Working togetherto rebuild the centre ground
We are the UK’s centrist, cross-party think tank, developing bold, practical policy to build better public services and a stronger economy.
Values
We are an independent, cross-party organisation committed to rebuilding the centre ground. Inspired by the successful models of the Nordic countries, we aim to strengthen public services and build a robust economy. To achieve this mission, we create conversations, produce new ideas, and influence policy.
Centrism
Centrism means looking for the best policies from across the political spectrum while rejecting extreme ideologies. We believe policy should be driven by evidence and grounded in what works in practice. That is why we work with people and politicians from across party lines from all parts of the UK.
Working together
We believe that the only way to create change that works for everyone is to work together and build consensus. That is why we work with people and politicians from across party lines from all parts of the UK.
The Nordic model
We look to our Nordic neighbours, where high levels of happiness, trusted democracy, and equality go hand in hand with low corruption. These countries have also built strong, sustainable economies and high-quality public services, lessons we believe the UK can learn from.
Raising your pay
We support a stronger voice for workers at work to increase pay through collective negotiations and workers on company boards. We also support businesses to create more jobs by cutting unnecessary regulation and simplifying taxes.
Lowering your energy bill
We support investing in renewable energy to end our reliance on unstable oil and gas imports. That makes your energy bill cheaper and more predictable.
Giving you a home
We support building millions of new homes by simplifying planning and setting binding targets for local councils. That brings down the cost of buying and renting.
Making your streets safer
We support more Community Policing Teams and Community Support Officers with arrest powers. Better rehabilitation cuts reoffending and means fewer victims.
Making your shop cheaper
We support new free trade deals around the world and joining the European Free Trade Association. Lower tariffs mean cheaper goods from abroad and more choice for you on the shelves.
Giving you a real say
We support a permanent citizens’ assembly to give you a direct say on decisions affecting your street, town and country. We also support stronger transparency and accountability, so those in power answer to you.
Lowering your rent
We support building more homes to bring down the cost of renting. We also support giving tenants a real say over rent and repairs, keeping rents fair.
Cutting your water bill
We support making water companies not-for-profit, reinvesting all surplus in services. We also support automatic penalties and real-time sewage reporting to hold them to account.
Agree with our ideas? Join us to make them happen
Building a stronger country for you
Our vision is for a fairer, greener country, with a resilient economy and well-funded public services that support people when they need it most. We want to create opportunities for everyone, supported by a government that protects the most vulnerable.
Former Labour Party LeaderFormer Leader of the Opposition Neil Kinnock
Lord Kinnock
"Centre Think Tank prizes and encourages discernment, the oxygen of democracy. That does not get in the way of principles, but it does foster analysis and practicality. More, please!"
Former First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones
Lord Jones
“At a time when the need for fairness, justice, and opportunity across the world has never been greater, it is hugely important to have organisations that can generate solutions to help resolve the crises that the world is facing. Centre Think Tank provides an opportunity to pool ideas that can gain the greatest possible support as we face these challenges together.”
Former Minister
Tracey Crouch
"I am grateful to [Centre Think Tank] and to everyone banging the drum for centre politics. I think the ground is very fertile and we do better when we come together on these issues and forge consensus."
Co-founder of SCM DirectFormer True and Fair Party Leader
Gina Miller
"Our paper with Centre Think Tank was pragmatic. What we talked about was strengthening some of the protections against loopholes, including transparency for offshore trusts, and tackling the non-dom status by creating a tiered system where people can pay in at different levels depending on how long they have been in the UK. This is much more pragmatic than a one-size-fits-all or a black-and-white solution. The actual conclusions of our report were astonishing.""Our paper with Centre Think Tank was pragmatic. The actual conclusions of our report were astonishing."
London Borough Councillor
Cllr Asma Islam
"I joined as a supporter because Centre Think Tank reflects my core values. They support a strong welfare state and support for small businesses, both of which I agree with. Centre has also put forward a plan to build a better Britain by learning lessons from the Nordic countries. They are countries which show equality leads to opportunities and that economic growth can go hand in hand with supporting those who need it."
Former Secretary of State David Owen
Lord Owen
“Centre Think Tank is looking for new ideas and trying to evolve new thinking. Good luck to you; we need it. Think hard, and learn lessons quicker than we are learning them. Rally the younger people and give them the confidence to have new ideas and new thinking.”
Former Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)Former Party LeaderFormer Member of Parliament Dick Taverne
Lord Taverne
"I think that Centre Think Tank is where a lot of us should be. After all, Social Democrats and Liberals meet in the Centre, but we also welcome those from other parties. I think it is a very good idea to have a centrist think tank."
Former Member of Parliament
Stephen Lloyd
"As a social liberal and economically right-of-centre, the most appropriate description of my political positioning would be centrist. Centre Think Tank encapsulates these ideological positions as well as challenging me on others. Exactly what I want from a policy research group."
Former Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
Michael Ignatieff
“What you have to have in centrist politics is a politics of reality, one that starts from 'here is what the problem is and here is our best guess on how to fix it based on evidence'. Think tanks are essential to sustaining reality-based politics in a media environment where politics is all performative and empty of substance. You have your hands full, big time [at Centre Think Tank].”
Latest
It is no secret that complaint systems within political parties are broken and fail those who report an issue. I have spent much of my six years as a think tank Director looking into the mishandled party complaints and what can be done to fix our system.
Iceland has not only rejected talks with the EU on membership, but it has also created a pathway for the UK.
Our video on why cannabis should be legalised and how we can learn from the Portuguese drug law reforms.
Latest
It is no secret that complaint systems within political parties are broken and fail those who report an issue. I have spent much of my six years as a think tank Director looking into the mishandled party complaints and what can be done to fix our system.
Iceland has not only rejected talks with the EU on membership, but it has also created a pathway for the UK.
Join us
We are the home of centrist thinking, and as a member, you help shape our policy work and ideas. Join members across the UK who power our mission to rebuild the centre ground.
Membership is just £2 a month and helps support our work. In line with our commitment to transparency, all donations are publicly listed on our website. This includes your name and donation amount. You can object at any time using the email address in our privacy policy.