Upcoming Events
Drink Tank
Bright ideas and original thinking about policy making will be central to the just society this progressive Government is trying to build. Whether you are familiar with politics and the policy-making environment or want to get more engaged, join Bright Blue and friends for our first of many Drink Tank events. A chance to meet, network, chat, share a beer and ideas about progressive policy and the future of politics with likeminded people.
Date:
Thursday 12th August 2010, 18:30
Venue:
Bricklayers Arms, 31 Gresse Street, London, W1T 1QS
RSVP:
No need to RSVP. Just show up!
Past Events
An Event on Electoral Reform
With Edward McMillan-Scott MEP, Douglas Carswell MP, Keith Best and Ryan Shorthouse.
The European Parliament Office will host Bright Blue for drinks and speeches in the garden on the subject of electoral reform.
Edward McMillan-Scott MEP, Vice President of the European Union.
Douglas Carswell MP, co-author of The Plan and founder of Direct Democracy.
Keith Best, former MP for Ynys Mon and chairman of Conservative Action for Electoral Reform.
Ryan Shorthouse, Spokesman for Bright Blue.
Date:
Wednesday 21st July 2010, 17.00-19.30
Venue:
The garden of the European Parliament Office, 2 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1
RSVP:
Please contact James Marshall at to reserve your place now.
Who Should Pay for Higher Education?
With John O'Leary, Max Wind-Cowie, and Susan Nash.
Bright Blue present a debate on the future of Higher Education and tuition fees for students.
John O'Leary, Editor of Policy Review Magazine and Former Editor of the Times Higher Education Supplement.
Max Wind-Cowie, Head of The Progressive Conservatism Project at Demos
Susan Nash, Vice-President of the National Union of Students.
Date:
Wednesday 30th June 2010, 7pm
Venue:
Portcullis House, 1 Bridge Street, London SW1A 2JH
RSVP:
Please contact James Marshall at to reserve your place now.
Will Robin Hood save the world's poorest?
With Philip Blond, Patrick Nolan, Lord Newby and David Hillman.
Bright Blue, in association with UNICEF, brought speakers from across the political spectrum together to explore Robin Hood Tax proposal. Could this mechanism secure funding for vital international development projects and public services at a time when tax revenues and state spending are falling across the world?
Phillip Blond is the Director of the think tank Respublica, an Anglican theologian and the author of "Red Tory".
Dr Patrick Nolan is the Chief Economist of the think tank Reform.
Lord Newby is the Treasury spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats.
David Hillman is the director of "Stamp out Poverty", and representative of the Robin Hood Tax campaign.
Date:
Tuesday 4th May 2010, 6pm
Venue:
UNICEF UK, 30a Great Sutton Street, London, EC1V 0DU
The Official Launch of Bright Blue
David Willetts MP
David Willetts MP, Shadow Minister for Universities and Skills, also has special responsibility for family policy within David Cameron's Shadow Cabinet. A former Paymaster General, Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Skills, as well as Work & Pensions and Trade & Industry, he is one of the most respected Conservative thinkers of recent times. David's most recent, and much acclaimed book "The Pinch" (published in February 2010) caused him to be labelled by the Guardian "a one-man thinktank right under David Cameron's nose".
We are grateful to David, who officially launched Bright Blue, and our magazine "The Progressive Conscience", with a well received speech to the room.
Date:
Wednesday 17th March 2010, 7pm
Venue:
14 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden
"What are we educating for?"
A discussion with Dr Anthony Seldon and Toby Young.
All are welcome as we explore the key questions:
What are schools for? What is learning for? And what are we educating for?
Speakers:
Dr Anthony Seldon
Master of Wellington College, Dr Anthony Seldon is a renowned academic and commentator, both on British education and contemporary British politics.
Toby Young
Toby Young is a high profile author, journalist, blogger and commentator, with a particular interest in education and in setting up his own school in West London.
Date:
Monday 15th February 2010, 7pm
Venue:
The British Library Conference Centre.
Does inequality matter?
Venue:
Thatcher Room, Portcullis House, Westminster. January 12th 2010
Speakers Rt Hon Theresa May MP and Polly Toynbee addressed a full house at our first event, "Does inequality matter?"