Introducing CentreForum

CentreForum is an independent, liberal think-tank seeking to develop evidence based policy solutions to the problems facing Britain. CentreForum was launched in 2005 and is based in Westminster, London.
CentreForum’s research reflects its liberal aims and values. The chair of its management board is Paul Marshall, a number of prominent Liberal Democrat politicians are closely involved. These include Nick Clegg MP – now leader of the Party - David Laws MP, and Lord Matthew Oakeshott. However, as an organisation it is independent from the Liberal Democrat party and its board members include the Compass chair Neal Lawson as well as the Labour Party MP Natascha Engel and the Conservative MP Andrew Tyrie.
The organization exists to provide a progressive forum for innovation and debate, and particularly encourages the participation of people not involved in traditional politics. Alongside its research CentreForum runs seminars, conferences and fringe meetings. Through these events, they aim to engage policy makers, academics, the media and voters in lively and provocative debate. They also run www.freethink.org; an open forum to discuss and develop policy.

CentreForum’s values
CentreForum is not a dogmatic organisation, though it does have certain key values at its core. These are progressive, rooted in the same quest for justice that has motivated all British liberals for more than 300 years. In the social sphere, justice has never, for liberals, been about equality of outcomes, but has instead focused on equality of opportunity – the belief that everyone should enjoy an equal chance in life, regardless of background, wealth or connections.

The politics of aspiration

CentreForum’s pre-occupation with the politics of aspiration is driven by a belief that liberalism is essentially concerned with personal and societal progress. They reject the ‘sink or swim’ philosophy associated with Thatcherite conservatism, arguing that individual and collective progress can exist in harmony and that the same ‘can do’ entrepreneurial spirit that drives the economy can and should be focused on society’s most intractable social problems.

The politics of empowerment

Liberals have long been committed to decentralising power to the local level in the name of individual and community empowerment. CentreForum seeks to stress the urgency of this reform, as well as the scale of the task. To that end, they look to stimulate innovation and experimentation by and between councils and charities, voluntary organisations, businesses and community groups, and are constantly looking for innovative ways of devolving power, not just from central to local government, but from government at all levels to individuals, families and communities.

The politics of globalisation

Liberals have consistently advocated the pooling of power at the international level - when it is mutually productive for states to do so. This is part of a pluralist approach to exercising (and controlling) political power: an approach which seeks to disperse authority to the most appropriate level, with the United Nations at one end of the scale, and the individual and the family at the other. CentreForum see great promise in globalisation, and they state ‘we intend to set out a confident, forward looking agenda that champions the free movement of goods, capital, services and people. We believe that migration, trade, development and ‘green capitalism’ can all make Britain richer – financially, ecologically and culturally’.

Publications and achievements
Since its launch in 2005, CentreForum has worked hard to establish itself in the top tier of UK think tanks. It was named Runner Up in Prospect magazine’s 2007 ‘Think Tank of the Year’ awards. And with liberalism very much back in vogue (two of the three party leaders now define themselves as ‘liberal’) it is becoming ever more relevant to the political debate.

Working at CentreForum
Dorothy, Oxford graduate: "I have worked at CentreForum for just two months (which means I still have a lot to learn!) but I love it here. It’s a dynamic, lively environment and the work is fascinating and varied. In the office periods of quiet research are interspersed with lively debates. My job involves research and writing, helping to organize events and liaising with the press. I feel very lucky that every day I get to indulge my personal interest in politics- and that I’m surrounded by colleagues who also feel passionate about their work".