- New movement to reach voters who reject the politics of populism
- 7 million centre right voters feel unrepresented by current political parties
- Nationwide grassroots network to take the conversation out of Westminster
London – Andy Street and Ruth Davidson today launched Prosper UK, a new political movement made up of Conservative politicians and independent business leaders. Prosper UK will take the fight to the populists of the left and right by bringing together politicians, business leaders and members of the public who believe in pragmatic politics and a pro-growth agenda.
Prosper UK believes that Britain deserves better than a choice between Labour and Nigel Farage at the next election – and that only the Conservative Party can provide that alternative, but that to do so it must embrace its pragmatic, centre right roots.
That’s where the space is in British politics – research by More in Common for Prosper UK shows there are 7 million centre and centre right voters who feel that no political party currently represents their views.
That is why Prosper UK will take the conversation beyond Westminster and build a nationwide grassroots network. By engaging voters and businesses across the country – listening to their concerns and ideas – we will create space for a more honest debate about how to generate good jobs, strengthen the economy, raise living standards and spread opportunity across the UK. Prosper UK will concentrate on issues most acutely felt by younger and striving voters, from housing to the cost of living.
Prosper UK will then turn that national conversation into a series of proposals to address the challenges facing the UK and to influence the future direction of the Conservative Party. Working with think tanks, trade bodies and businesses, we will focus on practical solutions, firmly guided by a pro-enterprise, pro-growth agenda and be honest about the trade-offs involved.
Prosper UK launches with six founders: Co-Chairs Andy Street and Ruth Davidson, Vice Chairs David Gauke and Amber Rudd, along with David Lidington and Gavin Barwell. Prosper UK has direct support from more than 70 well-known political figures. The Prosper UK Business Advisory Council will be announced shortly.
Prosper UK Co-Chair Andy Street said: “I’m thrilled to launch Prosper UK, a new movement to bring hope to the millions of voters who have said they want to see real long-term policies to fix our sagging economy and bring the country back together. Commentators have been saying that the forces of populism and socialism are taking over the developed world, but today we’re
showing that’s not true here in the UK. There is a clear space for pragmatic and honest, pro-business politics to win support. I call on everyone who shares our values to sign up as supporters of Prosper UK and help shape the future of the UK.”
Prosper UK Co-Chair Ruth Davidson said: “Prosperity is more than money. It is opportunity. It is country which feels on the up and where young people know they can go as far as talent and hard work can take them. Where good jobs, starting their own business, owning their own home and providing for a future family feels within grasp. I am fed up of Labour and Reform politicians talking Britain down or threatening to blow politics up. Of course, the UK has its problems, but there are people right across the country striving every day to improve their corner of it. It is time to have their backs. Prosper UK will work with energy to develop the policies and pragmatic politics this country needs to start firing on all cylinders again.”
Former Chair of CBI Rupert Soames said: “Prosper UK believes in the power of private enterprise, investment and innovation to deliver prosperity for the businesses and people of Britain. A practical approach to encouraging economic growth through investment and increased productivity is what Britain and its businesses want to see. I believe that this new movement, with its energy, optimism and ambition will be welcomed by businesses of all shapes, sizes and sectors.”
Chief Economist of the Bank of England Andy Haldane said: “What the UK economy sorely needs at this moment is a double dose of optimism and dynamism, powered by rejuvenated regions and empowered businesses. This new movement contains just the vision, experience and skills necessary to help propel our splintered national politics towards that objective.”
Prosper UK Vice Chair David Gauke said: “Prosper UK is a political movement that believes building a strong economy has to be the nation’s priority. It is only by putting in place a strong economy that we can deliver rising living standards, improved opportunities for future generations, and well-funded public services. To deliver that strong economy, we believe in encouraging a vibrant and dynamic private sector, rewarding hard work and innovation, improving our competitiveness, maintaining fiscal credibility, and being prepared to make decisions for the long term.”
Prosper UK Vice Chair Amber Rudd said: “Businesses, entrepreneurs, risk takers in our country should be at the front of politicians’ strategy. That’s how we can grow and deliver in our communities. Harnessing that growth and all the benefits that go with it must be the priority of good government. At Prosper UK we have hit the ground running with an impressive list of supporters, but we’re taking this outside Westminster and want to motivate people up and down the country to get involved. We have the energy, organization and support to reshape the political landscape.”
About Prosper UK:
Prosper UK is bringing people together who share our values, care about the future of the country, and want politics to work better. We are creating a space to listen, to engage with business and communities, and to build a political movement that goes beyond Westminster.
Founding members of Prosper UK:
Co-Chair Andy Street: Andy is the former Mayor of the West Midlands (2017–2024). He won two elections in 2017 and 2021 in what many regarded as a Labour heartland. He remains a leading voice for the West Midlands and for strong, empowered regions that can deliver for local communities and strengthen the economy. Before entering politics, Andy was Managing Director of John Lewis and he brings a clear business perspective to public service. He is also Chair of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Andy believes Prosper UK exists to make a serious, pro-enterprise case for growth and opportunity, and to bring together people who feel politically homeless.
Co-Chair Ruth Davidson: Ruth Davidson is a writer, broadcaster, company director and politician. A former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, she sits in the House of Lords as a Conservative Peer. Ruth entered politics following a career in news and current affairs journalism. She is a published author, has written and presented documentaries for radio and television and continues to be a regular contributor to national newspapers. Ruth sits on the boards of a number of commercial and charitable organisations and co-presents the Sky News podcast, Electoral Dysfunction. She lives in East Lothian in Scotland with her partner, son and two misbehaving dogs.
Vice Chair David Gauke: David is a former Conservative MP and Cabinet minister. He was MP for South West Hertfordshire from 2005 to 2019, and served as a Treasury minister from 2010 to 2017 as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He was appointed Work and Pension Secretary in July 2017 and Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor in January 2018. He left Government, the Conservative Party and Parliament in 2019. He is a regular political columnist and edited The Case for the Centre Right in 2023. He re-joined the Conservative Party in 2024.
Vice Chair Amber Rudd: After leaving politics in 2019, having held cabinet roles under 3 Prime Ministers, including as Home Secretary, Amber has returned to a business career focusing on roles in energy and finance. She is on the board of Ryanair plc and Centrica plc. She is an Advisor to Equinor, the Norwegian energy company, and FGS the global consultants, amongst others . She is a Trustee of RUSI , the foreign affairs “think tank”, Chair of the Friends of Kyiv School of Economics, and Chair of the Conservative European Affairs Council.
David Lidington: David has been an active member of the Conservative Party since 1975 and served as MP for Aylesbury from 1992 to 2019. He held senior Cabinet roles under Theresa May, including Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, serving as the Prime Minister’s deputy from January 2018 to July 2019. He also served as Leader of the House of Commons and as Justice Secretary. From 2010 to 2016 he was Minister for Europe, the UK’s longest-serving holder of that post, and played a central role in UK–EU relations during the coalition and Conservative governments. He recently completed five years as Chair of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and currently chairs the Koenigswinter Conference and the Aurora Forum.
Gavin Barwell: Gavin runs NorthStar, a company he co-founded which advises businesses on UK and geopolitics. He is also a non-executive director of Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest housing association. He served as Downing Street Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Theresa May from June 2017 to July 2019 during one of the most turbulent periods in recent British political history. Before that, he was the Member of Parliament for his hometown of Croydon and a Government Minister (initially a Whip and then Minister of State for Housing & Planning and Minister for London). Before that, he was the Conservative Party’s Director of Campaigning. He now sits in the House of Lords.