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Ryan Shorthouse

@ryanshorthouse.bsky.social
612 followers 124 following 48 posts

Founder & Chair, Bright Blue | Deputy Chair, Transforming Access and Student Outcomes (TASO) | Commissioner, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) | NED, Office of the Small Business Commissioner | Visiting Fellow, University of Bath

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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.com
Ludgate Lecture with David Starkey
YouTube video by Bright Blue
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A 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.
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Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Our 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
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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.uk
Government adopts Bright Blue recommendation to give mayors the power to introduce upzoning policies - Bright Blue
Bright Blue responds to the Government's Bright Blue responds to the Government’s announcement that mayors will now be able to grant upfront...
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Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Bright 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
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
My recent letter to The Telegraph.
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I 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 Pensioners
YouTube video by TalkTV
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Last 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.uk
Bright Blue: Self-employed should get the same safety net as employees, and pay the same tax to pay for it - Bright Blue
Bright Blue, the independent think tank for defending and improving liberal society, has today published a new report, Working it out: A new...
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Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Read our Executive Chair @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social on @centrewrite.bsky.social "It's time for honesty." centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/its-time-for...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Thank 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...
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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Just seen some advice to Burnham from Thatcher (h/t @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social): "Never be bewitched by public opinion polls. They change very quickly. Set out your political principles, explain what you believe and why, the policies which flow from them, and how you're going to implement them."
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Ryan 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.
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Ryan 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
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Read @brightblueuk.bsky.social's full response to the King's Speech 2026 💡 Includes 6 policy wins www.brightblue.org.uk/kings-speech...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Delighted 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...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Last 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.
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Excited 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...
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Ryan 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...
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Ryan 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...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
My letter to @thetimes.com today on how to reform the student loans system www.thetimes.com/comment/lett...
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Reposted by Ryan Shorthouse
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📰
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Ryan 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...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Great to be on @cnbc.com this morning talking about the upcoming, unpredictable Gorton and Denton by-election
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Ryan 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...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Two @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.uk
Government adopts Bright Blue recommendations on wood-burning stoves - Bright Blue
Bright Blue responds to the Government's Leeds Reforms, including a review of lending rules to potentially allow a prospective buyer to get a...
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Ryan 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...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Bright Blue is hiring for a Communications Manager. Deadline: 1st December 2025 Position can be full-time or part-time. Full details: www.brightblue.org.uk/who-are-brig... @brightblueuk.bsky.social
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
My letter in The Spectator today @thespectator1828.bsky.social www.spectator.co.uk/article/lett...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
My letter in @thetimes.com today www.thetimes.com/comment/lett...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Delighted I & @brightblueuk.bsky.social have co-authored this new paper on tax reform Impressive to have such cross-party consensus from think tanks. Well done to @centaxuk.bsky.social for co-ordinating.
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
My article for The Critic ⚪️ Some spurious arguments for abolishing Stamp Duty, especially that it is preventing downsizing ⚪️ There are better tax property regimes - such as an annual proportional property tax - but politically and technically challenging to deliver thecritic.co.uk/abolishing-s...
thecritic.co.uk
Abolishing Stamp Duty is no silver bullet | Ryan Shorthouse | The Critic Magazine
Though there may be some positive spillover effects from the tax cuts the Conservative Opposition are now promising, all of them, especially abolishing Stamp Duty…
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
My latest article on the situation in Israel and Gaza for The Circus, the bulletin of @brightblueuk.bsky.social ✔️ Also, 6 recent policy wins with the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Government 📚 Read The Circus here: mailchi.mp/44eff4615b57...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Reflecting on the future of the centre-right. Thank you to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for hosting such energising and educational seminars in beautiful Lake Como.
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centrewrite.bsky.social @centrewrite.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Delighted to launch a new online daily magazine: @centrewrite.bsky.social Find thoughtful contributions from authors every day, starting with Mel Stride's interview, here: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/interview-wi... Subscribe to weekly roundups on our homepage: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
