Policy area: Politics

Reports

Populist pushback?

This report from UK think tank Bright Blue develops a new definition of European populism and a new European populism index. The report develops a new definition of European populism and a new European populism index, helping us to better understand European populist parties and voters. Using data analysis of the 2024 Chapel Hill Expert...

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Performance Tracker 2026: Criminal justice system

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government gives an overview of and makes recommendations for the criminal justice system. When the Starmer government took office in July 2024, it inherited a criminal justice system in England and Wales that was fundamentally unable to cope with the level of demand it faced. Nowhere...

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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...

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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 –...

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Performance Tracker 2026: Schools

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government states the government should set out a clear long-term vision for the structure of the school system. By the time Andy Burnham entered government earlier this year, an ambitious education agenda was already well under way. Over its two years in office, the Starmer government...

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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...

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Learning from the DevoLab#5

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government explores how mayors and local leaders can create a shared vision for growth. Devolution will be central to delivering the government’s ambition of good growth in every postcode. The government has already committed to devolving further growth levers to mayors, including employment support, 16–19 education,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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Related Events

10 November 2026

Location: Online / Institute for Government, 2 Carlton Gardens, London SW1Y 5AA

Think tank: Institute for Government

How can democratic countries get better political leaders?

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Government brings together perspectives on political leadership. With rising populism, low levels of trust in governments and a sense that democratic politics cannot deliver solutions for the problems of the 21st century, the need for political leaders who can get things done in government has...

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...

17 November 2026

Location: RUSI, 61 Whitehall London SW1A 2ET

Think tank: RUSI

Cryptocurrencies in UK politics

This event hosted by UK think tank RUSI discusses the risk of opaque, foreign or malign influence entering UK politics via cryptocurrency donations. As cryptocurrencies become more integrated into the global financial system, questions are growing about how their use could affect the integrity and transparency of political finance. Much of the debate has focused...

17 November 2026

Location: The Trinity, 202-206 Borough High St, London SE1 1JX

Think tank: Bright Blue

Drink tank with Steff Aquarone MP

This event hosted by UK think tank Bright Blue welcomes Steff Aquarone MP to their drink tank event. Steff Aquarone is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for North Norfolk. He is a Member of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, and was previously Chair of the Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Party. Prior to entering...

24 November 2026

Location: Online

Think tank: UK in a Changing Europe

UKICE Lunch Hour: UK in a changing Europe

This event hosted by UK think tank UK in a Changing Europe discusses what the future could hold for UK-EU relations. The UK-EU summit, scheduled for 20 November, is taking on huge significance in the light of the Prime Minister’s comments about Brexit. To discuss what happened, and what it might mean for the future,...

9 December 2026

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

Think tank: Institute for Policy Research

Prof Peter A Hall: Governing growth – in conversation with Will Davies

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Policy Research discusses the postwar transformations of capitalism and democracy. Overview Peter Hall and Will Davies discuss how politics and economics have interacted in Western democracies over the past 80 years. About the event How do capitalist economies change over time, and what political consequences...