Former West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has asserted that the Conservative Party can secure victory over Reform UK in future elections by wholeheartedly embracing pro-business, centre-right policies. Street, who co-founded the new political movement Prosper UK alongside former Scottish Conservatives leader Baroness Davidson, believes this approach is crucial for winning back millions of politically disengaged voters.
A New Centre-Right Platform Emerges
Prosper UK, described as a "pragmatic politics" initiative, has been established with backing from dozens of former Cabinet ministers and policy officials. The group's primary mission is to research and develop business-friendly policies for the Tory leadership to adopt ahead of the next general election. Street emphasised to City AM that this platform aims to return centre-right ideas to mainstream political discourse, directly countering concerns about vote-splitting between Reform UK and Labour.
"The Conservatives will be at the next election if it brings centre-right ideas," Street declared, highlighting what he sees as a substantial untapped voter market. He dismissed Reform UK's proposals as lacking seriousness, pointing to apparent contradictions in their welfare policies, such as pledging £9 billion in cuts while supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.
Business Backing and Strategic Focus
The Prosper UK movement has already garnered significant support from senior business figures, including former Confederation of British Industry (CBI) chair Rupert Soames. Notable political figures like former home secretary Amber Rudd and ex-justice secretary David Gauke have joined the group, while established Conservatives including Michael Heseltine, Philip Hammond, Justine Greening, and Ken Clarke have expressed their endorsement.
Street clarified that Prosper UK will not field candidates in local or national elections, nor will it welcome sitting MPs. This deliberate decision reflects the group's intention to provide support through policy research rather than direct electoral competition. The movement has not yet committed to specific policies, with detailed proposals expected to emerge in coming months.
Addressing Key Policy Divisions
Street identified several areas where greater policy focus is needed, arguing that the Labour government's planning reforms are "nowhere near enough." He advocated for enabling the City of London to fund critical national priorities including defence manufacturing, national re-armament, and housing development. Street suggested that Suella Braverman's recent defection to Reform UK makes it "even more obvious" that Conservatives should reinforce their commitment to centre-right values.
While acknowledging policy differences with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on issues like net zero and immigration, Street expressed confidence that Prosper UK can assist the party on economic and business matters he describes as "tip of the sphere" issues. The group believes its research-driven approach can help the Conservatives appeal to approximately seven million voters currently considered politically homeless, providing a viable path to electoral success against both Reform UK and Labour.