Interview with Mel Stride – Centre Write | Bright Blue
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centrewrite.bsky.social @centrewrite.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
✍️Today's article from Centre Write: @bijanomrani.bsky.social explains why ‘The anti-social menace will be our undoing’. Read here👇 centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/the-anti-soc... @brightblueuk.bsky.social
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
The anti-social menace will be our undoing
The train stank of weed, and several people were playing music out loud on their phones. There were too many for me to stomp up and down the carriage asking the offenders in my usual diplomatic way to...
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centrewrite.bsky.social @centrewrite.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Today, Alex Gunter writes about what @conservatives.bsky.social can learn from Moldova's Party of Action and Solidarity. Read the article on Centre Write👇 centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/moldovas-pas... @brightblueuk.bsky.social @yougov.co.uk
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
Moldova’s PAS shows Russians can be beat
For a party that once prided itself on knowing every doorstep in Britain, the Conservatives have somehow lost the knack of knocking on them. Bizarrely, it was Moldova that reminded the centre-right…
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Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
📢 Today Bright Blue launches a new essay collection in partnership with @jrf-uk.bsky.social: 'Mending the net? A new centre-right approach to social security' 📖Read the full report here: brightblue.org.uk/portfolio/me... 🧵Follow this thread for more details 👇
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Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Join us today for our online #LudgateLecture where University of Strathclyde's Professor of Practice, Sir John Curtice, discusses what polls tell us about whether Britain's two-party system can survive. 📅Thursday 30th October ⏰ 12:00-13:00 📍Watch live on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xhe...
youtube.com
Ludgate Lecture with John Curtice: How polling has changed politics
YouTube video by Bright Blue
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centrewrite.bsky.social @centrewrite.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
⚖️ @mrjcrouch.bsky.social argues that the Conservative Party would lose votes by leaving the European Convention on Human Rights. 📖Read the full article on Centre Write: centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk/leaving-the-... @brightblueuk.bsky.social @opiniumresearch.bsky.social #Tories #politics #ECHR
centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk
ECHR exit would lose Tories votes
If there’s one thing in politics worth remembering, it is not to get caught in an argument that unites your opponents and splits your friends. The announcement on the European Convention on Human…
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
🔥 LAST WEEK @brightblueuk.bsky.social launched our new online magazine @centrewrite.bsky.social Check it out & subscribe to our weekly email here centrewrite.brightblue.org.uk Centre Write will be a home for centrist, liberal & conservative readers searching for thoughtful writing & radical ideas
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
My article in @thespectator1828.bsky.social today spectator.co.uk/article/to-s... This is an extract from a new book by @brightblueuk.bsky.social out today. 📘 Read the book here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...
spectator.co.uk
Cutting Britain's giant welfare bill would be an act of kindness
The rate of poverty across the population has been pretty static over the past few decades, but child poverty has risen in recent years.
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
📢 OUT TODAY @brightblueuk.bsky.social and @jrf-uk.bsky.social release a book on a new centre-right approach to social security Includes contributions from @conservatives.bsky.social and @reformuk.bsky.social politicians and thought leaders 🗞️ Covered in @theipaper.com: inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk
Tory Reform defector Danny Kruger calls for two-child benefit cap to be scrapped
Better parental leave and 'universal credit lottery' among other suggestions in centre-right book of essays
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Bright Blue @brightblueuk.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
TODAY Join us at the @libdems.org.uk Party Conference 2025 at 11:30am 🗣️ @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social @willforster.bsky.social @carlcashman.bsky.social 📍Blandford Syndicate 3, Highcliff Marriott Hotel 🤝 @propertymark.bsky.social
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 23/09/2025
IfG at the Conservative Party Conference | What is the Conservative route to fiscal sustainability? Join us in Manchester! With: Richard Fuller MP, @tompope.bsky.social @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social @trinhtu.bsky.social @gemmatetlow.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/ifg-co...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Join @brightblueuk.bsky.social in Bournemouth at the upcoming 2025 @libdems.org.uk Party Conference We're hosting 2 public fringe events outside the secure zone Full details: www.brightblue.org.uk/upcoming-eve...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Great to be in No.10 again. We talked about @brightblueuk.bsky.social's ideas on justice & home affairs, specifically that will create: 🔴 A more selective, contributory-based skilled migration system 🔴 A drugs policy - for both legal & illegal drugs - that will reduce harms to individuals & society
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
📣 Government adopts @brightblueuk.bsky.social and @thefabians.bsky.social recommendation for a new Pensions Commission Read more here: www.brightblue.org.uk/pensions-com... 📘 Read our original report here: brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/u...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Delighted to speak today with Head of Policy at 10 Downing Street about radical @brightblueuk.bsky.social ideas to help a moderate Labour Government: 📈 Increase prosperity 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Support families 💷 Make tax system simpler & fairer 🏠 Democraticise asset ownership 🛂 Manage immigration 🌳 Green our economy
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
📢 TODAY @brightblueuk.bsky.social launch a mega-report on future of European centre-right - to beat the statist left & populist right 🔵 5 countries studies 🔵 3 key principles identified 🔵 10 new priorities proposed 📚 Read: www.brightblue.org.uk/portfolio/ri...
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Ryan Shorthouse @ryanshorthouse.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
📣 THIS WEEK @brightblueuk.bsky.social & the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung publish a mega-report on the future of European centre-right Proposes 10 new distinctive priorities - w/ supporting policies - for the centre-right to beat populist right & statist left Sign up: brightblue.org.uk/future-of-th...
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