Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Our Executive Chair, @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social, on BBC Radio 4 World Tonight discussing why Inheritance Tax is not immoral 011 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 07/10/2026My latest article for The Spectator spectator.com/article/cutt...spectator.comCutting inheritance tax is immoralKemi Badenoch is set to announce that the Tories will cut inheritance tax, a levy she has described as ‘immoral’. She’s wrong. In fact, it is cutting inheritance tax that is both economically and mora... 123 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 18/09/2026📣 Yesterday Bright Blue hosted our latest Ludgate Lecture with David Starkey. 📺 Watch here: www.youtube.com/live/Q68c7vq...youtube.comLudgate Lecture with David StarkeyYouTube video by Bright Blue 021 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 18/09/2026A chance to clear the head with a brisk, beautiful morning walk overlooking Lake Como during a very educational and enjoyable AI conference - on how Europe can ensure AI innovation & diffusion across the continent is competitive, safe and serves liberal democracy Thanks to Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. 021 0
Reposted by Bright BlueBright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Our Chair @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social on TalkTV It is time to end the triple lock on, and means-test, the basic state pension. The state pension is not a reward for working. It is welfare - to ensure people have a basic standard of living in retirement. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gg4...youtube.com‘State Pension Is WELFARE’ | Business Leaders Call For State Pension Triple Lock to be AXED!YouTube video by TalkTV 123 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Our Chair @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social on TalkTV It is time to end the triple lock on, and means-test, the basic state pension. The state pension is not a reward for working. It is welfare - to ensure people have a basic standard of living in retirement. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gg4...youtube.com‘State Pension Is WELFARE’ | Business Leaders Call For State Pension Triple Lock to be AXED!YouTube video by TalkTV 123 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026📣 First Bright Blue policy win under Burnham! Mayors will now be able to grant upfront permission for development without a developer having to apply, as well as to take over key planning applications and direct a local authority to take it forward. www.brightblue.org.uk/bartek-stani...brightblue.org.ukGovernment adopts Bright Blue recommendation to give mayors the power to introduce upzoning policies - Bright BlueBright Blue responds to the Government's Bright Blue responds to the Government’s announcement that mayors will now be able to grant upfront... 041 0
Reposted by Bright BlueBright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Bright Blue was at Reform UK Party Conference today arguing we need to lower electricity prices and reduce carbon emissions Speakers: Poppy Coburn, The Telegraph Gawain Towler, Reform UK Duncan Massey MSP, Reform UK Scotland Chris Norris, NRLA Duncan Carter, Calor Gas Ryan Shorthouse, Bright Blue 022 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Bright Blue was at Reform UK Party Conference today arguing we need to lower electricity prices and reduce carbon emissions Speakers: Poppy Coburn, The Telegraph Gawain Towler, Reform UK Duncan Massey MSP, Reform UK Scotland Chris Norris, NRLA Duncan Carter, Calor Gas Ryan Shorthouse, Bright Blue 022 0
Reposted by Bright BlueFairness Foundation @fairness.bsky.social · 24/07/2026💵In a new article for @brightblueuk.bsky.social, Will Snell sets out why taxing work less than wealth would help support free markets, expand individual freedom and reward genuine graft and enterprise. 🔗 centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/the-right-sh... 15423 0
Reposted by Bright BlueMichael Kenny @michaelkenny.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Some thoughts from @ojgarling.bsky.social and me on the pitfalls and possibilities of Andy Burnham's English devolution agenda, courtesy of @brightblueuk.bsky.social centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/what-burnham...centrewrite.brightblue.org.ukWhat Burnham should do on devolutionThere is clearly a risk this turns out to be a two-tier model which favours some of the existing top-tier authorities with stronger local economies. 165 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Last month, @brightblueuk.bsky.social released our latest report. It proposes major changes to our social security system and tax system to ensure a fairer deal for everyone - the self-employed, employees and taxpayers. Read it here: www.brightblue.org.uk/working-it-o...brightblue.org.ukBright Blue: Self-employed should get the same safety net as employees, and pay the same tax to pay for it - Bright BlueBright Blue, the independent think tank for defending and improving liberal society, has today published a new report, Working it out: A new... 021 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 04/09/2026I was on TalkTV discussing why it’s wrong that an expanding state is being paid for by a narrower group of taxpayers 🔹 We should phase out NI & raise Income Tax instead 🔹 A reasonable level of Inheritance Tax is good 🔹 Stamp Duty is not a big barrier to downsizing www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...youtube.com“The State Is EXPANDING!” | Andy Burnham Urged to Tax Wealthy PensionersYouTube video by TalkTV 031 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 04/09/2026My recent letter to The Telegraph. 