James Blagden

Head of Future Politics, Chief Data Analyst

James Blagden leads Onward’s Future Politics programme and is also Chief Data Analyst. James specialises in data analysis and mapping. He has previously studied at the University of Southampton and University of Reading, and holds a Masters degree in Public Policy.

PUBLICATIONS

September 1, 2022

The Kids Aren’t Alright: the 4 factors driving a dangerous detachment from democracy

Why young people are detaching from democracy and social norms – and what to do about it

by Luke Stanley, Will Tanner, Jenevieve Treadwell, James Blagden

July 29, 2022

The Conservative politics of net zero

Vote Blue, Stay Green

by James Blagden, Will Tanner

June 13, 2022

Street Bids: How compulsory rent auctions could save Britain’s high streets

Forcing landlords to lease vacant shops via a compulsory rent auction could bring up to 58,000 empty high street units back into use.

by Will Tanner, James Blagden

May 19, 2022

Levelling Up in Practice: Oldham Interim Report

Onward launches first-of-a-kind programme to help level up left behind areas.

by Adam Hawksbee, James Blagden, Will Tanner

April 25, 2022

Taking the Temperature: Scrapping the Net Zero Target would cost Tories 1.3m votes

Has the political climate changed on the Government’s Net Zero target?

by James Blagden, Will Tanner

February 28, 2022

Another Brick In The Wall

Next election battleground will be in the North, not the non-existent “Blue Wall”

by James Blagden

PRESS

ConservativeHome

James Blagden: The polling is clear: scrapping Net Zero would be a disaster for the Conservatives

Onward’s Chief Data Analyst and Head of our Future Politics Programme James Blagden wrote for Conservative Home about why all the polling evidence shows that the next Conservative leader must keep the UK’s net zero target.

ConservativeHome

James Blagden: The polling is clear: scrapping Net Zero would be a disaster for the Conservatives

Onward’s Chief Data Analyst and Head of our Future Politics Programme James Blagden wrote for Conservative Home about why all the polling evidence shows that the next Conservative leader must keep the UK’s net zero target.

High street plans could bring 58,000 empty shops back into use

Media coverage summary for the Onward report 'Street Bids'.

The Daily Mirror

Force high street landlords to rent out empty premises and release 58,000 shops

The Daily Mirror referred to Onward's report 'Street Bids', finding that rising vacancy rates meant there were tens of thousands of empty shops around the UK.

The Independent

High street plans could bring 58,000 empty shops back into use

The Independent cited Onward's finding in its report 'Street Bids' that rising vacancy rates meant there were 58,000 empty shops across the UK.

Peston

Peston: Taking the Temperature

ITV’s Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana covered research from our report Taking the Temperature on Peston

Team