Centre for Policy Studies at Conservative Party Conference 2025

The Iron Lady revolutionised Britain, reshaped the Conservative Party in her image – and even co-founded the CPS. As we mark the 100th anniversary of her birth, join our expert panel to discuss her legacy, debate what she would think of politics today, and ask what role Thatcherism can and should play in 2025.

The public view the NHS with near-religious reverence, but with record money being spent on a service which increasingly does not deliver, the case for change has never been clearer. Yet the Conservatives have struggled to articulate a consistent, reforming vision for the health service. Join our panel to discuss how can the Right can regain credibility on health, and what ideas are needed to make the system work for the public and the taxpayer.

The transition to a low-carbon economy represents a great opportunity for the UK to leverage the growth potential of green technologies and our world-leading advanced manufacturing, research and development – seizing competitive advantages and improving our global export potential. With energy security and economic resilience at the top of the agenda, how can the Conservatives best champion market-led innovation and investment-driven progress, keeping Labour accountable in opposition?

With the next Budget just weeks away, what options does Rachel Reeves have to steer the economy back towards growth? Join our expert panel to discuss what the Chancellor might do next, what the Conservatives' alternative is, and whether our fiscal rules are doing more harm than good.

Retail and hospitality are the cornerstone of British high streets. But in recent years they have been hit hard by recruitment challenges, tax increases and record energy costs. Across the country, communities rely on their high streets – so how can policymakers support businesses to invest in town centres?

Britain's prosperity depends on work – yet the number of working-age adults out of work, temporarily or long-term, is rising. At the same time, measures like the Employment Rights Bill and the Employer NICs hike are making it harder for businesses to create the jobs needed to get Britain working again. How can the Conservatives ensure businesses are free to hire the workers they need and encourage more Brits back into work?

With the economy topping voters' concerns, it's clear that SMEs are the backbone of Britain's economy - driving local growth, innovation, and jobs. 5.4 million of the UK's 5.5 million private businesses employ fewer than 50 people. Which policies should the Conservatives prioritise to champion owners, entrepreneurs, and employees - rebuilding trust, removing barriers, and making the UK the best place to start, scale, and succeed in business?

Failure to control immigration was a major factor in the Conservatives election defeat. Westminster has finally caught up with public opinion on the need to get numbers down - but how should the Tories pledge to deliver that? What credible policies can help restore public trust, get a grip on illegal migration, ensure overall numbers come down, and guarantee Britain actually attracts the best and brightest?

Up and down the country, public services are either failing or not delivering for the public. The private sector is also hamstrung, failing in recent years to deliver increasing living standards. What are the fundamental problems holding Britain back – and what should the Conservatives do to fix them?

Labour's pro-housing rhetoric formed a huge part of its election platform, and it has followed up with housebuilding reforms and even promises to build on the grey belt. The Conservatives, however, are struggling to reconcile their NIMBY base to the need for building. Are the Tories still the party of building houses? What should a pro-housing Conservative policy look like?

Our energy sector is in a depressing state. Britain has some of the highest power prices in the developed world, with ruinous consequences for industry and households. The Government's sprint to decarbonise the grid by 2030 is keeping costs high and imperilling the wider decarbonisation of our economy. What can Conservatives do to push forward a vision for energy which promotes markets and competition and, crucially, brings down bills?

The Government has made economic growth its overwhelming priority. But one of the biggest barriers to growth is the UK tax system, which contains too many arbitrary and nonsensical rules in its over 20,000 pages. Join our expert panel to discuss which reforms attract the broadest support across the political spectrum, and how they could be implemented.

Britain is caught in a welfare trap – but few policymakers seem to have a grasp of how bad our problems really are. The public seem to be even less willing to stomach the real reforms we need. Join our panel to debate how to get welfare spending down, more people into work, and stop kicking the can down the road.