031 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Read our Executive Chair @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social on @centrewrite.bsky.social "It's time for honesty." centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/its-time-for... 021 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Thank you to The Times for making me the lead letter in the newspaper last week I hope this can help to open up a conversation we desperately need about reforming our pension system www.thetimes.com/comment/lett... 021 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 30/06/2026👏 The current Home Secretary is taking a principled and creative approach to asylum policy reform through her new Immigration and Asylum Bill. 💡 The Immigration and Asylum Bill includes two Bright Blue policy wins. 011 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 05/06/2026🏘️Read an extract from @johnrmyers.bsky.social 's ( @yimbyalliance.org) essay in @capx.co :https://capx.co/to-solve-the-housing-crisis-we-need-to-build-better 🏘️ Link to the whole book👉https://www.brightblue.org.uk/portfolio/liberalism-liberated/ 000 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 05/06/2026‼️Our latest essay collection on the future of British Liberalism‼️ ✍️18 essays in total from emerging and established liberals across party lines✒️ 👇Link 👇 www.brightblue.org.uk/portfolio/li...brightblue.org.ukLiberalism liberated: Revitalising a traditional and richer liberalism for a better Britain - Bright BlueBright Blue is an independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism. 100 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 04/06/2026📣 Next week, Bright Blue is hosting a keynote speech by the Minister for Early Education, Olivia Bailey MP, on "Sure Start reimagined." Full details and RSVP here: www.brightblue.org.uk/keynote-spee... @brightblueuk.bsky.social @departmentforedu.bsky.social @labouruk.bsky.social 021 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Read @brightblueuk.bsky.social's full response to the King's Speech 2026 💡 Includes 6 policy wins www.brightblue.org.uk/kings-speech... 041 0
Reposted by Bright BlueFDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 27/04/2026Speaking at the @brightblueuk.bsky.social and @thefabians.bsky.social #TechSummit, FDA Assistant General Secretary Lauren Crowley tells attendees that the stand out finding from our recent research is how willing the civil service is to use AI. 111 0
Reposted by Bright BlueLucy Rigby MP @lucyrigby.bsky.social · 27/04/2026There’s no route to a more prosperous 🇬🇧, to improved public services & to national renewal that doesn’t involve harnessing the power of technology. And the values that shape that mission matter deeply. A pleasure to speak at the @thefabians.bsky.social @brightblueuk.bsky.social Tech Summit today! 095 0
Reposted by Bright BlueAnneliese Dodds MP @anneliesedoddsmp.bsky.social · 28/04/2026It was a pleasure to speak at the @thefabians.bsky.social and @brightblueuk.bsky.social Tech Summit yesterday, on the risks and opportunities that Big Tech poses for democracy. Now more than ever, we need a progressive approach to tech. 042 0
Reposted by Bright Bluecentrewrite.bsky.social @centrewrite.bsky.social · 05/05/2026🚨NEW EXCHANGE🚨 Would scrapping leasehold be a mistake? Samuel Hughes of @worksinprogress.bsky.social y.social : YES @williamprescott.bsky.social of @brightblueuk.bsky.social : NO 👇Link👇 centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/samuel-hughe...centrewrite.brightblue.org.ukSamuel Hughes and William Prescott: Would scrapping leasehold be a mistake?The Law Commission correctly argued that thresholds need to be reduced and that this would make commonhold into a viable tenure. 012 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Last month @brightblueuk.bsky.social & @thefabians.bsky.social hosted our Tech Summit with 300+ attendees in the heart of King's Cross. Thanks to our keynote speakers: Lucy Rigby KC MP, Economic Secretary to HM Treasury, and Dr Ben Spencer, Shadow Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology. 011 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Delighted to host Madeleine Sumption, Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee & Director of The @migobs.bsky.social at the @ox.ac.uk, for this month’s @brightblueuk.bsky.social Ludgate Lecture We discussed ‘Can governments do immigration policy better?’ Watch: www.youtube.com/live/LVh5jmQ... 011 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 23/04/2026🚨NEW ASSOCIATE FELLOW🚨 📷We are excited to announce that the political editor of The Critic, Henry Hill, has joined Bright Blue as an Associate Fellow📷 000 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 24/03/2026🍃💡Our Associate Fellow, Tim Gregory, is in @thespectator1828.bsky.social today, covering the hidden costs of wind power: spectator.com/article/wind...spectator.comWind power’s dirty secret25 years ago, we drew almost all our power from weather-independent sources such as nuclear, coal, and gas. 000 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 13/03/2026Excited for @brightblueuk.bsky.social & @thefabians.bsky.social's major tech summit In addition to keynote speeches, there will be 5 panels: 🔹 Scaling up tech 🔹 Regulating tech 🔹 Tech and public services 🔹 Tech and the future of work 🔹 Democracy and tech RSVP: fabians.org.uk/event/tech-s... 011 0
Reposted by Bright Bluecentrewrite.bsky.social @centrewrite.bsky.social · 09/03/2026📱"In other words, [AI] allows misogyny and abuse to be industrialised"📱 @brightblueuk.bsky.social 's Associate Fellow, Isabella Wallersteiner, argues that the government can and must do more to protect women online in the age of AI. Article link👉 centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/for-internat...centrewrite.brightblue.org.ukFor International Women’s Day let’s tackle deepfakesI became the victim of AI-enabled harassment generated using Grok. 011 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Comment from Richard Fuller, Shadow Chief Secretary to HM Treasury 👇 000 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Read the report in full (including our 8 policy recommendations) here 👇 brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...brightblue.org.uk 100 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Alternatively the government could move policy costs off electricity bills and onto gas bills. 