Ben Houchen is the Mayor of the Tees Valley and host of the Blueprint podcast.
In the dynamic landscape of modern politics, one thing has become abundantly clear: the need for thoughtful, principled conversation is more pressing than ever. Today, I am launching the Blueprint, a new podcast that aims to provide exactly that: a platform for the centre-right voices that can shape our nation’s future.
On Wednesday 4 September, we’ll kick off the first of a six-episode series, each featuring conversations with the potential leaders of our country and party. These initial discussions will set the stage for what the Blueprint intends to offer – a space where conservative values, ideas, and policies can be examined in depth, free from the often-reductive nature of the 24-hour news cycle.
I am excited to start this journey with my first guest, Robert Jenrick. Robert and I have had many discussions over the years, and I’ve always admired his clear-headed and direct approach to politics. In our conversation, we explore the challenges and opportunities facing our party and our country, as well as Robert’s own vision for the future of conservatism.
But the Blueprint is about more than just leadership contenders. It’s about a broader conversation within the centre-right, one that includes not just those in the corridors of power but also those from beyond the confines of Westminster.
Throughout the year ahead, each week we will speak to influential and serious figures from think tanks, universities, media, and the private sector who are capable of shaping the direction of conservative politics. I believe that the centre-right is at its best when it is open, inclusive, and forward-thinking. This podcast is my attempt to provide an arena for this to happen.
Why now?
You might ask, why launch a podcast now? The answer is simple: because the time for robust, in-depth discussion has never been more critical.
Following the electoral wipeout in July, the Conservative Party faces a crucial moment of introspection. We must ask ourselves what kind of party we want to be and what kind of country we want to build. If we don’t take this work seriously, I am in no doubt that things can and will get worse for the party.
In the past few years, we have faced unprecedented challenges: from Brexit to the Covid pandemic, from global economic shifts to the ongoing geopolitical crises. Each of these has tested our resolve and our principles, and each has required us to adapt and innovate.
As we look to the future, we must continue to evolve, to ensure that our policies resonate with the public and that our vision for Britain remains compelling and relevant.
However, this evolution must be grounded in the values that have always underpinned our movement: individual responsibility, economic freedom, and a commitment to preserving the institutions that make our country great. The Blueprint will be a place to revisit these values and explore how they can be applied to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
A platform for ideas
One of the things that excites me most about this podcast is the opportunity it provides to delve into ideas. In our fast-paced world, there’s often little time to explore the complexities of policy or the nuances of political philosophy. Yet, it is these very details that determine whether a policy succeeds or fails, whether a government delivers on its promises or falls short.
It is an unavoidable fact that in the age of 24-hour news cycles and social media, political commentary is becoming more about scandal and ‘gotcha’ clickbait than it is about nuanced debate. Like everything in life, most political issues lie not in the black or white, but rather in the grey and I think we would all find ourselves in a better place if we can build a space that allows for this debate.
In so doing, the Blueprint, will lift the lid on conservative politics, giving a platform to former ministers to speak freely about what went wrong, giving listeners a new, and unique insight beyond the headlines.
In the episodes to come, we’ll hear from a range of voices: politicians, yes, but also thought leaders, pollsters, and advisors. We’ll discuss everything from economic policy to social issues, from the future of the Union to the role of Britain on the global stage.
My hope is that these conversations will not only inform but also inspire, encouraging listeners to engage more deeply with the ideas that will shape our future.
The centre-right
Finally, the Blueprint is about building a coalition. I firmly believe that the centre-right has the potential to offer solutions to the most pressing issues of our time, solutions that are grounded in pragmatism and guided by principle.
But to do this, we must be willing to listen, to debate, and to learn from each other. We must recognize that our strength lies in our diversity – in the range of perspectives and experiences that make up our movement.
Whether you’re a long-time Conservative supporter, someone who’s new to the party, or even someone who’s simply curious about the centre-right, I invite you to join us on this journey. Tune in, listen, and engage with the conversations we’ll be having. The future of our party, and indeed our country, depends on it.
New episodes of the the Blueprint will be available every Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts.
