The Progressive Conservatism Project
Conservative means can serve progressive ends
The Project
The Progressive Conservatism Project is a new Demos initiative that explores how radical conservative philosophy, politics, and policy can serve truly progressive goals. Since its inception in January 2009, the Project has established itself as the leading centre of cutting-edge conservative thinking in the UK, influencing policy-makers and politicians across the political spectrum with ideas that are independent, rigorous and radical.
Our research
The Project is structured around four strands, which address the most pressing domestic issues in Britain today.
Democracy, Community, Neighbourhoods & Power; arguing that the best way to kick start democracy is to drive control down to town halls, neighbourhoods, and individuals.
Family, Childhood, & Society; recognising the importance of the quality of relationships, not family structure. We are driven by the conviction that only by intervening early, intelligently, and decisively can we give everyone a fair chance in life.
Markets, Ownership, Poverty, Opportunity, and Wages; developing bold approaches to tackling poverty and inequality in all its forms: poverty of income, assets, aspiration, and networks.
Austerity, Innovation, Bureaucracy, and the Shape of the State; investigating progressive and conservative new models of government for a period of austerity.
Our team
Greg Clark MP — Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
Zac Goldsmith — Former Editor of the Ecologist, Conservative candidate for Richmond Park
John Gray — Emeritus Professor of European Social Thought, LSE
Danny Finkelstein — Commentator and former Conservative adviser
Ferdinand Mount — Commentator and former head of Conservative Policy Unit
Maggie Pagano — Business Editor, Independent on Sunday
Frank Field MP — Labour MP and former Minister for Welfare Reform
Together, we are developing the fresh thinking to meet the enormous challenges of modern politics.
Partnership
There are a range of partnership opportunities for organisations wishing to be at the heart of progressive conservative thinking in the UK. For more information please contact Jonty Olliff-Cooper.
Jonty Olliff-Cooper gave a short introduction to the Progressive Conservatism Project on Australia's ABC Radio. To listen, click here.
For details about the launch event, click here.
David Cameron, Conservative Party leader, delivered the key note speech at the project's launch. Read it here.
Phillip Blond's launch speech featured in The Independent and is also available to read here.
- Authors
- Jonty Olliff-Cooper
- Publication Date
- 2009-06-29
- Publication Type
- Report
The first of the Progressive Conservatism Project's 'Pocket Policy' reports.
- Authors
- Max Wind-Cowie
- Publication Date
- 2009-07-17
- Publication Type
- Pamphlet
Recapitalising the Poor makes proposals across Housing Benefits, pensions and money-lending to end the current cash-based, drip-feed welfare system and propose ways to give low-waged workers and families the assets to lift themselves out of dependency.
- Authors
- Jonty Olliff-Cooper, Max Wind-Cowie, Jamie Bartlett
- Publication Date
- 2009-09-22
- Publication Type
- Pamphlet
As part of Demos' Progressive Coservatism project, Leading from the Front argues that public sector reform must empower frontline staff to create empowered citizens and improved public service provision.
- Authors
- Max Wind-Cowie
- Publication Date
- 2010-02-09
- Publication Type
- Pamphlet
Inequality has not always been seen as a priority for conservatives. This pamphlet argues that in face of new evidence about the impact of ‘everyday inequalities’ – those inequalities we see around us that are transparently unfair or undeserved – conservatives should now look again at the issue of distribution in our society.
License to skill
Max Wind-Cowie warns the Children, Schools and Families Bill doesn't do enough to drive up teaching standards.
David Cameron's social party
Max Wind-Cowie believes the Tories' new policies show they are radically progressive.
Playing the Field
Max Wind-Cowie on Frank Field's commitment to a cause.
Cameron's outcomes
Max Wind-Cowie comments on David Cameron's speech to Demos.
Working families must never be left out in the cold
Max Wind-Cowie writes on marriage, schools and snow.
Daved and Confused
Jonty Olliff-Cooper writes on how choice means nothing if you don't know how to exercise it.
A Progressive Parliament
Max Wind-Cowie discusses the rising prevalence of progressive ideals amongst Conservative MPs.
Parents choosing school choice
Max Wind-Cowie discusses Tory education policy.
Education is a high-stakes game
Max Wind-Cowie argues that the importance of education means we must implement choice to ensure quality.
Childcare still matters
Max Wind-Cowie argues that childcare is about more than looking after children.
Poverty in the round
Max Wind-Cowie takes a progressive conservative look at poverty and social exclusion.
It’s not what you earn, it’s what you own
Max Wind-Cowie looks to Westminster's housing policies to recapitalise the poor.
Europe lets itself down (again)
Max Wind-Cowie takes a look at the EU's new appointments.
Something for nothing
Jonty Olliff-Cooper writes that unlocking data can also mean unlocking innovation.
At what cost?
Max Wind-Cowie writes that costs upfront mean large savings in the long run.
President Blair
Max Wind-Cowie thinks the Conservative party should support Tony Blair's bid for EU President.
Broken down or broken up?
Max Wind-Cowie thinks Brown must be more willing to debate the politics of big banks.
Who should do battle with the BNP?
Max Wind-Cowie would like to see Sayeeda Warsi put Nick Griffin in his place.
There are more taxing questions for the Guardian to ask
Max Wind-Cowie thinks the Left should give up bullying the Tax Payers Alliance.
Twelve tests for 2012
An incoming Conservative government will have to pass '12 tests in 2012' if it is to be judged truly progressive after two years in power.
Academise, academise!
Max Wind-Cowie thinks conference commitments will make positive changes in education.
Angela smashes
Max Wind-Cowie looks at what David Cameron might learn from Germany.
Why turkeys don’t vote for Christmas
Max Wind-Cowie responds to David Walker's blog about Leading from the Front.
Trust me, I'm a doctor
Max Wind-Cowie argues that giving public sector frontline staff more responsibility is a progressive Conservative vision.
State intervention: quality not quanitity
Max Wind-Cowie argues that state intervention is about quality, not quantity.
Sacred cows must be sacrificed
Max Wind-Cowie thinks it's about time that everyone embraced spending cuts
A chance for reform
Max Wind-Cowie thinks the recession has opened the door for much-needed welfare reform....
Cameron’s encounter with ‘the black swan’
18/09/08 Max Wind-Cowie comments on a breakfast event with David Cameron at...
Progressive Conservatism gains traction
17/08/09 Max Wind-Cowie comments on a poll that places the Conservatives as...
Tory Story
12/08/09 Jonty Olliff-Cooper asks just how progressive George Osborne'...
A suitable age
16/07/09 The news that the world's oldest mother has died is relevant for progressive...
We need more politicians, not fewer
14/07/09 There are not too many politicians, only too many Civil Servants, says Jonty Olliff...
An Innocent Lesson
10/07/09 Sarah Kennedy asks whether the public sector can learn something from Britain...
Making two plus two make five
17/06/09 Earlier this week, the Shadow Chancellor drew one of the first clear dividing...
Progressive conservatism can beat the BNP
10/06/09 The political classes are in a tizz. Buried in every broadsheet, somewhere...
A Case for School Choice
In all the excitement over the Gurkahs and MPs’ expenses this week, it was easy...
Will the red Tories spill blue blood?
Secretary General of the Fabian Society, Sunder Katwala offers a thoughtful response to...
The Civic State
It is now clear that we are at one of those epoch changing moments in British political...