🏭Policy costs make up 18% of electricity bills and 8% for gas bills. 💷 🌲Shifting these costs entirely onto gas would make electricity cheaper while also helping the government’s environmental targets🌳 100 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 05/03/2026🔋We found that one progressive way to address some of the non-commodity energy costs would be to go further in transferring the policy costs from energy bills onto general taxation.🪫 This would further distribute the financial burden more evenly across income groups. 100 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Households in the two lowest income quintiles are considerably less likely to hold a mortgage, with only 11% having one in England as of 2024. Conversely, they are far more likely to rent, with 31% being social renters and 21% being private renters. 100 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 05/03/2026💷In this report, we focused on reducing costs rather than boosting incomes.💷 This is because: 1) We believe that the centre-right must be more interested in supply-side reform. 2) Whilst incomes stagnated across the board, costs for low-to-middle income households have uniquely risen. 100 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 05/03/2026‼️Our latest report on living standards covers by @cityam.bsky.social ‼️ Link👉 www.cityam.com/reeves-is-ou...cityam.comReeves is outrageously complacent on economic growthThe dust has settled on the Chancellor's pointless Spring Statement and it looks even worse in the rear-view mirror than it did in real time. 100 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Spring Statement forecast only modest improvements in living standards We argue that instead of just focussing on boosting incomes, we also need to cut essential costs to boost the living standards of low-to-middle income households Covered in @cityam.bsky.social www.cityam.com/reeves-is-ou...cityam.comReeves is outrageously complacent on economic growthThe dust has settled on the Chancellor's pointless Spring Statement and it looks even worse in the rear-view mirror than it did in real time. 021 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 05/03/2026📣 OUT TODAY @brightblueuk.bsky.social launches a new report on how to boost living standards This report offers: 🔷 2 distinctive centre-right principles to guide policymaking: abundance and certainty 🔷 8 new policies to reduce the costs of housing and energy www.brightblue.org.uk/portfolio/hi... 131 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 03/03/2026🚨 Join @brightblueuk.bsky.social for our Members' Meet Up Sir Tristram Hunt, Director of V&A, will be discussing 'Art and the future of Britain.' 🕖 Thursday 5th March , 7pm 📍Morpeth Arms, 58 Millbank, SW1P 4RW Join us as a member to attend. Sign up here: www.brightblue.org.uk/support/#Mem... 011 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 27/02/2026My letter to @thetimes.com today on how to reform the student loans system www.thetimes.com/comment/lett... 031 0
Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 23/02/2026📺Bright Blue's, Executive Chair, @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social on @cnbc.com covering the Gorton and Denton by-election📰 031 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 23/02/2026🍺 TONIGHT @brightblueuk.bsky.social hosts our Drink Tank with @labouruk.bsky.social MP Peter Swallow, Chair of the APPG on Social Mobility 🕖 7 PM - 8:30 PM 📍Morpeth Arms, 58 Millbank, London SW1P 4RW Sign up here: www.brightblue.org.uk/drink-tank-w... 011 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 11/02/2026📺 Watch @brightblueuk.bsky.social latest Ludgate Lecture with Professor Eric Kaufmann from the University of Buckingham “What comes after Woke?” More here: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de... 422 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 23/02/2026Great to be on @cnbc.com this morning talking about the upcoming, unpredictable Gorton and Denton by-election 021 0
Reposted by Bright BlueAndrew Copson @andrewcopson.bsky.social · 05/02/2026I recently sat down (virtually) w/ Dan Hitchens for a long-form debate on the ethics of assisted dying f/ @brightblueuk.bsky.social. While we have diff perspectives, I found the exchange to be a great example of how we can disagree agreeably. You can probably guess which side of the debate I was on!centrewrite.brightblue.org.ukAndrew Copson and Dan Hitchens: Would legalised assisted dying devalue the lives of the sick, the old and the suffering?I don’t deny that there will always be at least some people who want an assisted death to relieve their suffering. Andrew presumably doesn’t dispute — and hasn’t in this exchange — that a law like… 072 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 26/01/2026Two @brightblueuk.bsky.social policy wins announced by DEFRA: 🔹 Introducing mandatory labelling on new wood-burning stoves 🔹Tightening emissions standards on new wood-burning stoves Read more here: www.brightblue.org.uk/stoves-win-2...brightblue.org.ukGovernment adopts Bright Blue recommendations on wood-burning stoves - Bright BlueBright Blue responds to the Government's Leeds Reforms, including a review of lending rules to potentially allow a prospective buyer to get a... 011 0
Reposted by Bright BlueTim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 12/12/2025One of our @qmulsse.bsky.social students writing for @brightblueuk.bsky.social 👏centrewrite.brightblue.org.ukLowering the voting age won’t fix political apathyJust 18% of this newly enfranchised group would actually vote if there was an election tomorrow 2104 0
Reposted by Bright BlueRyan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 22/12/2025📢 TODAY @brightblueuk.bsky.social publishes a major new report on reducing victims and abuses of modern slavery in the UK asylum system, proposing 8 new policies. 📘 Read it here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u... 🗞️ Read about it in The Guardian: theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 144 0