Meeting the Unmet Demand in Politics
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Working with political leaders to drive change ??
Welcome to Institute Insights, where TBI experts bring to life our work enabling political leaders to drive change that transforms lives.
In this edition of Institute Insights, TBI Executive Director, Politics Ryan Wain explores the urgent need for mainstream politics to embrace bold, transformative change. Drawing on TBI’s research, he examines how the political centre can be rebuilt through Disruptive Delivery – an agenda that prioritises action over ideology to meet voters’ demands for real solutions.
To receive more expert insights, sign up to the TBI newsletter.
Disruptive Delivery
The political landscape is shifting. Across Western democracies, a pervasive sense of decline is taking hold, driving voters away from a status quo that is no longer working for them. The message to mainstream politics is clear: disrupt or be disrupted.
At TBI, we surveyed 12,000 voters across the UK, US, Germany, France, Canada and Australia. Rather than branding a significant and diverse share of the electorate simply as “populists”, we identified two distinct groups who want change that exist with a remarkable consistency across all six countries: “Insiders”, who believe the existing system can deliver change, and “Outsiders”, who believe change can only come from outside the political mainstream.
These groups are not at war with each other. The crucial point is that both are united in their desire for change.
Mainstream politics today is an exercise in market failure. The steady supply of politics-as-is has an ever-dwindling level of demand.?Where incrementalism is on offer, voters want transformation. Where ideology is being prioritised, voters seek solutions that work. This mismatch is driving people towards insurgent politics – movements on both the left and right that are demanding a change to the status quo.
For mainstream and progressive parties, the warning is clear: offer a credible plan for change that combats decline or risk irrelevance. The political centre can be rebuilt to deliver this – not through old ideological battles, but through a programme we call disruptive delivery. This is an agenda that prioritises action by:
Disruptive delivery is both a political call-to-arms and an agenda for governing in the 21st century. It means moving beyond outdated ideological divides and focusing on competence, evidence-based policymaking and real delivery. Voters are demanding trustworthy governments that can ensure prosperity, security and effective public services. To meet this demand, mainstream politics must embrace bold, transformative change – harnessing AI, technology and new ideas to drive meaningful progress.
The demand for change is immense. Those who can offer a credible, optimistic and practical vision of the future will win. Those who cling to the status quo will be left behind.
At TBI, we are working with governments to turn radical ideas into practical solutions. The future of politics is not about division, it’s about delivery. If mainstream politics wants to survive, it’s time to stop defending the old ways and start building the new.
Voters are waiting for it.
Across five coalitions, voters favour politicians who deliver the best outcomes over politicians who share their ideology
At the World Governments Summit , TBI Executive Chairman Tony Blair and Oracle Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison discussed the pivotal role of technology in reimagining government services – driving productivity, accelerating growth and empowering citizens.
Experts in Action
Innovation Zero World Congress
Innovation Zero ’s World Congress is the UK’s largest net-zero conference, uniting innovators, funders, policymakers and corporates to drive a just global transition to a low-carbon economy.
TBI Director of Climate & Energy Policy Lindy Fursman will deliver a keynote on how policymakers, financiers and business leaders are driving low-carbon investments in non-OECD countries. The session will explore innovative strategies that bypass fossil-fuel-dependent models, prioritising renewables, sustainable infrastructure and equitable growth to accelerate a clean-energy transition.
When: ?? Tuesday 29 April 2025? 3:50 to 4:20pm (BST)??Olympia London
Stay in Touch
Monitoring And Evaluation Officer at MYSC
16 小时前Very precise!! The winds of change are really striking and strong!!Voters demand and really deserve change, disruptive transformation and delivery not empty and disempowering promises and propaganda.
Foreign Investment Specialist
1 周Very insightful piece. The old battle lines of class and culture have been erased and voters are frustrated at what they see as remote politicians that aren’t listening to their concerns. A focus on delivery and results as opposed to rhetoric is critical but can it compete with the easy and divisive language being used by more extreme actors? I hope so.
Secretary General at jamaica national comission for unesco
1 周Very helpful
Brilliantly written. We're in the throes of a massive political reset globally in terms of what voters are valuing. Very evident here in Kenya too at the moment.