ThinkLabour

As Andy Burnham prepares for power, @ThinkLabour's @ChristabelCoops joins the herd to look at Labour's electoral challenges and what he should do differently to ensure the party wins a second term. Out everywhere now. With @Ed_Owen @MarkDavies67 @BenLucas_.

Keir Starmer's complaint that he kept "pulling levers" only to find nothing happened reveals a deeper truth about political leadership. The best politicians don't rely on formal power. They build leverage, broker coalitions, and find ways to get things done anyway. That's the argument in our latest Substack by Greg Power. Read it here: thinklabour.substack.com/p/looking-for-…

My article sets out FGF's seven principles about transforming the state to renew the nation, one of which is on #leadership Read a really interesting @ThinkLabour article by Sue Rubenstein with her #leadership advice for the next Prime Minister ⬇️ thinklabour.substack.com/p/leadership

What if we thought about political leadership the way every other sector does? This is a fascinating piece from someone who has spent a career developing leaders outside politics. Rather than asking whether Andy Burnham has the "right personality", it asks a better question: how do great leaders grow, adapt and build resilient organisations? Our new substack offers a refreshing perspective on leadership, culture, crisis and authenticity that Westminster rarely hears. thinklabour.substack.com/p/leadership

Democratised, Devolved and Digitised. In a new report today, I have written about how the 3 Ds can be an approach for improving our public services as the government looks for a new direction. 1/5

We're pleased to see today's Guardian coverage of our new report on the next phase of English devolution. The report makes the case for a bold shift in power - giving mayors greater responsibility over skills, childcare, social care, public health and other key services, with decisions made closer to the communities they serve. England's highly centralised model isn't delivering the outcomes people deserve. It's time to trust local leaders with the powers needed to drive growth, improve services and reduce regional inequality. theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

Democratic Public Services, a new report by @JP_Spencer_, our Director of Devolution Policy argues it's time for a new approach to public services. Instead of the 1980s model of Markets, Managers and Measurement, the report sets out a framework for the 2030s: - Democratised - Devolved - Digitised From the NHS to education and policing, the report explores how democratic accountability, local leadership and new technology can work together to deliver better public services. thinklabour.co.uk/thinking/democ…

The paper, Progressive Dynamism, can be found here! thinklabour.co.uk/thinking/progr…

Our first ThinkLab took place last night, kicking off a new monthly series tackling the biggest questions facing the Labour government. We started with Labour's political economy, using James Howat's Progressive Dynamism paper as the jumping-off point. A brilliant discussion with @stephenkb , @1jamesHowat, @ChristabelCoops, @kittyussher and @StewartWood on how to get the economy working again. Looking forward to the next ThinkLab.

Like @ThinkLabour, the @SMFthinktank argue we can't continue to fund adult social care through council tax. The costs are busting council budgets. We agree you have to fund adult social care in a different, fairer way. There are good signs Andy Burnham might be bold on this too.

A new national insurance for Britain. The two feelings shaping Britain today are unfairness and insecurity. Millions worry about their future in an AI-driven economy. Families fear catastrophic care costs. Too many people feel the system is no longer there for them when they need it most. Our new report argues for a new social contract: a welfare state built on contribution, security and shared stake. One that supports those most in need while giving everyone confidence that the state will be there when times get tough. If we want to rebuild faith in public services, strengthen communities and create a fairer future, we need a system that works for everyone. Read the report here - thinklabour.co.uk/thinking/pay-i…

This builds upon our recent report, Who is Labour For? Which examines what electoral coalition is needed for Labour to win at the next election. Read the full report here cms.thinklabour.co.uk/assets/a2decbe…

What is the real lesson of Makerfield? Our Director of Research, Christabel Cooper, appeared on Times radio yesterday to discuss the importance of consolidating the progressive block under the Labour banner.

A statement from ThinkLabour on the Prime Minister's resignation.

A remarkable Labour win last night. The real lesson of Makerfield? The immediate temptation may be to see Makerfield as evidence that Labour can win back voters from Reform by signalling a move rightwards. But in our latest substack, our Director of Research, Christabel Cooper explains why rebuilding a larger progressive coalition and persuading more transactional voters that Labour can stand up for them and deliver in office is the path to beating Reform. thinklabour.substack.com/p/the-real-les…

Subscribe to our substack for plenty more exclusive ThinkLabour polling!

Only 14% of the public believe Keir Starmer was born into a working-class family. In fact, our latest research suggests that voters often assume politicians come from more privileged backgrounds than they really do. For politicians seeking to use their origins as proof of their connection to ordinary voters, the challenge is not just telling that story - it's persuading people to believe it. Read our Director of Research, Christabel Cooper's, analysis in our latest substack: thinklabour.substack.com/p/too-posh-to-…

Read this Labour List piece from our new Chair, Lord Nick Forbes. Where he sets out ThinkLabour's new role in the the current political environment. He highlights the trade-offs behind delivery and says Britain’s challenges require serious thinking, not slogans. Read more here: labourlist.org/2026/06/no-geo…

What a fantastic evening at the ThinkLabour launch party! Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the start of this new chapter. It was great to see so many friends, colleagues and new faces in the room. Special thanks to @AlistairCarns and @LucyMPowell for their thoughtful contributions and support. Excited for what comes next at ThinkLabour.

Well worth reading from @1jamesHowat and a good sign that we’re entering a real marketplace of ideas if this is what we can come to expect from @ThinkLabour 👇