Policy area: Politics

Reports

Beyond “Christian nationalism”: Measuring attitudes to Christianity and Britishness today

This report from UK think tank Theos unpacks their polling on Christianity and Britishness. A major new study into Christianity and British identity has revealed a complex and sometimes paradoxical picture of faith, culture, and politics in Britain today. The report suggests that what is increasingly being described as “Christian nationalism” in Britain is not...

Read more →

Inside out

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation examines how falling immigration numbers could lead to increasing tensions and divisons over UK immigration. As net migration to the UK falls, the focus of immigration policy and immigration news flow is shifting away from numbers arriving, on to the inside perspective on immigration –...

Read more →

What the public think the 1997-2010 governments got right and wrong

This report from UK think tank the Policy Institute finds that memories of New Labour vary sharply across party supporters. Labour supporters today still look back fondly on the New Labour governments of 1997–2010 – but most think Andy Burnham’s government is performing about as well as or better, according to a new study. Among...

Read more →

The Liberal Democrats: How their rivals and the public see them

This report from UK think tank the Policy Institute explores how the Liberal Democrats are seen by others. The Lib Dems are the party most liked by their political rivals, according to a new study published ahead of the party’s annual conference in Brighton. The research, by the Policy Institute at King’s College London, finds...

Read more →

London has fallen?

This report from UK think tank the Policy Institute explores misperceptions of crime, race, religion and life in the UK capital. London has among the lowest violent crime rates of any region in England and Wales, tops a global ranking of best cities, and pays more in tax than it receives back in public spending...

Read more →

Wrongful convictions?

This report from UK think tank the Policy Institute examines misperceptions of crime among the UK public. Most crime in England and Wales is falling – but the public think it's rising. In fact, they are wrong about crime on nearly every measure: from how many people fall victim, to the ethnicity and nationality of...

Read more →

What is the left for? The case for a politics of reciprocism

This report from UK think tank IPPR call for reciprocism, where the state should do more for us, and ask more in return. Reciprocism is based on a simple idea: the state should do more for people, while asking more of them in return. Instead of treating people as individual consumers, progressives should treat them...

Read more →

Safeguarding the constitution

This report from UK think tank the Constitution Unit focuses on protecting the constitution. The tumultuous past decade in UK politics has demonstrated the need to better protect the constitution. This new report makes 28 recommendations across seven topic areas for how to safeguard the UK constitution and protect the integrity of our democracy. Many...

Read more →

Sutton Trust Cabinet analysis 2026

This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust examines the new Cabinet's education backgrounds. Andy Burnham is the new Prime Minister, and he has now appointed his cabinet. Here we look at their education backgrounds. At 72%, the majority of the new cabinet went to state comprehensives. 24% attended private schools. This new cabinet...

Read more →

Home truths: Housing-led approaches to homelessness

This report from UK think tank IPPR North explores housing-led approaches to homelessness. Nationally, there is a lack of political urgency in reducing homelessness. The most meaningful progress has instead come from places where local leaders have made homelessness a priority, driving improvements in both the provision and delivery of homelessness services. At a time...

Read more →

Regional roots, global decisions: Andy Burnham’s foreign policy challenge

This report from UK think tank the European Council on Foreign Relations Andy Burnham, Britain’s likely next prime minister, is clear-eyed about his domestic political priorities. But, with the world order in flux, all eyes are on his foreign policy approach.

Read more →

Fixing London housing

This report from UK think tanks Onward and the Centre for Policy Studies brings renewed focus to London’s housing crisis and the consequences of failing to address it. London is failing to build the homes it needs. In 2024/25, construction started on just 4,170 homes in the capital, even as the population grew by close...

Read more →

A roadmap for rebuilding public trust in politics

This report from Nesta explores whether changing the rules on political party funding can rebuild public trust in our political system. The topic of political party finance has increasingly captured media and public scrutiny in recent years, culminating with the Rycroft Review in December 2025, which examined foreign financial influence and interference in the UK....

Read more →

The Columbia-Ecuador organised crime and security nexus

This report from UK think tank RUSI explores how Colombia's evolving criminal landscape has transformed Ecuador into a central hub for global drug trafficking. This paper provides a critical analysis of how Colombia's evolving criminal landscape has transformed Ecuador into a central hub for global drug trafficking, driving unprecedented violence and challenging regional security and...

Read more →

Citizens advance

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation examines a state alternative to the bank of Mum and Dad. The Citizens Advance would give people a choice – receive a lump sum now in exchange for postponing the point at which they start receiving their state pension. Only those who had garnered 10...

Read more →

Related Events

26 October 2026

Location: Drapers Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2DQ

Think tank: Adam Smith Institute

Ayn Rand Lecture 2026: A rational life with Madsen Pirie

This event hosted by UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute explores the importance of self-reliance, personal excellence and individual liberty.  Join us for our annual Ayn Rand Lecture 2026 with Madsen Pirie on Monday, 26th October. Join the Adam Smith Institute for the annual Ayn Rand Lecture 2026, featuring ASI President and Co-Founder Dr...

28 October 2026

Location: Online

Think tank: Institute for Government

Budget 2026: What do John Healey’s choices mean for the economy and the government?

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Government sets out their analysis of the Budget and what it reveals about Andy Burnham’s government. John Healey’s first budget as chancellor on 28 October is a huge moment for Andy Burnham’s government. A difficult fiscal inheritance, made more challenging still by the war in...

29 October 2026

Location: Room 3.5, The Chancellors' Building Bath, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY

Think tank: Institute for Policy Research

Prof Sara Hobolt: Tribal politics: How Brexit divided Britain

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute of Policy Research explores how a political moment can spark lasting divides. About the event The Brexit referendum was a pivotal moment in British politics. Not only did it lead to the UK’s departure from the EU, but it also created a new and lasting political...

3 November 2026

Location: Adam Smith Institute, 23 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3DJ

Think tank: Adam Smith Institute

The Next Generation with Michael Simmons

This event hosted by UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute explores why the Office for National Statistics needs more scrutiny. Join us for our next Next Generation drinks on Tuesday, 3rd November! We are delighted to welcome Michael Simmons, Economics Editor at The Spectator. Michael is one of Westminster’s sharpest journalists, known for unpacking...

3 November 2026

Location: Online / Chatham House, 10 St James's Square, London SW1Y 4LE

Think tank: Chatham House

US midterm elections 2026: What happens next?

This event hosted by UK think tank Chatham House examines how the midterms might reshape US politics, foreign policy and the 2028 presidential race. The 2026 US midterm elections represent a major test of two political parties in transition and the rest of President Trump’s second-term agenda. The results will shape the balance of power...

10 November 2026

Location: Palace of Westminster

Think tank: The Foreign Policy Centre

After the US midterms: What the results mean for America and the world

This event hosted by UK think tank the Foreign Policy Centre and Leiden University discusses what the results may mean for US politics and foreign policy.  The 2026 US midterm elections come at a consequential point in President Donald Trump’s second term. With all seats in the House of Representatives and a third of the...