that develop between No.10 and No.11 Downing Street.

James Blagden, senior researcher at Onward, writes for Conservative Home about No Turning Back, our major analysis of the post-2019 electorate where we found that one in five Conservative voters supported the party despite it not being their ideal choice.

The Observer

'The Observer' quotes figures from Onward's 'Breaking Blue' report which breaks down the results of the 2024 election. They use the figures to make a case for what the next Tory leader need to prioritise.

The Independent

'The Independent' quotes an article written for Onward by Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP about the future of the Conservative party in the next election.

Politics.co.uk

'Politics' website cites Onward's findings that the Conservative party cannot afford to play to Reform switchers after the general election.

UnHerd

'UnHerd' quotes Onward's 'Breaking Blue' report about the future of the Conservative party after the general election.

The Sun

'The Sun' quotes Onward's 'Breaking Blue' report in its article about the future of the Conservative party after the 2024 general election.

This Telegraph article covers Robert Jenrick's speech about the future of the Conservative party. The article quotes Onward's  'Breaking Blue' report outlining why the Conservatives lost the last election.

The Times

'The Times' uses polling data from Onward's 'Breaking Blue' report in its coverage of the election betting scandal, specifically in relation to how scandals in British politics have affected the electorate.

The Guardian

'The Guardian' quotes Onward's 'Breaking Blue' report, discussing the findings that former Conservative supporters who opted for Reform or the Lib Dems in the general election had common characteristics, including skepticism towards Keir Starmer and worries about immigration.

iNews

'iNews' quotes Onward's 'Breaking Blue' report to discuss how the Tories need to position themselves ahead of their general election defeat.

Bloomberg

'Bloomberg' mentions Onward's 'A Conservative Economy' report in the context of Labour's polling ahead of the general election.

Fair Comment

Onward's 'A Conservative Economy' report is cited in a 'Fair Comment' about wealth inequality.

New Economy Brief Digest

This week’s 'New Economy Brief' unpacks Onward's 'A Conservative Economy' report.

Onward's report, 'A Conservative Economy', is covered in 'Times Higher Education'.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/12/keir-starmer-moment-thatcherism-collapsed-tories-existential-crisis
The Times

One of the key findings of Onward's report entitled 'No turning back' was that while Conservative voters were similar to each other in terms of values and attitudes, Labour voters were not so nearly aligned.

The Post

Onward provides a report on Britain's demographic tribes.

LBC Radio

Will Tanner speaks to LBC Radio about Onward's new report, 'No Turning Back'.

The Times

A new report, No Turning Back, published today by the think tank Onward, serves as a reminder that the victory was hard-won, even against Jeremy Corbyn, because it involved the construction of a remarkable new electoral coalition of interests.

Unlocking the potential of younger people and workers across Britain
Making it easier to start and support a family
A practical policy programme to transform science and innovation in the UK
Reducing economic disparities between places
Unlocking the potential of younger people and workers across Britain
Making it easier to start and support a family
A practical policy programme to transform science and innovation in the UK
Reducing economic disparities between places