Britain Beyond Brexit: A Collection of Essays Edited by George Freeman MP
In conjunction with the Centre for Policy Studies and the 2020 Group, George Freeman MP has brought together an all-star cast of Conservatives to set out a bold new vision beyond Brexit. Taking on the narrative of the hard left, this book explores how a New Conservatism can tackle the grand challenges of our time and win back the next generation of voters.
This series of essays – curated and edited by George Freeman, and launched in Parliament on Monday the 10th June (click here to accredit for this event) – includes declared leadership contenders Matt Hancock MP (Health Secretary), Sajid Javid MP (Home Secretary) and Dominic Raab MP (former Brexit Secretary). Each of them sets out key elements of their vision for our country’s future.
One of the great strengths of the modern conservative movement is its intellectual and ideological diversity. Through almost 40 different essays, this collection highlights that diversity – Leave and Remain, North and South, left and right, urban and rural. This is the first coherent expression of a New Conservativism.
The book is organised around six key themes, which form the backbone of the New Conservatism:
- “Identity, Place and Belonging” discusses the importance of people’s natural loyalty to place and how it can be better harnessed.
- “Opportunity Society” looks at how to reform schools, skills, welfare and public services to put opportunity at the heart of our society.
- “Innovation Economy” sets out a bold package of ideas for unleashing a renaissance of innovation and enterprise, showing how it is fundamental to social mobility.
- “Responsibility and Social Justice” outlines a model of social justice which always provides a safety net for those in need but helps avoid debilitating state dependency.
- “Security and Insecurity” explores new asymmetric military threats and reforms to aid and trade.
- Finally, “Culture, Community and Citizenship” argues that real security is about more than just a society’s wealth or military power. It also rests on the resilience of its shared values and the institutions that protect them.
Contributors to this book include:
- Matt Hancock MP – “A Healthier, Wealthier Nation”
- Dominic Raab MP – “The UK after Brexit: A Bright Future”
- Sajid Javid MP – “A Defining Decade for Our Party and County”
- Penny Mordaunt MP – “Global Britain: the GREAT Partnership”
- Ruth Davidson MSP – “Foreword”
- George Freeman MP – “A New Conservatism for a New Generation”
George Freeman MP, founder of the 2020 Conservatives Group, said:
“We are living through one of those volcanic change moments in politics: a 1975 or 1945 moment. The status quo is crumbling. The question is: who will shape the future?
“Unless a New Generation of Conservatives rise to the challenge we will let Corbyn in via the Brexit back door.
“We need a New Conservatism for a New Generation. That’s why I founded the 2020 Conservatives Group and curated this book, which I’m delighted we are publishing with the CPS – who were so instrumental in the last big rethink of Conservatism.
“William Beveridge published his landmark report in the darkest days of the second world war. 1980s Enterprise Conservatism was conceived in the dark days of the 1970s crisis. In the middle of this existential Brexit crisis, we offer this book inspired by those giant footsteps: big ideas and a bold vision for a new generation.
“Most of all, Britain Beyond Brexit is a wake-up call. If we’re going to answer the generational challenge, we’ve got to be brave enough to think beyond Brexit.”
Robert Colvile, Director of the Centre for Policy Studies, said:
“Since I became the CPS’s Director, we have worked with a host of MPs – many of them contributors to this book – to bring their ideas to a wider audience.
“We are therefore honoured and delighted to be acting as a publisher for this major collection of essays, put together by George Freeman and the 2020 Conservatives Group.
“There are essays here that echo proposals put forward by the CPS – and essays that challenge them. But all reflect that passion for new thinking. Collectively, they will undoubtedly make a major contribution to the vital debate about Britain’s post-Brexit future.”
Rt Hon Ruth Davidson MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party, said:
“Britain is stuck. The Brexit impasse has paralysed Parliament and Government. The public is watching on with dismay at the impact this is having on the country’s reputation.
“Our task is clear: we must show the next generation how they can have greater opportunities than the last, and then make it happen. The ideas in this book are ready to be implemented now. Not tomorrow or the week after, but today.
“This book contains a treasure trove of ideas for political renewal.”
ENDS
For further information, or to book Centre for Policy Studies spokesmen, please contact the Centre for Policy Studies Press Office on 07876161196 or email [email protected].
Notes to Editors
- The Centre for Policy Studies is one of Britain’s leading think tanks, and the home of a new generation of conservative thinking. Its mission is to widen enterprise, ownership and prosperity.
- ‘Britain Beyond Brexit’ was edited by George Freeman Member of Parliament for Mid Norfolk, and published by the Centre for Policy Studies in association with the 2020 Conservatives.
- Contributors to the book are: Robert Colvile; Ruth Davidson MSP; George Freeman MP; Sajid Javid MP; John Lamont MP; Luke Graham MP; Flick Drummond; Antoinette Sandbach MP; John Stevenson MP; Jack Brereton MP; Helen Whately MP; Damian Green MP; Tim Loughton MP; Will Quince MP; Nicky Morgan MP; Matt Hancock MP; Alan Mak MP; Scott Man MP; Kwasi Kwarteng MP; Dominic Raab MP; Robert Halfon MP; John Penrose MP; Suella Braverman MP; Rebecca Pow MP; Robert Courts MP; Guy Opperman MP; Penny Mourdaunt MP; Tom Tugendhat MP; Andrew Mitchell MP; Bob Seely MP; Mark Garnier MP; Richard Benyon MP; Damian Collins MP; Chloe Smith MP; Ed Vaizey MP; Dame Caroline Spelman MP; Jesse Norman MP; Rachel Mclean MP
- Britain Beyond Brexit was launched on 10th June 2019 between 1330 and 1430 at a central London location by George Freeman MP.
Date Added: Monday 10th June 2019
