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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.

Unlocking local growth in Scotland
What does Onward polling tell us about Keir Starmer’s Labour Party’s chance of winning the general election in 2024?
… and how they can win again.
Next election battleground will be in the North, not the non-existent “Blue Wall”
Brand new polling for Onward by Stack Data Strategy suggests public support for an early Scottish independence referendum has fallen considerably since May.
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?

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'.

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.

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.

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.

A practical policy programme to transform science and innovation in the UK
Reducing economic disparities between places