Britain’s Liberal Democrats get a new think tank

Britain's Liberal Democrats are planning to launch a new think tank called the Britain Project to provide liberal policy ideas and assist in government if they return to power. This move comes as divisions within British politics make a progressive pact involving the Liberal Democrats more likely, even though their poll ratings have remained stagnant.

The think tank will be officially launched at the party's conference in Brighton on September 21, and at least 50 of the party's 71 MPs attended a presentation on its work during a parliamentary meeting in July. The group, headed by policy director Tim Leunig, aims to provide "decent ideas that can be given to the civil service to implement" and ensure parliamentarians understand the tough choices that come with government.

The think tank will focus on economic growth and public services, with a particular emphasis on the cost of living. The Liberal Democrats have not ruled out a future deal with Labour, but privately, party MPs believe a Lib-Dem/Labour pact would be more likely due to the "Burnham bounce" and the consolidation of the progressive left vote.