Understanding Islamism
Sir John Jenkins, Dr Martyn Frampton and Tom WilsonWhat word should we use to describe those who resort to violence in the name of Islam? This question has recently been the cause of much angst and uncertainty in official circles – and nowhere more so than within the ranks of the British police. In July of this year, reports surfaced that through its Counter Terrorism Advisory Network, the Metropolitan Police had held a consultation on finding an alternative to the term ‘Islamist terrorism’—with Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the head of national counter terrorism policing, and Chief Superintendent Nik Adams, National Coordinator for Prevent policing, both attending the online meeting.
A Very British Tilt
Policy ExchangePolicy Exchange has convened a distinguished international Indo-Pacific Commission of current and former political leaders, military leaders, and thought leaders to help frame the scope of what a new UK strategy in the Indo-Pacific should be. Chaired by Rt Hon Stephen J Harper, the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada, Policy Exchange’s Indo-Pacific Commission represents the UK, Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Each commissioner brought their particular expertise and experience to the Commission’s discussions and drafting, and this report reflects a broad consensus of views on Britain’s role in the Indo-Pacific region.
Saving a lost decade
Richard SloggettFor far too long our healthcare policy has been focused on an institution, the NHS, rather than the health and wellbeing of the population as a whole. The COVID 19 pandemic has exposed the flaws of this approach. High rates of obesity, increasing health inequality and stalling life expectancy have all translated into a higher death rate recorded from the pandemic.
Five things we’ve learnt from the Energy White Paper
This week’s is a substantial document that moves the UK a step closer towards a Net Zero energy system. However, it’s clear that the White Paper is largely about ambition, which leaves a lot for the Government to do in 2021.
The UK’s bid to join CPTPP is generating momentum
Away from the fraught endgame of the Brexit negotiations, there has been positive news in UK trade in the last few weeks. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss added to the growing portfolio of UK trade agreements by securing a deal with Mexico on 15 December, following similar deals with Singapore and Vietnam last week.
RCEP: what the new trade bloc means for the Indo-Pacific and the UK
Policy Exchange’s Indo-Pacific Commission published its interim report on 22 November, arguing that the Indo-Pacific is the most important region for expanding UK trade after Brexit. This comes shortly after the recent agreement between fifteen countries in the region to form the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – the world’s largest trade bloc when measured by population and GDP. So what is RCEP, and what does the new bloc mean for the Indo-Pacific region and the UK’s strategic approach to it?
DARPA and the American Approach
Policy Exchange’s Visiting Scholar, Dr William Schneider Jr, delivered a keynote speech on “Delivering National Scientific & Technological Advantage: DARPA and the American Approach”. As a former Chairman of the US Defense Science Board, Dr Schneider is a leading authority on strategic innovation and tech R&D. His wide-ranging speech addressed issues including the evolution of national defence technologies, space security and how to help create high-tech innovation. You can watch a video of the event here and read his paper here.
Policy Exchange sets out major planning reforms
A major new Policy Exchange report has called for a complete overhaul of the planning system by the Government. The report was covered in The Times whose article said Policy Exchange’s proposals were being “seriously looked at” by the No 10 policy unit. It was also featured in The Sun, ConservativeHome and on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Policy Exchange in the Economist
“Place is regaining its importance in British politics,” according to The Economist’s Bagehot column, which cited Dean Godson, Policy Exchange’s Director, on the “somewhereisation” of UK politics, and David Goodhart, author of The Road to Somewhere and Policy Exchange’s Head of Demography. Read the article here.
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, 30 September, 2020
13:00 - 14:00
We are delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace MP, to introduce General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, to reveal The Integrated Operating Concept at Policy Exchange. In this major speech at an important juncture for UK defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff will present a new approach to the utility of armed force and integration of space, cyber and information, alongside the maritime, land and air domains. In an era of persistent competition and rapidly evolving character of warfare, this new concept for operations represents a significant development in UK military thought and fundamental transformation in the military instrument. The event will be chaired by General David Petraeus.
- Monday, 21 September, 2020 - Tuesday, 22 September, 2020
13:00 - 17:00
Watch our full programme at 2020 Labour Party Conference. Including speakers such as Unmesh Desai AM, Sir Mark Rowley QPM, Jon Cruddas MP, Rt Hon Caroline Flint, Hon Kevin Rudd AC, Stephen Kinnock MP, Juliet Samuel, Adrian Wooldridge, Emma Hardy MP, Rt Hon John McDonnell MP.
- Tuesday, 1 September, 2020
10:00
With Hon Tony Abbott AC, Former Prime Minister of Australia chaired by Katy Balls, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator Read a transcript of the event here (more…)